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 Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Both are hotel travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless from Chase at $95/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 Boundless is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($530 more in estimated value) than the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless first; revisit the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | 4 Free Night Awards |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,050 | $1,580 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $3,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Chase |
| Card category | hotel | hotel |
| Best earning category (Marriott) | 6x | 6x |
| 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
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
$95/yr · 4 Free Night Awards
Editorial take: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
One of our favorite keeper cards. The free night award on every card anniversary easily exceeds the $95 fee, and the 15 elite qualifying nights help you reach Marriott status faster.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or Marriott Bonvoy Boundless?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless has the bigger bonus, 4 Free Night Awards, worth roughly $1,580, versus up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (~$1,050) on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex.
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's $650 annual fee worth it compared to the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless?
- 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 Marriott Bonvoy Boundless at $95/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Chase) 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 Marriott Bonvoy Boundless first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: $3,000 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.