Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States
Capital One Venture vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US
Capital One
Capital One Venture
VISA
Wins 2 of 10
US
Premium
American Express
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
AMERICAN
EXPRESS
EXPRESS
Wins 2 of 10
Verdict
It's a true tie — neither dominates. Pick the one whose boost categories match where you actually spend.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Capital One Venture | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | · $650 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 5% (travel) | 6% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 2% | = 2% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 75,000 miles after $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel) | = 95,000 Bonvoy points after $6,000 spend in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 700 | · 720 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.4/5 | 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Capital One Venture
- 2x miles on every purchase
- 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- Up to $100 credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
- Transfer miles to 15+ airline/hotel partners
- No foreign transaction fees
- Two complimentary visits/year to Capital One Lounges
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy points at Marriott properties
- 3x at restaurants + flights direct
- 2x on everything else
- Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status (with $25K spend)
- 85K-point Free Night Award annually
- $300 dining credit + $25 monthly Marriott credit
FAQ
›Capital One Venture vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: which is better?
It's a true tie — pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. Capital One Venture wins on 2 criteria, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant on 2.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Capital One Venture for its best categories, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Capital One Venture: 75,000 miles after $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel). Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: 95,000 Bonvoy points after $6,000 spend in 6 months.