The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit cards are two compelling options for travelers looking to maximize their hotel and travel rewards.
These cards are affiliated with Marriott, one of the world's largest hotel chains, and each offers unique benefits tailored to different preferences and spending habits.
General Comparison: Marriott Brilliant vs. Boundless
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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant | |
Annual Fee | $95 | $650. See Rates and Fees. |
Rewards | 6X points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card. Plus, earn up to 10X points from Marriott for being a Marriott Bonvoy® member. Plus, earn up to 1X point from Marriott with Silver Elite Status. Earn 3X points for every $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. Earn 2X points for every $1 you spend on all other purchases. | 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program, 3 points at Worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2 points on all other eligible purchases |
Welcome bonus | 3 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening | 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership |
0% Intro APR | N/A | N/A |
Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 | |
Purchase APR | 21.49%–28.49% variable | 20.99% – 29.99% Variable
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Compare Rewards: Which Card Gives More?
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Spend Per Category | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant |
$10,000 – U.S Supermarkets | 22,000 points | 20,000 points |
$5,000 – Restaurants | 10,000 points | 15,000 points |
$6,000 – Hotels | 36,000 points | 36,000 points |
$8,000 – Airline
| 16,000 points | 24,000 points |
$4,000 – Gas | 8,000 points | 8,000 points |
Total Points | 92,000 points | 103,000 points |
* Marriot Boundless Card: 3X on the first $6,000 spent on supermarkets
With the Marriott cards, you earn and redeem points for free nights at Marriott hotels, travel experiences, and exclusive events. Also, you can transfer points to airline or use it to pay for car rentals, merchandise or book an experience with Marriot Moments.
Travel Benefits: Marriott Brilliant vs. Boundless
There are some additional types of perks that you will see with both of these cards. The Brilliant card offers a variety of credit statements, lounge access and Marriot-focused benefits such as free night award and Platinum elite status.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite Status:Enjoy Silver Elite Status automatically each account anniversary year as a cardmember.
Elevate Your Status: Earn 1 Elite Night Credit for every $5,000 spent, helping you achieve higher elite status.
15 Elite Night Credits: Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, contributing to your elite status. Some restrictions apply.
1 Free Night Award: The Boundless card offers a free night award after spending $35,000 in a calendar year.
Path to Gold Status: Spend $35,000 on purchases in a calendar year to progress towards Gold Status.
DoorDash: Receive one year of complimentary DashPass, granting unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible order
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
- Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Status: Enjoy complimentary Platinum Elite status with the card, allowing you to earn up to 5X points on eligible hotel purchases with the 50% Bonus Points on stays benefit.
- Earned Choice Award: After spending $60,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, you can choose an Earned Choice Award benefit such as getting Suite Night Awards™ (five) to redeem for upgrades to select premium rooms and suites, gift Marriott Bonvoy® Silver Elite Status to a family member or friend and more.
- $300 Dining Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits annually ($25 per month) for eligible restaurant purchases with the Brilliant card.
- Free Night Award: Receive one Free Night Award each year after your card renewal month, valid for a one-night stay (up to 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
- $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Get up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis hotels when booking a special rate for a minimum 2-night stay.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck: Receive a statement credit every 4 years for Global Entry or every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck application fees when paid with your card.
- 25 Elite Night Credits: Get 25 Elite Night Credits each calendar year toward achieving higher levels of Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.
- Priority Pass Select: Enjoy unlimited lounge visits for yourself and up to two guests at no extra charge with complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, offering access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide.
- Premium Internet Access: Receive complimentary in-room premium Internet access at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties.
- American Express Experiences: Gain exclusive access to ticket presales and Card Member-only events, including entertainment options like Broadway shows, concerts, family events, and more. Visit the American Express website for more information.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Insurance Benefits: Comparison
Both cards offer a variety of insurance benefits. Most of them are quite similar, but there are some differences in coverage between them.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Baggage Delay Insurance: Reimburses up to $100 per day for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing when your baggage is delayed by a passenger carrier for more than 6 hours, up to a total of 5 days.
Lost Luggage Reimbursement: Provides coverage of up to $3,000 per passenger for damaged or lost luggage checked or carried on by you or an immediate family member when traveling.
Trip Delay Reimbursement: Covers unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket when your common carrier travel is delayed for more than 12 hours or necessitates an overnight stay.
Purchase Protection: Safeguards your new purchases against damage or theft for 120 days, with coverage up to $500 per claim and a maximum of $50,000 per account.
Visa Concierge: Enjoy complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge Service, providing assistance with various tasks, including finding event tickets, making restaurant reservations, and helping you select the perfect gift.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: When you reserve and pay for a rental vehicle with your Eligible Card, declining the rental counter's collision damage waiver, you can be protected against damage or theft in specific regions, subject to certain exclusions and limitations.
