United Club 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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Here’s a closer look at why we think the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card is a solid choice for brand loyalists.

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• Cardholders earn 6 points per dollar at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and elevated rewards on dining and at U.S. supermarkets.
• The card comes with automatic Gold Elite status and other travel protections, though it does carry an annual fee.
• You must spend $15,000 in a calendar year to earn the annual free night award, which is valued at up to 50,000 points (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Cardholders receive automatic Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, unlocking perks like room upgrades and late checkout.
• It includes a range of travel protections, such as trip delay reimbursement and lost luggage reimbursement.
• You get annual elite night credits that can be combined with those from a Marriott Bonvoy business card to help you achieve a higher status tier more quickly.

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Cons

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• The annual free night award is not automatic and requires meeting a significant spending threshold each year.
• Card spending does not help you qualify for higher elite status tiers, such as Platinum Elite.
• The complimentary Gold Elite status doesn’t include the most sought-after perks like free breakfast or suite upgrades.

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful vs United Club

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Club or Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful, comes down to your primary travel habits and brand loyalty.

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• The United Club℠ Card is designed for frequent United Airlines flyers and loyalists. It's best for travelers who value airport lounge access and priority services to enhance their comfort and convenience when flying with the airline.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card is geared toward frequent Marriott travelers who want to earn hotel points and enjoy mid-tier elite status perks. This card is a good fit for those seeking more than entry-level benefits without committing to a top-tier luxury hotel card.

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Redemption

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United Club℠ Card: Rewards are earned as miles that can be redeemed primarily for United Airlines flights, seat upgrades, and other travel-related purchases through the airline's loyalty program.

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Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed through the Marriott Bonvoy program for free hotel nights and room upgrades. You can also transfer points to various airline partners for added flexibility.

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Travel Perks

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• United Club℠ Card: The ecosystem is centered on enhancing the United Airlines flight experience.
  • Lounge Access: Provides a full United Club membership, granting access to United Club locations and participating Star Alliance partner lounges.
  • Priority Services: Includes Premier Access for priority check-in, security screening, boarding, and baggage handling.
  • Baggage Allowance: The primary cardmember and one companion on the same reservation receive their first and second checked bags free.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: This card does not have foreign transaction fees.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: The ecosystem is focused on the Marriott Bonvoy hotel program, offering perks for stays within its portfolio.
  • Hotel Elite Status: Automatically provides complimentary Gold Elite status, which includes benefits like enhanced room upgrades and bonus points on stays.
  • Free Night Award: Cardholders can earn a Free Night Award each calendar year after meeting a specific spending threshold.
  • Booking & Transfers: Points are redeemed through the Marriott Bonvoy portal for hotel stays or can be transferred to various airline partners for booking flights.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: This card does not have foreign transaction fees.
  • Lounge Access: Does not include airport lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To eliminate the guesswork, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using personalized, data-driven recommendations.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
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• Automatically use the best card at checkout to maximize rewards.
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• Monitor your credit score and manage multiple credit cards in one platform.

Who Should Choose the United Club?

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The United Club℠ Card is an excellent choice for frequent United flyers and business travelers who can maximize benefits like priority services and accelerated mile earning. It's also geared toward travelers who prioritize comfort, as its main draw is the complimentary United Club membership which provides access to a global network of airport lounges. Additionally, international travelers and those chasing MileagePlus Premier status will find significant value in The United Club℠ Card's features, such as no foreign transaction fees and the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points through spending.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card is tailored for frequent Marriott travelers who value automatic Gold Elite status and are willing to pay the $250 annual fee for its collection of benefits. It particularly suits cardholders who spend heavily on dining and groceries and can comfortably reach the $15,000 annual spending threshold to unlock the free night award. This card is ideal for brand loyalists seeking to maximize point earnings on stays and everyday purchases without stepping up to a luxury-tier annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

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The choice between the United Club℠ Infinite Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card often boils down to prioritizing airline benefits over hotel perks, but not every traveler fits neatly into one of those boxes. If that sounds like you, here are a few other top-tier travel cards to consider.

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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 to ensure you meet the card’s requirements.
• Review your existing cards to confirm eligibility for the welcome offer.
• Assess the card’s benefits to ensure they align with your travel and spending habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically before a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements.
• Understand issuer rules, as some card families have restrictions on earning a welcome offer if you have or have had similar cards.
• Be patient when searching for the best offer and consider trying different methods if one doesn't work.

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 offers better value on everyday spending?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card generally provides stronger rewards on common categories like dining and groceries. The United Club℠ Infinite Card, on the other hand, heavily favors spending directly with United Airlines.

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Do both cards provide airport lounge access?

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No, only the United Club℠ Infinite Card includes a complimentary United Club membership for airport lounge access. This benefit is not available with the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card.

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How do the annual fees for the cards compare?

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The United Club℠ Infinite Card carries a significantly higher annual fee to cover its premium benefits, most notably the lounge membership. The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card has a more moderate annual fee in line with other mid-tier travel cards.

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