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American Express and Chase both issue Marriott credit cards with co-branded Marriott logos. They are split in the market. Chase issues the personal and business cards, while American Express offers the ultra-premium personal and business cards. Chase has the personal and personal cards with no annual fees.
This post will focus on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card. It is the highest-quality credit card in the portfolio and offers a limited-time, exceptional welcome bonus.
For September 2021, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Cards Basics
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card, one of the most recent luxury hotel credit cards, was launched in 2019. The good news is, unlike many premium credit cards, this card won't cost you as much as the annual fees suggest. I find the card well worth the investment.
Let's take a closer look to all the benefits offered by this card.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card Welcome Bonus
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card offers a two-part, huge welcome bonus for applications up to November 3, 2021
Spend $5,000 in three months to earn 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
After spending $5,000 in three months, you will be eligible for a free night (valid for one-night redemptions of up to 85,000 point) after you have spent $5,000 within the previous three months.
This welcome bonus can be worth up to 235,000 Bonvoy points. Bonvoy points are valued at 0.7 cents per, so I believe the bonus is worth $1,645 This is a huge amount.
It is particularly notable that the card offers a free night award at hotels costing up 85,000 Bonvoy Points. This applies to all Marriott's Category 8 properties during standard season. As a welcome bonus, we have never seen a free night award of up to 85,000 points.
Get a free night at the St. Regis Maldives
Card Eligibility
There are many Chase Marriott and American Express cards at the moment, so there are quite complicated eligibility requirements.
The most basic offer does not apply to applicants who have used this product or the Starwood Preferred Luxury Card (which was briefly the name of this card).
Applicants who are:
In the past 30 days, you have or had the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card from JPMorgan (or the J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Rewards credit card).
In the last 90 days, you have acquired the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, the Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Credit Card, Chase, and the Marriott Bonvoy Premier Credit Card From Chase, as well as the Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus Credit Card, Chase, and the Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Credit Card, Chase.
In the last 24 month, you have received a card member bonus or an upgrade offer for the Marriott bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Credit Card, Chase, Marriott Bonvoy Premier Credit Card, Chase, Marriott Bonvoy Premier Credit Card, Chase, Marriott Bonvoy Premier Credit Card, Chase, Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card, Chase, Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus Credit Card, Chase, or the Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Credit Card, Chase
General Amex Card Restrictions
Amex cards are easy to get approved for by those with good credit. Most people who I have spoken to reported that they were approved instantly for this card. Make sure you are aware of this:
In a period of 90 days, you can only be approved for two Amex credit card cards
At any given time, you can only have five American Express credit cards (this does not include cards with a pre-set spending limit).
This post contains all the restrictions that credit card applicants must be aware of.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card $450 Annual Fee
A $450 annual fee is charged for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card. You can add additional cardmembers at no extra cost (Rates & Fees).
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Bonvoy Brilliant Card does not charge foreign transaction fees (Rates and Fees). This could make it a great option for international purchases.
Earn points with The Bonvoy Brilliant Card
Although the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card offers some bonus categories, it isn't one you will want to use for everyday spending. There are many more generous card bonuses.
In fact, I don't spend any money on this card, except for a specific promotion. This is how the bonus categories work on the card.
6x Points At Marriott Hotels
Bonvoy Brilliant Card: 6x Bonvoy Points for Marriott Hotels Worldwide
Bonvoy points are worth 0.7c each. This is equivalent to a return of 4.2% on hotel spend. For my Marriott hotel purchases, I prefer the Chase Sapphire Reserve because it offers 3x Ultimate Reward points.
Stay at Marriott Hotels and earn 6x points
3x Points on Restaurants & Flights
Bonvoy Brilliant Card offers 3x points for purchases made with:
U.S. restaurants
Book direct with airlines for flights
My estimate of 0.7c per point is that this would give you a return on your spending of around 2.1%. That's not too bad. For both airfare and restaurant purchases, I believe there are better credit cards.
