Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Wells Fargo Active Cash: Which Is Better In 2025?

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Wells Fargo Active Cash®.

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• Its straightforward, unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases makes earning rewards effortless, with no need to track spending categories.
• It's a cost-effective option with no annual fee, though it does charge foreign transaction fees.
• You would need to spend $5,000 to earn $100 in cash back (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Earn a consistent cash back rate on every purchase without needing to track bonus categories.
• Includes valuable perks like cell phone protection against damage or theft when you use the card to pay your bill.
• Comes with no annual fee and an introductory APR offer for new cardholders.

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Cons

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• Charges foreign transaction fees, making it less than ideal for purchases outside the U.S.
• Cash back redemption is restricted to statement credits or deposits into an eligible Wells Fargo account.
• Applicants generally need a good to excellent credit score to qualify.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant or the Wells Fargo Active Cash, depends entirely on your spending habits and reward preferences.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This premium travel card is best for frequent travelers who often stay at Marriott properties and value luxury perks, elite hotel status, and dining credits.
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: This cash back card is ideal for users seeking a simple, flat-rate rewards structure on all purchases without needing to track spending categories.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for stays across the extensive portfolio of Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Additionally, points can be transferred to numerous airline partners, offering flexibility for booking flights.

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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: This card offers straightforward cash rewards that can be redeemed as statement credits to your account or withdrawn directly from Wells Fargo ATMs.

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Travel Perks

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This card is built around a robust travel ecosystem. It features complimentary Priority Pass Select lounge access, an annual Free Night Award, and statement credits for eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Cardholders also receive a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. It has no foreign transaction fees, making it suitable for international travel. Terms apply to these benefits.
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is minimal, as its primary focus is on flat-rate cash rewards. It does not offer airport lounge access or other premium travel perks. A foreign transaction fee applies to purchases made abroad.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For a data-driven approach to finding your next card, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards.

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• Test drive any credit card using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Receive a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Unlock rewards like a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward for adding eligible cards to your Kudos Wallet or a $20 sign-up bonus with a qualifying purchase.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your card's rewards when shopping at participating stores with Kudos Boost.

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

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is designed for frequent travelers who are loyal to Marriott properties and seek top-tier perks. It's an ideal fit for those who will take full advantage of the automatic Platinum Elite status and the monthly dining credits. Additionally, the card suits high-spenders aiming for the Earned Choice Award and international travelers who benefit from having no foreign transaction fees.

Who Should Choose the Wells Fargo Active Cash®?

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The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an excellent choice for small business owners who value simplicity and straightforward rewards over complex travel programs. It's particularly well-suited for those who prefer a no-fuss, unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases without the hassle of tracking spending categories. Additionally, business owners looking to finance a large purchase with a 0% intro APR period or gain cell phone protection will find this card to be a practical tool, as detailed in this card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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After reviewing the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Wells Fargo Active Cash comparison, you might find that neither card is the perfect match. If that's the case, let's explore a few other top-tier cards that could be a better choice for you.

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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 to ensure you meet the typical requirements for premium cards.
• Evaluate the card’s benefits to confirm they align with your spending habits and lifestyle.
• Plan your spending to naturally meet the welcome offer requirement without forcing purchases.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules to avoid being automatically declined for a card you've had before.
• Time your application with a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer.
• Consider your travel plans, as some cards are better for international use while others may have foreign transaction fees.

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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How do I decide between travel points and cash back?

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Your choice depends on your lifestyle and spending habits. If you are a frequent traveler who can maximize point redemptions for flights and hotel stays, travel points often provide superior value; otherwise, the simplicity and flexibility of cash back might be a better fit.

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Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card worth it if I don't stay at Marriott hotels often?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is primarily designed for Marriott loyalists, as its most valuable benefits are tied to the hotel chain. If you rarely stay at Marriott properties, you may find it difficult to justify holding the card over a more general rewards card.

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Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and the Wells Fargo Active Cash card?

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Yes, it's possible to have both cards, and this can be a strategic way to manage your spending. You could use the Wells Fargo Active Cash for everyday purchases to earn a flat rate of cash back and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant for travel and hotel stays to maximize your points.

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