Amex Business Gold vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: Which Is Better In 2026?

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1066", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Hilton Travelers", "headerHint": "Exceptional Hilton Benefits"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

This section breaks down why we like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (See Rates & Fees).

‍

• Cardholders receive automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, unlocking premium perks like room upgrades and lounge access.
• The card provides significant value through annual credits for dining and a complimentary hotel stay.
• Luxury travel is enhanced with benefits like property credits at high-end hotels and airport lounge access.

‍

_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. 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.}

‍

Pros

‍

• Automatic Platinum Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program, which unlocks valuable perks like room upgrades, late checkout, and lounge access.
• Offers valuable annual credits that can be used for dining and a complimentary hotel night.
• Provides premium travel benefits, including airport lounge access and no foreign transaction fees.

‍

Cons

‍

• Carries a significant annual fee that may not be justifiable for travelers who do not frequently stay at Marriott properties.
• Benefits are heavily concentrated within the Marriott ecosystem, limiting its value for those who are not loyal to the brand.
• The value of points can be inconsistent due to dynamic pricing, and some premium perks like room upgrades are subject to availability and not guaranteed.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® vs American Express® Business Gold Card

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, Amex Business Gold or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, depends entirely on your spending habits and goals.

‍

• American Express® Business Gold Card is designed for business owners and growing companies. It's a versatile tool for those with variable expenses across different business-focused categories.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is best suited for frequent travelers, especially those loyal to Marriott. This card is a high-end option for individuals who value luxury travel perks and hotel elite status.

‍

Redemption

‍

American Express® Business Gold Card: Points earned with this card offer significant flexibility. You can redeem them for travel, transfer them to airline and hotel partners, or apply them as statement credits for business expenses.

‍

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Rewards are centered around the Marriott Bonvoy program. They are primarily used for booking free nights at Marriott properties or transferring to a selection of airline partners.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your actual spending.

‍

• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
• Receive personalized card recommendations and compare rewards across nearly 3,000 credit cards.
• Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Maximize rewards at checkout with a feature that autofills the best card for your purchase.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?

‍

The American Express® Business Gold Card is an ideal choice for business owners with over $50,000 in annual spending and variable expenses across different areas. It particularly suits companies that can maximize the 4X Membership Rewards® points by concentrating their spending in two of the eligible bonus categories each billing cycle. This card is designed for growing businesses that value flexible rewards and can leverage its premium travel and purchase protections to offset the annual fee. Terms Apply.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®?

‍

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is tailor-made for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Marriott brand and value premium hotel perks. This cardholder is someone who stays at Marriott properties several nights a year and dines out regularly, allowing them to maximize benefits like automatic Platinum Elite status and the up to $25 monthly dining credit. Ultimately, it's for the traveler who wants to elevate their stays with room upgrades, lounge access, and an annual Free Night Award, making the card's significant annual fee a worthwhile investment. Terms apply.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If our Amex Business Gold vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant comparison left you feeling like neither card is the perfect fit, don't worry. Let's take a look at a few other top-tier cards that might be a better match for your spending habits and travel goals.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

‍

_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. 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.}

‍

Tips for Application Success

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Review your credit score: Most premium cards require a good-to-excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending: Have a strategy to meet the welcome offer’s spending requirement without overspending.
• Know your rewards goal: Research how you’ll use the points for travel or other redemptions before you apply.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Check issuer rules: Be aware of restrictions like Amex’s once-per-lifetime Welcome Offer rule.
• Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements.
• Don’t settle for a lower offer: Some issuers let you see your offer before accepting, allowing you to decline without a credit impact.

Our Methodology

‍

We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

‍

Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

‍

Can I hold both the Amex Business Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant cards?

‍

Yes, it is possible to have both the American Express® Business Gold Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at the same time. Since one is a business card and the other is a personal card, your eligibility for each is assessed separately.

‍

Which card offers better airport lounge access?

‍

For travelers who value airport lounges, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is the clear winner, offering a Priority Pass Select membership that grants access to over 1,200 lounges worldwide upon enrollment. The American Express® Business Gold Card does not include complimentary lounge access as a standard perk. Terms apply.

‍

Can I combine the points from both cards?

‍

You can consolidate your rewards by transferring American Express Membership Rewards points from the Business Gold Card to your Marriott Bonvoy account. This allows you to pool all your points for redemptions within the Marriott Bonvoy program.

‍

‍