Outrageous is defined as “very bold and unusual and rather shocking.” In typical terms, a 100,000 point offer from a rewards credit card is exceptional.
When those bonuses occasionally drift to the 150,000 point realm, they’re simply incredible, but with 250,000 points in value up for grabs from a single “boundless” card, Marriott’s latest limited time credit card offer is simply outrageous.
Five Free Nights Worth 50,000 Points Each
Marriott is out with an extremely limited time offer on its Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card from Chase. Currently, the bonus is scheduled to expire on July 21st, 2022.
Unlike the typical card offers which bring between 30,000 to 100,000 points as a welcome bonus with an annual free night, this outrageous new limited time card offer brings five ‘free nights’, each worth up to 50,000 points, after $5,000 in initial spending within 3 months of signing on to the card.
Five nights worth up to 50,000 points each is 250,000 points as a welcome.
This may be the first, and only time a US rewards credit card has offered 250,000 points of value as an initial welcome bonus, which makes the fact that the card has only a $95 annual fee all the more surprising.
And since members can now “top off” these rewards with more points to book higher value properties, they’re even more appealing for luxury travel. You’re not just limited to 50,000 point properties, if you want to add some of your own points to top off the “free night” awards.
All Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card holders receive instant Silver Status with Marriott Bonvoy, 6X points on Marriott purchases and 2X on everything else, in addition to an annual free night worth up to 35,000 points for every year they keep the card.
Adding 5 free nights worth up to 50,000 points each is a seriously sweet deal!
What 50,000 Marriott Points Per Night Gets You
If you’re not a regular player in the Marriott Bonvoy points game, it’s hard to know what 50,000 points can do for you. Let’s change that.
Marriott uses “dynamic pricing” where the cost in points can vary from night to night for a given hotel. More basic hotels will cost circa 10,000 points per night, whereas any over-the-top luxury hotels like a St. Regis Maldives, which can cost well over $1000 per night, can cost circa 120,000 points.
With 50,000 points, you’d likely be able to book an off peak night at a luxury hotel, which could be a Ritz Carlton in a major US city, or a stunning five star hotel in Europe, Asia, South America and beyond, including many ‘Luxury Collection’ properties.
In fact, the further afield you go, the fewer points you typically need for stunning luxury hotels.With travel demand driving cash prices higher, being able to use points is nicer than ever at the moment.
Even during standard redemption rates, 50,000 points is enough for a hotel which can cost hundreds per night in some fabulous locations worldwide. The luxurious W Aspen has been one such example, but a GSTP favorite in London, England is even better.
The Renaissance St. Pancras is an iconic London Hotel with five star rooms, service and an enviable location, not to mention great food from Marcus Wareing. With these free night certificates, it’s not uncommon to turn 50,000 points, or 50,000 plus a top off into a room which would’ve cost $450 in cash per night, or more.
Given that you’ve got 5 such “free” nights via this outrageous credit card offer, that’s an introductory bonus of at least $2250 from the card, not including the comped silver elite status, or the annual free night you can earn.
With an annual fee of just $95 which is not waived, it’s a huge amount of value for a card which pays for itself every year anyway, via the free night worth 35,000 points, and the elite status.
And before you ask, you can’t just have the 250,000 points. The structure of the bonus is via five “free night” certificates worth 50,000 points each. But again, these can be a bit more valuable, since you can use your own points to top the 50,000 points off for higher value hotels.
Should you get the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card with this 250,000 points of initial value? It’s hard to think of anyone who wouldn’t benefit from having five free nights at top hotels all over the world saved up, ready to use whenever you travel again.
The bonus is not available to any current Marriott Bonvoy Premier, Premier Plus, Bonvoy Bold, or Bonvoy Boundless cardholders, or anyone who rec eived a welcome bonus from the Bonvoy Premier or Bonvoy Boundless cards within the last 24 months.
Other than that, this is an outrageously good opportunity, bringing $100’s in potential value for travel now, or much later. That’s up to you, and it’s a lot easier to dream with 250,000 points at your disposal. More here.
Check out the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card
Great looking deal, I’m assuming though that it isn’t available for UK residents?
Whilst writing, just thought I’d flag a nice ‘points run’ deal for BA that I’m using this weekend to reach EC Gold status (appears the status may run right through until Jan 2023 too!). I’m afraid the prices have gone up almost £100 now but I managed to get Club Europe LHR to CTA (Sicily) return for £232 thus getting 160 TPs i.e. £1.45 per TP. Also, they run three flights a day over October weekends so, for those just chasing a quick status upgrade, it is possible to grab a relatively cheap bunch of points without the cost of an overnight stay! And with no quarantine of course…. yet!
Sadly correct, US card only, at least in this iteration and wild bonus offer!
Sigh. We really miss out here in the UK! Any recommendations at all for this side of the pond – aware it’s not really your area but it never hurts to ask!
“ The structure of the bonus is via five “free night” certificates worth 50,000 points each”. My question regarding these certificates, can they be use all in one stay? Any requirements attached to how they are use?
Definitely can be used for one stay. Just can’t be a property charging more than 50,000 points per night for the dates you want.
Would you have any idea when this offer will expire?
“Currently, the bonus is scheduled to expire on October 15th, 2020”. Hope that helps! Cheers.
How long do you have to use the free nights?
Can I use the points towards the total cost at a category 8 property? So if I want 4 nights at $ 700 / night, use the dollar value of the 250,000 points towards the total? Looking at Tamarind in Barbados.
I have not recieved the promotion points as of yet. Who can I call in regards to this? Yes, I have spent the $5,000 within the first 3 months. Please help.
What’s the spend requirement
mmmm i redeemed a $15k first class flight for 55k miles. I don’t get the hotel points hype
That’s awesome for you. But it’s about utility. For most people, 5 nights of hotels being covered are a lot more valuable than a one way flight to nowhere in first class, with a sticker price few people pay. It’s cool, it’s a fun brag — I love to do it too — but the value of points isn’t what something might’ve cost, but what good it does for you.
I’m lifetime Titanium Elite, with over 740k points including the 250k I got with this offer. I think Bonvoy points are better used for partner redemption; I used 100,000 points for a one way biz class ticket from Seoul to Boston (via Alaska Mileage Plan). My problem with using Bonvoy points for hotel stays is that dynamic pricing has become a serious devaluation. Real time example, Fri-Sun (2 nights) Labor Day weekend at Le Meridien Philly 97000 Bonvoy points or $736. I’d pay $736 for a 12 hour biz class flight all day long…..