Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Bank of America Premium Rewards
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant wins 3-1. Frequent Marriott guests — Platinum status from spend, free annual night. Bank of America Premium Rewards is still the right call if boa preferred rewards clients — up to 2.625x with $100k relationship..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant | Bank of America Premium Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $650 | $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 6% (travel) | · 2% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 2% | · 1.5% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 95,000 Bonvoy points after $6,000 spend in 6 months | = 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in 90 days |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 720 | = 720 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
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
Bank of America Premium Rewards
- 2x on travel + dining
- 1.5x on everything else
- Up to 75% bonus for Preferred Rewards (Platinum Honors tier)
- $100 annual airline incidental credit
- $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
FAQ
›Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Bank of America Premium Rewards: which is better?
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant wins on more dimensions (3 vs 1). 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 Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant for its best categories, Bank of America Premium Rewards for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: 95,000 Bonvoy points after $6,000 spend in 6 months. Bank of America Premium Rewards: 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in 90 days.