What the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card offers
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by Chase that earns points in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. You earn points on purchases, receive an annual free night certificate, and get a points bonus after you spend a certain amount in the first months of holding the card. The card charges an annual fee, which you pay whether you use the card or not.
The card is designed for people who stay at Marriott properties regularly or want to accumulate points toward future stays. It is not a cashback card — all rewards come as Marriott Bonvoy points, which you redeem for hotel nights, flights through airline partners, or other travel-related purchases.
Key Takeaways
- The card charges an annual fee of $95, and you are responsible for paying it each year regardless of whether you use the card.
- You earn points on every purchase, with higher earning rates on Marriott properties and certain partner merchants.
- The annual free night certificate has a point cap — you can use it at properties that cost up to a certain number of points per night, and the cap varies by year.
- The sign-up bonus requires you to spend a set amount within a defined timeframe, and the bonus amount changes periodically.
- Points do not expire as long as your account remains active, but closing the card or going inactive for a long period can cause you to lose points.
Annual fee and what you get for it
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card charges $95 per year. This fee posts to your account on the anniversary of when you open the card, and you must pay it to keep the card active. Chase does not waive this fee after a certain period, so you pay it every year you hold the card.
In return for the annual fee, you receive an annual free night certificate. This certificate lets you book one night at a Marriott property without paying the nightly rate — you pay only taxes and resort fees. The certificate has a point cap, meaning it can only be used at properties where the nightly rate costs up to a certain number of Bonvoy points. For example, if the cap is 50,000 points, you can use the certificate at any property where a night costs 50,000 points or fewer. Properties that cost more points than the cap require you to pay the difference out of pocket or use cash instead.
The free night certificate expires if you do not use it within one year of receiving it. You receive a new certificate each year on your card anniversary, so you have a rolling window to use each one.
How you earn points on purchases
The card earns points at different rates depending on where you spend. At Marriott properties worldwide, you earn 6 points per dollar spent. On purchases at restaurants, gas stations, and ride-sharing services, you earn 2 points per dollar. On all other purchases, you earn 1 point per dollar.
These earning rates explore to every purchase you make with the card. There are no bonus categories that rotate, and there are no caps on how many points you can earn in a category. If you spend $1,000 at a Marriott hotel, you earn 6,000 points. If you spend $1,000 on groceries, you earn 1,000 points.
Points post to your Marriott Bonvoy account within a few days of the transaction. You can check your points balance through the Marriott Bonvoy website or mobile app at any time.
The sign-up bonus and how to earn it
When you open a Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card, Chase offers a sign-up bonus if you spend a minimum amount within a set timeframe — typically three months. The bonus amount varies; it has ranged from 50,000 to 75,000 points in recent years. You must meet the spending requirement to receive the bonus, and the spending must be on purchases made with the card, not balance transfers.
The bonus posts to your Marriott Bonvoy account once Chase confirms you have met the spending requirement. This usually happens within one to two billing cycles after you reach the threshold. The bonus points count toward your total balance when ready and can be used to book stays right away.
Chase periodically changes the sign-up bonus amount and the spending requirement. If you are considering opening this card, check the current offer on Chase's website or the Marriott Bonvoy website, as the bonus you see today may differ from the bonus available next month.
How points expire and what keeps them active
Marriott Bonvoy points do not expire based on a set number of years. Instead, points expire if your account becomes inactive. An account is considered inactive if you have not earned or redeemed points for 24 consecutive months. If your account goes inactive, Marriott will close it and you will lose all remaining points.
Holding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card keeps your Marriott Bonvoy account active, even if you do not use the card to earn points. As long as your card account is open, your Bonvoy account will not become inactive due to lack of activity. If you close the card, you lose this protection, and your Bonvoy account can expire if you do not earn or redeem points within 24 months.
You can also keep your account active by redeeming points, transferring points to an airline partner, or staying at a Marriott property. Any of these actions resets the 24-month inactivity clock.
Comparing the Marriott Bonvoy Bold to other hotel cards
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold is one of three Marriott co-branded cards Chase offers. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card charges $95 annually and earns 6 points per dollar at Marriott properties and 2 points per dollar on other purchases — the same earning structure as the Bold. The main difference is the free night certificate: the Boundless card's certificate has a higher point cap, making it usable at more expensive properties.
The Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus Card charges $450 per year and is aimed at frequent Marriott guests. It offers a higher free night certificate cap, elite status benefits within the Marriott loyalty program, and additional perks like room upgrades and late checkout.
If you stay at Marriott properties fewer than two or three times per year, the annual fee may not pay for itself through the free night certificate alone. In that case, a cashback card or a card with no annual fee might be a better fit. If you stay regularly or plan to use points for future stays, the earning rate and free night certificate make the annual fee worthwhile to evaluate against your own spending patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the free night certificate at any Marriott property?
You can use it at any Marriott property, but only if the nightly rate is at or below the point cap on your certificate. If a property costs more points than your cap allows, you would need to pay the difference in points or use cash for the extra cost. The cap is set by Chase and changes annually.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points do not disappear when you close the card. They remain in your Marriott Bonvoy account. However, closing the card means your account is no longer protected from inactivity expiration. If you do not earn or redeem points within 24 months of closing the card, your account will close and you will lose the points.
How long does it take to earn enough points for a free night?
This depends entirely on how much you spend and where you spend it. If you spend $1,000 per month at Marriott properties, you earn 6,000 points monthly, or 72,000 points per year. A free night at a mid-range Marriott might cost 30,000 to 50,000 points, so you could earn enough for one free night in five to eight months of regular Marriott spending. Spending at restaurants or other merchants earns points more slowly.
Is there a limit to how many points I can earn?
No. There is no annual cap on points earned through purchases. You can earn as many points as you want by spending with the card. The only limits are the earning rates themselves — 6 points per dollar at Marriott, 2 points per dollar at restaurants and gas, and 1 point per dollar elsewhere.
Can I transfer my points to an airline?
Yes. Marriott Bonvoy allows you to transfer points to airline partners at a set conversion rate, typically 1 Bonvoy point equals 1 airline mile. The exact conversion rate and available airlines vary. Transfers are permanent, so confirm the rate before you transfer.