Travel credit cards: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
Quick Verdict
Both cards offer premium travel benefits, but Chase Sapphire Reserve has broader travel benefits and point transfer options, while Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant focuses on Marriott loyalty benefits.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more valuable point transfer options.
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant provides complimentary Platinum Elite status with Marriott.
- Both cards offer Priority Pass lounge access, but Chase Sapphire Reserve includes access to Chase Sapphire Lounges.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve has more comprehensive travel insurance coverage.
Key features – Side-by-Side
| Attribute | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $650 | $795. Additional $195 for each authorized user. |
| Welcome Bonus Offer | Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. This offer ends September 24, 2025. | Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
| Earning Rate on Travel Purchases | 6x points per $1 spent at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; 3x points per $1 spent on flights booked directly with airlines. | 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel; 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly. |
| Earning Rate on Dining Purchases | 3x points per $1 spent at restaurants worldwide. | 3x points on dining worldwide. |
| Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status | Complimentary Platinum Elite status. | Not explicitly mentioned. |
| Priority Pass Lounge Access | Enroll in Priority Pass Select for unlimited visits to over 1,200 airport lounges in over 130 countries for you and up to two guests. Additional guests are charged a visit fee. | Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership for cardholder and authorized users, access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club with up to two guests. |
| Point Transfer Partners | Information about specific point transfer partners and ratios was not found in the provided context. | Yes, Chase allows you to transfer points to their partners at a 1:1 rate. Partners include: Aer Lingus, Air France/KLM, British Airway, Iberia, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Southwest, United, Virgin Atlantic, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott. |
| Travel Insurance Coverage | Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: Up to $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Trip delay insurance: Up to $500 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours, and 2 claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. | Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, emergency medical and dental benefit, emergency evacuation and transportation, auto rental collision damage waiver, travel accident insurance, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and more. |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | None | None. |
Overall Comparison
Annual Fee: ~$650 vs ~$795; Welcome Bonus: Similar value; Travel Earning: CSR higher; Elite Status: Marriott wins; Point Transfers: CSR wins
Pros and Cons
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Pros:
- Generous welcome bonus offer
- High earning rate on Marriott Bonvoy hotel purchases
- Complimentary Platinum Elite status
- TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
- Priority Pass lounge access
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons:
- High annual fee
- Welcome bonus requires significant spending in the first 6 months
- Point redemption values vary based on demand
- Transferring points to airline partners generally offers less value than redeeming for hotel stays
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
Pros:
- Generous welcome bonus
- High earning rates on travel and dining
- Comprehensive travel insurance coverage
- Priority Pass lounge access
- Valuable point transfer partners
Cons:
- High annual fee
User Experiences and Feedback
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
What Users Love
- No highlights reported.
Common Complaints
- No major complaints reported.
Value Perception
- To determine if the card is worth it, calculate if the value of the benefits you will use (dining credit, free night award, elite status perks, etc.) exceeds the annual fee.
- Evaluate your spending in travel and dining categories to estimate the points you could earn.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
What Users Love
- No highlights reported.
Common Complaints
- No major complaints reported.
Value Perception
- The card offers over $2,700 in annual value through statement credits and perks.
- Points can be redeemed for up to 2 cents apiece on select flights and hotels through Points Boost, or 1 cent per point for travel through Chase without Points Boost.