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Quick Answer

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant edges out the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card for most cardholders — it wins on 2 of 4 comparison categories and offers 200,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 21x vs 3x). The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card is the better choice if you prioritize a different rewards ecosystem.

Card Comparison

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant

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

Which Card Comes Out Ahead?

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is the stronger all-around option for most people in this matchup because it wins more measurable categories in our scoring model. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card still makes sense if your spending pattern lines up better with its fee profile, issuer rules, or rewards ecosystem.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card

Best if your main priority is the larger current welcome offer.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant

Best if you care most about stronger category earning on everyday spend.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card card art
Delta SkyMiles
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card
American Express
More Info
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card art
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
American Express
More Info

Comparison Method

CardCurator compares measurable differences first: annual fee, current welcome offer, top-end earning, and recurring credits. If the cards are close, the right answer depends on spending pattern and perk usage rather than headline prestige.

Annual Fee
$650/yr
$650/yr
Foreign Fees
None
None
Signup Bonus
125,000 points
Spend $15,000 in 6 months
was 125k pts
200,000 points
Spend $6,000 in 6 months
was 100k pts
Top Earn Rates
  • Delta Purchases 3x
  • Transit/Rideshares 1.5x
  • U.S. Shipping Providers 1.5x
  • hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy 21x
  • Restaurants worldwide 3x
  • Flights booked directly with airlines 3x
Reward Type
miles
miles
Pts Value
~1.20¢/pt miles · industry est.
~0.80¢/pt points · industry est.
Key Credits
  • Statement Credit $10
  • Statement Credit $20
  • TSA PreCheck/Global Entry Credit $120
  • Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit $100
Card Perks
  • Delta Sky Club Access
  • First Checked Bag Free
  • Priority Boarding
  • +2 more
  • Platinum Elite Status
  • 25 Elite Night Cedits
Spend Milestones
  • Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access
    After $75,000 spend
No milestones
Transfer Partners
No transfer partners
  • United MileagePlus

Quick summary

A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant edges out the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card for most cardholders — it wins on 2 of 4 comparison categories and offers 200,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 21x vs 3x). The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card is the better choice if you prioritize a different rewards ecosystem. On raw upside, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant tops out at 21x versus 3x for Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card. Current signup bonus values are roughly $1500 for Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card and $14 for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant. Updated June 4, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/delta-skymiles-reserve-business-card-vs-marriott-bonvoy-brilliant

View source data
Winner
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
2/4 categories · up to 21x
Runner-up
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card
1/4 categories · up to 3x
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant wins 2 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
  • Top earn rate: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant reaches 21x; Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card reaches 3x.
  • Annual fee: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is $650/yr; Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card is $650/yr.
  • Current public bonus values are approximately $1500 and $14.

Common Questions: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant

Is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant better for dining?

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card has no dining bonus; Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant earns 3x on dining.

Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card currently offers 125,000 pts signup bonus (spend $15,000 in 6 months). Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant offers 200,000 pts signup bonus (spend $6,000 in 6 months). Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business 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 Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business 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.

Keep Researching

If this matchup is close, the stronger next step is usually to read the full card reviews or use a broader ranking page instead of comparing random pairs one by one.