Introduction

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card just dropped one of the best hotel credit card offers we've seen. Right now, new cardholders can earn 5 free night awards (each valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending just $3,000 within the first three months. That's a potential value of 250,000 Marriott Bonvoy points—enough for a week at premium properties or multiple weekend getaways throughout 2026.

This is the highest bonus in the card's history, and it won't last long. If you've been considering a Marriott credit card, now's the time to act.

Quick Answer

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card is offering 5 free night awards (up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 in 3 months, plus an annual free night certificate worth up to 35,000 points. At a $95 annual fee, this card pays for itself immediately with the welcome bonus alone.

What You're Getting

Here's exactly what this elevated offer includes:

Welcome Bonus:

• 5 free night awards (each redeemable at properties up to 50,000 points per night)
• Spend requirement: $3,000 within first 3 months
• Total potential value: 250,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
• Free night awards must be used within one year of issue

Ongoing Card Benefits:

• Annual free night certificate (up to 35,000 points) every year after your card anniversary
• Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status
• 15 elite night credits annually toward status
• Fast-track to Gold Elite status with $35,000 in annual spending
• Earn up to 17x total points per dollar at Marriott properties
• 3x points on the first $6,000 spent annually on groceries, gas, and dining
• 2x points on all other purchases
• No foreign transaction fees
• Annual fee: $95

Why This Offer Matters

Most Marriott Bonvoy Boundless bonuses hover around 3 free nights or 75,000-100,000 points. This 5 free night offer is significantly better than the standard promotion and matches the highest bonus we've ever tracked for this card.

Here's the value breakdown:

• At 0.7 cents per point (conservative valuation), 250,000 points = $1,750
• Each free night certificate can be topped off with up to 15,000 additional points
• This means you could book properties worth up to 65,000 points per night
• Five nights at even mid-tier Category 5-6 properties easily surpasses $2,000 in value

The best part? The $3,000 minimum spend requirement is reasonable for most people to hit within 3 months through normal spending—no need to manufacture spend or overextend.

Real-World Redemption Examples

These 5 free night awards open up incredible possibilities. Here are properties you could book:

Maldives Luxury:The Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa typically costs 50,000 points per night off-peak. Use all 5 certificates here for an overwater villa experience that would cost $2,500+ if paying cash.

Mountain Retreat:JW Marriott El Convento Cusco in Peru (gateway to Machu Picchu) runs around 45,000-50,000 points per night. Five nights here positions you perfectly for exploring one of the world's most iconic destinations.

Beach Week:Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club in Hawaii costs 50,000 points per night during off-peak periods. That's a full week in paradise without touching your other Marriott points.

City Hopping:Spread your certificates across multiple cities: Two nights in Tokyo at the Courtyard Tokyo Station (35,000 points), two nights in Bangkok at the Bangkok Marriott Sukhumvit (45,000 points), and a final night in Singapore at the JW Marriott Singapore South Beach (50,000 points).

How to Maximize the Bonus

Strategy 1: Peak Season BookingsFree night certificates bypass dynamic pricing. Book high-demand dates when cash rates skyrocket but point values remain at 50,000 or less. Think ski season in Colorado, cherry blossom season in Japan, or summer in European coastal cities.

Strategy 2: Top-Off TechniqueEach certificate can be topped off with up to 15,000 points. If you're eyeing a property at 60,000-65,000 points per night, you can use a certificate plus 10,000-15,000 points. This lets you access higher-tier properties at a fraction of the cost.

Strategy 3: Combine with Annual CertificateAfter your first year, you'll receive another free night certificate (up to 35,000 points). Combined with your welcome bonus certificates, you could book 6 nights total in your first 13 months of card membership. Learn more about how Marriott Bonvoy certificates work.

Strategy 4: Status StackingThe automatic Silver Elite status means you'll earn 10% bonus points on paid stays. If you're working toward Gold or Platinum status through hotel stays, the card's 15 elite night credits give you a significant head start. Gold status requires just 25 nights, so the card gets you more than halfway there before you even check in. Read our complete guide to Marriott Elite Status for full details.

Who Should Apply

This offer is ideal if you:

• Stay at Marriott properties 2-3+ times per year
• Have a major trip planned in 2026 that you haven't booked yet
• Want to try luxury properties without the luxury price tag
• Are under Chase's 5/24 rule (opened fewer than 5 credit cards in the past 24 months)
• Can meet the $3,000 minimum spend naturally within 3 months

This offer is NOT ideal if you:

• Never stay at Marriott properties or prefer other hotel chains
• Have received a Chase Marriott card bonus within the past 24 months
• Are over 5/24 and saving your Chase application slots for other cards
• Already hold multiple Marriott cards and can't get the bonus due to restrictions

Important Application Restrictions

Before you apply, know these rules:

Chase 5/24 Rule:You'll likely be denied if you've opened 5 or more credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months. This is Chase's infamous 5/24 rule.

