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 USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards from USAA 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 ($800 more in estimated value) than the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex first; revisit the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | USAA Preferred Cash Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | $250 cash bonus |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,050 | $250 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $1,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | USAA |
| 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
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
$0/yr · $250 cash bonus
Editorial take: USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex has the bigger bonus, up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, worth roughly $1,050, versus $250 cash bonus (~$250) on the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards.
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's $650 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
- 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 USAA Preferred Cash Rewards at $0/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex and USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and USAA) 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 USAA Preferred Cash Rewards first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. USAA Preferred Cash Rewards: $1,000 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.