SIDE A
A
Chase · Mastercard
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
VS.
×
SIDE B
B
Chase · Visa
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
FILING
Head-to-Head · Plastic Quarterly
Both cards offer solid hotel loyalty programs with $95–$99 annual fees and comparable APRs, but they serve different traveler profiles. The IHG card delivers higher earning rates across the board (3x base vs. 2x) and a more generous signup bonus, making it stronger for frequent spenders. The Marriott card compensates with category-specific bonuses at groceries and gas, plus valuable elite night credits that accelerate status. Neither card will disappoint, but your hotel loyalty and spending patterns should determine which wins for your wallet.
THE VERDICT
Our ruling.
“Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier if you want maximum earning flexibility and aggressive point accumulation. The higher base rate and substantially larger signup bonus make it the better choice for most spenders. Pick Marriott Boundless only if you're already invested in Marriott Bonvoy elite status or spend heavily at grocery stores and gas stations.”
CHOOSE A
Side A is for you if…
- 01You want 3x points on all purchases instead of 2x, giving you 50% more earnings on everyday spending
- 02You value a 140,000-point signup bonus over 85,000 points — a 65% larger welcome offer that covers longer hotel stays
- 03You travel primarily through IHG hotels like Holiday Inn, Intercontinental, or Kimpton properties
- 04You want the flexibility of broader earning categories rather than relying on specific bonus opportunities
CHOOSE B
Side B is for you if…
- 01You already hold Marriott Bonvoy elite status and want to maintain or accelerate it with 15 elite night credits annually
- 02You spend $3,000+ yearly at grocery stores and gas stations combined, where 6x points materially outpaces IHG's rates
- 03You prefer Marriott Bonvoy's diverse portfolio (Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels, Sheraton) over IHG's property mix
- 04You value the free night award's 35,000-point cap, which applies more frequently to Marriott's standard rooms than IHG's 40,000-point threshold
THE LEDGER
Side by side.
- ISSUER
- Chase
- Chase
- NETWORK
- Mastercard
- Visa
- ANNUAL FEE
- $99
- $95
- APR RANGE
- 21.49% – 28.49%
- 21.49% – 28.49%
- INTRO APR (PURCHASES)
- None
- None
- INTRO APR (BALANCE TRANSFERS)
- None
- None
- REWARDS TYPE
- points
- points
- REWARDS RATE
- 3x points on all purchases
- 2x points on all purchases
- SIGN-UP BONUS
- 140,000 points
- 85,000 points
- BONUS VALUE
- $840
- $680
- MIN. CREDIT SCORE
- 700+
- 700+
- FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE
- None
- None
A HIGHLIGHTS
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- —Free night award each account anniversary (up to 40,000 points)
- —Automatic Platinum Elite status
- —Fourth night free on reward stays
- —Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
- —No foreign transaction fees
B HIGHLIGHTS
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
- —Free night award each account anniversary (up to 35,000 points)
- —Automatic Gold Elite status
- —15 elite night credits each year
- —6x points at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
- —No foreign transaction fees
QUESTIONS · ANSWERS
Frequently filed.
The IHG card's free night (up to 40,000 points) edges out Marriott's (up to 35,000 points), but real value depends on your preferred properties. IHG's threshold hits more entry-level luxury hotels, while Marriott's sweet spot lands in premium four-star properties. Both cards often recover their annual fee through this benefit alone if you book one paid night yearly.