Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Chase Sapphire Preferred wins 3-2. First-time travel-rewards card, sweet-spot earn rates Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is still the right call if frequent marriott guests — platinum status from spend, free annual night..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | · $650 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 5% (travel) | 6% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 2% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 60,000 bonus points after spending $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 | 4.7/5 | · 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- 5x points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3x on dining (incl. takeout & delivery)
- 2x on all other travel
- 25% more value when redeeming for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- No foreign transaction fees
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary auto rental coverage
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
›Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: which is better?
Chase Sapphire Preferred wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Chase Sapphire Preferred 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?
Chase Sapphire Preferred: 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel). Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: 95,000 Bonvoy points after $6,000 spend in 6 months.