Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Side-by-side comparison
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® | Capital One Spark Cash Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $150 |
| Welcome offer | $2,000 cash back | |
| Advertising | 2% | 2% |
| Shipping | 2% | 2% |
| Office supplies | 2% | 2% |
| Phone & internet | 2% | 2% |
| Travel | 3% | 2% |
| Everything else | 2% | 2% |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $954 | $900 |
| Points type | Locked to Marriott Bonvoy | Pools with Capital One → transferable |
| Network | Amex | Mastercard |
*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 Capital One Spark Cash Plus about $900, 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 Capital One Spark Cash Plus charges $150, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus delivers more total value, about $296 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it skips the annual fee the other charges. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the Capital One Spark Cash Plus earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® stays locked to a single airline or hotel program. Favor the Capital One Spark Cash Plus if you will use travel transfers, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the two are currently comparable in size. Note that Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® is running a limited-time offer above the usual amount, so that edge may not last. 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.