Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Marriott Bonvoy Bevy: Which Is Better In 2025?

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of why we’re fans of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card.

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• The card grants automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and offers a high rewards rate on hotel purchases, though it does have an annual fee (See Rates & Fees).
• Beyond hotel stays, you can earn accelerated points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, plus receive 1,000 bonus points for each eligible paid stay.

_{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}

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Pros

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• Enjoy automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and earn bonus points on eligible paid stays, enhancing your travel experience.
• Earn accelerated rewards not only at Marriott Bonvoy properties but also on everyday spending categories like restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
• Benefit from travel-friendly perks, including the opportunity to earn an annual Free Night Award and no foreign transaction fees on purchases abroad.

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Cons

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• The card has an annual fee, and its value may be hard to justify for those who do not stay at Marriott properties frequently.
• Earning the annual Free Night Award is not an automatic perk; it requires meeting a significant spending threshold each year.
• It lacks premium travel benefits like statement credits for Marriott purchases or airport lounge access that are offered by competing cards.

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant or Marriott Bonvoy Bevy, depends on your unique travel patterns and spending habits. Both cards offer significant value for Marriott loyalists, but they are designed for different types of travelers.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This premium card is built for frequent Marriott guests who want automatic top-tier elite status and luxury travel perks. It is best suited for those who can take full advantage of benefits like room upgrades, lounge access, and various statement credits.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card: This card is ideal for Marriott travelers who also want to earn strong rewards on everyday purchases like dining and groceries. It's a great fit for those who value hotel status and can meet a spending requirement to earn a free night award.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for stays at Marriott Bonvoy properties, but can also be transferred to a variety of airline partners. The card's premium nature means redemptions can unlock luxury hotel experiences and high-value travel.

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Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card: Points earned with this card can be redeemed for free nights at Marriott Bonvoy hotels or transferred to airline loyalty programs. It offers a straightforward way to turn everyday spending into valuable travel rewards within the Marriott ecosystem.

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Travel Perks

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: As a premium travel card, its perks are extensive. Cardholders receive a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, providing access to a worldwide network of airport lounges after enrollment. The card also includes a statement credit for the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. For international trips, there are no foreign transaction fees.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card: This card’s travel benefits are more focused. While it does not offer airport lounge access or a credit for expedited security programs, it is a strong companion for international travel as it charges no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders can also earn a Free Night Award after meeting an annual spending requirement.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial platform designed to help you compare, select, and maximize rewards by matching credit cards to your actual spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: A standout Test Drive feature lets you simulate a card’s potential earnings based on your real transaction history—all before you apply and without a hard credit pull.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval chances for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Personalized Recommendations: The platform evaluates nearly 3,000 cards to provide data-driven recommendations that go beyond typical affiliate-linked options.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points when you shop at participating stores through Kudos.

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 loyal to the Marriott portfolio who stay at least five to ten nights per year. It's also an excellent fit for those who dine out regularly, allowing them to take full advantage of the $300 Brilliant Dining Credit and earn 3X points on those purchases. Ultimately, this premium travel card is most valuable for travelers who appreciate luxury perks like automatic Platinum Elite status, which unlocks benefits such as room upgrades and lounge access.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card is tailored for frequent Marriott guests who want to maximize rewards on their stays and enjoy automatic Gold Elite status. It's also a strong choice for travelers who can spend at least $15,000 annually to earn the valuable Free Night Award, worth up to 50,000 points, but may not stay enough nights to earn status organically. Beyond travel, the card appeals to everyday reward maximizers who want to earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs. Marriott Bonvoy Bevy matchup doesn't yield a clear winner for your wallet, don't fret. Several other travel rewards cards offer compelling benefits, whether you're looking for a lower annual fee or rewards outside the Marriott portfolio.

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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 successful applicants for premium travel cards have good to excellent credit.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can naturally meet the spending requirements for the welcome offer and other key benefits.
• Review the benefits: Make sure the card’s perks, like elite status and statement credits, align with your travel and spending habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer rules: American Express often limits welcome offers to once per lifetime for each card.
• Have your loyalty account ready: For co-branded cards like the Marriott Bonvoy cards, you may need your member number during the application.
• Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for the 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 hold both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and Bevy cards?

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Yes, you can generally hold both cards at the same time. However, American Express has specific application rules that may affect your eligibility based on your history with both Amex and Chase co-branded Marriott cards.

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Which card offers a better free night award?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card includes a Free Night Award worth up to 85,000 points each year after your card renewal month. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card offers a Free Night Award worth up to 50,000 points, but only after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within a calendar year.

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Do both cards come with automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status?

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Yes, both cards provide complimentary Marriott Bonvoy elite status as a benefit. The Brilliant Card comes with automatic Platinum Elite status, while the Bevy Card offers automatic Gold Elite status.

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