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 Strata Premier Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the Citi Strata Premier Card from Citi at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
If you're not sure you'll use premium perks, start with the Citi Strata Premier Card, its annual fee is significantly lower and the bonus values are similar. Upgrade later if you find yourself using the higher-tier benefits.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | Citi Strata Premier Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | 60,000 bonus points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,050 | $1,020 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $4,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Citi |
| Card category | hotel | travel |
| 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 Strata Premier Card
$95/yr · 60,000 bonus points
Editorial take: Citi Strata Premier Card
A strong mid-tier card with the late-2024 refresh adding 10x on CitiTravel.com and EV charging to the 3x grid. The $100 hotel benefit and 16 transfer partners (Avianca, Flying Blue, Turkish, Virgin Atlantic, Wyndham) make it competitive with Sapphire Preferred at the same $95 fee.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or Citi Strata Premier Card?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex has the bigger bonus, up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, worth roughly $1,050, versus 60,000 bonus points (~$1,020) on the Citi Strata Premier Card.
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's $650 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Strata Premier 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 Citi Strata Premier Card at $95/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex and Citi Strata Premier Card?
- 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 Strata Premier Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. Citi Strata Premier Card: $4,000 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.