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 | = None stated | = None stated |
| 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. Run your own monthly spend through the maximizer to see which one pays you more.
›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.