Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Citi Double Cash: Which Is Better In 2025?

Citi Double Cash® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why the Citi Double Cash® card stands out.

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• Its rewards structure is simple and powerful, offering a high, flat cash back rate on every purchase you make and pay off.
• Cardholders can take advantage of a long introductory APR period on balance transfers, which is ideal for consolidating debt.
• While the card has no annual fee, it does include a balance transfer fee and a foreign transaction fee.

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Pros

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• There are no caps on the amount of cash back you can earn and no rotating categories to keep track of.
• It features one of the longest introductory APR periods for balance transfers available, providing ample time to pay down debt.
• Cardholders pay no annual fee, and rewards can be converted to flexible Citi ThankYou® Points.

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Cons

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• The introductory 0% APR offer applies only to balance transfers, not to new purchases.
• It charges a foreign transaction fee, making it less than ideal for use abroad.
• The card lacks bonus rewards categories and does not include common benefits like travel or purchase protections.

Citi Double Cash® vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant or Citi Double Cash, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel goals. One is a premium travel card packed with perks, while the other is a straightforward cash back card.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium travel rewards card designed for frequent travelers, especially those loyal to Marriott properties who value luxury perks and elite status.
• Citi Double Cash® Card is a flat-rate cash back card that excels for users looking to complete balance transfers, offering an extended introductory period for paying down debt.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Points are best redeemed for award nights at hotels and resorts within the extensive Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. For added flexibility, points can also be transferred to a number of airline loyalty programs.

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Citi Double Cash® Card: Rewards are earned as simple cash back, which can be redeemed for a statement credit, direct deposit, or check. You can also convert your cash back into more flexible Citi ThankYou® Points if you have an eligible card.

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Travel Perks

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• Lounge Access: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card includes a Priority Pass Select membership, while the Citi Double Cash® Card does not offer airport lounge access.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: No foreign transaction fees are charged on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, making it suitable for international use. In contrast, the Citi Double Cash card has a foreign transaction fee.
• Hotel & Elite Status: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card provides automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status and an annual Free Night Award. The Citi Double Cash card does not come with any hotel benefits or elite status.
• Travel Credits: Cardholders of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant receive statement credits for eligible purchases and a fee credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. The Citi Double Cash card does not offer travel credits.
• Travel Portal & Protections: Both cards offer access to a travel portal for bookings. However, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card also includes a suite of travel insurance protections, a feature not offered with the Citi Double Cash card.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To cut through the noise, a financial companion like Kudos offers a data-driven card explorer tool to help you compare thousands of credit cards and find the best fit for your wallet.

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• Test drive credit cards: Use your real transaction data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply, with no commitment or hard credit pulls.
• Detailed approval odds: Receive a comprehensive analysis of your chances of approval for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through Kudos, they will match it.
• Exclusive rewards: Unlock rewards like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ for adding select cards to your wallet or earn extra rewards with Kudos Boost when shopping at partner stores.
• Personalized insights: Monitor your transactions, spending, and credit score while receiving actionable insights to maximize your rewards.

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 stay at least 5-10 nights per year. It's also an excellent fit for individuals who dine out regularly, as they can take full advantage of the up to $25 monthly statement credit for restaurant purchases. Ultimately, this card is for those who value premium travel perks like automatic Platinum Elite status and airport lounge access, and who see the benefits as outweighing the premium annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Citi Double Cash®?

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The Citi Double Cash® Card is an excellent choice for consumers seeking a simple, high-earning cash back card for everyday spending without the hassle of tracking categories. It's also particularly well-suited for individuals looking to consolidate and pay down existing credit card debt, thanks to its lengthy 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. Ultimately, anyone who values straightforward rewards and wants to avoid an annual fee will find this card to be a strong contender.

Alternatives to Consider

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card vs. Citi Double Cash® Card comparison pits a premium travel card against a straightforward cash-back card, but what if neither is right for you? Fortunately, there are plenty of other excellent cards on the market that might be a better fit.

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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}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can comfortably meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Review the benefits - Understand how to use the card’s perks to offset its costs.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application to align with large planned purchases or to maximize calendar-year benefits.
• Look for elevated Welcome Offers through targeted promotions or card-matching tools to get the most value.
• Match the card to your habits, whether it’s a hotel co-branded card for loyalty perks or a cash back card for everyday spending.

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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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has a $650 annual fee, reflecting its premium travel benefits. In contrast, the Citi® Double Cash Card has a $0 annual fee, making it a more accessible option.

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Can I transfer rewards between these two cards?

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No, you cannot directly transfer rewards between these cards as they belong to different loyalty programs. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant earns Marriott Bonvoy points, while the Citi Double Cash earns cash back.

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Which card is better if I don't travel often?

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For those who travel infrequently, the Citi® Double Cash Card is likely the superior choice due to its simple cash back structure and no annual fee. The value of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is heavily tied to its travel-centric credits and perks.

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