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Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card comes from Cardless at $249/yr; the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless from Chase at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($980 more in estimated value) than the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless first; revisit the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $249 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | Not advertised | 4 Free Night Awards |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $980 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $3,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Cardless | Chase |
| Card category | travel | hotel |
| Best earning category (Airline) | 3x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card
$249/yr ·
Read the full review
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
$95/yr · 4 Free Night Awards
Editorial take: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
One of our favorite keeper cards. The free night award on every card anniversary easily exceeds the $95 fee, and the 15 elite qualifying nights help you reach Marriott status faster.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card or Marriott Bonvoy Boundless?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless has a public bonus (4 Free Night Awards, worth roughly $980), while the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card's $249 annual fee worth it compared to the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless?
- At $249/yr, the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Cardless and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card: no published min spend. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: $3,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.