Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Marriott Bonvoy Bevy: Which Is Better In 2025?

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of why we like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card.

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• You'll earn an accelerated 6X points on eligible Marriott Bonvoy hotel purchases and get automatic Gold Elite status just for being a cardmember.
• While there is an annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card also has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good companion for international travel.
• The annual Free Night Award, earned after spending $15,000 in a calendar year, can be worth more than the annual fee, depending on where you redeem it (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Cardholders automatically receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, unlocking perks like potential room upgrades and late checkout.
• Earn points on everyday purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, with flexible redemption options that include hotel stays and airline transfers.
• Travel-friendly perks include no foreign transaction fees and access to benefits like car rental loss and damage insurance.

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Cons

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• The annual Free Night Award requires meeting a significant spending threshold each year; it is not an automatic benefit.
• Card benefits are heavily concentrated within the Marriott Bonvoy ecosystem, offering limited value for travelers who do not frequently stay at Marriott properties.
• It lacks certain premium travel perks found on competing cards, such as airport lounge access or annual statement credits for travel.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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Categories

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When considering which is better, Chase Freedom Unlimited or Marriott Bonvoy Bevy, it's crucial to understand that each card caters to a different type of consumer. Your personal spending habits and reward preferences will ultimately determine the right choice for your wallet.

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card is best for cash back seekers who want to earn consistent rewards on everyday spending without tracking complex categories.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: This card is tailored for frequent travelers, particularly those who regularly stay at Marriott properties and want to maximize hotel-specific rewards and benefits.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.

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Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Points are primarily redeemed for free nights at hotels and resorts within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, but can also be transferred to various airline loyalty programs.

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Travel Perks

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• Travel Portal: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® allows cardholders to book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card's ecosystem is centered on the Marriott Bonvoy program, where points are redeemed for hotel stays or transferred to airline partners.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® includes a foreign transaction fee, while the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card does not, making it a better choice for international travel.
• Lounge Access: Neither of these cards offers complimentary airport lounge access as a standard benefit.
• Core Travel Perks: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers basic travel insurance protections but is not a dedicated travel card. In contrast, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® card is designed for travelers, providing complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and the ability to earn a Free Night Award after meeting an annual spending requirement. Terms apply.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos provides a comprehensive tool for comparing top-rated cards, giving users access to a database of nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for their spending patterns.

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• Test drive credit cards: Before applying, you can simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your real spending data. This feature provides a personalized rewards projection without requiring an application or a hard credit pull.
• Personalized recommendations: Receive data-driven card suggestions and see your approval odds based on an analysis of your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
• Reward optimization: Kudos helps you maximize rewards by autofilling the best card to use at checkout and allows you to earn extra rewards through the Kudos Boost program.
• Financial tracking: Monitor your spending, track your credit score, and manage multiple credit cards from a single platform.
• Exclusive member offers: Unlock special promotions, including a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward for adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who want a straightforward rewards card without the hassle of tracking rotating categories. It's particularly well-suited for those new to credit card rewards and for existing Chase customers looking to build a powerful rewards strategy by pairing it with a premium Chase card. Furthermore, individuals seeking purchase protections and travel benefits without an annual fee will find this card to be a strong option, as detailed in this comprehensive guide.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card is best suited for frequent Marriott guests who want to enjoy automatic Gold Elite status and maximize their point earnings. It's also a great fit for those who can spend $15,000 per year to earn a Free Night Award and take advantage of 4X points on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets annually (then 2X). As detailed in our full card review, this card bridges the gap for travelers who value hotel perks but don't stay enough to earn them organically.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card comparison has left you feeling like neither is the perfect match, don't worry. There are several other excellent cards on the market that might better align with your spending habits and travel goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Most issuers require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review your card strategy – Consider how a new card fits with others you hold to maximize value.
• Prepare for the application – Some cards may require an existing loyalty program number to apply.

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Application Strategy

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• Research issuer-specific rules to understand application restrictions.
• Leverage card pairings to transfer points and unlock higher redemption values.
• Align your application with planned large purchases to meet welcome offer thresholds.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I transfer points between the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Marriott Bonvoy program?

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You cannot transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Chase, but you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned with your Freedom Unlimited® card to the Marriott Bonvoy program. This allows you to combine points from both cards for hotel stays.

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Which card is better for someone new to credit card rewards?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is generally a better choice for beginners due to its $0 annual fee and straightforward rewards structure. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card is more suited for those who frequently stay at Marriott properties and can maximize its travel-specific benefits.

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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has a $0 annual fee. In contrast, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card has a $250 annual fee.

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