2x Points on All Other Purchases
Bonvoy Brilliant Card gives you 2x points for all eligible purchases. Personally, I don't find 2x points per $1 spent compelling. I think that a 1.4% return is more worth it, and there are better cards to use for everyday spending.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card Perks
Bonvoy Brilliant Card provides a range of perks. These include a $300 annual hotel credit and an anniversary free night certificate. Many people, including me, find the benefits to be more than worth the annual fee.
Let's take a look to see some of the card's benefits.
$300 Marriott Bonvoy Statement Credit
You get a $300 statement credit each year just for owning the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card. This can be used to spend at Marriott properties. This benefit is available for the first year and every subsequent year.
It's easy to use. Simply use the card at any Marriott property worldwide and you will instantly be reimbursed for your first $300 of eligible spending. This applies to room rates, meals and just about any other purchase made directly through the hotel.
If you spend $300 per year in Marriott hotels, I would say that this card is more or less worth its face value. This lowers the real out-of-pocket cost to this card to $150/year.
Your $300 Marriott credit can be used for any Marriott hotel purchase
Get up to 50K points annually as a free night reward
Another great perk of the Bonvoy Brilliant Card is that you receive a free night award each year on your account anniversary. This award is valid for a one-night stay in a hotel at any property that costs up to 50,000 points. Your first anniversary is when you receive your first one.
You can use the free night certificates on other Marriott cards at properties that cost up to 35,000 points per day. This means you can also use them at properties that cost 50,000 points or less. You have access to many luxury hotels.
You can use this card at many hotels that cost $500+ per night. If you assume that this is worth at least $150, then the card will be about breakeven. The annual fee of $450 is easily offset by the $300 travel credit and this free night.
Domes Zeen Chania will give you a free night certificate
Complementary Gold Elite Status
You will receive complimentary Gold Elite status in Marriott Bonvoy on a regular basis just for holding the Bonvoy Brilliant card. You will normally need 25 elite nights to achieve this status. In order to receive perks such as the following:
25% Bonus Points on Hotel Stays
2PM late check-out
Room upgrade
Spend to attain Platinum Elite Status
If you spend $75,000 in a calendar year on the Bonvoy Brilliant Card, you can be awarded Platinum Elite status. This status normally requires 50 elite nights. You will enjoy the following benefits when you are a Platinum Elite:
Hotel stays eligible for 50% off bonus points
4PM late check-out
Upgrade to a room, which includes a standard suite
You can get a welcome gift and breakfast from many brands
The potential for platinum status is really worth it. It depends on how you travel.
15 Elite Nights to Obtain Status
The Bonvoy Brilliant Card gives you 15 elite status nights annually. This benefit is available on several Marriott credit cards. You can only get it once per card, but you can receive it twice on business cards.
Also, if you have more than three Marriott personal cards, you won't be eligible for 45 elite nights. You would get 30 elite nights if you have both a personal card as well as the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex Cards.
This makes it easier to achieve Platinum status over the long-term, which is when status really becomes valuable. You need 50 nights to reach Platinum status. If you had 30 elite nights per calendar year, then you would only need 20 elite nights. This is the preferred method of earning platinum status.
The Platinum status offers great perks
Premium Internet At Marriott Properties
All Marriott Bonvoy members who book directly receive in-room internet. This credit card is required to receive complimentary internet access at Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
$100 Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis Property credit
Bonvoy Brilliant Card offers $100 credit on property at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis for stays of minimum two nights. The catch is that you have to book an eligible rate, which is going to be equivalent to the best available/non-discounted rate.
Personally, I don't consider this to be very valuable. Why?
Booking a rate is required. Points stays, member discounts, etc. are not eligible.
These hotels are all Marriott STARS hotels, while some belong to Virtuoso which offers similar benefits.
The $100 credit may not be as valuable and useful as it seems
Priority Pass Select Member
Bonvoy Brilliant Cards offers Priority Pass memberships that give you access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide. Space permitting, you can bring up to two people with you into the lounges. This is a great way for airports to be more enjoyable.
