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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card review: Silver Elite status for no annual fee
Stella is a full-time writer with expertise in credit cards, points and miles, and all things travel. She is a journalism graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and previously worked as a copywriter at JetBlue Airways and as a credit cards writer at LendingTree.
Chris Nelson is a credit cards writer for TPG. He specializes in budget travel, hotels, earning elite status through minimal spending and redeeming points for maximum value.
also contributed to this story
January 10, 2026 • 10 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Quick summary
This entry-level hotel card provides a way to earn hotel loyalty points and automatic Silver Elite status without an annual fee.
Cardholders receive travel and shopping protections, including baggage delay and trip delay coverage, which are uncommon for no-annual-fee products.
The card offers five elite night credits per year, helping users progress toward higher status within the hotel loyalty program.
While suitable for beginners, frequent hotel guests may find better value with products that charge an annual fee and offer more robust benefits.
What to consider
Eligibility is subject to complex rules, including restrictions based on other hotel cards held or recent welcome bonuses received.
Earning rates at hotels and everyday merchants are lower compared to other options within the same loyalty program family.
TPG's January 2026 valuations estimate hotel points at 0.7 cents each, providing a benchmark for assessing redemption value.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of entry-level and premium hotel cards, including which features and earning structures best suit different travel habits.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Earn up to 14X total points for every $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®.
2X
Earn 2X points for every $1 spent at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services.
1X
1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Intro offer
Earn 30,000 Bonus Points
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% - 27.74% Variable
Recommended credit
Good Credit, Excellent Credit
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card overview
The (see rates and fees) is Marriott’s entry-level personal cobranded credit card. This no-annual-fee product offers a way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and gives cardholders a jump-start on achieving elite status. However, frequent Marriott guests are better off with a card that charges an annual fee and offers more perks. Card rating*: ⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
As they say, you get what you pay for, and that’s true regarding credit cards, too. Consequently, the Bonvoy Bold sacrifices some earning potential and popular benefits to compensate for the lack of an annual fee compared to its higher-priced counterparts.
Still, this can be a great option for someone just getting into travel who wants to enjoy the benefits of Marriott Silver Elite status during hotel stays.
We recommend a credit score of at least 670 for the best approval chance.
Here’s what else you need to know about the card if you want to apply.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold pros and cons
Pros
Cons
No annual fee
Travel and shopping protections
Complimentary Silver Elite status
Ability to pay off purchases over time
No statement credits
Low number of annual elite night credits
Not a great option for frequent Marriott travelers
Poor earning rates compared to other Bonvoy cards
Subject to Marriott Bonvoy’s complicated eligibility requirements
Marriott Bonvoy Bold welcome offer
New cardholders can earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
TPG’s January 2026 valuations peg Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.7 cents each, making this bonus worth up to $210.
Cobranded Marriott cards have notoriously confusing eligibility requirements, and the Bonvoy Bold is no exception. Before applying, be sure to check your eligibility, as these requirements typically require you not to hold another Marriott cobranded card or have received a welcome bonus on another Marriott cobranded card for a certain period of time.
The card comes with automatic Silver Elite status. This status includes a 10% bonus on points earned during stays, complimentary in-room Wi-Fi, priority late checkout and a reservation guarantee.
The card also comes with five elite night credits per year. These elite night credits can help you progress to a higher status level, providing more valuable perks when staying at Marriott properties.
