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 Citi Custom Cash
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the Citi Custom Cash 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 ($850 more in estimated value) than the Citi Custom Cash's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex first; revisit the Citi Custom Cash after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | Citi Custom Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | $200 cash back |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,050 | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $1,500 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Citi |
| Card category | hotel | cashback |
| Transfer partners | None | citi-ty |
| 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
Citi Custom Cash
$0/yr · $200 cash back
Editorial take: Citi Custom Cash
Genuinely clever. 5% on whichever category you spent most on each month, capped at $500/month. Earns $25/month = $300/year effortlessly. Pairs with Premier to convert to transferable ThankYou Points.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or Citi Custom Cash?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex has the bigger bonus, up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, worth roughly $1,050, versus $200 cash back (~$200) on the Citi Custom Cash.
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's $650 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Custom Cash?
- 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 Citi Custom Cash at $0/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex and Citi Custom Cash?
- 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 Citi Custom Cash first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. Citi Custom Cash: $1,500 in 6 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.