United Club vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: Which Is Better In 2025?

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1189", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "High-End Travel Option"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a closer look at what makes the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card a standout choice.

‍

• The card offers a strong rewards structure, earning 6X points on eligible Marriott Bonvoy purchases, 3X points at restaurants and on flights, and 2X points on all other spending.
• While it comes with a premium annual fee (See Rates & Fees), it also includes valuable perks like automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Status and no foreign transaction fees.
• The combination of the $300 Brilliant Dining Credit and the Annual Free Night Award (worth up to 85,000 points) can easily offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• Automatic Platinum Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program, which unlocks valuable perks like room upgrades, enhanced Wi-Fi, and late checkout.
• Complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership for airport lounge access and no foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• An annual Free Night Award and a property credit for eligible stays at luxury properties like The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis.

_{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.}

‍

Cons

‍

• The card has a high annual fee, which may be difficult to justify for travelers who do not fully maximize its benefits.
• Its rewards and perks are heavily concentrated within the Marriott ecosystem, offering less flexibility than other premium travel cards.
• Marriott's dynamic award pricing can make the value of points inconsistent, and the monthly structure of certain credits may be inconvenient for some users.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® vs United Club

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, the United Club℠ Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, depends entirely on your travel style and brand loyalty.

‍

• The United Club℠ Card is a premium airline card designed for frequent United Airlines flyers and loyalists who prioritize benefits like lounge access and priority airport services.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium hotel travel card ideal for frequent travelers who are loyal to Marriott properties and value perks like elite hotel status and dining credits.

‍

Redemption

‍

United Club℠ Card: Points are primarily redeemed for United flights, seat upgrades, and other travel-related purchases through the United MileagePlus program. You can also use points for experiences, merchandise, and hotel stays booked via the airline's portal.

‍

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Rewards are redeemed as points within the Marriott Bonvoy program, mainly for free nights and room upgrades at Marriott properties worldwide. Points can also be transferred to a variety of airline partners or used for unique travel packages.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Lounge Access: The United Club℠ Card provides a United Club membership, giving the cardholder access to United Club locations. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers a Priority Pass Select membership, which grants access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. Enrollment is required and terms apply.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Neither card charges foreign transaction fees, making them suitable for international travel.
• Elite Status & Priority Services: The United Club℠ Card offers premier travel services on United Airlines, including priority check-in, security screening, boarding, and baggage handling, plus free first and second checked bags for the cardmember and a companion. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card grants complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, which comes with perks like room upgrades, late checkout, and lounge access at participating hotels. Terms apply.
• Annual Credits & Ecosystem: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is centered on the hotel experience, offering annual statement credits for purchases at restaurants or Marriott Bonvoy hotels. The United Club℠ Card is built around the airline ecosystem, with its value concentrated in flight-related benefits rather than statement credits.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

‍

• Test Drive Cards: Simulate using a new credit card with your actual transaction history to see projected annual rewards, category earnings, and net value before you apply—all without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized Recommendations: By securely connecting your bank accounts, Kudos analyzes your spending to match you with cards that will earn you the most rewards.
• Joining Incentives: New users can earn a $20 incentive for signing up with a promo code and making an eligible purchase. You can also unlock a $100 Kickstart+ reward by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Detailed Approval Odds: The platform provides a comprehensive analysis of your chances of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Reward Optimization: Track spending, monitor your credit score, and use the Kudos browser extension that autofills the best card at checkout to maximize your rewards.

Who Should Choose the United Club?

‍

The United Club℠ Infinite Card is a slam dunk for loyal United flyers who value premium comfort and want a comfortable place to relax before their flights. It's also a powerful tool for business and international travelers, offering priority airport services and access to Star Alliance lounges worldwide. Finally, those chasing MileagePlus Premier status can get a boost from card spending, making this premium card a strategic choice for dedicated United loyalists.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®?

‍

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is tailor-made for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Marriott brand and stay at their properties several nights per year. This cardholder is someone who will maximize the value of automatic Platinum Elite status, take full advantage of the monthly dining credits, and appreciate luxury perks like airport lounge access and an annual Free Night Award. Ultimately, it's for the traveler who wants to elevate their Marriott stays and travel experiences, as detailed in our complete card review.

_{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.}

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If neither card in the United Club vs. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® showdown feels like the right choice, don't fret. There are other excellent travel rewards cards that might better align with your spending habits and travel goals.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

‍

_{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, as most premium cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review the issuer's application rules, as you may not be eligible for a welcome offer if you've had the card before.
• Familiarize yourself with the card’s benefits and note if any require enrollment to activate.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Align with your loyalty - Choose a card whose benefits, like lounge access or elite status, match the brands you already use.
• Time your application - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Review the final offer - Some issuers let you see your exact offer and credit limit after approval but before you accept the card.

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 earning rewards on everyday spending?

‍

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card typically offers more valuable rewards on dining and Marriott hotel stays, for which terms apply. The United Club℠ Infinite Card is primarily optimized for earning miles on United flights but also provides rewards on all other spending.

‍

Can I get hotel elite status with either card?

‍

Yes, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card includes automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, though enrollment is required and terms apply. The United Club℠ Infinite Card does not offer hotel status, as its travel benefits are focused on the airline experience with United.

‍

Which card's annual credits are easier to use?

‍

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card provides annual statement credits for purchases at restaurants worldwide, which many find easy to use; terms and limitations apply. The United Club℠ Infinite Card does not offer a comparable statement credit, as its value is concentrated in the United Club membership.

‍