Editorial take: Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful
Mid-tier Marriott card. The 50k free night cert can pay for the fee on a single stay at a Cat 5 property, but Hyatt is a more valuable program for most people, consider that card first.
Free during beta. Plus launches at $12/mo or $99/yr on July 1. Annual is locked for 12 months during beta.
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful comes from Chase at $250/yr; the Discover it Cash Back from Discover at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
If you're not sure you'll use premium perks, start with the Discover it Cash Back, its annual fee is significantly lower and the bonus values are similar. Upgrade later if you find yourself using the higher-tier benefits.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful | Discover it Cash Back |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $250 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 85,000 Bonus Points | Cashback Match (first year, unlimited) |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $4,000 in 3 mo | $0 in 12 mo |
| Issuer | Chase | Discover |
| Card category | hotel | cashback |
| Best earning category (Travel) | 6x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Mid-tier Marriott card. The 50k free night cert can pay for the fee on a single stay at a Cat 5 property, but Hyatt is a more valuable program for most people, consider that card first.
The first-year Cashback Match effectively doubles your earnings, someone who earns $300 in cash back gets $600 total. It's the best no-fee first card for building credit with real rewards.
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.