Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® vs Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Side-by-side comparison
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® | Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $125 |
| Welcome offer | ||
| Advertising | 2% | 2% |
| Shipping | 2% | 4% |
| Office supplies | 2% | 2% |
| Phone & internet | 2% | 4% |
| Travel | 3% | 2% |
| Everything else | 2% | 2% |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $954 | $1,092 |
| Points type | Locked to Marriott Bonvoy | 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 business spending, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® earns about $954 a year in rewards and the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card about $1,092, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® charges $650, but carries about $300 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card charges $125, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card delivers more total value, about $513 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on shipping and phone & internet. 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 Brilliant® if your spending leans toward travel. Pick the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card if your spending leans toward shipping, phone & internet.