Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Delta SkyMiles Blue: Which Is Better In 2025?

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "263", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Entry-Level Card" } ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a breakdown of why we like the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card.

‍

• This card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees), making it a great entry-level option for travelers.
• You can earn double miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, plus miles on all other eligible purchases.
• Cardholders receive a statement credit for a percentage of eligible in-flight Delta purchases.

_{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

‍

• It's the only co-branded Delta card with no annual fee, making it a great entry point for earning SkyMiles.
• New cardholders can earn a Welcome Offer of bonus miles after meeting initial spending requirements.
• Cardholders get access to exclusive American Express experiences and receive savings on eligible in-flight Delta purchases.

‍

Cons

‍

• It lacks key travel benefits found on other Delta cards, such as free checked bags and priority boarding.
• The rewards program is less flexible than other travel cards, with limited redemption options outside of the Delta ecosystem.
• The miles-earning rate on everyday purchases is lower than what you might find with other rewards cards.

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.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Lounge Access: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers a significant travel upgrade with its complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, granting access to a global network of airport lounges. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, being a no-annual-fee option, does not include any lounge access benefits.
• Elite Status: With the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® card, you automatically receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, which unlocks valuable perks like enhanced room upgrades and late checkout. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue card does not confer any elite status with Delta or its partners.
• Statement Credits: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® card is loaded with value through statement credits, including a generous property credit for stays at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis and a monthly dining credit. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue card provides a more modest perk: a statement credit on eligible in-flight purchases with Delta.
• Trusted Traveler Programs: For expedited security screening, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® card includes a statement credit for the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. This benefit is not offered with the Delta SkyMiles® Blue card.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: A key advantage for travelers with either card is that both come with no foreign transaction fees, making them suitable for international spending.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

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

‍

• Test drive credit cards: Use your real spending data to simulate potential earnings with a new card before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed breakdown of your approval chances for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of being approved, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores.
• Personalized insights: Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and receive actionable advice to maximize your card benefits.

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. This card is ideal for individuals who stay at Marriott properties several nights a year and can take full advantage of benefits like automatic Platinum Elite status and the monthly dining credits. Ultimately, it's designed for those who value luxury travel experiences and can leverage the card's robust rewards structure to maximize every trip, as detailed in this card review.

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 without the commitment of an annual fee (See Rates & Fees). It also appeals to budget-conscious travelers and dining enthusiasts who can capitalize on the 2x miles at restaurants worldwide. As our full card review explains, it's a perfect entry point for anyone new to the Delta SkyMiles program who wants to test the waters before upgrading to a premium card.

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.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["118", "510"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Generous Travel Rewards", "$300 Annual Travel Credit"]} ]]

‍

_{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.

‍