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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card - Earn up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points. Earn 100,000 points after you spend $6,000 and an extra 50,000 points after you spend an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Annual Fee: $650

  • Earn up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points. Earn 100,000 points after you spend $6,000 and an extra 50,000 points after you spend an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
  • With Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite Status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when the stay is booked with a Qualifying Rate at hotels that participate in Marriott Bonvoy, subject to availability upon check-in.
  • Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
  • Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Brilliant Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
  • $100 Marriott Bonvoy® Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
  • Enroll in Priority Pass Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases. - Rates and Fees
  • With Cell Phone Protection*, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. *Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
  • $650 Annual Fee.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • Terms Apply.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card - Learn More

Overview of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers an exceptional value for frequent travelers and Marriott loyalists. With a robust rewards program, numerous benefits, and a generous welcome bonus, this card is designed to enhance your travel experiences while staying at Marriott properties. The annual fee of $650 reflects the premium features and services that come with the card, catering to those who frequently stay at Marriott hotels and dine out. Whether you are looking to maximize your hotel stays or enjoy luxurious dining experiences, this card provides ample opportunities to earn rewards and enjoy benefits tailored to your travel lifestyle.

Pros

One of the standout features of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is the impressive welcome bonus. New cardholders can earn up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points, which includes 100,000 points after spending $6,000 within the first 6 months, plus an additional 50,000 points after spending another $2,000 in the same timeframe. This bonus can significantly boost your points balance for future hotel stays or experiences.

The card also offers a $300 Brilliant Dining Credit, which provides up to $25 per month in statement credits for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide. This benefit can help offset the annual fee and enhance your dining experiences while traveling.

Another major advantage is the Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite Status, granting you room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when booking at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. This status can elevate your hotel experience, making each stay more luxurious and enjoyable.

With the potential to earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points on eligible purchases at Marriott hotels, 3X points at restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X points on all other eligible purchases, cardholders can accumulate points quickly. Additionally, receiving a Free Night Award every year after your card renewal month allows for a complimentary stay at participating hotels, further enhancing the card's value.

Cons

Despite its numerous benefits, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card comes with a hefty annual fee of $650, which may be a deterrent for some potential cardholders. It is essential to weigh the benefits against the cost to ensure it aligns with your spending habits and travel needs.

Another consideration is that while the card offers robust rewards at Marriott hotels, its points earning potential for non-hotel purchases is not as competitive compared to some other travel rewards cards. The 2X points on all other eligible purchases may not appeal to those who primarily seek to earn rewards across a wider range of spending categories.

Furthermore, the card's benefits, such as the Brilliant Dining Credit and Free Night Award, are contingent on specific spending thresholds and conditions, which may not be easily achievable for every cardholder. This could make it challenging for some to fully realize the card's value.

Why We Like This Card

  • Generous welcome bonus of up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points.
  • Annual $300 Brilliant Dining Credit helps offset costs.
  • Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite Status enhances hotel stays with upgrades.
  • Free Night Award each year provides additional value for loyal Marriott guests.
  • 25 Elite Night Credits per year help accelerate the path to higher elite status.
  • No foreign transaction fees make it ideal for international travelers.
  • Access to Priority Pass Select for airport lounge visits enhances travel comfort.

In summary, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who prioritize hotel stays and dining experiences. The combination of substantial rewards, elite status benefits, and travel perks provide a compelling reason to consider this premium card, despite its high annual fee. For those who can take full advantage of its offerings, it can significantly enhance both travel experiences and loyalty rewards.

Highlights of Rewards

WHAT YOUR REWARDS GET YOU

  • Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®.
  • 3X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
  • 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.

Rates & Fees

“Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.”