Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
By Quy Dinh · Updated Oct 25, 2026
The short answer
For most Marriott guests, the Boundless: its free night every year (up to 35,000 points) is usually worth more than the $95 fee. The Brilliant costs $650 and makes sense if you stay at Marriott often enough to use Platinum Elite, its free night up to 85,000 points, $25 a month in dining credits and Priority Pass.
Amex and Chase both limit Marriott bonuses if you’ve had another Marriott card recently, so check the terms before you apply.
Pick the Bonvoy Boundless if
- You stay at Marriott a few nights a year
- You want one free night to cover the fee
- You want 3x on groceries, gas and dining
Pick the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant if
- You stay at Marriott often
- You want Platinum Elite without 50 nights a year
- You’ll use the monthly dining credit
Side by side
| Feature |  Marriott Bonvoy · Chase |  Marriott Bonvoy · American Express |
|---|---|---|
| In one line | An easy keep for Marriott guests: a free night every year (up to 35,000 points) that’s usually worth more than the $95 fee, plus Silver Elite and 15 elite night credits. | Marriott’s top card: Platinum Elite status, a free night up to 85,000 points every year and Priority Pass, for $650. |
| Annual fee | $95 | $650 |
| Statement credits | Up to $240 a year in 4 credits | Up to $330 a year in 3 credits |
| How it earns |
|
|
| Lounge access | None | Priority Pass Select |
| Welcome offer | 3 Free Night Awards (each up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. | 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. |
| Counts toward Chase 5/24 | Yes | Yes |
Credits are counted at their full cash value; see each card’s page for how each one works and which need activation. Offers change; the bank’s page has the current one.
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