The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful credit card is an excellent option for travelers who frequently stay at Marriott properties and want to maximize their rewards. This premium card, issued by Chase in partnership with Marriott, offers a rich suite of benefits designed to enhance your travel experience and accelerate your earning of Marriott Bonvoy points.
Key Features and Benefits
The Bountiful card provides a great balance of travel perks and points-earning potential. Here’s a breakdown of its most important features:
- Marriott Bonvoy Point Earning Rate: This card is a points-earning powerhouse. You’ll earn 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. For all other qualifying purchases, you’ll earn 2x points. This is a solid rate that helps you accumulate points quickly, whether you’re paying for a hotel stay or everyday expenses.
- Annual Free Night Award: This is one of the most valuable benefits of the card. Each year after your card anniversary, you’ll receive a Free Night Award that can be used at any Marriott Bonvoy property that costs up to 50,000 points. This award is perfect for a weekend getaway or a quick stay at a high-end hotel, and it can easily offset the card’s annual fee.
- Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status: The Bountiful card automatically grants you Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status. This status comes with several perks that can significantly improve your stays, including a 25% bonus on points earned for hotel stays, a room upgrade based on availability at check-in (excluding suites), and a 2 p.m. late checkout (subject to availability). This can make your stays more comfortable and rewarding, even without needing to meet the usual stay requirements.
- 15 Elite Night Credits Annually: Each year you hold the Bountiful card, you’ll receive 15 Elite Night Credits. These credits automatically count towards achieving a higher elite status with Marriott Bonvoy. This gives you a significant head start on earning Platinum, Titanium, or Ambassador status, which offer even more valuable benefits like complimentary breakfast and suite upgrades.
- $300 Statement Credit: The card offers a $300 statement credit each calendar year for a specific type of hotel stay. You get a $25 statement credit each month for up to 12 months when you use your card for a qualifying hotel stay. This is a great way to save money on your lodging expenses throughout the year.
The Annual Fee
The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card comes with an annual fee of $250. While this might seem high, the value of the benefits can easily outweigh the cost. The annual Free Night Award alone, which is valued at up to 50,000 points, can be worth more than the fee. Combined with the Gold Elite Status, the annual statement credit, and the Elite Night Credits, the card can provide substantial value for frequent Marriott guests.
How to Apply for the Card
Applying for the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card is a straightforward process that you can complete online. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the application process:
- Visit the Official Chase Website: The first step is to go to the official Chase website. You should always apply directly through the issuer’s site to ensure your application is secure and legitimate. You can search for “Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful” or “Chase credit cards” to find the correct page.
- Review the Card Details: On the card’s landing page, you’ll find all the details about its benefits, rates, and fees. Take the time to read through this information to ensure the card is the right fit for your spending habits and travel needs. Look for any special sign-up bonuses, as these can change periodically.
- Click “Apply Now”: Once you’ve reviewed the information and decided to proceed, click the “Apply Now” or a similar button. This will take you to the secure online application form.
- Fill Out the Application Form: The application form will ask for personal and financial information. This typically includes:
- Personal Information: Your full name, date of birth, social security number, and contact information (address, phone number, email).
- Financial Information: Your total annual income, source of income (e.g., employment, investments), and monthly housing payment.
- Marriott Bonvoy Number: If you already have a Marriott Bonvoy account, you’ll be asked to provide your membership number. This will ensure your card is linked to your existing account to receive your elite status and other benefits. If you don’t have an account, one may be created for you during the application process.
- Submit Your Application: After carefully reviewing all the information you’ve entered for accuracy, click the “Submit” button.
- Application Decision: Chase will review your application. The decision is often instantaneous, and you’ll be notified if you’ve been approved, denied, or if your application requires further review. If you are approved, your new card will be mailed to you within a few business days.
Important Considerations Before Applying
Before you apply for the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card, keep these points in mind:
- Credit Score: This is a premium credit card, so it typically requires a good to excellent credit score (usually 690 or higher). Chase will check your credit history and score to determine your eligibility.
- Chase’s 5/24 Rule: Chase has an unofficial rule known as the “5/24 rule.” If you’ve opened 5 or more personal credit card accounts from any issuer in the last 24 months, your application for a new Chase card is likely to be denied. It’s important to check your credit history to see if you are over this limit before applying.
- Marriott Bonvoy Card Family: Chase and American Express both issue Marriott Bonvoy credit cards. You should check the rules regarding eligibility for welcome bonuses, as you may not be able to get a new card if you have or have had certain other Marriott Bonvoy cards in the past.
The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card is a valuable tool for anyone loyal to the Marriott brand. Its generous earning rates, annual free night award, and automatic elite status make it an excellent choice for enhancing your travels and accelerating your path to higher elite status.
