IHG One Rewards Premier vs Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful: Which Is Better In 2025?

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we like the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful.

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• You can earn a high rate of points on stays with Marriott Bonvoy, plus bonus points on dining and at grocery stores.
• The card comes with automatic Gold Elite status and other travel protections, though it does carry an annual fee.
• If you meet the annual spending requirement to earn the free night award, its redemption value can potentially offset the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• A valuable welcome bonus offer for new cardholders who meet an initial spending requirement.
• Receive a head start toward higher elite status each year with automatic elite night credits.
• Earn bonus points on each paid stay at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties, on top of your regular earnings.

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Cons

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• A complimentary night award is not an automatic yearly benefit; it must be earned through significant card spending.
• The card does not offer a way to earn higher-level elite status through spending.
• Certain benefits, like bonus points on stays, are restricted to paid bookings and do not apply to award redemptions.

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful vs IHG One Rewards Premier

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the IHG One Rewards Premier or Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful, often comes down to which hotel brand you prefer and where you spend the most money.

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card offers its highest rewards on spending at IHG Hotels & Resorts. It also provides accelerated earnings on travel, gas, and dining.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: This card is best for earning rewards on stays at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Cardholders also earn bonus points at grocery stores and restaurants.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Premier: Points are primarily redeemed for reward nights at IHG properties, and cardholders can get a fourth night free on award stays. Points can also be used for other travel, merchandise, and gift cards through the IHG One Rewards catalog.

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Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful: Cardholders can use points for free nights at hotels and resorts within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Additionally, points can be transferred to numerous airline partners or redeemed for unique travel packages and experiences.

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Travel Perks

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card includes several travel-centric benefits, starting with no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders receive automatic Platinum Elite status, an Anniversary Free Night each year, and a statement credit to cover the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: This card also has no foreign transaction fees. It provides complimentary Gold Elite status, which can unlock perks like room upgrades. Cardholders can earn a Free Night Award after meeting an annual spending requirement and also receive 1,000 bonus points for each eligible paid stay.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For a more personalized comparison, a tool like Kudos can help you analyze your own spending habits against different cards.

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• The platform’s Test Drive feature simulates your potential earnings with a new card based on your actual spending data, without requiring an application or a hard credit pull.
• Kudos provides personalized card recommendations by analyzing your spending history to find the best match for your habits.
• It also offers detailed approval odds based on your credit report to help you make more informed decisions.
• Account holders can access Kudos Boost, which allows them to earn additional rewards on top of their credit card rewards when shopping through the platform.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is tailor-made for travelers who frequently stay at IHG properties like Holiday Inn or InterContinental. These cardholders value the automatic Platinum Elite status and can easily offset the annual fee by using the anniversary free night certificate. It's also a strong choice for those who take longer vacations, as they can maximize value with the fourth-night-free benefit on reward stays.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card is best suited for frequent Marriott guests who want more than basic hotel perks but don't need the top-tier benefits of a luxury card. This cardholder is looking to leverage complimentary Gold Elite status and 15 annual elite night credits to enhance their stays, while also aiming to earn a free night award worth up to 50,000 points. With a $250 annual fee, it's a good fit for travelers who can meet the $15,000 annual spend requirement to unlock that award and maximize the card's overall value.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our IHG One Rewards Premier vs. Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful comparison didn't help you find the right card, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards that might be a better fit for your wallet.

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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.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review bonus eligibility rules - Issuers often have restrictions based on cards you currently have or have had in the past.
• Create a spending plan - Ensure you can meet any spending requirements and that the card’s benefits align with your habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the minimum spending requirement for a welcome offer.
• Understand issuer-specific rules - Be aware of restrictions like Chase's 5/24 rule or complex co-brand card eligibility, such as with Marriott cards.
• Have a backup plan - Some issuers let you see your offer before a hard credit inquiry, allowing you to decline and try again later.

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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What are the annual fees for the IHG One Rewards Premier and Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful cards?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Card has a $99 annual fee, while the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card has a $250 annual fee. As these fees can change, it's wise to verify the current amount with the card issuer.

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Do both cards offer an anniversary free night award?

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Yes, both cards offer an anniversary free night award, a key perk that can help offset the annual fee. The specific rules, such as the point-value limit for the free night, vary between the IHG and Marriott programs.

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Which card offers better elite status benefits?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Card automatically provides Platinum Elite status, a high-tier level in its program. The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card grants automatic Gold Elite status, a mid-tier level that offers fewer perks than IHG's Platinum status.

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