Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Capital One Venture X
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Capital One Venture X wins 3-0. Premium travel — $395 fee easily offset by $300 travel credit + 10K anniversary miles. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is still the right call if frequent marriott guests — platinum status from spend, free annual night..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $650 | $395 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 6% (travel) | 10% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 2% | = 2% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 95,000 Bonvoy points after $6,000 spend in 6 months | = 75,000 miles after $4,000 spend in first 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 720 | = 720 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
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
Capital One Venture X
- 10x miles on hotels + rental cars via Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on every purchase
- $300 annual Capital One Travel credit
- 10,000 miles anniversary bonus (worth $100)
- Unlimited Priority Pass + Capital One Lounges access
- Up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
FAQ
›Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Capital One Venture X: which is better?
Capital One Venture X wins on more dimensions (3 vs 0). 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, Capital One Venture X 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. Capital One Venture X: 75,000 miles after $4,000 spend in first 3 months.