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