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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card are premium travel credit cards catering to frequent travelers.
Here's a comparison of the key features, benefits and drawbacks:
Marriott Brilliant vs. Hilton Aspire: General Comparison
The Bonvoy Brilliant Card is affiliated with Marriott, offering substantial benefits for Marriott loyalists.
It comes with a hefty annual fee but provides a variety of perks such as Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounges, a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees, and access to the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts program.
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Hilton Amex Aspire | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant | |
Annual Fee | $550 | $650. See Rates and Fees. |
Rewards | 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 | 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 | 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 3 Months of Card Membership | 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 | 20.99% – 29.99% variable | 20.99% – 29.99% Variable
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Compare Rewards: Marriott Brilliant vs. Hilton Aspire
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Spend Per Category | Hilton Amex Aspire | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant |
$10,000 – U.S Supermarkets | 70,000 points | 20,000 points |
$5,000 – Restaurants | 35,000 points | 15,000 points |
$6,000 – Hotels | 84,000 points | 36,000 points |
$8,000 – Airline
| 24,000 points | 24,000 points |
$4,000 – Gas | 28,000 points | 8,000 points |
Total Points | 241,000 points | 103,000 points |
Redemption Value (Estimated) | 1 point = ~0.6 cent | 1 point = ~0.8 cent |
Total Points | $1,446 | $824 |
Hilton Aspire card offers various ways for you to redeem points you earn through its loyalty program. You can use points to book free hotel stays, covering the cost of your room. Additionally, Hilton provides flexibility with Points & Money options, allowing you to use a combination of points and cash.
Beyond hotel stays, you can also redeem points for experiences, travel, shopping, and more through the Hilton Honors program
The Marriott Brilliant Credit Card offers diverse redemption options for travel enthusiasts. Cardholders can use points for free hotel nights at various Marriott properties worldwide, spanning luxury resorts to budget-friendly options.
Additionally, points can be redeemed for experiences and travel packages and even transferred to airline partners.
Travel Benefits: Comparison
The Brilliant card offers a variety of credit statements, lounge access, and Marriot-focused benefits such as free night award and Platinum elite status.
The Hilton card offers even better credit statements but doesn't offer priority pass access or TSA Precheck reimbursement.
Hilton Amex Aspire
- Free Night Reward: Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after spending $30,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Complimentary Diamond Status: Receive Hilton Honors Diamond status with the Hilton Aspire Card, offering a 100% bonus on base points, premium Wi-Fi, room upgrades, and executive lounge access.
- $200 Flight Credit: Get up to $50 in statement credits per quarter, totaling up to $200 annually, for flight purchases made directly with an airline or through amextravel.com using your Hilton Aspire Card.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Cover the cost of a CLEAR® Plus Membership, enhancing airport security clearance with biometric verification, excluding any applicable taxes.
- $400 Hilton Resort Credit: Enjoy up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually for eligible purchases at participating Hilton Resorts, providing a total annual credit of up to $400, with no minimum purchase required.
- $100 Hilton On-Property Credit: Receive up to a $100 credit for qualifying charges at select Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties when booking a minimum 2-night stay through hiltonhonorsaspirecard.com.
Dispute Resolution: If faced with unrecognized charges or billing issues, American Express collaborates with you and the merchant to resolve the problem promptly.
ShopRunner: Enjoy complimentary membership with ShopRunner, providing free 2-day shipping on eligible items from a network of 100+ online stores, accessible by enrolling with your eligible Card at shoprunner.com/americanexpress.
- Concierge Service: Access a complimentary concierge service to assist with lifestyle needs, providing expertise on various matters such as restaurant recommendations and event ticket purchases.
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.
- 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.
- $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.
- 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 And Protections
Since both cards are part of Amex premium cards, they offer quite similar travel insurance perks and protections:
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: When you reserve and pay for a rental vehicle with your 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 s 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 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.
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When You Might Want the Marriot Bonvoy Brilliant?
You might prefer the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card over the Hilton Amex Aspire card if:
You Primarily Stay At Marriott Hotels: If you're a loyal Marriott customer, you'll reap more benefits from the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant's higher elite status, which provides perks like room upgrades, free breakfast, and statement credits.
You Value Priority Pass or TSA PreCheck: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant's $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit can save you money on this valuable travel convenience, in addition to a lounge acceess – both features are not included in the Amex Aspire card.
When You Might Want the Hilton Amex Aspire?
You might prefer the Hilton Amex Aspire card over the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card if:
Better Points Rewards Ratio: As we can see on the points rewards analysis, the Hilton Aspire card is more generous when it comes to points rewards earning, you'll be able to earn more points and higher redemption value compared to the Brilliant card.
You Primarily Stay At Hilton Hotels: If you're a Hilton loyalist, you'll benefit more from the Hilton Honors Aspire's top-tier Diamond Elite status or the Hilton Honors Aspire's $400 resort credit can be used at Hilton resorts worldwide.
Desire for More Diverse Annual Credits: Choose the Hilton Aspire if you appreciate a variety of annual credits, including a resort credit, airline fee credit, and the potential for two complimentary weekend night rewards per year, providing a broader range of benefits beyond Marriott-focused perks.
Compare The Alternatives
If you're looking for a travel credit card with hotel rewards – there are some good alternatives you may want to consider:
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The Platinum Card® from American Express | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Capital One Venture X Rewards | |
Annual Fee | $695. See Rates & Fees | $550 | $395 |
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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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. | 1X – 10X
10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booking via Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases
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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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60,000 points
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
| 75,000 miles
75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
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Foreign Transaction Fee | $0. See Rates & Fees | $0 | $0
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Purchase APR | 21.24% – 29.24% APR Variable | 22.49%–29.49% variable | 19.99% – 29.99% (Variable) |
Compare Hilton Aspire Card
If you can maximize your points, rewards, and benefits, the Hilton Aspire is our winner. But, if your spend is not so high – the Surpass wins.
Hilton Honors Surpass vs. Hilton Aspire Card: How They Compare?
The Hilton Aspire is surprising with its higher estimated annual cashback value, but the Platinum card wins at premium travel perks.
Amex Platinum Card vs. Hilton Amex Aspire: Side By Side Comparison
The Hilton Amex Aspire offers excellent value for hotel perks, while the Chase Reserve card is best for flexibility and redemption options.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Hilton Amex Aspire: Side By Side Comparison
The Hilton Aspire is surprising with its higher estimated annual cashback value, but the Platinum card wins at premium travel perks.
Amex Platinum Card vs. Hilton Amex Aspire: Side By Side Comparison
Compare Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card
While there is no big difference when it comes to points rewards, the Brilliant offers lounge access, credit statements, and Platinum status.
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?
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Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
