Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States
Citi Double Cash vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US
Citi
Citi Double Cash
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 | Citi Double Cash | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $650 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 2% (general) | 6% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 2% | = 2% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in first 6 months | = 95,000 Bonvoy points after $6,000 spend in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 720 |
| Editorial rating | = 4.5/5 | = 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Citi Double Cash
- 1% cash back when you buy + 1% when you pay
- No annual fee
- No category restrictions or rotating bonuses
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
- Convert cash back to ThankYou Points (transferable to airline partners)
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
›Citi Double Cash vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: which is better?
It's a true tie — pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. Citi Double Cash 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 Citi Double Cash 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?
Citi Double Cash: $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in first 6 months. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: 95,000 Bonvoy points after $6,000 spend in 6 months.