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
In addition, cardholders receive the following benefits:
Baggage delay insurance: You can get reimbursed up to $100 daily for up to five days for eligible essential purchases when there is a baggage delay of over six hours
Car rental insurance: Coverage for collision damage or theft when you decline the rental company's collision insurance
Concierge: Visa Signature concierge service is available 24 hours a day to help you book entertainment tickets, make dinner reservations and more
Extended warranty: For items with less than three years of warranty, you can extend a manufacturer's U.S. warranty by one additional year for up to four years from the date of purchase
Lost luggage reimbursement: You’re covered up to $3,000 per covered traveler ($2,000 for New York residents, up to $10,000 for all covered travelers) if your or an immediate family member’s checked or carry-on luggage is damaged, lost or stolen during a covered trip
Purchase protection: This covers your new purchases for 120 days (90 days for New York residents) against damage or theft (up to $500 per item)
Trip delay reimbursement: If your flight is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you’ll be covered up to $500 per covered traveler for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and hotel costs
It’s rare to find no-annual-fee credit cards offering baggage and trip delay coverage, making the Marriott Bonvoy Bold more attractive for travelers who pay for travel.
Cardholders can also use Chase Pay Over Time on purchases of $100-$5,000 made directly with an airline or Marriott Bonvoy hotel. (Access to Pay Over Time is not guaranteed and is based on factors such as account behavior, creditworthiness and credit limit.)
Remember that the 3 points per dollar you earn on Marriott hotel stays are in addition to the points you earn through the Bonvoy program. Between the 10 base points and the 10% bonus from Silver Elite status, you’ll earn up to 14 total points per dollar spent on eligible Bonvoy hotel stays with the Bonvoy Bold card. This equates to a 9.8% return on spending based on TPG's January 2026 valuations.
It’s worth mentioning that these earning rates don’t compare favorably to any of the other Marriott Bonvoy credit cards. All the other Marriott cards offer higher earning rates on both Marriott stays and everyday spending (and some have a few other bonus categories).
As is the case with Bonvoy cards, included, you’ll typically get the most value from your points when you use them for award stays at eligible Bonvoy hotels.
A nice benefit to redeeming Marriott points for award stays is that you’ll get a fifth night free at eligible properties, saving you 20% on five-night stays.
TANNER SAUNDERS/THE POINTS GUY
Beginners who may not have massive points balances for redemptions can also take advantage of Marriott’s Cash + Points redemption options, where you can use points to pay for part of your hotel stay and cash for the rest.
TPG lead writer Katie Genter spent five nights at Le Meridien N'Fis in Marrakech, Morocco, for just 52,500 Marriott Bonvoy points by taking advantage of the "Stay for 5, Pay for 4" feature.
Unlike many other hotel-branded cards, the has decent transfer options. You can transfer your Marriott points to an impressive list of nearly 40 airline partners, typically at a 3:1 ratio.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
This is rarely the best redemption option, but it can be useful to top off points or miles balances with airline programs with no other transfer partners, such as Saudia Alfursan.
Which cards compete with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold?
If you want more Marriott Bonvoy perks or prefer different rewards, consider one of these alternatives:
If you want more Marriott Bonvoy benefits: The (see rates and fees) comes with a $95 annual fee but gives you more Marriott Bonvoy perks and greater earning potential on your Marriott stays. You’ll also get a free reward night certificate worth up to 35,000 points per night each year you hold the card, making the annual fee almost always worth it. (Certain hotels have resort fees.) To learn more, read our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.
If you stay at Hilton properties more often: The has no annual fee (see rates and fees) and allows you to earn Hilton Honors points and enjoy automatic Hilton Honors Silver status. To learn more, read our full review of the Hilton Honors Amex.
Since there’s no annual fee to justify, beginners may find enough value in the ’s automatic Silver Elite status to make the card worthwhile. However, anyone who stays at Marriott properties regularly and is willing to pay an annual fee is better off using their Chase 5/24 slot for a Marriott card with more robust benefits.
Bottom line
While the offers some decent value for beginners, you’ll likely get more value from other travel credit card options, especially when you look at the full lineup of Marriott Bonvoy cards.
These other cards offer rewards rates and additional perks that more than make up for their annual fees. However, true beginners (and maybe those against adding another annual fee to their wallets) could find solid value in the Bonvoy Bold.
While it’s not the most rewarding card on the market, it can be a useful entry point into the Marriott Bonvoy program, especially for those looking to avoid annual fees.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Card, click here.
