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On July 11, 2024, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card will be undergoing a series of changes to its benefits and spending bonuses. This $0 annual fee card is issued by Chase and was first released to the public in 2019. Since then, it’s been a favorite among Marriott loyalists who want to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on their everyday purchases.
While some of these upcoming changes are positive, others will hurt cardmembers’ ability to earn free nights with Marriott Bonvoy. The following table outlines the features of the Marriott Bonvoy Bold card that will be changing on July 11:
| Before July 11, 2024 (no longer effective) | After July 11, 2024 |
|---|---|
| 1X point in the following categories: • Grocery stores • Ride-hailing services • Select food delivery • Internet, phone services and select streaming | 2X points in the following categories: • Grocery stores • Ride-hailing services • Select food delivery • Internet, phone services and select streaming |
| 15 elite night credits per calendar year | Automatic Silver Elite status as well as five elite night credits per calendar year |
| 2X points on non-Marriott Bonvoy travel purchases | 1X point on non-Marriott Bonvoy travel purchases |
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold card will continue to have no annual fee, earn 3X points on Marriott Bonvoy purchases and earn 1X points on all other purchases. This card will also continue to offer a welcome bonus for new cardmembers, which you can view here:
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
60,000
Bonus Points plus 1 Free Night Award
after you spend $2,000 on your first 3 months. Free Night valued at 50,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Chase has stated that “additional new enhancements” will be added to the Marriott Bonvoy Bold card later in 2024. However, they’ve given no indication as to what these additional changes will be.
All in all, it’s hard to say whether these changes will be negative or positive for Bonvoy Bold cardmembers. On one hand, the card will now earn more points in select spending categories. On the other hand, cardmembers will now earn fewer points on non-Marriott Bonvoy travel purchases and will also receive significantly fewer elite night credits annually.
Let’s take a closer look at these upcoming changes and see what they mean for your Marriott Bonvoy rewards.
The card will now earn elevated spending bonuses in everyday categories including grocery stores, ride-booking services, food delivery, internet and phone services, and select streaming, which is certainly a positive change.
Higher Spending Bonuses in Non-Travel Categories
One change to the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card that’s entirely positive is that cardmembers will earn 2X points on the following categories:
- Grocery stores
- Ride-booking services
- Select food delivery
- Internet, phone services and select streaming
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card has offered 1X point in all of these spending categories. Because of this change, current Bonvoy Bold cardholders who have multiple credit cards may want to start using their Bonvoy Bold card for spending in these categories.
For those who don’t already hold the Bonvoy Bold Card, this card is now a solid option for earning Marriott points for everyday spending without paying an annual fee.
However, the card will now offer fewer elite night credits for travelers who already have Marriott Bonvoy elite status and will also reduce the spending bonus for non-Marriott Bonvoy travel purchases, which are undoubtedly negative changes.
Annual Elite Night Credits Lowered for Elite Status Members
Before July 11, Bonvoy Bold cardmembers received 15 elite night credits per calendar year, which are the metric used to determine elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy Bold program. With those 15 annual credits, cardmembers would have automatically reached Silver Elite status and then had five more credits to help them reach Gold Elite status.
After the changes take effect, Bonvoy Bold cardmembers will receive automatic Silver Elite status and also receive an additional five elite night credits per calendar year. At first glance, while this may sound the same as the previous benefit, it’s actually much worse for existing elite status members who sign up for this card.
To explain, if you were already a Gold Elite member and you had the Bonvoy Bold Card, you would’ve received 15 elite night credits. However, after July 11, you’ll earn automatic Silver elite status (which does nothing for you because you already have Gold Elite status) and then you would receive only an additional five elite nights toward the next status tier.
This change was likely made to close the loophole of earning Marriott Bonvoy upper elite status tiers almost exclusively by signing up for credit cards. For instance, one of our writers at 10xTravel earned Platinum Elite status with the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card (not available to new cardholders), the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express, and staying at Marriott Bonvoy properties just four times in 2020. To be fair, Marriott status qualification requirements were easier to meet during the pandemic.
Now, with these new changes, Marriott is clearly trying to make it harder to move up to higher elite status tiers exclusively by signing up for credit cards. If you want to reach Gold Elite or Platinum Elite status now, you’re going to have to complete more qualifying stays to earn your elite night credits.
For those who don’t have elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program, this change has no effect. However, for those who already have Marriott Bonvoy elite status, this change is a major negative.
Lower Spending Bonuses for Non-Marriott Bonvoy Travel Purchases
Previous to July 11, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card earned 2X miles on all non-Marriott Bonvoy travel purchases. After July 11, purchases in this category will earn just 1X point. Of course, this is an all-around negative change to this card as cardmembers will no longer earn an elevated spending bonus for purchases made in the travel category outside of Marriott Bonvoy purchases.
Bonvoy Bold cardmembers will continue to earn 3X points on purchases with Marriott Bonvoy.
Are These Changes Good or Bad?
It’s hard to say whether these upcoming changes will be good or bad for Marriott Bonvoy cardholders. It depends heavily on each cardholder’s spending patterns and existing status in the Marriott Bonvoy program.
However, if we had to say, it seems as if these changes are leaning toward the negative side. While the increase in the spending bonus from 1X to 2X for grocery stores, ride-hailing services, select food delivery, internet and phone services, and select streaming purchases is undeniably positive, many people don’t use hotel rewards credit cards for their everyday purchases as they already have another credit card in their wallet for that purpose.
