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 Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa)
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa) from Mission Lane 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 Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa)'s. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex first; revisit the Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa) after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | None |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,050 | $0 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Mission Lane |
| Card category | hotel | credit-builder |
| 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
Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa)
$0/yr · None
Editorial take: Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa)
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa)?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex has the bigger bonus, up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, worth roughly $1,050, versus None (~$0) on the Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa).
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's $650 annual fee worth it compared to the Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa)?
- 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 Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa) at $0/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex and Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa)?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Mission Lane) 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 Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa) first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa): $0 in 0 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.