Editorial take: Discover it Cash Back
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.
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Side-by-side
Discover it Cash Back vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Discover it Cash Back comes from Discover at $0/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 ($780 more in estimated value) than the Discover it Cash Back's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless first; revisit the Discover it Cash Back after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Discover it Cash Back | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | Cashback Match (first year, unlimited) | 4 Free Night Awards |
| Bonus value (est.) | $200 | $980 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $0 in 12 mo | $3,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Discover | Chase |
| Card category | cashback | hotel |
| Best earning category (Rotating) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Discover it Cash Back
$0/yr · Cashback Match (first year, unlimited)
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, Discover it Cash Back or Marriott Bonvoy Boundless?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless has the bigger bonus, 4 Free Night Awards, worth roughly $980, versus Cashback Match (first year, unlimited) (~$200) on the Discover it Cash Back.
- Is the Discover it Cash Back's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless?
- The Discover it Cash Back has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless's $95 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless's benefits to clear $95 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Discover it Cash Back.
- Can I have both the Discover it Cash Back and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Discover 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 Discover it Cash Back or the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Discover it Cash Back: $0 spend in 12 months. 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.