Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
Annual fees: Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card $0/yr, United Explorer Card $150/yr. Strongest bonus categories: Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card on grocery stores, United Explorer Card on dining.
Card data as of September 27, 2026.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Cable Tv | 2X | 1X |
| Dining |
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card wins in 6 of 8 categories. The United Explorer Card leads in 2.
Grocery Stores
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Streaming
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Telecom
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Cable Tv
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Ridesharing
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Food Delivery
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Dining
United Explorer Card earns 2X vs 1X
Hotels
United Explorer Card earns 2X vs 1X
Modeled net value (bonus categories at unconditional rates, caps applied). Spend mix: dining 15%, groceries 15%, gas 10%, travel 10%, everything else 50%. Statement credits use the same recurring usable estimates as each card's detail page; first-year-only credits count in year one only. Welcome offers valued at each card's program rate shown on this page.
Both scenarios favor the United Explorer Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
Published annual fees: Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card $0/yr, United Explorer Card $150/yr — a $150 difference before welcome offers and credits.
| 1X |
| 2X |
| Food Delivery | 2X | 1X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 1X |
| Hotels | 1X | 2X |
| Ridesharing | 2X | 1X |
| Streaming | 2X | 1X |
| Telecom | 2X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Both scenarios favor the United Explorer Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
| Scenario | Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card | United Explorer Card | Ongoing winner | Year-one winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light spender: $1,000/month | Rewards: $97 Credits (our usable estimate): $23 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $120 Year one: $435 | Rewards: $166 Credits (our usable estimate): $212 − Annual fee ($150) Ongoing: $228 Year one: $978 | United Explorer Card | United Explorer Card |
| Heavy spender: $4,000/month | Rewards: $386 Credits (our usable estimate): $23 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $409 Year one: $724 | Rewards: $662 Credits (our usable estimate): $212 − Annual fee ($150) Ongoing: $724 Year one: $1,474 | United Explorer Card | United Explorer Card |
The United Explorer Card costs $150/yr — that's $150 more than the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $150 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The United Explorer Card includes travel credits, lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, free checked bags. Those perks are not included in the earn-rate scenario table above — compare their dollar value to the $150 fee gap for your own usage.
Bottom line: Use the year-one vs ongoing table for modeled earn value at your spend level. The $150 fee gap means the United Explorer Card needs roughly $150 more in annual rewards (or credits you will use) to break even on dining and hotels and everyday spend.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card means losing:
Get the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card if you:
Get the United Explorer Card if you:
Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
