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Chase Freedom Flex vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The Chase Freedom Flex® is a versatile no-annual-fee card for maximizing cash back through rotating quarterly categories and everyday spending on travel, dining, and at drugstores.
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium travel card designed for frequent Marriott guests looking to enjoy elite status, an annual free night, and statement credits for dining.
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.
Chase Freedom Flex® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down the key reasons why the Chase Freedom Flex® stands out as a top cash back card.
- It comes with no annual fee, so all the cash back you earn is pure value.
- Cardholders can earn high cash back rates across several useful categories, including rotating quarterly categories, travel, dining, and drugstore purchases.
- You can earn $300 in cash back annually just by maxing out the 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter in rotating categories (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Features a powerful rewards structure that includes both rotating bonus categories and fixed cash back on popular spending areas like travel and dining.
- Rewards are earned as flexible points that can be redeemed for cash back or pooled with other eligible Chase cards for potentially greater value.
- Offers valuable built-in benefits, including cell phone protection and purchase protection, which are strong perks for a card in its class.
Cons
- Bonus categories require manual activation each quarter and are subject to spending caps.
- The card charges a foreign transaction fee, making it unsuitable for purchases made abroad.
- Strict application rules can make it difficult for some applicants to qualify.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at what makes the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card a standout choice for frequent travelers.
- You automatically receive Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite Status, which unlocks valuable perks like room upgrades, late checkout, and lounge access.
- The card offers an annual Free Night Award worth up to 85,000 points and a $100 property credit on eligible stays at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis, adding significant value each year.
- The $650 annual fee (See Rates & Fees) is effectively lowered by the $300 Brilliant Dining Credit, which provides up to $25 in statement credits each month for dining at restaurants worldwide (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Includes complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership for airport lounge access (enrollment required).
- Features a generous rewards-earning structure on travel and dining, with the highest returns on spending at Marriott properties.
- Points can be transferred to dozens of airline partners, adding valuable redemption flexibility.
Cons
- The premium annual fee may not be justifiable for travelers who aren't loyal to the Marriott brand.
- Benefits are heavily concentrated within the Marriott ecosystem, and some credits are distributed in monthly increments that can be difficult to maximize.
- Redeeming points can be complex due to dynamic pricing, and some of the best perks are locked behind a very high annual spending requirement.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® vs Chase Freedom Flex®
Categories
Deciding which is better, the Chase Freedom Flex® or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®, depends entirely on your personal spending habits and travel goals.
- Chase Freedom Flex® is ideal for those who want to maximize cash back rewards through rotating categories without committing to an annual fee.
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is tailored for frequent travelers loyal to the Marriott brand who seek premium hotel benefits and luxury travel perks.
Redemption
Chase Freedom Flex®: Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for cash back, travel, and gift cards through the Chase portal. These points can also be combined with other eligible Chase cards to access premium travel partner transfers.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Points are best used for award nights at hotels and resorts participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. For added flexibility, points can also be transferred to numerous airline loyalty programs.
Travel Perks
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card:
- Provides complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership for global airport lounge access (enrollment is required).
- Offers statement credits that can be applied toward eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide and on stays at Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
- Covers the application fee for either TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry.
- Includes automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, which unlocks on-property perks like room upgrades and late checkout.
- Charges no foreign transaction fees on international purchases. Terms apply.
- Chase Freedom Flex®:
- Provides access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal for booking flights, hotels, and car rentals.
- A foreign transaction fee applies to all purchases made abroad.
- Includes travel protections, such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver.
- Does not offer premium travel perks like airport lounge access or automatic elite hotel status.
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.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
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- Test drive any credit card using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply.
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Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Flex®?
The Chase Freedom Flex® is an excellent choice for strategic spenders who enjoy maximizing their returns by keeping track of rotating bonus categories. It particularly rewards those who frequently dine out or shop at drugstores, offering elevated cash back in these common spending areas. As detailed in this Chase Freedom Flex® review, the card is also a cornerstone for users building a "Chase trifecta" to pool points, all without the burden of an annual fee.
Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is tailor-made for the dedicated Marriott loyalist who travels frequently and values premium hotel perks. Its ideal user is someone who stays at Marriott properties several times a year, dines out regularly to take full advantage of the monthly dining credits, and seeks the elevated experience that comes with automatic Platinum Elite status. For a complete breakdown of whether this card fits your spending habits, see our detailed card review.
Alternatives to Consider
If our Chase Freedom Flex® vs. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® comparison has you feeling like neither card is the perfect match, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent rewards cards on the market that might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score to ensure you meet the typical requirement of a good to excellent credit history.
- Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet any minimum spend requirements for a welcome offer.
- Understand the rewards ecosystem to confirm the card’s benefits align with your spending habits and travel preferences.
Application Strategy
- Know the issuer’s rules as some, like Chase’s 5/24 rule, can directly affect your approval odds.
- Evaluate premium card benefits to ensure the value you receive will outweigh any annual fees.
- Consider the card’s role in your long-term strategy, as some cards work best when paired with others.
Our Methodology
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.
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
Can I have both the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card?
Yes, you can hold both cards simultaneously since they are issued by different banks. This strategy allows you to pair the flexible rewards of the Chase Freedom Flex℠ with the hotel-specific benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® card.
Which card is better for everyday spending?
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is generally stronger for everyday spending, offering bonus cash back in rotating quarterly categories and on purchases like dining and at drugstores. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® card's rewards are more narrowly focused on maximizing travel and Marriott Bonvoy hotel stays.
What are the annual fees for these cards?
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ card has a $0 annual fee. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has a $650 annual fee, which reflects its suite of premium travel benefits (Terms apply).
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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