Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful: Which Is Better In 2025?

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card a compelling choice.

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• Cardholders automatically receive complimentary Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits each year, providing a shortcut to valuable hotel perks.
• You can earn 1,000 bonus points for each paid stay at participating hotels and a free night award after meeting an annual spending requirement.
• While the card comes with an annual fee, it also includes a suite of travel and purchase protections like baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement.

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Pros

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• Automatic Gold Elite status provides immediate access to hotel perks, including preferred room upgrades and late checkout.
• Earn accelerated points on stays with Marriott Bonvoy and bonus points on everyday spending categories like dining and groceries.
• Comes with a suite of travel protections, such as trip delay reimbursement and baggage delay insurance, which can add peace of mind during your travels.

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Cons

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• It carries a notable annual fee, and the free night award is not automatic—it requires meeting a high annual spending threshold.
• The complimentary Gold Elite status doesn't include the most valuable perks like suite upgrades, and you can't earn a higher status tier through card spending.

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®

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Categories

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When considering which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant or Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful, it's important to understand that each card caters to a different type of traveler. Both offer unique ways to earn and redeem points within the Marriott ecosystem, but they are designed for different spending habits and travel styles.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is best for frequent travelers who often stay at Marriott properties and value luxury travel perks. It's designed for those looking to maximize benefits within the Marriott Bonvoy ecosystem, including elite hotel status and premium credits.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card is a mid-tier option for travelers who frequently stay at Marriott hotels and want to earn rewards on stays, dining, and groceries. This card is suitable for those seeking complimentary Gold Elite status and the ability to earn a free night award through spending.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Points can be redeemed for stays across Marriott's extensive portfolio of hotels or transferred to numerous airline partners for flight awards. This flexibility makes it ideal for travelers looking to leverage their rewards for comprehensive travel experiences.

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Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: Cardholders primarily redeem points for free nights at Marriott Bonvoy properties, from standard rooms to more premium accommodations. The card's reward structure is geared toward earning and using points directly within the Marriott hotel ecosystem.

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Travel Perks

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This card is loaded with premium travel perks. It includes a Priority Pass Select membership, providing access to a global network of airport lounges. Cardholders also receive statement credits for eligible restaurant purchases and a fee credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application. The card confers automatic Platinum Elite status and has no foreign transaction fees.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: This card’s travel perks are more focused on enhancing hotel stays. It provides complimentary Gold Elite status and the opportunity to earn a Free Night Award after meeting a specific annual spending threshold. While it does not offer airport lounge access or premium statement credits, it does not charge foreign transaction fees.

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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 portfolio and stay at least five to ten nights per year. This user is someone who can fully leverage the card's premium perks, such as the monthly dining credits, automatic Platinum Elite status, and annual Free Night Award. Ultimately, this premium card is best for individuals who value luxury travel benefits and can maximize its rewards to justify the annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card is a strong contender for frequent Marriott guests who want solid mid-tier benefits without committing to a premium card's higher price tag. These travelers will appreciate the automatic Gold Elite status and the 1,000 bonus points awarded for each paid stay, which directly enhance their hotel experiences. It's particularly well-suited for those who can spend at least $15,000 annually on the card to unlock the valuable 50,000-point free night award, a key factor in determining if the card is worth its annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful comparison has you convinced that neither card is the right fit, don't worry. Let's explore a few other excellent travel rewards cards that might be a better match for your spending habits and travel goals.

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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 – You will generally need good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review card eligibility rules – Both Chase and American Express have restrictions that may affect your eligibility for a welcome offer.
• Plan your spending – Ensure you can naturally meet the spending requirement to earn the card’s welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application – Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer.
• Consider the ecosystem – Evaluate how a card’s benefits complement your existing cards and travel loyalty, especially with brand-specific perks.
• Check co-brand card rules – Be aware of issuer restrictions, as holding or having held other Marriott Bonvoy cards can affect your eligibility.

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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Which card offers better Marriott Bonvoy elite status?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card automatically grants you Platinum Elite status. The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card from Chase provides complimentary Gold Elite status.

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How do the free night awards differ between the two cards?

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The Bonvoy Brilliant card includes an annual Free Night Award worth up to 85,000 points. With the Bonvoy Bountiful card, you can earn a Free Night Award worth up to 50,000 points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.

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Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and Bonvoy Bountiful cards?

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Yes, it is possible to hold both cards since they are issued by different banks. However, you must be mindful of each issuer's specific application rules, as both American Express and Chase have restrictions that could affect your eligibility.

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