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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Delta SkyMiles Blue: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card is ideal for frequent travelers loyal to Marriott who want to maximize luxury hotel benefits and elite status perks.
- The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express card is a great no-annual-fee option for occasional Delta flyers and diners who want to earn miles on their purchases.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Breakdown
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Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Breakdown
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Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®
Categories
Deciding which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant or Delta SkyMiles Blue, comes down to your specific travel style and loyalty preferences. These cards cater to very different travelers, one focusing on premium hotel stays and the other on earning airline miles without an annual fee.
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is best for frequent travelers who are loyal to Marriott properties and dine out regularly. It's designed to maximize rewards on hotel stays, restaurant spending, and flights booked directly with airlines.
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is ideal for occasional Delta flyers and dining enthusiasts who want to earn miles without an annual fee. This card is best for earning rewards on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide.
Redemption
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Points are redeemed through the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, primarily for hotel stays and room upgrades across Marriott's global portfolio. Members also have the flexibility to transfer points to numerous airline partners.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: The miles you earn are added to your Delta SkyMiles account and can be redeemed for flights on Delta and its partner airlines. Other redemption options include seat upgrades, Delta Vacations packages, and experiences through the SkyMiles marketplace
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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 seek to elevate their stays with premium perks.
Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is an excellent choice for occasional Delta flyers who want to earn miles, it also appeals to budget-conscious travelers and dining enthusiasts.
Alternatives to Consider
If our Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Delta SkyMiles Blue comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect fit, don't worry. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards that might better align with your spending habits and travel goals.
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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
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
- Review your spending habits - Ensure the card’s rewards categories align with where you spend the most.
- Evaluate the benefits - Make sure you will use the card’s unique perks enough to make it worthwhile.
Application Strategy
- Time your application - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer.
- Know the issuer's rules - Be aware of application policies, such as American Express’s once-per-lifetime welcome offer rule.
- Review your personalized offer - Take advantage of the ability to see your specific offer before committing to a hard credit pull.
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
Which card is better for beginners?
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is generally better for beginners due to its lack of an annual fee. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card carries a significant annual fee and is designed for frequent travelers who can maximize its premium benefits.
Can I transfer points between Marriott Bonvoy and Delta SkyMiles?
Yes, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to the Delta SkyMiles program, as Delta is one of Marriott's airline transfer partners. It is always wise to check the current transfer ratio to ensure you are getting good value for your points.
Do both cards offer airport lounge access?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card includes a Priority Pass Select membership, which provides access to a global network of airport lounges. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card does not come with any airport lounge access benefits.
Are both cards issued by American Express?
Yes, both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Blue Card are co-branded credit cards issued by American Express. This means they both run on the American Express payment network and are subject to its terms.
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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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