Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Bank of America Premium Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of why we like the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card.

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• The card offers a simple and rewarding structure, earning bonus points on travel and dining and a flat rate on all other spending.
• While there is an annual fee, the card includes valuable travel credits and has no foreign transaction fees.
• Points can be redeemed for cash back or travel at a simple, fixed rate, with the potential for a significant rewards bonus for existing Bank of America customers.

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Pros

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• A simple, powerful rewards structure that earns bonus points on travel and dining, plus a high flat-rate on everything else.
• Valuable annual credits for airline incidentals and trusted traveler programs like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.
• Flexible redemption options and no foreign transaction fees, with the ability to earn significantly more rewards as an eligible Bank of America customer.

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Cons

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• Points have a fixed redemption value and cannot be transferred to airline or hotel partners, which limits the potential for high-value travel redemptions.
• The card lacks some premium travel perks commonly found on competing cards, such as airport lounge access.
• The highest reward rates are only available to Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, making the card less valuable for those who do not have a banking or investment relationship with BofA.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card or the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card, comes down to your specific travel style and brand preferences. Each card is designed for a different type of frequent traveler.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This card is best for frequent travelers who are loyal to Marriott properties and seek premium, high-end travel perks.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card: This card is ideal for frequent travelers who want strong, flexible rewards and benefits without being tied to a single hotel brand.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Points are redeemed within the Marriott Bonvoy program, primarily for free nights at hotels and resorts, but can also be transferred to airline partners.

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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card: This card offers flexible redemption options, including cash back, statement credits, gift cards, or booking travel through the Bank of America Travel Center.

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Travel Perks

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: The travel ecosystem is built around the Marriott Bonvoy program. Cardholders receive a Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access, complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, and an annual Free Night Award. The card also offers statement credits for purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels and at restaurants worldwide. It has no foreign transaction fees and provides a statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card: This card’s ecosystem is more flexible, centered around the Bank of America Travel Center. It offers an annual airline incidental statement credit and a statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. While it also has no foreign transaction fees, it does not include complimentary airport lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial companion platform that allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best match for your spending habits.

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• Test drive a credit card: A unique Kudos feature lets you simulate your potential earnings with any card using your real spending data—before you apply and without a hard credit pull.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis based on your credit report to understand your chances of approval for different cards.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public offer for a card you get through Kudos within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Kickstart+ Rewards: You can unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Kudos Boost: Earn additional rewards on top of your credit card points when you shop at participating stores.

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 and seek top-tier hotel benefits. This card is ideal for those who stay at Marriott properties several nights a year, dine out often enough to maximize the monthly dining credits, and value the automatic Platinum Elite status. Ultimately, it's best for luxury-focused travelers who can fully leverage this card's premium perks, such as the annual Free Night Award and airport lounge access.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards®?

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The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is an excellent choice for moderate travelers and everyday spenders seeking strong, flexible rewards without a hefty annual fee. Cardholders benefit from elevated earnings on travel and dining, a solid flat rate on all other purchases, and annual credits that help offset the fee. It's especially valuable for existing Bank of America customers, who can significantly boost their rewards through the Preferred Rewards program.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the head-to-head Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® vs. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® comparison left you undecided, there are several other excellent travel rewards cards that might be a better fit for your wallet.

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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 rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending - Ensure you can meet the welcome offer's minimum spending requirement with your regular purchases.
• Review the card's benefits - Understand how to use key perks, as some may require enrollment or have specific redemption rules.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules - Some issuers, like American Express, may limit welcome offers based on your card history.
• Assess your loyalty - Some cards are most valuable within a specific ecosystem, such as a hotel or banking program.
• Evaluate long-term value - Look beyond the welcome offer to see if the card's annual credits and perks fit your spending habits.

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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How flexible are the rewards from the Bank of America Premium Rewards card?

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The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card earns points that can be redeemed for cash back, travel, or gift cards, offering significant flexibility. These points are especially valuable for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, who can earn a bonus on top of their regular earnings.

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Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card worth its annual fee?

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For frequent travelers who stay at Marriott properties, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card's benefits, like the annual free night award and property credits, can easily outweigh its substantial annual fee. The value largely depends on how much you utilize the card's specific travel perks.

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Can I transfer points between Marriott Bonvoy and Bank of America?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between the Marriott Bonvoy and Bank of America rewards programs. Each program operates independently with its own unique earning and redemption structures.

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