- Baggage Insurance Plan: When you purchase a common carrier vehicle ticket with your Eligible Card, you can receive coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage.
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: Buying a round-trip with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card can provide assistance in the event of trip cancellation or interruption, following the specified terms and conditions.
- Trip Delay Insurance: If your trip faces a delay of more than 6 hours due to a covered reason and you paid for the round-trip with your Eligible Card.
- Purchase Protection: Eligible purchases made with your card can be protected for up to 90 days from the purchase date, offering coverage for theft, accidental damage, or loss.
- Extended Warranty: When you use your Eligible Card for eligible purchases, you can receive an extra year of warranty coverage for warranties lasting 5 years or less in the United States or its territories.
- Cell Phone Protection: This embedded benefit provides reimbursement for repair or replacement costs after cell phone damage or theft.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
When You Might Want the Marriot Bonvoy Brilliant?
You might prefer the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card over the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card if:
- Premium Travel Perks: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card offers a range of premium travel benefits, including automatic Platinum Elite Status, Priority Pass lounge access, annual statement credits, and more. If you value these high-end perks and frequently stay at Marriott properties, the Brilliant card can be more appealing.
- Luxury Hotel Stays: The Brilliant card often caters to those who prefer luxury and upscale hotel experiences, as it provides additional benefits at Marriott Bonvoy properties, such as room upgrades, late check-out, and annual free night awards at select hotels.
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When You Might Want the Marriot Bonvoy Boundless?
You might prefer the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card over the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card in the following situations:
- Cost-Conscious Traveler: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card typically comes with a lower annual fee compared to the Brilliant card. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option with solid rewards and benefits, the Boundless card may be your choice.
- Earning Marriott Points: If your primary goal is to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays and you're not as interested in additional travel benefits, the Boundless card can be a more focused option.
Compare The Alternatives
If you're looking for a travel rewards credit card– there are some excellent alternatives you may want to consider:
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The Platinum Card® from American Express | Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | |
Annual Fee | $695. See Rates & Fees | $550 | $550 |
Rewards |
1X – 5X
5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
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3x – 14x
14X Hilton Honors bonus points when you make eligible purchases on your card at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton Portfolio, 7X Hilton Honors bonus points on eligible purchases on your card for: Flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and U.S. restaurants, 3X Hilton Honors bonus points on other eligible purchases
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1X – 10X
5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels, car rentals and dining when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit. Also, earn 3x points on dining at restaurants and travel (after meeting the $300 travel credit), then 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases. |
Welcome bonus |
80,000 points
80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
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150,000 points
150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 3 Months of Card Membership
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60,000 points
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
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Foreign Transaction Fee | $0. See Rates & Fees | $0 | $0 |
Purchase APR | 21.24% – 29.24% APR Variable | 20.99% – 29.99% variable | 22.49%–29.49% variable |
Compare Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card
In our opinion, the new Marriott Bountiful isn't worth the higher annual fee compared to the traditional Boundless card. Here's why.
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful vs Boundless: Side By Side Comparison
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy is more expensive than the Boundless. Are the extra benefits worth the difference? We don't think so. Here's why.
The Marriott Boundless offers great perks for Marriot lovers, while the Preferred card wins when it comes to general travel-related rewards.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Comparison
The Hilton Amex Surpass is our winner as it offers higher estimated total cashback than the Marriot Boundless card and additional hotel perks.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs. Hilton Amex Surpass: Side By Side Comparison
Both cards offer similar rewards ratio and hotel perks, so overall it comes down to which hotel chain you like better – IHG or Marriot?
IHG One Rewards Premier vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: Side By Side Comparison
The World of Hyatt Card is our winner – it offers a significantly higher annual cash back for the average consumer than Marriott Boundless.
World of Hyatt Card vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: Which Hotel Card Is Best?
Surprisingly, despite having no annual fee – the Wyndham Rewards Earner offers higher estimated cash back, which is why it's our winner.
Wyndham Rewards Earner vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: Which Hotel Card Is Best?
Compare Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card
The Brilliant is more expensive than the Bevy card but offers more premium perks such as dining credit, lounge access, and TSA PreCheck.
There is no real difference in annual cashback, despite the difference in annual fees. However, the Brilliant card offers premium hotel perks.
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful vs Brilliant: : Which Card Is Best?
While the Amex Platinum offers extensive travel perks and redemption options, the Marriott Brilliant Card has better hotel-specific perks.
Amex Platinum Card vs. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card: Which Luxury Travel Card Is Best?
While the Brilliant card focuses on benefits tailored to Marriott enthusiasts, the Chase Reserve focuses on general, luxury travel perks.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which Luxury Travel Card Is Best?
Surprisingly, while having a lower annual fee, the Hilton Amex Aspire's estimated cashback value is higher than the Marriot Brilliant's card.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs. Hilton Amex Aspire: : Which Luxury Hotel Card Is Best?
