American Express® Blue Cash Preferred vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant®
Side-by-side comparison
| American Express® Blue Cash Preferred | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $650 |
| Welcome offer | $300 statement credit | |
| Dining | 1x | 3x |
| Groceries | 6x | 1x |
| Gas | 3x | 1x |
| Travel | 1x | 3x |
| Streaming | 6x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 2x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $679 | $544 |
| Points type | Cash back only | Locked to Marriott Bonvoy |
| Network | Amex | Amex |
*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.
The verdict
On a typical year of household spending, the American Express® Blue Cash Preferred earns about $679 a year in rewards and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® about $544, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The American Express® Blue Cash Preferred charges $95, but carries about $84 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® charges $650, but carries about $335 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the American Express® Blue Cash Preferred delivers more total value, about $565 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on groceries and gas. Neither leans on transferable points, so the deciding factors are the welcome offer, the card network, and which everyday perks you will actually use. On the sign-up bonus, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® currently has the larger welcome offer (a limited-time offer above its usual amount, so treat it as a one-time boost). A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the American Express® Blue Cash Preferred if your spending leans toward groceries, gas, streaming. Pick the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® if your spending leans toward dining, travel, everything else.