Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: Which Is Better In 2025?

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card stands out in the premium travel card market.

• Cardholders automatically receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, which unlocks valuable perks like room upgrades, late checkout, and lounge access.
• The card's premium annual fee (See Rates & Fees) is easily offset by using the up to $300 Brilliant Dining Credit and the annual Free Night Award, which is redeemable for a stay valued at up to 85,000 points. (publisher-formulated estimate)

_{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 with Marriott Bonvoy, unlocking valuable hotel perks like room upgrades, late checkout, and lounge access.
• Receive valuable annual benefits, including statement credits for dining and a Free Night Award.
• Complimentary access to a global network of airport lounges and built-in travel protections.

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Cons

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• Carries a high annual fee that may not be justifiable for infrequent travelers or those who won't maximize its benefits.
• The card’s value is heavily concentrated within the Marriott ecosystem, making it less appealing for travelers who are not loyal to the brand.
• Maximizing value can be complex due to Marriott's dynamic award pricing system, which can make point values inconsistent.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Categories

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Choosing the right premium travel card often comes down to comparing top-tier options. So, which is better, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®?

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This is a premium travel rewards card designed for frequent travelers who want flexible points and comprehensive travel benefits.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This is a premium hotel rewards card for travelers loyal to the Marriott brand who want to enjoy elite status perks and property-specific benefits.

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Redemption

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers highly flexible rewards, allowing you to transfer points to a wide array of airline and hotel partners or redeem them for travel and other options through the Chase portal.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: With the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, points are primarily redeemed for hotel stays and upgrades across the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, though they can also be transferred to various airline partners.

_{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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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve®:
  • Travel Ecosystem: Offers a flexible travel ecosystem through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, where points can have increased value when redeemed for travel.
  • Lounge Access: Provides complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, granting access to a global network of airport lounges.
  • Travel Credit: Features an annual travel credit. The first $300 in travel purchases each year applies toward this credit, and you'll begin earning points on travel spending after that threshold is met.
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck®/NEXUS: Covers the application fee for either program with a statement credit.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: Waives foreign transaction fees on all purchases made outside the United States.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card:
  • Travel Ecosystem: The ecosystem is built around the Marriott Bonvoy program, offering perks tailored to brand loyalists.
  • Lounge Access: Also provides a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership for access to airport lounges worldwide. Terms apply.
  • Hotel-Centric Perks: Includes automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, an annual Free Night Award, and statement credits for purchases at eligible restaurants and Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Enrollment may be required. Terms apply.
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck®: Includes a statement credit to cover the application fee for either program. Terms apply.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: Charges no foreign transaction fees for international spending. Terms apply.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To eliminate the guesswork, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare thousands of credit cards and find the best match for your spending habits.

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• Test drive a credit card: The 'Test Drive' feature lets you simulate potential earnings with a new card using your real spending data, all before you apply.
• Approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• Personalized recommendations: Receive card matches based on your spending history to maximize your earnings.
• Spending and credit monitoring: Track your transactions, spending habits, and credit score all in one place.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost rewards: Earn extra rewards when you shop at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is tailored for frequent travelers and foodies who can fully leverage its premium benefits to offset the high annual fee. The ideal cardholder is someone who values luxury perks like airport lounge access, comprehensive travel protections, and a flexible rewards program with valuable transfer partners. Ultimately, this card is a strong choice for high-spending individuals with excellent credit who will consistently use the travel and dining credits to make the cost worthwhile.

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 loyal to the Marriott brand, especially those who stay at least 5-10 nights per year. It's also a great fit for individuals who dine out regularly and want to maximize rewards, as well as those who value premium travel perks like automatic Platinum Elite status. As detailed in a Kudos card review, the card's benefits are best leveraged by users who can take full advantage of its credits and elite status to justify the annual fee.

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.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our deep dive into the Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® comparison has you concluding that neither card is the right fit, don't worry. The premium travel card market is full of excellent alternatives that might better suit your wallet and wanderlust.

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Tips for Application Success

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Applying for a premium travel card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card requires a bit of strategy. Here’s how to position yourself for the best chance of approval and maximize value from day one.

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Before You Apply:

• Check your credit score - Both Chase and American Express look for good to excellent credit for their premium cards. A score in the 740+ range is generally recommended for the best approval odds.
• Plan your spending - These cards feature valuable Welcome Offers that require meeting a minimum spend in the first few months. Ensure you can reach this threshold organically without overspending.
• Research the benefits - Understand how you'll use the card's specific perks. Whether it's the $300 annual travel credit on the Sapphire Reserve® or the monthly dining credits on the Bonvoy Brilliant® card, make sure the benefits align with your lifestyle to offset the annual fee.

Application Strategy:

• Time your application - Applying right before a planned large purchase, such as a vacation or home renovation, can help you meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer more easily.
• Review issuer rules - Be aware of each issuer's application guidelines. Some banks have rules regarding how many cards you can open in a certain period, which could affect your approval.
• Have your information ready - For a smooth application, have your personal and financial details, like your total annual income and monthly housing payment, on hand.

Pro tip: Calculate the net cost for your first year. A high annual fee can be easily offset by a valuable welcome offer and statement credits you’ll actually use, making the card highly profitable from the start.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® card?

The main difference lies in their rewards structure; the Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points usable for various travel, while the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a co-branded hotel card focused on earning Marriott Bonvoy points and providing elite hotel benefits.

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Can I transfer points from the Chase Sapphire Reserve® to Marriott Bonvoy?

Yes, Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned with the Sapphire Reserve® can be transferred to several airline and hotel partners, including the Marriott Bonvoy program.

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Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® card worth it if I don't stay at Marriott hotels?

If you do not frequently stay at hotels within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, you may not be able to maximize the value of the card's benefits and rewards. A more general travel rewards card might be a better fit for travelers who aren't loyal to a single hotel brand.

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Do both the Sapphire Reserve® and Bonvoy Brilliant® offer airport lounge access?

Yes, both the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offer a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which grants access to a global network of airport lounges. Enrollment is required for this benefit, and terms apply.