Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs JetBlue Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?

JetBlue Plus Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we think the JetBlue Plus Card is a valuable option for many travelers.

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• While it comes with an annual fee, the card's travel perks can provide more than enough value to offset the cost.
• Cardholders and up to three companions on the same reservation receive their first checked bag free on JetBlue-operated flights.
• It offers an annual statement credit on JetBlue Vacations packages, adding extra value for those who book bundled travel.

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Pros

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• Enjoy a free first checked bag for you and your travel companions, plus an annual credit for JetBlue Vacations packages.
• Earn an accelerated rate of points on JetBlue purchases, in addition to bonus points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores.
• Receive a yearly points bonus on your card anniversary and get a percentage of your points back every time you redeem for a flight.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access, priority boarding, or credits for expedited security screening programs.
• The annual travel credit is restricted to vacation packages, limiting its usability for some cardholders.
• Earning elite status through card spending alone requires a significant financial commitment.

JetBlue Plus vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® or JetBlue Plus, it's crucial to consider your primary travel loyalties and what you value most in a credit card.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card - This card is best for frequent travelers, particularly those who often stay at Marriott properties and appreciate luxury travel perks and elite status benefits.
• JetBlue Plus Card - Also geared toward frequent travelers, this card is ideal for those who regularly fly with JetBlue and want to maximize value from airline-specific perks.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Points are primarily redeemed for stays across Marriott's extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts worldwide. You can also transfer points to numerous airline partners to book award flights.

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JetBlue Plus Card: Points can be redeemed for any seat on any JetBlue-operated flight, with no blackout dates. Cardholders can also use points to pay for JetBlue Vacations packages, which bundle flights and hotels.

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Travel Perks

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This card offers a robust travel ecosystem centered on luxury and flexibility. Cardholders enjoy no foreign transaction fees. A key benefit is extensive airport lounge access, including a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership and entry to The Centurion Lounge network. The card also provides an annual Free Night Award, statement credits for dining and Marriott Bonvoy purchases, and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, enhancing your stays at their properties.
• JetBlue Plus Card: The ecosystem for this card is tightly integrated with the JetBlue flying experience. It also features no foreign transaction fees. Perks are focused on making JetBlue flights more affordable and comfortable, including a free first checked bag for the cardmember and up to three companions, and 50% savings on eligible in-flight purchases. Points can be redeemed for flights or used for flight-and-hotel packages through JetBlue Vacations. Cardholders can also earn their way to Mosaic elite status through spending.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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

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• A ‘Test Drive’ feature that lets you simulate potential earnings with a new card by analyzing your actual transaction history—all without a hard credit pull or application.
• Personalized approval odds based on your credit report to help you apply with more confidence.
• A welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months of being approved for a card.
• Access to Kudos Boost, which allows you to earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when shopping with certain merchants.
• Data-driven, personalized recommendations that go beyond generic lists to match you with a card that truly maximizes your rewards based on your spending.

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 to maximize their stays with premium perks. Ideal candidates are those who can take full advantage of benefits like automatic Platinum Elite status, a monthly dining credit, and an annual Free Night Award. Essentially, it's for individuals who value a luxury travel experience and can leverage the card's full suite of benefits, as detailed in this comprehensive review.

Who Should Choose the JetBlue Plus?

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The JetBlue Plus Card is tailored for casual or moderately frequent JetBlue flyers who want valuable perks like a free checked bag for a reasonable $99 annual fee. It’s a great fit for travelers who fly with the airline a couple of times per year and can easily offset the cost while earning bonus points. While this card provides solid value, those seeking more luxurious benefits like lounge access may want to consider the JetBlue Premier Card instead.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs JetBlue Plus comparison didn't convince you that either card is the right fit, don't worry. Several other excellent travel rewards cards might better suit 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

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most premium travel cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can comfortably meet the minimum spending requirement to earn the welcome offer.
• Know the issuer's rules - Some issuers restrict welcome offers if you have or have had similar cards from the same product family.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically to maximize annual credits that are awarded on a monthly or calendar-year basis.
• Be patient for the best offer since Welcome Offers can fluctuate throughout the year.
• Understand product family rules as having one card may make you ineligible for another card's Welcome Offer.

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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Can I transfer points between Marriott Bonvoy and JetBlue TrueBlue?

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Yes, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to your JetBlue TrueBlue account, giving you the flexibility to use hotel points for flights. Always check the current transfer ratio to ensure you are getting a good value from the exchange.

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Which card is better for earning free flights?

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The JetBlue Plus Card is the more direct choice for earning free flights, as its rewards are earned in TrueBlue points. While you can convert Marriott points to airline miles, the JetBlue card's earning structure is specifically optimized for flight redemptions with the airline.

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Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card's annual fee worth it if I don't stay at Marriott hotels often?

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If you are not a frequent guest at Marriott properties, you may find it difficult to justify the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card's annual fee. Its most valuable perks, like the annual Free Night Award and statement credits, are centered around stays within the Marriott hotel portfolio.

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