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 Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card from First Bank & Trust at $0/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 ($1,050 more in estimated value) than the Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex first; revisit the Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | Not advertised |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,050 | - |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | - |
| Issuer | American Express | First Bank & Trust |
| Card category | hotel | travel |
| 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
Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card
$0/yr ·
Editorial take: Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex has a public bonus (up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, worth roughly $1,050), while the Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's $650 annual fee worth it compared to the Best Western Rewards Visa Signature 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 Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card at $0/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex and Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and First Bank & Trust) 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 Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card: 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.