Editorial take: American Express Business Gold
The 4x on your top two categories each month is uniquely flexible, if your business spend varies, this auto-adapts. The credits need active use to offset the fee.
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Side-by-side
American Express Business Gold vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex
Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Business Gold comes from American Express at $375/yr; the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex from American Express at $650/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the American Express Business Gold is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($750 more in estimated value) than the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's. Get the American Express Business Gold first; revisit the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | American Express Business Gold | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $375 | $650 |
| Sign-up bonus | 100,000 Membership Rewards points | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,800 | $1,050 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $15,000 in 3 mo | - |
| Issuer | American Express | American Express |
| Card category | business | hotel |
| Best earning category (Top_two_categories) | 4x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
American Express Business Gold
$375/yr · 100,000 Membership Rewards points
Read the full review
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex
$650/yr · up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
Editorial take: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex
The Platinum status is legitimately valuable (lounge access, suite upgrades), but the $650 fee is steep. Justify it only if you stay at Marriotts 8+ times a year.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Business Gold or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex?
- The American Express Business Gold has the bigger bonus, 100,000 Membership Rewards points, worth roughly $1,800, versus up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (~$1,050) on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex.
- Is the American Express Business Gold's $375 annual fee worth it compared to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex?
- At $375/yr, the American Express Business Gold is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Business Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex?
- Yes, though both are issued by American Express so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). 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 American Express Business Gold or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Business Gold: $15,000 spend in 3 months. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. 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.