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 Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo)
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo) from Bilt / Wells Fargo 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 Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo)'s. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex first; revisit the Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo) after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | Closed to new applicants |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,050 | $0 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Bilt / Wells Fargo |
| Card category | hotel | travel |
| Transfer partners | None | bilt |
| 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
Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo)
$0/yr · Closed to new applicants
Editorial take: Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo)
Closed to new applicants. Bilt launched its 2.0 portfolio (Blue / Obsidian / Palladium) on February 7, 2026 with Cardless as the new issuer. Existing Wells Fargo Bilt Mastercard holders are being migrated; new applicants should apply for one of the Bilt 2.0 tiers via biltrewards.com.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo)?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex has the bigger bonus, up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, worth roughly $1,050, versus Closed to new applicants (~$0) on the Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo).
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's $650 annual fee worth it compared to the Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo)?
- 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 Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo) at $0/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex and Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo)?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Bilt / Wells Fargo) 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 Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo) first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo): $0 in 0 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.