Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card Review

The Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ hits a sweet spot for many consumers who want a reliable hotel credit card without frills and annual fees.

Travelers who enjoy staying at Marriott Bonvoy properties will enjoy the complimentary elite status provided by the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ card.

Although there are not many luxury perks with this card, it can be a simple and powerful tool to earn free nights at over 7,000 hotels fee-free.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card Pros and Cons

Pros:

• First fee-free Marriott Bonvoy credit card.
• Complimentary Silver Elite status provided by 15 free qualifying nights.
• No annual fees or foreign transaction fees.

Cons:

• Does not offer introductory APR
• No complimentary anniversary nights like other Marriott Bonvoy cards offer.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card Review

• Annual fee: $0
• Regular APR: 15.99%-22.99%
• Rewards: Up to 14x points per dollar spent with Marriott Bonvoy (3x points per dollar spent at select Marriott Bonvoy hotels + 1x points for Marriott Bonvoy membership + 1x point for Silver Elite Status), 2x points per dollar on all other travel, 1x point per dollar on all other purchases.
• Foreign Transaction Fee: None
• Sign-Up Bonus: 30,000 points after spending $1,000 on the card in the first three months.
• Category:Rewards

Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card Rewards

Earning Rewards

Earning rewards with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ is straightforward and is most lucrative for consumers who regularly spend on travel.

Since this card offers complimentary Silver Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, cardholders who enroll in Marriott Bonvoy membership can earn a whopping 14x points per dollar spent with the hotel chain. This is especially impressive since there is no annual fee for the card.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ is issued by Chase, which means most travel purchases qualify for the 2x points bonus category, including trains and taxis.

However, all other everyday spending only generates 1x point per dollar, making it a compelling card for categories like groceries and dining.

Redeeming Rewards

All points generated by the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ go into your Marriott Bonvoy points bank, which includes all points earned through any other Marriott Bonvoy credit cards you may have or transferred points from partner rewards systems.

The Marriott Bonvoy booking system is a more user-friendly hotel rewards system to navigate because prices are clearly marked in both dollar and points values.

When you go to book a reservation online or through the mobile app, you can check your loyalty status and enter any additional discount information such as AAA before you proceed to complete your booking.

If you want to save up points and consolidate other rewards from Marriott Bonvoy Transfer

Partners, you can use your Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ credit card to turbocharge your earnings and accumulate enough points to stay at a high-tier property or spread them out over a medium tear property for an extended stay.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card Features and Benefits

Enjoy Elite Status

Many Hotel regulars speak out Elite status and loyalty perks because they provide benefits such as complimentary food, early check-in, late check-out, and even free room upgrades if they are available.

Cardholders of the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ automatically receive silver Elite status for Marriott convoy once they are approved for their card and enroll in the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program.

Great Welcome Bonus (30,000 Points)

30,000 points as a welcome bonus for a fee-free hotel credit card is a powerful incentive for consumers who are trying to optimize their travel spending but still want to use a rewards credit card to achieve their goals.

Set the spending threshold to receive the bonus is $1,000 over the first three months; the welcome bonus has a dual benefit of being relatively achievable and big enough to pay for a night or two at a mid-tier property.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

Entry-level rewards credit cards that compete with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ often carry foreign transaction fees, but this card does not.

Since it is a Visa Signature card, it is an excellent option for making purchases abroad because Visa is widely accepted, and you can potentially save a lot of money that otherwise would have gone to foreign transaction fees.

15 Elite Night Credits

Cardholders qualify for their silver Elite status because they automatically receive 15 Elite night credits annually.

Additional qualifying Elite nights help cardholders earn the next level of loyalty membership more quickly because they start with 15 qualifying nights.

How Does Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card Compare to Other Cards?

#1. Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred®

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards on the market due to its flexibility and high earning capability for an annual fee of $95. It earns 3x points on dining and travel, along with a slew of other perks.

When you are deciding between these two cards, your travel goals and budget should take precedence.

Since the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ card is co-branded, you receive loyalty status with a hotel chain, whereas the Chase Sapphire Preferred® does not have any partner Airlines or hotel chains.

If you prefer to stay in Marriott Bonvoy Hotels, and you do not want to pay an annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ might be the right choice for you, but if you want flexible travel rewards and don’t mind paying an annual fee, it’s hard to find a better option than the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

#2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card vs. Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards credit card is one of the most popular Legacy travels cards on the market.

Its simple reward structure generates 2x miles per dollar that can be used to cover all travel charges on your credit statement. It is often paired with a generous introductory spending bonus, and It recently added travel and Rental Car bonus earnings if you book through Capital One travel.

Deciding between the Capital One Venture rewards credit card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ credit card boils down to your travel objectives. The Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ card offers a Higher

earning rate for hotel stays, and if hotels are your largest travel expense, it may be a better fit for your wallet.

#3. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card vs. Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ credit card is the middle tier in the Marriott Bonvoy credit card family.

It offers 6x points per dollar on Marriott Bonvoy purchases and 2x points per dollar on all other Purchases. It carries a $95 fee, offers a complimentary night after every cardholder anniversary, and has a larger introductory bonus that can be worth up to 3 nights at a Marriott Bonvoy property.

The main difference between the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ and Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ is the enhanced reward structure and annual fee.

If you regularly stay at Marriott Bonvoy Hotels and can take advantage of the annual anniversary bonus, it may offset the annual fee.

However, if you want a no-frills credit card to help you save money on hotel stays, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ is probably a better choice.

#4. Platinum Card® from American Express vs. Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the highest-end luxury travel credit cards on the market.

It carries an annual fee of $695, including perks such as Uber credits, Hotel credits, streaming credits, and line credits, among other perks (including a discount on private jet charters).

If luxury travel is your primary objective, it’s hard to find a better choice than the platinum card from American Express.

However, if a very high annual fee and extensive leg work required to get the most out of your credit card is not appealing to you, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ card may be a better option.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Credit Score Do You Need for Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card

Travel credit cards such as the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ generally require good to excellent credit to qualify for approval.

Is the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card Worth It?

The Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ credit card is an affordable entry-level Hotel credit card that provides access to one of the more powerful Hotel Networks available. If you regularly stay at a Marriott Bonvoy property, or you want to rack up enough points to save money on your next trip without dealing with bonus categories, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ may be a good option. Otherwise, more General travel credit cards may offer more flexible reward redemptions.

Does Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card Have an Annual Fee?

No, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ credit cards do not have an annual fee.

Bottom Line: Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card Review

Overall, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ credit card does an excellent job of helping cardholders save money on hotel stays without charging an annual fee or requiring cardholders to manage rotating categories.

Avid Travelers may do better with one of Marriott Bonvoy’s higher tier credit cards or a more general travel credit card that offsets flights, hotels, and rentals.