Be aware that Priority Pass members who have Amex memberships do not receive credit at Priority Pass restaurants.
Access Priority Pass Lounges with the Bonvoy Brilliant Card
TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry Credit
Bonvoy Brilliant Card provides a Global Entry credit or TSA Precheck credit once every four year. The $85-100 membership fee can be charged to your card and will be automatically refunded. It doesn't matter what the fee is for. As long as it is charged to an eligible card, it will be reimbursed.
Travel Protection & Insurance
Bonvoy Brilliant Card provides valuable travel coverage. This card provides reimbursement if your trip is cancelled or interrupted as follows:
For up to $10,000 per trip in non-refundable expenses, and up to $20,000 for 12 consecutive months, you can get reimbursed
This applies to all covered reasons. These include accidental bodily injury and inclement weather. Terrorist action. Call to jury duty. Ones dwelling made uninhabitable. A quarantine imposed for medical reasons.
You, your family members (including domestic partner) and traveling companions who book a trip using your card are covered
Your claim must be filed within 60 days of the event covered
The card also offers travel delays reimbursement, as follows:
If you are delayed for at least six hours, this applies
You can get reimbursements up to $500 for expenses such as meals and hotels if you are eligible
If your flight is delayed or cancelled, this coverage could be very valuable.
Amex Offers
Amex Cards offer members access to Amex Offers which allows them to save money on all purchases at any retailer. It is worth getting multiple Amex cards to get the best deals on multiple cards.
Last year, I received a $100 statement credit for spending $1,000 on the card. This was a great offer that saved me $100.
A deal from Amex Offers that I received on my card
Is the Bonvoy Brilliant Amex worth it?
I have the Bonvoy Brilliant card, as I mentioned in the beginning of this article. This is not a card I spend a lot on but it's one I use for its perks.
This card costs $150 per year. It has a $450 fee. However, I consider the $300 annual Marriott credit to be worth it. I pay $150 annually for an annual certificate of free nights valid at properties costing up to $50,000 points. Additionally, 15 elite nights toward status each year help me reach a higher level.
This is a great deal to me. There are many other perks on the card that may be valuable to others, but I don't find much value in them.
This card also includes a Priority Pass membership. However, this is not something I use.
Although the card provides a TSA Precheck or Global Entry fee credit I have other cards that offer this.
Additionally, the Amex Offers consistent deals I see on my card have saved me hundreds.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs. Boundless card
Many people are trying to decide between the $450 annual cost Brilliant Card and the $95 annually Bonvoy Boundless card. What are the main differences?
The Boundless card offers an anniversary night free of charge at properties costing more than 50,000 points.
These cards provide premium internet access and 15 elite nights toward status. This benefit is only available once for all Marriott personal credit cards.
The Brilliant Card includes a Priority Pass membership, Global entry/TSA Precheck credit and a $300 Marriott credit
Chase issues the Boundless Card, while Amex issues the Brilliant Card. This could impact your approval chances.
I personally prefer the Brilliant Card. I believe it's worth spending an extra $55 to receive a free night certificate valid at properties costing up to 35,000 points. The Boundless Card is more popular for casual Marriott guests, however, as there's less of an annual fee.
Both the Boundless and Brilliant cards are great.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card Summary
The Bonvoy Brilliant Card, Marriott's premium credit card, is the best. Although the card comes with a $450 annual cost, it offers perks such as a $300 Marriott credit and an annual certificate for free nights at properties up to 50K points. This should be more than enough to justify the annual fees. This card is a great option for anyone looking to save money.
The current bonus is amazing and I highly recommend you apply for it if you don't have one. It's amazing to earn 150K Bonvoy points and a free night certificate that can be used at properties up to 85,000 points.
Follow this link to find out more information about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card and how you can apply.
Apply Now
These links will take you to the fees and rates for American Express Cards. These are: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Cards (Rates and Fees).
