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.
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Side-by-side
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex vs JetBlue Plus Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the JetBlue Plus Card from Barclays at $99/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
If you're not sure you'll use premium perks, start with the JetBlue Plus Card, its annual fee is significantly lower and the bonus values are similar. Upgrade later if you find yourself using the higher-tier benefits.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | JetBlue Plus Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $99 |
| Sign-up bonus | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | 70,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,050 | $910 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $1,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Barclays |
| Card category | hotel | airline |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex
$650/yr · up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
Read the full review
JetBlue Plus Card
$99/yr · 70,000 points
Editorial take: JetBlue Plus Card
Strong East Coast card. The 5,000 anniversary points alone are worth ~$65 (more than half the fee), and the 10% redemption rebate keeps the rest of your TrueBlue stash compounding.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or JetBlue Plus Card?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex has the bigger bonus, up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, worth roughly $1,050, versus 70,000 points (~$910) on the JetBlue Plus Card.
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's $650 annual fee worth it compared to the JetBlue Plus Card?
- Premium cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex ($650/yr) earn their fee through credits, travel, dining, lounge access, statement reimbursements. If you'd actively use $650+ of those credits, the math works. The JetBlue Plus Card at $99/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex and JetBlue Plus Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Barclays) 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 Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or the JetBlue Plus Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. JetBlue Plus Card: $1,000 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.