Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: Which Is Better In 2025?

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section highlights the key reasons we're fans of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.

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• Cardholders receive automatic Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status, unlocking valuable perks like room upgrades and lounge access.
• It offers a strong rewards rate, earning 6X points at Marriott properties and 3X points on dining and direct flight bookings.
• The card's premium annual fee (See Rates & Fees) can be offset by using the $300 brilliant dining credit and the annual Free Night Award (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Automatic Platinum Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy provides valuable hotel perks like room upgrades, late checkout, and lounge access.
• An annual Free Night Award and monthly dining credits offer consistent value throughout the year.
• Includes premium travel benefits like airport lounge access via Priority Pass™ Select membership (enrollment required) and no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• Comes with a high annual fee that may be hard to justify for infrequent travelers.
• Benefits are heavily focused on the Marriott ecosystem, offering less flexibility than general travel rewards cards.
• Statement credits are distributed in monthly increments, which can be inconvenient, and award night redemptions are subject to dynamic pricing.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant®, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel goals. These two cards cater to very different types of users, making a direct comparison a matter of personal priorities.

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card is ideal for everyday spenders who want to earn consistent cash back on all their purchases, especially on dining and at drugstores, without worrying about rotating categories.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This premium card is designed for frequent travelers, particularly those loyal to Marriott, who want to enjoy luxury travel perks and maximize rewards on hotel stays and dining.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Points earned with this card can be redeemed for cash back, travel through the Chase portal, or gift cards, offering flexible options for everyday earners.

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Rewards are earned as Marriott Bonvoy points, which are best used for booking free nights at hotels and resorts within the extensive Marriott portfolio.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is designed for global travel and has no foreign transaction fees. In contrast, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® includes a foreign transaction fee, making it better suited for domestic spending.
• Airport Lounge Access: For travelers seeking an escape from busy terminals, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card includes a Priority Pass™ Select membership, which grants access to a global network of airport lounges. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® does not offer this perk.
• Elite Perks and Credits: As a premium card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is loaded with travel benefits, including an annual Free Night Award, statement credits for dining, and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a straightforward cash back card and does not offer these types of travel-specific credits or hotel status.
• Trusted Traveler Programs: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card helps expedite your journey through the airport by providing a statement credit for the application fee of either TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry. This benefit is not available with the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
• Booking Travel: While points from the Chase Freedom Unlimited® can be used to book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card's ecosystem is centered on the Marriott Bonvoy program. Its points are most valuable when redeemed for stays across Marriott's vast portfolio of hotels.

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.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're still unsure which card is right for you, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data to see the net value before you apply.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of applying for a card through Kudos, they will match it.
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• Kudos Boost rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points when you shop at your favorite stores through the platform.
• Financial monitoring: Track your transactions, spending, and credit score in one dashboard.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who want to earn consistent rewards without the hassle of tracking rotating categories. Its straightforward earning structure makes it ideal for those new to credit card rewards, while still offering valuable purchase protections and travel benefits without an annual fee. As detailed in this comprehensive guide, existing Chase customers can also pair it with a premium card to maximize their points strategy.

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

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is tailor-made for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Marriott brand and its extensive portfolio of properties. Its value shines for those who dine out regularly enough to leverage the monthly dining credits and who appreciate the significant perks that come with automatic Platinum Elite status, such as room upgrades and late checkouts. Essentially, if you stay at Marriott properties several times a year and value a more luxurious travel experience, this premium card is a strong contender, as detailed in our full card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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After this Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® comparison, you might feel that neither card is the perfect choice. If that's the case, here are a few other excellent alternatives to consider.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most premium cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Have a rewards strategy - Know how a card fits with your spending habits and other cards you hold.
• Review the card’s benefits - Understand which perks require enrollment to ensure you can maximize the card’s value.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer rules - Be aware of restrictions like the once-per-lifetime welcome offer policy from issuers like American Express.
• Time your application - Align applying with a large planned purchase to help meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Consider card pairings - Some cards, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, offer greater value when paired with a premium travel card from the same issuer.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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Is a high-annual-fee card like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® worth it?

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A high-annual-fee card can be worth it if you take full advantage of its benefits, such as annual credits and elite status, which can outweigh the cost. You should evaluate your travel habits and spending to see if the perks align with your lifestyle.

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Can I use Chase Ultimate Rewards® points for Marriott stays?

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Yes, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to Marriott Bonvoy, as Marriott is one of Chase's travel transfer partners. This gives you the flexibility to use points earned with the Chase Freedom Unlimited® for stays at Marriott properties.

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Which card is better for someone new to credit card rewards?

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For beginners, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is often a better starting point due to its $0 annual fee and straightforward rewards structure. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a more advanced card best suited for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Marriott brand.

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