Award availability refreshed daily —explore today's sweet spots

Hilton Honors Aspire Card vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express

A side-by-side breakdown of fees, welcome offers, earning rates and travel perks — so you can see which card is worth it for how you actually spend.

Hilton Honors Aspire Card

Hilton Honors Aspire Card

American Express

Full review
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express

American Express

Full review
Annual fee$550$650
Welcome offer150,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $4,000 in 3 monthsEarn 95,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases in the first 6 months
Rewards rate14X at Hilton hotels and resorts; 7X on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select companies, and U.S. restaurants; 3X on all other eligible purchases.6X at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels; 3X at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines; 2X on all other purchases.
Best for
  • Hilton Loyalists
  • Resort Stays
  • Diamond Status
  • Luxury Hotel Stays
  • Marriott loyalists
  • Annual free night
  • Dining credit
Key benefits
  • Automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status
  • $250 annual Hilton resort credit
  • $250 annual airline fee credit
  • Free weekend night certificate annually (can be used at almost any Hilton property)
  • Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
  • Annual Free Night Award (up to 85,000 points)
  • Up to $300 in annual dining credits ($25/month)
  • Up to 25 Elite Night Credits each year
Card networkAmerican Express
Foreign transaction feeNoneNone
Recommended creditGood to Excellent (670–850)Good to Excellent (670–850)

Hilton Honors Aspire Card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express

Common questions

Is the Hilton Honors Aspire Card or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express better?

Hilton Honors Aspire Card suits hilton loyalists, while Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express is stronger for marriott loyalists. The Hilton Honors Aspire Card carries a $550 annual fee versus $650 for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express, so the right pick depends on how much of each card's credits you'll actually use.

What is the annual fee on each card?

The Hilton Honors Aspire Card has a $550 annual fee. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express has a $650 annual fee. Weigh that against each card's annual credits — a higher fee often nets out lower once you use the travel and dining credits.

More comparisons