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 Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard from Bank of America 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 ($800 more in estimated value) than the Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex first; revisit the Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | 25,000 WorldPoints |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,050 | $250 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $1,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Bank of America |
| 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
Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard
$0/yr · 25,000 WorldPoints
Editorial take: Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex has the bigger bonus, up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, worth roughly $1,050, versus 25,000 WorldPoints (~$250) on the Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard.
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's $650 annual fee worth it compared to the Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard?
- 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 Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard at $0/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex and Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Bank of America) 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 Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard: $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.