Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve: Which Is Better In 2025?

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® card a compelling choice.

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• Cardholders earn a high rewards rate on both travel and mobile wallet purchases, making it a versatile option for everyday spending.
• While it comes with an annual fee, the card provides valuable travel benefits like airport lounge access and statement credits that can offset the cost.
• The card's generous $325 annual travel credit effectively reduces the $400 annual fee to just $75 if you maximize the benefit (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Offers a high rewards rate on mobile wallet purchases, a standout feature among premium travel cards.
• Includes a generous annual travel credit that is automatically applied to a wide range of travel purchases.
• Provides flexible reward redemption options, including Real-Time Rewards and a value boost when booking travel.

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Cons

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• Comes with a high annual fee that may be difficult to offset for those who don't travel frequently.
• Lacks direct transfer partners, limiting how you can redeem points with airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• Requires an existing banking relationship with U.S. Bank to apply, which is a significant hurdle for many.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant or U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve, comes down to your specific travel style and spending patterns. While both are premium cards, they cater to different types of travelers with distinct reward structures.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium hotel credit card ideal for travelers loyal to the Marriott brand. It focuses on maximizing hotel rewards, providing automatic elite status, and offering luxury travel benefits.
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is a premium travel rewards card best suited for frequent travelers who are also heavy users of mobile wallets. It excels at providing flexible rewards on travel and digital payment purchases.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Points are primarily redeemed for stays at hotels and resorts within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. You can also transfer points to various airline partners, though the value is often best when used for hotel nights.

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U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: Points can be redeemed for travel at a higher value through the U.S. Bank rewards portal or as a real-time statement credit for travel purchases. This provides significant flexibility for booking flights, hotels, and car rentals without being tied to a specific brand.

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Travel Perks

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• Lounge Access: Both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve provide a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, granting access to a global network of airport lounges.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: You can use either card for your international travels without worry, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Annual Credits: The Altitude Reserve offers a flexible annual statement credit for a wide range of travel and dining purchases. The Bonvoy Brilliant provides statement credits for eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and for dining at restaurants worldwide. Terms Apply.
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Both cards help expedite your airport experience by offering a statement credit to cover the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.
• Ecosystem & Status: The Bonvoy Brilliant card is deeply integrated into the Marriott ecosystem, granting automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status and an annual Free Night Award at eligible properties. Terms Apply. The Altitude Reserve, in contrast, offers greater flexibility. Its points are worth more when redeemed for travel through the U.S. Bank portal, and its Real-Time Rewards feature allows for instant statement credits against travel purchases, freeing you from loyalty to a single brand.

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Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using your real spending data to find the best match.

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• Test drive credit cards to see personalized calculations of your potential earnings based on your actual spending history, all before you apply.
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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 Marriott properties and want to elevate their stays with premium perks. This cardholder is someone who dines out often enough to take full advantage of the $300 Brilliant Dining Credit and values the automatic Platinum Elite Status for its room upgrades and late checkouts (Terms apply). As detailed in this comprehensive review, it’s an ideal choice for regular Marriott guests who want to maximize their travel rewards and hotel experience.

Who Should Choose the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite®?

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The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® card is tailored for frequent travelers who are also heavy users of mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay. This user profile benefits most from the card's high 3x earning rate on both travel and mobile wallet purchases, alongside a straightforward $325 annual travel credit that helps offset the annual fee. As detailed in a comprehensive card review, it's also an ideal choice for existing U.S. Bank customers seeking a premium travel card with flexible redemption options.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card vs. U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card comparison didn't lead you to a clear winner, let's explore a few other premium travel cards that might be a better match.

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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 premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Review issuer requirements: Some cards, like the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card, require an existing banking relationship to apply.
• Align the card with your habits: Ensure the card’s benefits, like the hotel-specific perks on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, match your spending (Terms Apply).

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Application Strategy

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• Use trusted sources:Apply through recommended channels to access the best available welcome offers.
• Time your application:Plan to apply before a large purchase to help meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Don't fear the initial check:Some issuers, like American Express, use a soft pull that won’t impact your credit score unless you accept the card.

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 is better for hotel loyalty?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is specifically designed for Marriott loyalists, offering automatic Platinum Elite status and enhanced earnings on stays. The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card provides flexible travel rewards but does not offer co-branded hotel benefits or status.

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Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve cards?

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Yes, since they are issued by different banks (American Express and U.S. Bank, respectively), you are able to apply for and hold both cards at the same time. This can be a strategic way to maximize rewards across different spending categories and travel partners.

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Do both cards offer airport lounge access?

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Yes, both cards include a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which grants access to a global network of airport lounges. However, it is important to review the specific terms of each card's benefit, as guest access policies can vary.

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