Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant®

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®
VS
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant®
The short answer: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® delivers a bit more value for most spenders, but choose the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® if you spend more on travel.

Side-by-side comparison

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant®
Annual fee$95$650
Welcome offer125,000 points + 1 Free Night Award (up to 50,000 pts)165,000 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points (limited-time)
Dining3x3x
Groceries3x1x
Gas3x1x
Travel1x3x
Streaming1x1x
Everything else2x2x
Est. yearly rewards*$671$544
Points typeLocked to Marriott BonvoyLocked to Marriott Bonvoy
NetworkVisaAmex

*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 Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® earns about $671 a year in rewards and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® about $544, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® charges $95, which you clear through its rewards and perks. 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 Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® delivers more total value, about $515 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 Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® if your spending leans toward groceries, gas. Pick the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® if your spending leans toward travel.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® better?
On typical household spending, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $515 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® can be the better fit if your spending lines up with its stronger categories. Run both through the Cardocrat calculator to see your own numbers.
Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant®?
In most cases yes, as long as you meet each issuer's approval rules (for example Chase's 5/24 rule). Many people hold complementary cards to cover more bonus categories, then pool or redeem the rewards together where the program allows.
Which has the better welcome bonus, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant®?
As of June 2026, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® offers 125,000 points + 1 Free Night Award (up to 50,000 pts) and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® offers 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.