World of Hyatt 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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Here’s a closer look at why the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card stands out in the premium travel space.

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• The card grants automatic Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite Status, unlocking valuable perks like room upgrades and late checkout.
• While it carries a premium annual fee (See Rates & Fees), it also provides up to $300 in annual dining credits to help offset the cost.
• Cardholders who take full advantage of the annual dining credit and the Free Night Award can easily recoup the value of the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Automatic Platinum Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program provides premium hotel perks without meeting stay requirements.
• Valuable annual credits, including a dining credit and a Free Night Award, help maximize the card's value.
• Includes premium travel benefits like airport lounge access and no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• Carries a premium annual fee, so it’s best for travelers who can fully leverage its benefits.
• Benefits are heavily concentrated within the Marriott Bonvoy program, offering limited flexibility for those who don't exclusively stay at Marriott properties.
• Point redemptions are subject to a dynamic pricing model, which can make their value inconsistent.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® vs World of Hyatt

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the World of Hyatt or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, often depends on your travel habits and brand allegiance.

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• The World of Hyatt Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Hyatt brand.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is designed for frequent travelers who prefer Marriott properties and are looking for a premium, high-end travel option.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Points are primarily redeemed for stays across Marriott's vast portfolio of hotels, but can also be transferred to numerous airline partners for flight awards. This flexibility makes it a versatile option for travelers who value choices beyond just hotel nights.

_{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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The World of Hyatt Credit Card: Points offer exceptional value when redeemed for free nights and suite upgrades within the Hyatt ecosystem. While points can also be used for experiences or transferred to airlines, hotel stays typically provide the best return.

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Travel Perks

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• The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card includes a Priority Pass™ Select membership, granting access to a global network of airport lounges (enrollment required). In contrast, The World of Hyatt Credit Card focuses its perks within its properties and does not offer a comparable broad lounge access program.
• Both cards are strong companions for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Cardholders of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card receive automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status and an annual property credit for stays at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis. The World of Hyatt Credit Card provides automatic Discoverist status and a path to earn higher tiers through card spending.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make a data-driven decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, which helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your actual spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: See how much a new credit card could earn you based on your actual transaction history—all before you apply and without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized Recommendations: Get card suggestions tailored to your unique spending patterns, ensuring you find the best match.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report to apply with more confidence.
• Kudos Boost Rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular credit card points when shopping at participating stores.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, Kudos will match it.

Who Should Choose the World of Hyatt?

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The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a strong contender for travelers who are loyal to the Hyatt brand and stay at their properties regularly. It's particularly well-suited for those looking to fast-track their way to elite status and who appreciate getting high value from their hotel point redemptions. Additionally, couples, families, and international travelers can find significant perks with this card, as detailed in a comprehensive review.

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

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is tailor-made for the dedicated Marriott loyalist who travels frequently and wants to maximize their hotel experience. This cardholder typically dines out often enough to take full advantage of the monthly dining credits and values the automatic Platinum Elite Status for its room upgrades and late checkout perks. Essentially, it's for travelers who can leverage the premium travel benefits and hotel-specific credits to offset the annual fee, making it a valuable addition to their wallet, as detailed in this comprehensive review.

Alternatives to Consider

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Still on the fence after this World of Hyatt vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant comparison? If neither of these hotel co-branded cards aligns with your spending habits or travel goals, let's explore a few other top-tier options.

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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 application rules: Be aware of issuer-specific policies, like the Chase 5/24 rule, that could affect your eligibility.
• Understand the benefits: Some perks, like airport lounge access, may require separate enrollment after card approval.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase to more easily meet the spending requirement for a welcome offer.
• Look for shortcuts to status: Prioritize cards that grant automatic elite status if hotel or airline loyalty is your goal.
• Evaluate ongoing credits: Ensure your regular spending habits align with a card’s monthly or annual statement credits.

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 program is better for earning elite status?

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World of Hyatt is often praised for a more straightforward path to its top-tier Globalist status through stays. However, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card provides a massive shortcut by granting automatic Platinum Elite status.

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Is the annual fee on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card worth it?

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For frequent Marriott guests, the card's annual fee is easily offset by its dining credits and Free Night Award. If you don't stay with Marriott often, you may struggle to get your money's worth.

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How do point valuations compare between World of Hyatt and Marriott Bonvoy?

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World of Hyatt points are typically worth more individually, meaning you need fewer points for a free night. Conversely, Marriott Bonvoy points are generally easier to earn in large quantities, especially through credit card spending.

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Which program has a better global footprint?

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Marriott Bonvoy has a significantly larger global footprint, with thousands more properties worldwide than World of Hyatt. This gives travelers far more options, especially in smaller cities and less-traveled destinations.

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