24-Month Marriott Rule:You cannot receive this bonus if you currently have OR received a welcome bonus on any of these cards within the past 24 months:

• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful (discontinued)
• Previous versions of Marriott Chase cards

90-Day American Express Rule:You cannot get approved for the Boundless if you were approved for a Marriott Amex card (Business, Brilliant, or Bevy) within the past 90 days.

How to Apply

The fastest way to secure this offer through the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card:

1. Check Your Eligibility
   • Verify you're under 5/24 with our guide to checking your Chase 5/24 status
   • Confirm you haven't received a Marriott Chase card bonus in 24 months
   • Check your credit score (good to excellent credit recommended)
2. Apply Directly Through ChaseCurrent public offer: 5 free night awards after $3,000 spend in 3 monthsYou may also find targeted mailers with slight variations
3. Hit Minimum Spend Strategically
   • Use for planned holiday shopping
   • Pay regular bills (utilities, phone, internet)
   • Stock up on groceries and gas to maximize 3x earning
   • DO NOT manufacture spend or overspend just to hit the minimum
4. Book Your Free Nights
   • Start planning trips early
   • Free night certificates expire 12 months from issue
   • Look for off-peak dates for maximum availability

Comparing to Other Marriott Cards

If you're deciding between Marriott cards, here's how the Boundless stacks up:

Marriott Bonvoy Bold ($0 annual fee):Current bonus: 2 free nights (up to 50,000 points each) after $1,000 spend. Better for casual travelers who stay at Marriott once or twice yearly.

Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex ($125 annual fee):Current bonus: 75,000 points + 50,000 points (tiered spend). Better if you want a business card and value the 15 elite night credits that can stack with a personal card.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex ($650 annual fee):Current bonus: 185,000 points after $6,000 spend. Better if you want Platinum Elite status and a higher-value annual certificate (85,000 points). But the Boundless wins on pure welcome bonus value right now.

For most people choosing their first Marriott card, the Boundless offers the best combination of welcome bonus value, reasonable annual fee, and useful ongoing perks. Check out our complete comparison of the best Marriott credit cards for more details.

Timeline and Urgency

This elevated offer appeared in late 2024/early 2025 and these promotions typically last 3-6 months. Chase and Marriott haven't announced an end date, which means it could disappear any day.

Based on historical patterns, we expect this offer to drop back to 3 free nights or 75,000-100,000 points once the promotion ends. If you're on the fence, applying sooner protects you from missing out on what amounts to an extra $500-700 in value compared to the standard offer.

Alternative: Check Your Mail

Some cardholders report receiving targeted mailers with slightly different offers. Before applying online, check your physical mail for Marriott Bonvoy Boundless offers. Occasionally, these mailers bypass certain Chase restrictions or include additional statement credits.

That said, the current public offer of 5 free nights is historically strong. Don't wait too long hoping for a better targeted offer—you might miss this one entirely.

FAQ

Can I use multiple free night certificates on the same reservation?

Yes, you can combine multiple certificates for multi-night stays at the same property. This makes it easy to book a full vacation using all 5 certificates.

Do free night certificates have blackout dates?

No, there are no blackout dates. However, availability depends on whether the property has standard rooms available at or below 50,000 points for your dates. Peak season and popular destinations may have limited availability.

Can I gift or transfer these free night certificates?

No, free night certificates are non-transferable and must be redeemed by the cardholder for rooms in their own name.

What happens if I cancel my card before using the certificates?

Your unused free night certificates will be forfeited if you close the card. Make sure to use all certificates before canceling.

Do the points from normal spending ever expire?

As long as you have card activity every 24 months, your Marriott Bonvoy points won't expire. This includes both points from the card and points earned from hotel stays.

Can I hold both the Boundless and another Marriott card?

Yes, you can hold multiple Marriott cards from different product lines (Chase vs. Amex) or different tiers (personal vs. business). However, you can only receive one welcome bonus every 24 months across Chase Marriott cards, and elite night credits from multiple Chase Marriott personal cards don't stack. Learn more about doubling up on Marriott cards.

Conclusion

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card's current offer of 5 free night awards is exceptional by any measure. With a reasonable $3,000 minimum spend and a $95 annual fee that's immediately justified by the welcome bonus alone, this represents one of the strongest value propositions in hotel credit cards right now.

Whether you're planning a luxury escape to the Maldives, exploring Machu Picchu, or simply want to lock in free hotel nights for your 2026 travels, this offer gives you the flexibility to make it happen. Just remember to verify your eligibility before applying, and don't wait too long—elevated bonuses like this typically don't stick around.

Ready to book your next five hotel stays for free? Apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card and start planning where those certificates will take you.

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