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 Obsidian
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the Bilt Obsidian from Bilt / Cardless at $95/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 ($850 more in estimated value) than the Bilt Obsidian's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex first; revisit the Bilt Obsidian after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | Bilt Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | $200 Bilt Cash |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,050 | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Bilt / Cardless |
| 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 Obsidian
$95/yr · $200 Bilt Cash
Editorial take: Bilt Obsidian
The headline tier of Bilt 2.0, launched February 7, 2026 by Cardless after the Wells Fargo era ended. Strongest for renters who eat out (or buy groceries) and use Lyft. The $100 hotel credit pays back most of the AF if you stay 2+ nights anywhere on the Bilt Travel portal. Pair with the no-fee Blue if you want a no-AF anchor too.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or Bilt Obsidian?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex has the bigger bonus, up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, worth roughly $1,050, versus $200 Bilt Cash (~$200) on the Bilt Obsidian.
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's $650 annual fee worth it compared to the Bilt Obsidian?
- 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 Obsidian at $95/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex and Bilt Obsidian?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Bilt / Cardless) 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 Obsidian first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. Bilt Obsidian: $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.