Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card: Which is Best?

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card are both good options if you want benefits at Marriott Hotels & Resorts.

The Bonvoy Brilliant offers automatic Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite Status and valuable perks like an annual free night certificate that can be used at many premium Marriott properties. The card includes generous monthly restaurant credits and provides elite nights toward status each year, making it a strong choice for Marriott travelers.

The Bonvoy Boundless offers valuable rewards for Marriott stays plus an annual free night certificate valid at properties costing up to 35,000 points. While the card provides good baseline benefits for Marriott guests, its true strength lies in helping you achieve higher elite status tiers through its 15 annual elite night credits.

This article will compare each card based on several factors to help you make an informed decision on which card is the best to add to your wallet.

Full Reviews: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card.

Overview: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

Welcome Bonuses

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant

The Bonvoy Brilliant Amex currently offers the following welcome bonus:

Limited Time Offer: Earn 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points plus a $250 statement credit after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 09/30/2026.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

The Bonvoy Boundless currently offers the following welcome bonus:

Earn 4 Free Night Awards (each up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card.

Earning Rewards

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant

The Bonvoy Brilliant Amex earns Marriott Bonvoy^® points at the following rates:

• 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program;
• 3 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines; and
• 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

The Bonvoy Boundless® earns Marriott points at the following rates:

• 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; 
• 3 points per dollar on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year at grocery stores, gas stations, and on dining;
• 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Winner:

Tie. Both cards offer very similar earning rates. The Bonvoy Brilliant Amex is better on spending on flights and the Bonvoy Boundless is better for spending at gas stations and grocery stores.

Card Benefits and Perks

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant

The Bonvoy Brilliant Amex offers the following benefits and perks:

• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each Card renewal year, get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide;
• Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month for one night up to 85,000 points;
• $100 Luxury Property Credit:  Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card;
• Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum elite status;
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®;
• Priority Pass Airport Lounge Access;
• 25 elite night credits;
• Cell phone protection;*
• Trip delay insurance;*
• Trip cancellation / interruption insurance;*
• Baggage insurance plan;*
• Return protection;*
• Secondary rental car insurance;* and
• No foreign transaction fees.

* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

The Bonvoy Boundless offers the following benefits and perks:

Free Annual Hotel Night: You will receive a free night certificate for up to 35,000 points after every cardmember anniversary.

Marriott Silver Elite Status: Receive automatic Silver Elite status by holding the Boundless card. The benefits of Silver Elite are a 10% points bonus on qualifying rates, priority late check-out (if available), and Marriott’s Ultimate Reservation Guarantee.

Elite Night Credits: Receive 15 elite night credits to help you get closer to higher Marriott elite status.

No Foreign Transaction Fees: You’ll save money on every purchase while traveling internationally since this card doesn’t add the typical 3% surcharge that many other cards impose.

Baggage Delay Insurance: Missing luggage doesn’t have to derail your trip – this coverage steps in to reimburse you for essential purchases when your checked bags are delayed by airlines, trains, or other carriers. You can grab the necessities you need, from a fresh outfit to personal care items, while waiting for your bags to arrive.

120-Day Purchase Protection: Get 120 days of protection against damage, theft, and even loss of your purchases – one of the longest windows available. This premium coverage automatically applies when you pay with your card.

Trip Delay Insurance: When your trip is significantly delayed due to covered reasons like equipment failures or severe weather, this protection reimburses you for reasonable expenses including lodging, meals, toiletries, and medication. The coverage activates when you pay for travel with your card and extends to family members on the same itinerary, though you’ll need to seek reimbursement from the travel carrier first.

Lost Luggage Reimbursement: Your checked luggage gets extra protection against loss, theft, or damage beyond the basic compensation offered by carriers when you pay for travel with this card.

Visa Signature Concierge: Your card comes with a dedicated 24/7 concierge service ready to assist with your lifestyle needs. Whether you need help securing dinner reservations, finding event tickets, or planning travel arrangements, your personal concierge is just a phone call away.

Winner:

Bonvoy Brilliant Amex since it offers higher elite status, airport lounge access, more elite night credits, a better free night award, and dining credit.

Value of the Annual Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant

The Bonvoy Brilliant Amex comes with a large $650 annual fee (rates & fees), but offers several valuable benefits that help offset the cost, including up to $300 in annual restaurant credits ($25 monthly), an annual free night award worth up to 85,000 points, and automatic Platinum Elite status.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

The Bonvoy Boundless  comes with a $95 annual fee, making it a mid-range option in the Marriott card lineup. You’ll receive a free night certificate worth up to 35,000 points each year upon renewal, which could easily provide several hundred dollars in value and offset the annual fee. 

Winner:

It depends. For most people, the Bonvoy Boundless’ annual fee is a better deal because it is easily offset with the annual free night award. Whereas, the Bonvoy Brilliant has a higher potential value if you maximize all the benefits.

Redeeming Rewards

Both Cards

The Bonvoy Brilliant Amex and Bonvoy Boundless cards earn Marriott Bonvoy points.

Marriott Bonvoy points offer versatile redemption options, with hotel stays typically providing the best value. We value Marriott points at 0.82 cents per point based on our data study, but you can get the best value at luxury properties or during peak seasons. The program's dynamic pricing model means rates fluctuate, so flexibility in your travel dates can help maximize value.

A standout feature is the fifth night free on award stays, effectively giving you a 20% discount on longer bookings. This benefit applies to consecutive award nights and can significantly stretch your points. Marriott also offers Cash + Points options, allowing you to combine cash and points for more flexibility.

Transferring Bonvoy points to airline partners is another valuable option. With a 3:1 transfer ratio for most airlines and a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred, this can be an excellent way to top up airline accounts or access niche programs. However, transfer times vary, so plan accordingly.

For unique experiences, consider Marriott Bonvoy Moments. These exclusive events and activities, often unavailable for cash purchase, can provide memorable opportunities for point redemptions.

While Marriott allows point redemptions for flights, car rentals, and cruises, these typically offer lower value compared to hotel stays or airline transfers. Unless you have a specific need or excess points, it's generally best to avoid these options.

The Verdict

Both the Bonvoy Brilliant and Bonvoy Boundless cards are great options.

But if you want the best perks and benefits, the Bonvoy Brilliant Amex is your best option. The card offers a top-tier Platinum status, a free award night worth 85k points, airport lounge access, and several annual credits.

The Bonvoy Boundless is also a great pick, but only if you want to earn Marriott points without the fancy benefits.

Which card are you going to choose?