Discover it Cash Back vs Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
It's a true tie — neither dominates. Pick the one whose boost categories match where you actually spend.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Discover it Cash Back | Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 5% (shopping) | 6% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 2% |
| Forex markup | · 1% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = Cashback Match — Discover doubles your first-year cashback automatically | = 3 free nights (each up to 50K Bonvoy points) after $3,000 spend in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
Discover it Cash Back
- 5% cashback on rotating quarterly categories (Amazon, gas, restaurants, grocery)
- 1% cashback on everything else
- Cashback Match: Discover matches all cash back earned in your first year
- No annual fee
- Free FICO score on every statement
- No foreign transaction fees
Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
- 6x Bonvoy points at Marriott
- 2x on everything else
- Free annual award night (35K points)
- Marriott Silver Elite status (15 elite night credits)
- No foreign transaction fees
FAQ
›Discover it Cash Back vs Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: which is better?
It's a true tie — pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. Discover it Cash Back wins on 3 criteria, Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless on 3.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Discover it Cash Back for its best categories, Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Discover it Cash Back: Cashback Match — Discover doubles your first-year cashback automatically. Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: 3 free nights (each up to 50K Bonvoy points) after $3,000 spend in 3 months.