The Bonvoy Brilliant $300 hotel credit is going to change to a $25/month dining credit. Until the changeover happens, new cardholders will be able to double dip by using the full hotel credit before 9/22 and then taking advantage of the dining credits after that. The next few days are the last chance to make it happen if you don't make the $300 charge before 9/22.
A $300 annual statement credit is one of the benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card. The Marriott credit is being replaced with a monthly $25 credit for dining purchases. I don't think this is a good change for Marriott and credit card lovers.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card will give you up to $300 in statement credits every year. A cumulative total can be used with a single purchase or stay. Marriott hotels and resorts are the only places where the credit can be used. I wouldn't see Marriott's $450 annual fee as a limitation but rather a nearly cash-like benefit for those who would consider paying it.
Amex has moved away from lump-sum credits and towards monthly dribs-and-drabs credits. That is intended to make it difficult to take advantage of a full year's benefit without keeping the card for a full year, and it is also intended to increase breakage because people forget to take advantage of the benefit. I understand why this is happening, but I don't like it. I don't want to have to remember to use the card once a month for a $25 restaurant charge, and sacrifice some rewards while I'm at it. I don't want to have to track the amount of money I spend at restaurants for the purpose of triggering the credit. I don't want to spend $300 on a Marriott stay.
I don't have the Bonvoy Brilliant card but I don't think it's hard to justify its annual fee. The annual Marriott credit and 50K free night certificate could easily be more valuable than the annual fee for someone who spends more than $300 per year at Marriott hotels.
The change to a dining credit makes it a bit more questionable because of the extra hassle of using it each month. It wouldn't be hard to get enough value to justify the fee, it's just more hassle than I'd prefer. The Ritz card is a better long-term choice now that the credit has changed.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card still comes with an annual $300 credit for purchases at Marriott properties, but starting on 9/22/22 that credit will become up to $25 per month in statement credits for purchases at restaurants around the world. If you apply before 9/22, you will be able to take advantage of the $300 Marriott credit this year, as well as get a year's worth of dining credits. I think this card is more difficult to justify in the long term because of the hassle, but it might be worth considering in the short-term.
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