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 Discover it Miles
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the Discover it Miles from Discover 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 ($600 more in estimated value) than the Discover it Miles's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex first; revisit the Discover it Miles after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | Discover it Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled) |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,050 | $450 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $0 in 12 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Discover |
| Card category | hotel | travel |
| 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
Discover it Miles
$0/yr · Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled)
Editorial take: Discover it Miles
A rare card that effectively earns 3x in year one (1.5x + match). Miles aren't transferable, but the simplicity + first-year match make this a strong starter travel card.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or Discover it Miles?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex has the bigger bonus, up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, worth roughly $1,050, versus Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled) (~$450) on the Discover it Miles.
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's $650 annual fee worth it compared to the Discover it Miles?
- 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 Discover it Miles at $0/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex and Discover it Miles?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Discover) 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 Discover it Miles first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. Discover it Miles: $0 in 12 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.