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 United Club Business Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the United Club Business Card from Chase at $695/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | United Club Business Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $695 |
| Sign-up bonus | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | 100,000 miles + 2,000 PQP |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,050 | $1,500 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $5,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Chase |
| Card category | hotel | business |
| 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
United Club Business Card
$695/yr · 100,000 miles + 2,000 PQP
Editorial take: United Club Business Card
Pure United Club access card. Cash equivalent of the lounge membership is $750+/year, so the $695 fee makes sense if you're at United hubs frequently. The 1.5x base earning is the highest catch-all rate among premium business cards.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or United Club Business Card?
- The United Club Business Card has the bigger bonus, 100,000 miles + 2,000 PQP, worth roughly $1,500, versus up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (~$1,050) on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex.
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's $650 annual fee worth it compared to the United Club Business 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 United Club Business Card at $695/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex and United Club Business Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Chase) 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 United Club Business Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. United Club Business Card: $5,000 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.