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CardCurator — Rewards Intelligence
Card Comparison

American Express Gold Card vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant

Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.

American Express Gold Card card art
American Express Membership Rewards
American Express Gold Card
American Express
More Info
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card art
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
American Express
More Info
Annual Fee
$325/yr
$650/yr
Foreign Fees
None
None
Signup Bonus
90,000 points
Spend $6,000 in 6 months
200,000 points
Spend $6,000 in 6 months
Top Earn Rates
  • Restaurants (Worldwide) 4x
  • U.S. Supermarkets 4x
  • Flights (Direct or Amex Travel) 3x
  • hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy 21x
  • Restaurants worldwide 3x
  • Flights booked directly with airlines 3x
Reward Type
miles
miles
Key Credits
  • Uber Cash $10
  • Dining Credit $10
  • Resy Credit $100
  • +1 more
  • TSA PreCheck/Global Entry Credit $120
  • Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit $100
Card Perks
  • The Hotel Collection Access
  • Baggage Insurance Plan
  • Trip Delay Insurance
  • Platinum Elite Status
  • 25 Elite Night Cedits
Transfer Partners
  • Flying Blue
  • Delta SkyMiles
  • True Blue
  • Qatar Avios
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
  • +13 more
  • United MileagePlus
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Common Questions: American Express Gold Card vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant

Is the American Express Gold Card or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant better for dining?

American Express Gold Card earns 4x on dining; Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant earns 3x on dining. American Express Gold Card wins for dining.

Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?

American Express Gold Card currently offers 90,000 pts signup bonus (spend $6,000 in 6 months). Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant offers 200,000 pts signup bonus (spend $6,000 in 6 months). American Express Gold Card has the larger bonus.

Which card is better for international travel?

Both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international travel.

Can I hold both the American Express Gold Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant?

In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Both cards are from American Express, so check their specific application rules.