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 Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card
Both are hotel travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card from Barclays at $75/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($600 more in estimated value) than the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex first; revisit the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $75 |
| Sign-up bonus | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | 45,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,050 | $450 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $1,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Barclays |
| Card category | hotel | hotel |
| 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
Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card
$75/yr · 45,000 points
Editorial take: Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card
Underrated card for Vacasa rentals and Caesars properties (which take Wyndham points). The 7,500 anniversary points alone (~$75 in value) make the fee a wash; Platinum status adds late checkout and 15% bonus.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex has the bigger bonus, up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, worth roughly $1,050, versus 45,000 points (~$450) on the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card.
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's $650 annual fee worth it compared to the Wyndham Rewards Earner 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 Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card at $75/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex and Wyndham Rewards Earner 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 Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. Wyndham Rewards Earner 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.