Plus, these increased spending bonuses are somewhat offset by the decrease in spending bonus for non-Marriott Bonvoy travel purchases from 2X to 1X. After July 11, the Bonvoy Bold Card will earn just 1X point on flights, hotels not booked through Marriott Bonvoy, rental cars, train tickets and other travel purchases.
And, finally, the fact that Marriott Bonvoy elite status members will receive only five elite night credits annually instead of 15 is definitely a negative change. Earning fewer elite nights makes it more difficult to move up to higher elite status tiers by signing up for credit cards, which is probably what Marriott Bonvoy had in mind when it made this change.
Other Cards to Consider
Despite these upcoming changes to the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card, this is still a solid credit card to add to your wallet, especially considering that it doesn’t charge an annual fee. The Bonvoy Bold Card offers solid spending bonuses, a valuable welcome bonus for new cardmembers and several other great perks. Plus, signing up for this card is a completely free way to automatically earn Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.
However, before you open the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card, you should look at the other available credit cards. Here are a few cards that you might want to consider.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
If you’re willing to pay a $95 annual fee, then the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (issued by Chase) might be a better option for your wallet than the Bonvoy Bold Card, depending on your spending habits. The Marriott Boundless Card offers significantly higher spending bonuses than the Marriott Bold Card.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Earn 3 Free Night Awards
(each night valued up to 50,000 points)
after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening
Annual Fee: $95
Here are the spending bonuses offered by the Boundless card:
- 6X points on Marriott Bonvoy purchases
- 3X points on the first $6,000 per year in combined spending on gas stations, grocery stores and dining
- 2X points on all other purchases
So, if you tend to spend a lot on Marriott Bonvoy hotel stays, then making those purchases with the Boundless card instead of the Bold card will earn you a lot more points. Plus, the baseline earnings of 2X points on all purchases offered by the Boundless card means you’ll earn elevated bonuses every time you use your card.
Plus, the Boundless card also comes with other great perks, such as one free night award per year (worth up to 35,000 Bonvoy points), automatic Silver Elite status, 15 elite night credits annually and the ability to earn one elite night credit for every $5,000 you spend on your card with no cap.
The World of Hyatt Credit Card
If you aren’t committed to Marriott Bonvoy as your hotel rewards program of choice, then you may want to consider The World of Hyatt Credit Card. This card charges an annual fee of $95 and offers decent spending bonuses in a variety of categories.
The World of Hyatt Credit Card
Earn up to 60,000
Bonus Points
after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
Annual Fee: $95
Here’s how many Hyatt points you’ll earn with the World of Hyatt card:
- 4X points at Hyatt hotels
- 2X points on dining, airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, gym memberships and local transit and commuting
- 1X point on all other purchases
While these spending bonuses are relatively unimpressive compared to those offered by the $0 annual fee Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card, World of Hyatt points are worth more than Marriott points. Additionally, the card offers some great benefits.
Cardmembers receive automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status. You’ll also receive one free night certificate every account anniversary (redeemable for a one-night stay at a Category 1 through Category 4 Hyatt hotel or resort) and have the opportunity to earn one additional free night certificate after spending $15,000 on your card in a calendar year.
Finally, you’ll receive five tier-qualifying night credits toward your next elite status tier and the ability to earn two additional tier-qualifying night credits for every $5,000 you spend on your card. So, if you’re looking for a card that can get you free nights and elite status quickly, the World of Hyatt card is a good bet.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The issue with earning Marriott Bonvoy points or World of Hyatt points is that, for the most part, they can be redeemed in their native rewards programs only. If you’re looking for a card that earns more flexible rewards with an affordable annual fee, we recommend looking into the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
60,000
bonus points
after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
Annual Fee: $95
This card has a $95 annual fee and earns impressive spending bonuses in several categories, including:
- 5X points on hotels and rental cars purchase through the Chase Travel portal
- 3X points on dining
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X point on all other purchases
These spending bonuses are excellent for a card with an annual fee of $95. When you redeem your Chase points for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, they’re worth 25% more.
Even better, Chase allows you to transfer your points to any of its transfer partners (including IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt and 11 airline partners) at a 1:1 ratio. So, you can earn points with the Chase Sapphire Preferred and then transfer them to Marriott Bonvoy if you choose.
The fact that Chase points can be redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards as well as 14 other travel rewards programs is a major advantage. On top of that, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card also offers $50 in annual statement credits toward hotel bookings made through the Chase Travel portal.
The Bottom Line
The upcoming changes to the Marriott Bonvoy Bold card that are set to take effect on July 11 are a mixed bag.
The card will now earn elevated spending bonuses in everyday categories including grocery stores, ride-booking services, food delivery, internet and phone services, and select streaming, which is certainly a positive change.
However, the card will now offer fewer elite night credits for travelers who already have Marriott Bonvoy elite status and will also reduce the spending bonus for non-Marriott Bonvoy travel purchases, which are undoubtedly negative changes.
All in all, whether or not these changes are good or bad for you depends on your specific spending patterns and your current status in the Marriott Bonvoy program. So, before you decide to renew or sign up for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card, you should look into how these changes will affect your points earnings and elite status prospects.
Nevertheless, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card is still one of the most impressive $0 annual fee hotel rewards credit cards, and it could make for an excellent addition to your credit card strategy. But, as always, before you sign up for a card, you should look into other similar credit cards that are available.
New to the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best card to start with.
With a bonus of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. , 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!
after you spend $2,000 on your first 3 months. Free Night valued at 50,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees.
after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening
after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. 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.
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
bonus cash back
after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Miles
once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
bonus points
after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
Membership Rewards® Points
after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
