Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: Which Is Better In 2025?

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card stands out.

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• Cardholders receive automatic Silver Elite status and 15 elite night credits each year, fast-tracking them to higher loyalty tiers.
• The card accelerates point earnings with bonus rewards on combined purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.
• Its anniversary free night award, valued at up to 35,000 points, can easily cover the card's $95 annual fee. (publisher-formulated estimate)

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Pros

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• A generous welcome offer for new cardholders.
• Valuable travel protections, including coverage for trip delays and lost luggage.
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.

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Cons

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• An annual fee applies.
• Points have limited flexibility, offering the most value only for Marriott hotel stays.
• Some benefits, like the anniversary free night award, come with restrictions.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, comes down to your specific travel habits and loyalty preferences.

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve® - This card is a premium travel rewards card designed for frequent travelers who can take full advantage of its comprehensive travel benefits and protections.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® - This card is best for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Marriott brand and want to maximize hotel rewards and elite status benefits.

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Redemption

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Points earned with this card offer great flexibility, as they can be redeemed for travel through the Chase portal or transferred to a variety of airline and hotel partners. This allows cardholders to book travel with numerous brands beyond a single loyalty program.

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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®: Rewards are earned as Marriott Bonvoy points, which are primarily redeemed for free nights at hotels and resorts within the extensive Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Cardholders can also use points for other travel experiences, though hotel stays typically offer the best value.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card offers a robust suite of travel benefits centered around the Chase Ultimate Rewards® ecosystem. It comes with a significant annual fee but provides perks designed for frequent travelers.
  • An annual travel credit of $300. The first $300 in travel purchases each year are covered by this credit, and you begin earning points on travel spending after the credit is used.
  • Complimentary airport lounge access through a Priority Pass™ Select membership.
  • Points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.
  • A statement credit for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS.
  • No foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®: This card's travel perks are focused on enhancing your stays within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. It has an annual fee and is ideal for travelers loyal to the Marriott brand.
  • One Free Night Award every year after your account anniversary, valid for a one-night hotel stay at a property with a redemption level up to a certain point value.
  • Automatic Silver Elite status, which includes benefits like bonus points on stays and priority late checkout.
  • No foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial companion designed to help you compare top-rated cards and make informed decisions based on your actual spending patterns.

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• The ‘Test Drive’ feature lets you simulate potential earnings from a credit card using your real spending data before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Access a card explorer tool with nearly 3,000 credit cards, allowing for unbiased comparisons.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• A welcome offer guarantee ensures that if you find a better public offer within three months of being approved, Kudos will match it.
• Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and get personalized card recommendations to maximize your rewards.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel card designed for frequent travelers and high-spenders who can fully leverage its benefits to offset the $795 annual fee. It's a powerhouse for those who will utilize the annual $300 travel credit, appreciate Priority Pass™ Select lounge access, and want robust travel protections. Points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases, as the first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is ideally suited for travelers who frequently stay at Marriott properties and want to maximize their loyalty benefits. It's particularly valuable for status seekers, as it provides an automatic boost toward elite status, helping them unlock perks faster. Additionally, value-focused individuals will appreciate the annual free night award, which can offset the annual fee, while everyday spenders can accumulate points on daily purchases like groceries and gas.

Alternatives to Consider

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If you've reviewed the Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® comparison and concluded that neither card is the right choice for you, don't fret. The travel rewards card market is packed with excellent alternatives that might better align with your spending and travel style.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Most premium cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending – Make sure you can meet the minimum spend requirement for the welcome offer without overspending.
• Review the rewards program – Understand how you will use the points to ensure the card aligns with your goals.

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Application Strategy

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• Understand issuer application rules – Some issuers, like Chase, may limit approvals based on how many cards you've recently opened.
• Consider co-branded vs. flexible rewards – Cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® offer deep brand-specific perks, while others provide more versatile points.
• Time your application strategically – Applying before a large planned purchase can help you meet the spending requirement for a welcome offer naturally.

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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Which card has a higher annual fee?

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card has a $795 annual fee, which is substantially higher than the $95 annual fee for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. The cost difference is generally tied to the breadth and value of the benefits offered by each card.

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Can I transfer points from my Chase Sapphire Reserve® to my Marriott Bonvoy account?

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Yes, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned with your Sapphire Reserve® card to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Marriott Bonvoy is one of Chase's hotel transfer partners, and transfers are typically processed at a 1:1 ratio.

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Which card is better for international travel?

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Both cards are strong choices for use abroad since neither charges foreign transaction fees. Your decision may depend on whether you prefer the flexible redemption options of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the hotel-specific perks of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card.

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