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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Capital One SavorOne: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is best for frequent travelers who stay at Marriott properties and want to earn points on travel and dining while enjoying luxury hotel perks.
- The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a strong option for earning cash back on everyday spending categories like dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of why we think the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® (See Rates & Fees) is a standout choice for travelers.
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- You automatically receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, unlocking valuable perks like room upgrades, late checkout, and lounge access.
- The card includes an annual Free Night Award, redeemable for a stay at thousands of participating properties worldwide.
- Generous monthly dining credits help make the card more valuable for everyday spending.
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.
Pros
- Automatic Platinum Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, unlocking premium hotel benefits like room upgrades and late checkout.
- An annual Free Night Award and monthly statement credits for dining purchases worldwide.
- Complimentary membership for airport lounge access and no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
Cons
- The card comes with a high annual fee, which may not be justifiable for travelers who don't frequently stay at Marriott properties.
- Benefits are heavily concentrated within the Marriott ecosystem, limiting the card's value for those who aren't loyal to the brand.
- Marriott's dynamic award pricing can make point redemptions inconsistent, and some statement credits are distributed in monthly increments that may be inconvenient to use.
Capital One SavorOne Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Let's dive into the specifics of what makes the Capital One SavorOne Rewards (See Rates & Fees) card a top contender for foodies and entertainment lovers.
- You’ll earn generous cash back on a wide range of everyday purchases, including dining out, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.
- The rewards structure is refreshingly simple, with no rotating categories to track or limits on the amount of cash back you can earn.
- Redeeming your rewards is flexible, as there are no minimums required to get your cash back.
Pros
- You’ll earn bonus cash back in a variety of useful categories, including dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.
- Rewards are easy to redeem with no minimum amount required, and you won’t be charged foreign transaction fees when you use your card internationally.
- Cardholders get access to exclusive events and culinary experiences through Capital One Entertainment and Capital One Dining.
Cons
- This version of the card comes with an annual fee.
- It does not offer a welcome bonus for new cardholders or an introductory APR on purchases.
- Some purchases, like those at superstores, are excluded from the top cash back rate for grocery stores.
Capital One SavorOne Rewards vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®
Categories
Deciding which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant or Capital One SavorOne, comes down to your primary spending habits and whether you prioritize travel perks or everyday cash back.
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is best for frequent travelers who stay at Marriott properties and for those who dine out or book flights directly with airlines.
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal for earning cash back on everyday spending, including at grocery stores, on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services.
Redemption
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Points are primarily redeemed for stays at hotels and resorts within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. You can also transfer points to a variety of airline partners for award flights.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers straightforward cash back on your spending. You can redeem your rewards for a statement credit or a check.
Travel Perks
- Travel Program: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is deeply integrated with the Marriott Bonvoy hotel loyalty program. The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card provides access to the Capital One Travel portal and offers flexible cash back rewards.
- Reward Flexibility: With the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, rewards can be redeemed for hotel stays or transferred to various airline partners. The SavorOne card's cash back rewards can be used as a statement credit, effectively covering any travel expense without being tied to a specific program.
- Lounge Access: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card includes complimentary airport lounge access through a partner network (Terms Apply). The SavorOne card does not offer this benefit.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are suitable for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make a data-backed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, which helps you compare thousands of credit cards based on your personal spending habits.
- Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
- Receive a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months of approval.
- Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
- Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ Reward for adding select approved cards to your digital wallet.
- Automatically have the best card for each purchase autofilled at checkout to maximize your rewards.
Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is tailored for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Marriott brand and want to maximize their stays with premium perks. It's an ideal fit for those who stay at Marriott properties at least a handful of times per year and dine out regularly enough to take full advantage of the up to $25 monthly dining credits and automatic Platinum Elite status. Conversely, travelers who prefer budget accommodations or aren't committed to the Marriott ecosystem may not find enough value to justify the card's premium nature; terms apply.
Who Should Choose the Capital One SavorOne Rewards?
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for individuals with fair credit who are looking to earn rewards while building their credit profile. It's a strong fit for those whose regular spending includes dining out, entertainment, popular streaming services, and trips to the grocery store, as these categories earn an elevated 3% cash back. Ultimately, this card serves as a valuable stepping stone for users who may not yet qualify for premium no-annual-fee cards but can spend enough to easily offset the modest $39 annual fee through rewards.
Alternatives to Consider
So, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Capital One SavorOne comparison didn't yield a winner for your wallet? No problem—let's look at a few other top-tier cards that might be a better match for your spending style and reward preferences.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score. Different cards have different credit requirements, from fair credit for cards like the Capital One SavorOne to excellent credit for premium cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
- Review the issuer’s application rules. Many issuers have restrictions, such as welcome offer eligibility rules, that could impact your application.
- Plan your spending. Ensure you can naturally meet any minimum spending requirement for a welcome offer without overspending.
Application Strategy
- Time your application strategically. Applying for a card like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card before a big trip can help you maximize its travel benefits.
- Look for pre-qualification tools. Some issuers let you check your eligibility for cards like the Capital One SavorOne without impacting your credit score.
- Research the card’s core benefits. Make sure the card’s perks align with your lifestyle to ensure you get the most value from it.
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
Who is the ideal cardholder for each card?
The American Express® Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Card is best for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Marriott brand, while the Capital One SavorOne Card is better suited for individuals who prefer straightforward cash back on dining, entertainment, and spending at grocery stores.
How can I redeem rewards from each card?
Marriott Bonvoy points are typically redeemed for free nights at participating hotels or transferred to airline partners. Capital One SavorOne rewards can be redeemed as a statement credit or a check, offering simple cash back value.
Can I use both cards as part of a larger credit card strategy?
Absolutely. Many people use a travel-specific card like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant for its hotel and travel perks while using a cash-back card like the SavorOne to maximize rewards on everyday purchases.
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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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