Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® vs Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠
Side-by-side comparison
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® | Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $95 |
| Welcome offer | 60,000 bonus points ($600 value) | |
| Dining | 3x | 3x |
| Groceries | 1x | 1x |
| Gas | 1x | 1x |
| Travel | 3x | 5x |
| Streaming | 1x | 1x |
| Everything else | 2x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $544 | $424 |
| Points type | Locked to Marriott Bonvoy | Transfers to airlines & hotels |
| 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 Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ about $424, 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 Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ charges $95, but carries about $50 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ delivers more total value, about $292 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on travel. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ 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 Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ if you will use travel transfers, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® if you want simplicity. 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 everything else. Pick the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ if your spending leans toward travel.