Capital One Quicksilver Secured vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: Which Is Better In 2026?

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card(See Rates & Fees).

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• The card automatically grants valuable elite status within the Marriott Bonvoy program, unlocking premium hotel perks without meeting the usual stay requirements.
• Cardholders receive an annual free night award and statement credits for dining, which can significantly enhance the travel experience.
• It comes packed with premium travel benefits, including airport lounge access and valuable property credits at select luxury hotels.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Pros

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• Automatic Platinum Elite Status in the Marriott Bonvoy program, which provides valuable perks like room upgrades and late checkout.
• Offers an annual Free Night Award and statement credits for dining at restaurants worldwide.
• Includes airport lounge access and has no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for frequent travelers.

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Cons

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• Carries a high annual fee that may not be justifiable for all travelers.
• Benefits are heavily skewed towards the Marriott brand, limiting its appeal for those who prefer booking with a variety of hotel chains.
• The value of points can be inconsistent due to dynamic pricing, and some credits are paid out in small monthly amounts rather than a single lump sum.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® vs Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Capital One Quicksilver Secured or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, depends entirely on your financial situation and goals, as each card is designed for a very different type of user.

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• Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is a secured card designed for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit. It is also a strong option for those who want to earn cash back rewards while improving their credit standing.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a high-end travel card best suited for frequent travelers, particularly those who are loyal to Marriott properties. This card is built for consumers who value premium hotel perks and luxury travel benefits.

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Redemption

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Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: Rewards are earned as straightforward cash back, which you can redeem for a statement credit or receive as a check.

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: You earn points in the Marriott Bonvoy program, which are best used for stays at Marriott properties worldwide. Points can also be transferred to airline partners or redeemed for other travel-related purchases.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For a data-driven approach to finding the right card, a financial companion tool like Kudos can help you compare options based on your actual spending habits.

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• Test Drive Feature: The platform’s standout tool allows you to “test drive” credit cards by simulating your potential earnings using your real spending data—all before you apply and without impacting your credit score.
• Personalized Recommendations: Get matched with cards that will earn you the most rewards based on an analysis of your unique spending patterns.
• Approval Odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards, helping you apply with more confidence.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of getting a card through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn additional rewards when you shop at participating stores, which can be stacked on top of your existing credit card rewards.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit. It's particularly well-suited for those who want to earn cash back on their purchases without paying an annual fee. This card is ideal for responsible users who plan to pay their balance in full each month and eventually want to graduate to an unsecured credit card.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is tailor-made for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Marriott brand, staying at least 5-10 nights per year. It's also a great fit for those who dine out often enough to maximize the up to $25 in monthly dining credits and who highly value the automatic Platinum Elite status with its luxury perks. Additionally, international travelers will appreciate the lack of foreign transaction fees and the robust travel protections that come with the card (Terms apply).

Alternatives to Consider

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A comparison of the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card vs. the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card highlights two very different products, one designed for building credit and the other for premium travel. If neither of these cards is the right choice for you, here are a few excellent alternatives to consider.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Knowing your credit standing helps you identify which cards you’re likely to be approved for.
• Review issuer rules – Many card issuers have restrictions on new accounts based on your history with them.
• Align benefits with your lifestyle – Ensure the card’s rewards and credits match your regular spending habits to maximize its value.

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Application Strategy

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• Look for pre-approval options – Many issuers let you check eligibility with a soft inquiry that won’t affect your credit score.
• Time your application strategically – Applying before a large planned purchase can help you meet a welcome offer’s spending requirement naturally.
• Be mindful of welcome offer eligibility – Some issuers, like American Express, may limit you to one welcome offer per card in your lifetime.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card if I have bad credit?

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It's unlikely, as the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium travel card that typically requires a good to excellent credit score for approval. The Capital One Quicksilver Secured is specifically designed for those with limited or poor credit history.

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What is a secured credit card?

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A secured credit card, like the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card, requires a refundable security deposit to open the account. This deposit usually determines your credit limit and reduces the lender's risk, making it easier to get approved with a lower credit score.

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Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® card's annual fee worth it?

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The value of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card's annual fee depends heavily on your travel habits and ability to use its premium benefits, such as hotel statement credits and elite status (Terms apply). If you frequently stay at Marriott properties, the perks can easily outweigh the cost.

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Which card is better for travel rewards?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is unequivocally better for travel rewards, offering bonus points on Marriott stays and flights, plus valuable hotel-specific perks. The Capital One Quicksilver Secured is a cash back card focused on credit building, not travel benefits.

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