Is the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card Right for You? Plus, How to Upgrade to the Ritz-Carlton Card!
Hey everyone, Phillip here from Points of Phillip! Today, we're diving deep into the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card. There's a fantastic new bonus offer, and I want to explain why this card might be a valuable addition to your wallet, especially if you have bigger plans!
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card: A Solid Offer
Let's get right to it. The current bonus is 125,000 points AND a free night award (up to 50,000 points)! That's a pretty sweet deal.
125,000 Bonus Points: These points are valuable because they don't expire! That gives you flexibility in planning your dream vacation.
Free Night Award: Good for a stay up to 50,000 points, and you can even top it up to 55,000 points if you want to splurge a little. This is great for a staycation or a night in a city. Note that the free night expires one year from when it is earned.
Spending Requirement: You'll need to spend $3,000 in the first 3 months to earn the bonus (that's $1,000/month).
Digging into the Details
Annual Fee: $95 – a pretty reasonable annual fee for a hotel card.
Earning Rewards:
17x total points at Marriott Bonvoy properties (more on this below)
3x points per dollar on the first $6,000 spent annually (combined) at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
2x points per dollar on everything else.
Understanding the Marriott Bonvoy Earning Structure
Marriott advertises 17x points at their properties, but it's important to understand how that breaks down:
6x points per dollar is standard on all Marriott Bonvoy cards (including the Boundless).
10x is earned just by being a Marriott Bonvoy member
The remaining points come from your Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
The Boundless card comes with Silver Elite status, which doesn't offer significant benefits.
Essentially, the card itself earns 6x at Marriott properties, and the rest depends on your overall Marriott Bonvoy status.
Key Benefits of the Boundless Card
Free Night Award: After your first cardmember anniversary, you'll receive a free night award worth up to 35,000 points. This can easily offset the annual fee!
15 Elite Night Credits: These credits help you earn higher Marriott Bonvoy status.
Visa Signature Perks: Travel protections and no foreign transaction fees.
Instant Spending: Chase advertises that you can add this card to your digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) and start spending immediately upon approval.
Why I Care About the Bonvoy Boundless: The Secret to the Ritz-Carlton Card
Okay, here's where it gets really interesting. I'm a big fan of the Ritz-Carlton card, but you can't apply for it directly anymore. The Bonvoy Boundless card is the key to unlocking it!
Here's the strategy:
Get the Bonvoy Boundless Card: This card has a reasonable annual fee, good signup bonuses, and is your gateway to the Ritz-Carlton card.
Hold the Card for One Year: You need to be a cardholder for at least one year before you can product change.
Product Change to the Ritz-Carlton Card: Call Chase (or message them securely) and request a product change.
Important Considerations for Product Changing:
Credit Limit: You'll need at least a $10,000 credit limit on the Boundless card or available with Chase.
Timing: There are conflicting reports about when to make the switch. Some suggest doing it early in the year (January/February) to ensure you get the Marriott Gold Elite status benefits.
Free Night Award: Some data points suggest that if you product change before your 35,000-point free night award posts, you might be able to get an 85,000-point free night award on the Ritz-Carlton card during your first year. However, this isn't guaranteed, so proceed at your own risk. I personally waited for the free night award to post.
Why the Ritz-Carlton Card is Worth the Upgrade
The Ritz-Carlton card comes with a $450 annual fee, but the benefits can easily outweigh the cost if you use them strategically.
Earning Rewards:
6x points at Marriott properties
3x points at restaurants, car rentals, and airfare booked directly with an airline
2x points on everything else
Key Benefits:
Priority Pass: A fantastic Priority Pass membership with access to Minute Suites and Express Spa locations (though not restaurants).
Authorized Users: No annual fee for authorized users! You can add up to 99 authorized users and give them their own Priority Pass membership!
Chase Sapphire Lounge Access: Access to the exclusive Chase Sapphire Lounges.
$300 Annual Airline Credit: This credit is for airline fees, but can often be used more flexibly. It requires a phone call to the JP Morgan Private Client line (which is a perk in itself!).
Global Entry Credit:
Free Night Award: An 85,000-point free night award annually.
Marriott Gold Elite Status: This gets you perks like early check-in and late checkout.
Final Thoughts
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card is a solid card on its own, especially with the current bonus offer. But its true value lies in its ability to unlock the Ritz-Carlton card, which offers incredible benefits for frequent travelers.