IHG One Rewards Traveler 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.

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• The card offers automatic Platinum Elite Status and a suite of travel perks that can justify its premium annual fee (See Rates & Fees) for frequent Marriott guests.
• Cardholders earn a high rate of 6X points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, with strong bonus categories for dining and flights.
• The annual $300 Brilliant Dining Credit and the Free Night Award (worth up to 85,000 points) can provide enough value to offset the card's annual cost for many travelers (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: Cardholders receive automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, which provides valuable on-property benefits like room upgrades and lounge access.
• Generous Rewards on Travel and Dining: The card features a strong rewards structure that allows for rapid point accumulation on hotel stays, restaurant purchases, and flights booked directly with airlines.
• Valuable Annual Perks: An annual Free Night Award and monthly statement credits for dining help provide consistent, recurring value to cardholders.

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Cons

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• Premium Price Tag: The card comes with a significant annual fee, which may not be justifiable for infrequent travelers or those who cannot fully maximize its suite of perks.
• Marriott-Centric Value: Benefits are heavily concentrated within the Marriott ecosystem, limiting the card’s value for travelers who do not regularly stay at Marriott properties.
• Complex Benefit Structure: Some perks, like the dining credits, are distributed in monthly increments, which can be inconvenient, and the value of points can be unpredictable due to dynamic award pricing.

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

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Categories

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Deciding which is better IHG One Rewards Traveler or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant depends entirely on your travel style and budget.

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional IHG guests and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards and get basic protections without an annual fee.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is designed for frequent travelers loyal to Marriott who value premium perks like elite status, dining credits, and luxury travel benefits.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for award nights at IHG hotels and resorts worldwide. This makes it a straightforward option for those looking to offset the cost of their stays within the IHG network.

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Cardholders can redeem their points for stays across the extensive Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. For greater flexibility, points can also be transferred to numerous airline loyalty programs, opening up options for award flights.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card includes a foreign transaction fee. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a superior choice for international travel. (Terms Apply)
• Airport Lounge Access: Cardholders of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card receive a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which provides access to a global network of airport lounges. (Terms Apply) The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card does not offer this perk.
• Elite Status: The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card automatically grants IHG One Rewards Silver Elite status. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card provides complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, a higher tier that includes more valuable benefits like enhanced room upgrades and late checkout. (Terms Apply)
• Travel Credits: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers premium benefits such as annual dining statement credits and a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. (Terms Apply) The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is a more straightforward card focused on earning points without these additional travel credits.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your spending habits, a tool like Kudos can provide personalized, data-driven recommendations by comparing thousands of options.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply.
• Receive a detailed approval odds analysis based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring that if you find a better offer within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Track your progress toward earning credit card sign-up bonuses for free.
• Compare unlimited card options without it affecting your credit score.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Traveler?

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The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional IHG guests who want to earn rewards without the commitment of an annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for budget-conscious travelers and those new to hotel loyalty programs, offering a straightforward way to accumulate points and enjoy basic travel protections. Furthermore, travelers who can take advantage of the fourth-night-free benefit on award stays of four or more nights will find significant value in this no-annual-fee card.

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

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is designed for dedicated Marriott loyalists who frequently stay at its properties, typically for at least five to ten nights annually. Ideal cardholders also dine out often, allowing them to take full advantage of the monthly dining credits, and they place a high value on the automatic Platinum Elite status that unlocks perks like room upgrades and lounge access. As a comprehensive review of the card explains, it’s best suited for travelers seeking to enhance their stays with premium benefits and who see the value in paying a higher annual fee to get them.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our IHG One Rewards Traveler vs. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® comparison has you thinking neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards to consider, each with its own unique set of perks.

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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 to ensure it aligns with the good-to-excellent credit typically required for premium cards.
• Plan your spending to meet the welcome offer requirements naturally without overextending your budget.
• Review the card’s benefits to confirm they match your travel and spending habits, such as loyalty to a specific hotel brand.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application to coincide with a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer.
• Understand issuer-specific policies, as some may limit eligibility for welcome offers if you have previously held the card.
• For some cards, you can view your specific offer before accepting, allowing you to decline without impacting your credit score.

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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Is there a significant difference in the annual fees for these cards?

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Yes, the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card typically has no annual fee, making it a great entry-level option. In contrast, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium card with a substantial annual fee, reflecting its extensive list of luxury travel benefits (Terms apply).

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Do both cards offer an annual free night award?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card provides a Free Night Award each year after your card renewal month (Terms apply). The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card does not come with an automatic annual free night, but it does offer a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night stay.

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What level of hotel elite status do you get with each card?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card automatically grants you complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status (Terms apply). With the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, you receive automatic IHG One Rewards Silver Elite status.

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