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In late February 2024, Chase attached an ominous disclaimer to the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card application page. The long and short of it was that Marriott's affable no-annual-fee card would likely lose two key benefits on July 11, 2024: complimentary Silver Elite status and an annual allotment of 15 Elite Night Credits.
Over the last few months, mum's been the word what benefits — if any — would replace these two outgoing ones.
Now, July 11 is upon us, and we finally have an answer. Read on for what's new and what's now old with the Bonvoy Bold card.
Page Contents
Bonvoy Bold Card Refresh
The Bonvoy Bold is by no means the most rewarding credit card in Marriott's extensive lineup of co-branded cards. But when you considered what it offered, getting a basic tier of complimentary elite status, a 15 Elite Night Credit boost, and a reasonable earning structure — all for a $0 annual fee — the card's offerings were more than fair. For the right traveler, it was a great fit.
Alas, it seemed like Chase had deemed the Bonvoy Bold too good to be true. When word went out in February that the card would be “enhanced,” readers weary from recent Amex “enhancements” braced themselves for the removal of benefits with perhaps only new, difficult-to-use credits taking their place.
But that's not the case with this card refresh.
Related: Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Program Guide
Fewer Elite Night Credits, still complimentary Silver Elite status
For years, the Bonvoy Bold has offered cardholders an annual allotment of 15 Elite Night Credits. If you're familiar with Marriott elite status levels, you realize that's enough credits to automatically qualify you for Silver Elite status.
The original disclaimer stated the Bonvoy Bold‘s 15 Elite Night Credit allotment would no longer be available effective July 11. And that's the one piece of truly bad news in this card refresh: Chase is indeed paring back the Elite Night Credits you'll get courtesy of the Bonvoy Bold.
But the benefit isn't going away entirely. Bonvoy Bold cardholders now get 5 Elite Night Credits per year instead of 15.
While that's now just one-half of the credits necessary to earn Silver Elite, worry not. Chase is making complimentary Silver Elite status a staple benefit for cardholders. The main loss here is to Bonvoy Bold cardholders who used the 15 Elite Night Credit boost to reach higher tiers of elite status without paying an annual fee.
Related: How to get up to 40 Elite Night Credits through Marriott credit cards
Expanded bonus spending categories
Before this refresh, the Bonvoy Bold offered the following earning rates:
3X Bonvoy points per $1 spent at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, plus 2X points for every $1 spent on other travel purchases
Now, cardholders will also bank 2X points for every $1 spent at grocery stores, on rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable and phone services.
Travel Now, Pay Later
Travelers can also leverage a new spending benefit, much like Chase Pay Over Time. The difference is that the Bonvoy Bold-specific benefit is called “Travel Now, Pay Later.”
Eligible cardholders can break up purchases between $100 to $5,000 made directly with an airline or at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy into equal monthly payments with no interest or plan fees.
Generally, buy now, pay later programs are worth avoiding, but it's nice to have the flexibility in your back pocket if needed.
Sign-up bonus
Marriott's luxe cards (and their high-flying welcome offers) typically overshadow the Bonvoy Bold.
New applicants can earn 60,000 bonus points + 1 Free Night Award after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of account opening (Free Night Award valued up to 50,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees).
That's an incredible incentive to add the $0 annual fee Bonvoy Bold to your arsenal.
Related: Top Hotels for Your Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Free Nights
Final Thoughts
Truth be told, we expected the worst when it was announced the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card would undergo some enhancements. But now that the full refresh is unveiled, we're pleasantly surprised. While it's disappointing that the Elite Night Credit allotment is one-third of what it was before, we're happy to see that the complimentary Silver Elite status is here to stay.
On balance, the Bonvoy Bold has arguably become more competitive after the changes — particularly buoyed by its now-more-than-outsized welcome bonus. Still, its fellow Chase and American Express co-branded stablemates are still going to provide better value for most travelers. But that doesn't mean the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card isn't a right choice for your wallet.
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