Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Citi Strata Premier
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant wins 3-2. Frequent Marriott guests, Platinum status from spend, free annual night. Citi Strata Premier is still the right call if mid-tier travel card; 10x is citi travel portal-only, 3x on everyday travel and dining..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant | Citi Strata Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $650 | $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 6% (travel) | · 3% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 2% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 95,000 Bonvoy points after $6,000 spend in 6 months | = 75,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 spend in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = None stated | = None stated |
| Min credit score | · 720 | 700 |
| 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
Citi Strata Premier
- 10x on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel portal only
- 3x on air travel and other hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas
- 1x on everything else
- $100 hotel benefit on $500+ Citi Travel hotel bookings
- Transfer to 16 airline + hotel partners
FAQ
›Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Citi Strata Premier: which is better?
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). 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, Citi Strata Premier 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. Citi Strata Premier: 75,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 spend in 3 months.