Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful and its sister card, the Bonvoy Bevy, simply don’t offer the necessary benefits befitting their $250 annual fee. You only get a free night’s stay by spending $15,000 on the card in a year. And while complimentary Gold Elite Status is a nice perk, you still have to stay another 35 nights over the course of the year to get bumped up to Platinum Elite Status. Add in the fact that the 85,000 point sign-up bonus might not get you much since Marriott’s reward redemption is much higher than other hotels, and we suggest passing on this card.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
You can earn a quick 85,000 point sign-up bonus after spending $4000 in three months, and you also get complimentary Gold Elite Status with Marriott, which comes with some nice perks and benefits. If you’re chasing Platinum Elite Status, the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card also offers 15 Elite night credits each year to get you started towards the 50 nights necessary to reach it. You can earn a free night each year with this card. Unfortunately, you have to spend $15,000 on the card to get it... and it comes with an annual fee of $250.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
We can't really think of any:
- The other Marriott co-branded cards offered have similar or better sign-up bonuses and have benefits that line up with their annual fees
What to Know About Marriott Bonvoy
Their poor points redemption value leaves Bonvoy near the bottom of our rankings.
- There are multiple cards with great point transfer options. In theory, this is good.
- Finding a solid value for a Marriott stay is a challenge. A one night stay at desirable destinations can match the number of points from one card bonus.
- Values can be found, and points don’t expire, so it isn’t a terrible system. It just doesn’t have the usefulness of many of the other hotel systems.
How The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card Fits In The Marriott Bonvoy Ecosystem
The Bountiful and the Bevy are essentially the same card offering the same sign-up bonus and benefits. The main difference is that the Bountiful has a $4,000 spend in 3 months to earn the bonus while the Bevy has a $5,000 requirement but gives you 6 months to do it. After that, the benefits match up the same. The Boundless is the next step down in that it only has a $95 annual fee. But as long as status isn’t your main priority, it has a better sign-up bonus and offers a free night’s stay each year (though it is capped at 35k points). You do only get Silver Elite Status with the Boundless vs. Gold with the Bevy and Bountiful, but if status is what you care about, you might as well get the elite Marriott card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant. Though the $650 annual fee is high, you receive automatic Platinum Elite Status, 25 Elite night credits, and one free night up to 85k points, along with a few other nice credits to make up for the high annual fee.
My Experience, No Filter
We're not much into the Marriott point system. For the $250 annual fee, and the below-average point redemption structure, you're far better off getting a World of Hyatt card from Chase.
Card Information
| Bonus Points | Minimum Spend | Point Value | Annual Value | Annual Fee |
1st Year Value
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85,000 | $4,000 | 0.7 ¢ | $1 | $250 |
$374
|
| Best Value | Differentiating Perks | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott stays & transfer top-offs | 2x on all other purchases, annual free night | 5/24 , Chase 2/30 , Chase 4/6 |
Spend Categories
2X points
1.4¢ Per Dollar Spent
4X points
2.8¢ Per Dollar Spent
16X points
11.2¢ Per Dollar Spent
4X points
2.8¢ Per Dollar Spent
Card Benefits
On your card anniversary, you’ll receive a free-night certificate valid at participating Marriott hotels after $15,000 in spend.
You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.
Call 1-800-953-7392 to get complimentary assistance making dinner reservations, buying theater tickets, getting travel guides, sending gifts/flowers, and dozens of other specific requests.
Included Gold status includes: late checkout and free WiFi.
You're protected for up to 120 days and up to $500 per claim.
Point Transfer Options
Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes
Transfer To Friends Yes
Travel Partner Transfers
Marriott Bonvoy Outside Point System
Transfers Out To
3:1 67% value retained
3:1 67% value retained
3:1 67% value retained
3:1 48% value retained
3:1 57% value retained
3:1 57% value retained
3:1 57% value retained
3:1 57% value retained
3:1 57% value retained
3:1 57% value retained
3:1 62% value retained
3:1 62% value retained
3:1 57% value retained
3:1.1 68% value retained
3:1 67% value retained
Transfers In From
1:1 50% value retained
1:1 44% value retained
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Application Rules
Your application will be declined if 5 new cards are reported on your personal credit report in the past 24 months
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Chase card of any kind within 30 days
Chase will decline your application you apply for a 5th Chase card (personal or BUSINESS) in 6 months
