Delta SkyMiles® Reserve vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant®
Side-by-side comparison
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $650 |
| Welcome offer | ||
| Dining | 1x | 3x |
| Groceries | 1x | 1x |
| Gas | 1x | 1x |
| Travel | 1x | 3x |
| Streaming | 1x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 2x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $292 | $544 |
| Points type | Locked to Delta SkyMiles | Locked to Marriott Bonvoy |
| Network | Amex | Amex |
*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified August 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.
Welcome bonus and value over time
| Over time | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | 125,000 SkyMiles | Up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points |
| To earn it | $15,000 in 6 months | $6,000 in 6 months |
| Est. first-year value* | $892 | $1,694 |
| Est. ongoing value / yr* | $-358 | $194 |
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® wins on both fronts: it comes out ahead in year one on the welcome offer and stays ahead every year after. Short term or long, it is the stronger pick on the numbers.
*First-year value counts the welcome bonus, estimated rewards, and annual credits, minus the annual fee; ongoing value is a typical year after. Every point at a flat 1 cent.
Perks, credits, and redemptions
| Perks | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | Yes — Centurion, Delta Sky Club | Yes — Priority Pass |
| Annual credits | 3 listed credits | ~$300/yr (3 credits) |
| Points & redemptions | Locked to a single program | Locked to a single program |
On perks and redemptions, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® carries the heavier credit stack (about $300 a year). Weigh those against the fee, since credits and lounge access only count if you will actually use them.
Transfer partners and point value
Neither card earns transferable points, so redemptions are cash-back or fixed portal value on both, roughly a cent per point. There is no airline or hotel transfer angle to separate them.
The verdict
On a typical year of household spending, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve earns about $292 a year in rewards and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® about $544, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve charges $650, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® charges $650, but carries about $300 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® delivers more total value, about $402 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on everything else and dining. Neither leans on transferable points, so the deciding factors are the welcome offer, the card network, and which everyday perks you will actually use. On the sign-up bonus, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® currently has the larger welcome offer (a limited-time offer above its usual amount, so treat it as a one-time boost). A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® if your spending leans toward dining, travel, everything else.