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 TAP Miles and Go American Express Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card from Cardless at $79/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 TAP Miles and Go American Express Card's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex first; revisit the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | TAP Miles and Go American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $79 |
| Sign-up bonus | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | 40,000 bonus miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,050 | - |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $2,500 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Cardless |
| Card category | hotel | airline |
| 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
TAP Miles and Go American Express Card
$79/yr · 40,000 bonus miles
Editorial take: TAP Miles and Go American Express Card
The only US co-branded card for a European Star Alliance carrier. Useful if you fly TAP to Lisbon or onward Europe several times a year, since the lounge passes, free extra bag, and Premium Boarding can each be worth more than the $79 annual fee on a single transatlantic trip.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or TAP Miles and Go American Express Card?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex has a public bonus (up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, worth roughly $1,050), while the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's $650 annual fee worth it compared to the TAP Miles and Go American Express 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 TAP Miles and Go American Express Card at $79/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex and TAP Miles and Go American Express Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and 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 TAP Miles and Go American Express Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. TAP Miles and Go American Express Card: $2,500 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.