United Quest 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 breaks down why we like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card.

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• Although the card has a premium annual fee (See Rates & Fees), it waives foreign transaction fees on all international purchases.
• Cardholders earn generous rewards on Marriott stays, flights, and dining, making it a powerhouse for travel spending.
• The combination of the annual Free Night Award and the $300 Brilliant Dining Credit can easily offset the card's annual fee for the right user (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Automatic Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status provides access to premium hotel benefits like room upgrades, enhanced Wi-Fi, and late checkout (Terms apply).
• An annual Free Night Award (after card renewal) and monthly statement credits for dining at restaurants worldwide add significant value (Terms apply).
• Complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership grants access to a global network of airport lounges (enrollment required).

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Cons

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• The card has a significant annual fee that may be difficult to justify for travelers who are not loyal to the Marriott brand.
• Benefits are heavily concentrated within the Marriott ecosystem, and the value of points can be unpredictable due to a dynamic redemption system.
• Some credits are distributed in monthly increments that don't roll over, which can be inconvenient for some spending habits (Terms apply).

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® vs United Quest

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Categories

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Deciding between these two premium travel cards depends entirely on your loyalty and travel habits. To determine which is better, United Quest or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, let's break down who each card is best for.

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• United Quest℠ Card is built for frequent travelers who primarily fly with United Airlines. It's best for those looking to maximize travel rewards, enjoy premium flight benefits, and receive comprehensive travel protections.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is tailored for frequent travelers loyal to Marriott properties who value elite hotel status and luxury perks. The card also benefits those who dine out regularly and travel internationally.

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Redemption

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United Quest℠ Card: Points are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, primarily for flights with United and its airline partners. You can also use points for other travel-related purchases like hotel stays and car rentals.

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Points are redeemed through the Marriott Bonvoy program, mainly for free nights at Marriott properties worldwide. Points can also be transferred to a variety of airline partners. Terms apply.

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Travel Perks

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• United Quest℠ Card: Cardholders receive an annual United purchase credit and two 5,000-mile anniversary award credits after account opening. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This card offers a significant annual dining credit and a Free Night Award each year after your card renewal month, which can be used at participating hotels. Terms apply.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: The card comes with complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, unlocking perks like enhanced room upgrades and late checkout. Terms apply. United Quest℠ Card: While it doesn't grant automatic elite status, it offers valuable flight benefits like first and second checked bags free for the cardmember and one companion on the same reservation for United-operated flights.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Cardmembers get access to a wide network of airport lounges through a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, though enrollment is required. United Quest℠ Card: This card does not include general airport lounge access. Both cards feature no foreign transaction fees, making them suitable for international travel.

_{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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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your spending habits, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards and maximize rewards.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
• Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Monitor your transactions, spending, and credit score all in one place.
• Earn extra Kudos Boost rewards when shopping at your favorite stores.

Who Should Choose the United Quest?

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The United Quest℠ Card is tailor-made for frequent United Airlines flyers looking to elevate their travel experience. It's particularly valuable for those who can take full advantage of benefits like the annual United purchase credit, free checked bags, and the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) toward MileagePlus status. Essentially, if you fly United several times a year and want substantial perks without committing to the highest annual fees of a top-tier card, this card is a strong contender.

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 with a strong preference for the Marriott family of hotels. This card is most beneficial for those who can take full advantage of its premium perks, such as automatic Platinum Elite status and up to $25 in monthly dining credits. Our in-depth review shows it's an ideal fit for regular Marriott guests who value luxury benefits and stay at least five to ten nights per year.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the choice between the United Quest card for flights and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card for hotels doesn't suit you, other travel cards offer a different kind of value. These alternatives often provide more flexible rewards that aren't tied to a single airline or hotel brand.

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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 cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Evaluate your travel habits - The best perks are often tied to a specific airline or hotel brand.
• Review the card’s benefits - Some perks may require separate enrollment after you are approved.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application - Plan to apply before a large purchase to help meet the welcome offer spending requirement.
• Confirm your loyalty - For co-branded cards, like the United Quest℠ Card or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, ensure you frequently use that airline or hotel to maximize value.
• Know the rules - Research issuer-specific policies that may impact your eligibility for a welcome offer.

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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Can I transfer points between my United MileagePlus and Marriott Bonvoy accounts?

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Generally, you cannot directly transfer points from United to Marriott or vice versa. These are separate loyalty programs, so the points you earn with each card are best used within their respective ecosystems.

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Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card only useful for frequent Marriott guests?

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While the card is certainly optimized for Marriott loyalists, its broader travel benefits and credits can provide significant value even if you don't stay at Marriott properties exclusively.

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Which card is better for earning rewards on everyday purchases?

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It depends on your spending habits, as each card offers bonus rewards in different categories. The United Quest card is geared towards travel, particularly with United, while the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card focuses on Marriott stays and dining, so you should choose based on where you spend the most.

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