Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® vs U.S. Bank Cash+®
Side-by-side comparison
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® | U.S. Bank Cash+® | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | No annual fee |
| Welcome offer | $250 rewards bonus | |
| Dining | 3x | 2x |
| Groceries | 1x | 2x |
| Gas | 1x | 5x |
| Travel | 3x | 5x |
| Streaming | 1x | 5x |
| Everything else | 2x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $544 | $564 |
| Points type | Locked to Marriott Bonvoy | Cash back only |
| Network | Amex | Visa |
*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 Brilliant® earns about $544 a year in rewards and the U.S. Bank Cash+® about $564, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® charges $650, but carries about $335 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The U.S. Bank Cash+® has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the U.S. Bank Cash+® delivers more total value, about $503 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on gas and groceries. 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 dining, everything else. Pick the U.S. Bank Cash+® if your spending leans toward groceries, gas, travel.