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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card - Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

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

Annual Fee: $650

  • Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the 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 available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
  • 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 Marriott, 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 PassTM 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

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Overview

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is designed for avid travelers and Marriott Bonvoy members who seek premium benefits coupled with luxury experiences. With an annual fee of $650, this card offers a plethora of rewards, including bonus points, dining credits, and elite status perks that enhance the travel experience. Whether you're a frequent traveler or someone looking to elevate your hotel stays, this card presents a range of advantages that could align well with your lifestyle.

Pros

One of the standout features of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is the generous welcome offer. New cardholders can earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first six months. This points boost can significantly enhance your travel plans, allowing for luxurious hotel stays or other rewards.

Additionally, the card comes with a $300 Brilliant Dining Credit, which provides statement credits for eligible restaurant purchases worldwide, offering a nice way to offset dining expenses while traveling. The card also grants you Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, which includes room upgrades and enhanced views at select properties, making your stays more enjoyable.

The rewards structure is also impressive, with 6X points on eligible purchases at Marriott hotels, 3X points at restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X points on all other purchases. This tiered rewards system ensures that cardholders can maximize their points across various spending categories.

Moreover, the annual Free Night Award after the card renewal month allows cardholders to enjoy a complimentary night at participating Marriott hotels, adding further value to the membership. Additional perks such as the $100 Marriott Bonvoy® Property Credit for qualifying charges, lounge access through Priority Pass™ Select, and cell phone protection make this card a comprehensive travel companion.

Cons

Despite its numerous benefits, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card does come with a significant annual fee of $650, which may deter some potential applicants. This high fee necessitates that cardholders take full advantage of the benefits to justify the cost.

Additionally, while the card offers various travel perks, some benefits may be limited or come with specific conditions. For instance, the Free Night Award is capped at redemption levels of 85,000 points, and certain hotels may impose resort fees that could add to the overall expenses of a stay.

The eligibility requirements for some benefits, such as the Brilliant Earned Choice Award after spending $60,000, may also be a barrier for casual users who might not spend at that level. Furthermore, while there are no foreign transaction fees, international travelers should still be mindful of other potential costs associated with using the card abroad.

Why We Like This Card

  • The generous welcome bonus of 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points offers substantial value for new cardholders.
  • The $300 Brilliant Dining Credit is a great way to enjoy meals while traveling and helps offset the annual fee.
  • Platinum Elite status enhances travel experiences with room upgrades and other exclusive benefits.
  • The comprehensive rewards structure allows for effective point accumulation across multiple categories.
  • Free Night Award offers a luxurious night at no cost, making it a valuable addition to your travel plans.
  • Priority Pass™ Select access provides a comfortable travel experience with lounge visits worldwide.

Overall, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a robust option for frequent travelers who can capitalize on its extensive benefits, making it a worthy consideration for those looking to enhance their travel experiences.

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.”