Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 automatically receive Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite Status, unlocking valuable perks like room upgrades, late checkout, and lounge access.
• The card offers a $300 Brilliant Dining Credit, distributed as up to $25 in statement credits each month for dining at restaurants worldwide.
• The card's $650 annual fee (See Rates & Fees) is effectively lowered by the $300 annual dining credit, and the remaining cost can be easily covered by the Annual Free Night Award, which is valid for a stay worth up to 85,000 points (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Receive automatic Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status, unlocking premium hotel perks like room upgrades and late checkout.
• Enjoy valuable annual benefits, including statement credits for dining and a Free Night Award.
• Gain access to airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership (enrollment is required).

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Cons

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• Carries a significant annual fee that may not be justifiable for infrequent travelers.
• The card’s most valuable perks are tied to the Marriott ecosystem, limiting its appeal for travelers who don’t exclusively stay at Marriott properties.
• Point values can be inconsistent due to Marriott’s dynamic pricing, and some benefits have usage restrictions, adding a layer of redemption complexity.

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_{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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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, depends on your personal travel style and spending habits. One is a flexible, entry-level travel card, while the other is a premium card designed for hotel loyalists.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card is a top choice for entry-level travel, ideal for those who want strong rewards and travel protections without a premium annual fee.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This card is a high-end option for frequent travelers, particularly Marriott loyalists seeking top-tier benefits and elite status.

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Redemption

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With the Sapphire Preferred, you earn flexible points that can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel loyalty programs. You can also redeem them for travel through the Chase portal or for cash back, offering a wide variety of redemption options.

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is geared towards hotel stays, with points being most valuable when redeemed for nights at properties within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. While other options exist, the card's redemption power is maximized through hotel loyalty.

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_{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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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card:The travel ecosystem for this card is built around the flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. It has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good companion for international travel. While it doesn't offer complimentary airport lounge access, it does provide an annual hotel credit.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card:This card's ecosystem is deeply integrated with the Marriott Bonvoy program. It also has no foreign transaction fees. A key travel perk is the complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, which grants access to a global network of airport lounges (enrollment is required). Cardholders also receive annual statement credits for dining and Marriott Bonvoy stays, plus a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Terms apply.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make a data-driven decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, which helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your personal spending habits.

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• Test drive any credit card using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
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Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want to earn significant rewards without committing to a premium annual fee. As our comprehensive review highlights, it's particularly well-suited for individuals whose spending is concentrated on dining, travel, and select online services, as these categories offer accelerated points. Cardholders can redeem these points flexibly for travel or cash back, all while benefiting from robust travel protections, making it a top-tier option for those just starting with travel rewards cards.

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 with a strong preference for Marriott properties, particularly those who can leverage its luxury travel perks like automatic Platinum Elite status and airport lounge access. It's also a great fit for regular diners who can maximize the monthly dining credits and for international travelers who benefit from having no foreign transaction fees. Our complete card review concludes that if you consistently stay with Marriott and value these premium benefits, the card offers substantial value.

Alternatives to Consider

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If you've weighed the Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant comparison and decided neither the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card nor the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is for you, you're in luck. The travel rewards card market is vast, and there are several other compelling options to consider.

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Tips for Application Success

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Applying for a premium travel card requires a bit of strategy. Following these steps can help increase your chances of approval and ensure you’re ready to maximize your new card from day one.

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Before You Apply:

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• Check your credit score - Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card generally require a good to excellent credit score for approval.
• Review Chase’s 5/24 rule - If you’re eyeing the Sapphire Preferred, be aware of Chase’s unofficial policy. Your application will likely be denied if you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards from any bank in the last 24 months.
• Plan your spending - Both cards come with valuable welcome offers that require meeting a minimum spending threshold in the first few months. Make sure you can meet this spend organically without overextending your budget.

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Application Strategy:

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• Know the Welcome Offer rules - American Express, issuer of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Card, typically limits Welcome Offers to once per lifetime for each card. Ensure you haven't had the specific card before if you want to be eligible. Terms apply.
• Time your application - To help meet the spending requirement naturally, consider applying before a planned large purchase, like a vacation, home renovation project, or new furniture.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card better for beginners?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is often considered a great starting point for travel rewards due to its flexible points and more accessible annual fee. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is typically better suited for frequent Marriott guests who can maximize its premium hotel benefits.

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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 earned with the Sapphire Preferred card to the Marriott Bonvoy program, generally at a 1:1 ratio. This gives you the flexibility to book award nights at Marriott properties even without holding a Marriott co-branded card.

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Which card offers better travel perks?

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Both cards offer valuable travel benefits, but they cater to different needs. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card provides luxury hotel-specific perks like an annual Free Night Award and property credits (Terms apply), while the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers broader travel protections and a flexible annual hotel credit.

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How do the rewards programs differ between the two cards?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which can be transferred to various airline and hotel partners or redeemed for travel through the Chase portal. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card earns Marriott Bonvoy points, which are primarily designed for redemptions within the Marriott ecosystem.