IHG One Rewards Premier 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 look at what makes the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card a standout choice for frequent travelers.

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• The card offers premium travel benefits like automatic Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite Status and an annual Free Night Award, though it comes with a significant annual fee (See Rates & Fees).
• Cardholders can accelerate their point earnings with 6X points on eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3X points at restaurants worldwide, and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines.
• The combination of the up to $300 Brilliant Dining Credit and the annual Free Night Award (worth up to 85,000 points) can easily offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Automatic Platinum Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program provides valuable on-property benefits like room upgrades and late checkout (Terms apply).
• An annual Free Night Award and a yearly dining credit can deliver substantial value to frequent travelers (Terms apply).
• Premium travel perks include airport lounge access through Priority Pass™ Select membership and no foreign transaction fees on international purchases (Enrollment may be required. Terms apply).

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Cons

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• The card carries a significant annual fee, which may be difficult to justify for travelers who don't frequently stay with Marriott or fully utilize the card's statement credits.
• Benefits are heavily concentrated within the Marriott ecosystem, offering less flexibility for those who aren't loyal to the brand or who prefer more versatile travel rewards.
• Point redemptions can be unpredictable due to Marriott's dynamic pricing system, and some credits are distributed in monthly increments, making them less convenient to use (Terms apply).

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® vs IHG One Rewards Premier

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Categories

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When it comes to premium hotel credit cards, many travelers ask which is better IHG One Rewards Premier or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant. The answer often depends on your travel style and hotel loyalty.

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card is best for frequent travelers who regularly stay at IHG properties and want to maximize their rewards on longer stays. It's a great fit for those who value hotel elite status and anniversary benefits.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This card is designed for frequent travelers loyal to the Marriott brand who are seeking premium hotel benefits and luxury travel perks. It's ideal for those who value high-tier elite status and travel internationally.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Premier: Points are primarily redeemed for stays across IHG's vast portfolio of hotels, from family-friendly Holiday Inns to luxurious InterContinental resorts. Cardholders also have the flexibility to transfer points to airline partners or redeem them for digital rewards.

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Marriott Bonvoy points offer great flexibility, allowing redemptions for hotel stays across their extensive global network or transfers to a wide array of airline loyalty programs. Additionally, points can unlock exclusive experiences, from culinary events to VIP concert access, through the Marriott Bonvoy Moments platform.

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Travel Perks

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• Airport Lounge Access: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers a significant advantage with its complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, which grants access to hundreds of airport lounges globally (enrollment required). The IHG One Rewards Premier card does not come with this travel perk.
• Expedited Security Screening: Both cards help you breeze through airport security by offering a statement credit for the application fee of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. The IHG card adds a slight edge by also covering the fee for NEXUS.
• Annual Credits vs. Free Nights: The cards take different approaches to delivering annual value. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® card provides statement credits for eligible dining purchases, offering flexible value. Terms apply. The IHG One Rewards Premier card focuses on hotel stays, providing an Anniversary Free Night and a valuable fourth-night-free perk on award bookings.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Globetrotters will appreciate that neither card charges foreign transaction fees, making them both solid companions for international adventures.

_{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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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.

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• Test Drive Cards: Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply, all without impacting your credit score.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report to help you apply with more confidence.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through Kudos, they will match it.
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• Automated Optimization: Use the autofill feature to automatically select the best card at checkout, ensuring you maximize rewards on every purchase.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is tailor-made for travelers who regularly stay at IHG properties like Holiday Inn, InterContinental, or Kimpton. These cardholders will get the most value from its key perks, such as automatic Platinum Elite status and an annual free night certificate that can easily offset the annual fee. Furthermore, those who take longer vacations can maximize their points with the fourth-reward-night-free benefit, making it a strong choice for IHG loyalists.

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, particularly those who stay at its properties at least five to ten nights annually. It's also an excellent fit for individuals who dine out regularly and value premium travel perks like automatic Platinum Elite status, airport lounge access, and room upgrades. Ultimately, this card is for consumers looking to maximize their rewards within the Marriott ecosystem, as detailed in our full card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the IHG One Rewards Premier vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant comparison didn't produce a clear winner for your wallet, several other excellent travel cards are worth considering.

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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.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most premium travel cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer without overextending your budget.
• Review the card’s benefits: Understand the unique perks like elite status or statement credits to see if they fit your lifestyle.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer’s rules: Be aware of application restrictions like Chase’s 5/24 rule or Amex’s once-per-lifetime welcome offer policy.
• Be patient for the best offer: Welcome offers can vary, so it may be worth waiting for an elevated bonus to maximize your value.
• Time your application strategically: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the minimum spending requirement naturally.

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 hold both the IHG Premier and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant cards at the same time?

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Yes, you can generally hold both cards since they are issued by different banks and belong to separate loyalty programs. You will, however, need to meet the individual eligibility requirements for each card, which are determined by Chase and American Express, respectively.

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How does the complimentary elite status from each card differ?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Card grants automatic Platinum Elite status in the IHG One Rewards program. Similarly, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card provides automatic Platinum Elite status within the Marriott Bonvoy program, with each status level offering its own unique set of on-property benefits.

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Which card is better for international travel?

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Your choice depends heavily on which hotel group has a stronger presence in your desired destinations. Marriott Bonvoy has a larger global footprint overall, but IHG also has thousands of properties worldwide, so it's best to check which brand better serves your specific travel patterns.

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