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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant America Express Card (review), is the most luxurious credit card in the Marriott cobrand card portfolio. Although the annual fee is high, the card offers many perks. This post will share my experiences with the card and explain why the card has such a high value.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card welcome bonus
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card offers a two-part, limited-time welcome bonus that runs through November 3, 2021. This is one of the best bonuses we have ever seen on the card. After spending $5,000 in the first three months, you will be eligible to earn the following:
150,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points
You can earn a bonus night award with a maximum redemption amount of 85,000 Bonvoy Points
This bonus could potentially be worth as much as 235,000 Bonvoy Points. According to my personal valuation, Bonvoy points are worth 0.7c each. This bonus could therefore be worth up $1,645, which is quite amazing. You won't find better welcome bonuses.
Santa Marina Mykonos: Redeem your night free
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card: Why it's worth it
The annual fee for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is $450 (Rates and Fees). It is understandable that some people may say, "I don't want to pay that much for my card if it doesn't have to."
This is the credit card I own. In this post I want to share my experience with it and explain why I believe this card would be a good choice for many others. Here are the benefits of my card.
$300 Marriott Travel Credit
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is a card that I consider to be a $150 annual cost, instead of $450 annually. You might be wondering why? The card provides a simple $300 annual Marriott travel credit.
It couldn't be simpler to use and you will receive statement credits for every $300 spent at a Marriott family hotel each year.
It is valid for almost all properties in the United States, as well as a variety brands such as Four Points and Ritz-Carlton.
This applies to all hotel expenditures, including room rates, food & beverages, and spa treatments.
Credit is automatically posted and requires no registration
This card should be considered worth its face value if you spend $300 per year on Marriott properties. You might also want to reverse the situation and say that if you don't spend $300 per year on Marriott properties (even incidentals), this card may not be right for you.
It is simple to use the $300 Bonvoy Brilliant credit
I used my credit at the St. Regis Deer Valley to pay for this year's stay. After I returned Bonvoy points, I used the $300 credit to purchase food & drink.
Bonvoy Brilliant Card credit can be used to purchase food and beverages at Marriott properties
Up to 50,000 points per night free of charge
On your anniversary of opening an account with Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card, you will receive a free night at any property that costs up to 50,000 Points per night. This is in addition to the welcome bonus which offers a free night. This is a major advantage over other Marriott credit cards that offer a free night award, which can only be used at properties with a maximum of 35,000 points.
This year, I took advantage of my free night at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island. It was a beautiful Florida getaway. This hotel is a Category 7 Marriott Bonvoy property and can be booked on off-peak dates for 50,000 Bonvoy Points per night.
That's quite a redemption considering that a hotel stay for $800 per night would have been almost unaffordable.
This is a fantastic use of a night free!
I am already ahead of the game with this card. The card costs me $150 annually, with a $450 annual charge and a $300 travel credit. This is how I got my stay. It's not bad, is it?
A free night at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia island is a great way to use a complimentary night award
15 nights of elite to Bonvoy status
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card gives you 15 elite status nights annually. Between the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card & the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card I get 30 elite nights towards my status each year.
This will allow many people to attain Platinum Elite status. It requires 50 nights per calendar year. Having those two cards can help you get 60% of the way long-term.
The Bonvoy Brilliant Card makes it easy to achieve status
I haven't used the card perks
There are some perks available on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card that may be of value to others, but I don't.
Priority Pass Select membership gives you access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide. Personally, I get this perk through multiple cards so an incremental membership is not worth much.
In-room Internet Premium at Marriott Properties; I am a Marriott Bonvoy member, so I can enjoy this benefit.
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status as long as the card is active; I have Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status.
One time every four years, I receive a Global Entry or TSA pre-check credit, which normally costs $85-100. This is potentially very valuable. However, this benefit can be used on many cards.
Airport lounge access is possible with the Bonvoy Brilliant Card
Bottom line
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is a card I consider extremely valuable. The card comes with a $450 annual cost, but the $300 Marriott travel credit is well worth it. So, I think the card only costs me about $150 per annum.
It's easy to justify this with a free night award of up to 50,000 Bonvoy point, 15 elite nights towards membership annually, and many other benefits.
I highly recommend that you apply for the Bonvoy Brilliant if you don't have it yet and are eligible. The card offers a lot of value over the long-term, not only because it has a great bonus but also because it is very affordable.
What was your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card experience?
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).
