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 Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi from Citi 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 Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex first; revisit the Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | No current public welcome offer |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,050 | - |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | - |
| Issuer | American Express | Citi |
| Card category | hotel | |
| 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
Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi
$0/yr · No current public welcome offer
Editorial take: Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex has a public bonus (up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, worth roughly $1,050), while the Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's $650 annual fee worth it compared to the Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi?
- 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 Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi at $0/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex and Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Citi) 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 Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi: no published min spend. 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.