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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Review
February 6, 2025
For frequent travelers who prefer staying at Marriott properties, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers a compelling package of luxury benefits, elite status, and statement credits that can offset its premium annual fee. But is this high-end hotel credit card worth it for your travel needs? Our comprehensive review breaks down everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
What Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium travel rewards card designed for Marriott loyalists who want top-tier benefits and elite status. This card stands out with its generous $300 brilliant dining credit per calendar year, automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, annual Free Night Award, and enhanced room upgrades including suites when available.
As a premium American Express product, this card offers a higher level of service and travel protections than many competing hotel cards. While it comes with a significant annual fee, frequent Marriott guests can extract substantial value through the card's extensive perks and rewards opportunities.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Card Pros & Cons
Before diving deeper into the card's features, let's examine the key advantages and disadvantages of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card:
Pros:
- Automatic Platinum Elite Status: Enjoy room upgrades, late checkout, and enhanced hotel experiences without meeting stay requirements
- $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Receive up to $25 in statement credits monthly when dining at restaurants worldwide
- Annual Free Night Award: Redeem for stays valued up to 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after your card renewal
- Earned Choice Award Benefit: Select additional perks after spending $60,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year
- Strong Rewards Rate: Earn 6X points at Marriott properties, 3X points at restaurants worldwide, 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Save on international travel with no fees on purchases made abroad
Cons:
- High Annual Fee: Premium benefits come with a premium price tag
- Redemption Complexities: Marriott's dynamic pricing system can make point values inconsistent
- Limited Appeal Outside Marriott: Benefits are concentrated within the Marriott ecosystem
- Variable APR Concerns: Higher interest rates compared to some competing cards
Who Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Card For?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is ideally suited for specific types of travelers and spenders. You might find this card valuable if you:
- Frequently Stay at Marriott Properties: Regular Marriott guests who stay at least 5-10 nights per year can maximize the elite status benefits and Free Night Award
- Dine Out Regularly: The $300 brilliant dining credit (distributed as $25 monthly) offers excellent value for those who consistently spend on restaurants
- Value Elite Status: Automatic Platinum Elite status provides tangible benefits like suite upgrades, enhanced views, and late checkout that improve your hotel experience
- Travel Internationally: The card's lack of foreign transaction fees and global acceptance make it valuable for international travelers
- Appreciate Luxury Travel Perks: Premium airport lounge access, hotel credits, and travel protections appeal to those who want enhanced travel experiences
This card might not be the best fit if you rarely stay at Marriott properties, prefer budget accommodations, or don't dine out regularly enough to use the monthly dining credits.
Comparing the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Card With Other Credit Cards
When considering the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the premium travel card category:
The Platinum Card® from American Express (rates & fees):
- Annual fee: $695
- Welcome offer: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
- Standout feature: Extensive airport lounge access and hotel elite status
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees):
- Annual fee: $395
- Sign-up bonus: Large miles bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars, 5X on vacation rentals and flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Standout feature: Annual travel credit and 10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary
- Annual fee: $550
- Sign-up bonus: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 3X points on travel and dining
- Standout feature: $300 annual travel credit and 50% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase TravelSM
Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Card excels in offering a higher level of service and travel protections than many competing hotel cards
- The Platinum Card® from American Express offers premium travel perks
- Capital One Venture X provides high rewards on travel bookings
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® features flexible travel credits and point redemptions
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Key Features and Benefits
Let's examine the most valuable features of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card in greater detail:
Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points
The card offers a tiered rewards structure:
- 6X Marriott Bonvoy points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
- 3X points at restaurants worldwide
- 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines
- 2X points for each dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
These earning rates allow cardholders to accumulate points quickly, especially when staying at Marriott properties or dining out.
$300 Brilliant Dining Credit
One of the card's standout features is its $300 brilliant dining credit, distributed as up to $25 in statement credits each month when you dine at restaurants worldwide. This effectively reduces the annual fee for cardholders who regularly dine out. The credit applies automatically when using your card at eligible restaurants.
Annual Free Night Award
Each year after your card renewal, you'll receive a Free Night Award that can be redeemed for a stay of up to 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. This single benefit can often exceed the annual fee value when used at luxury properties or during peak travel seasons.
Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Status
Cardholders automatically receive Platinum Elite status without meeting the usual 50-night requirement. This valuable status includes:
- Room upgrades, including suites when available
- Enhanced views and premium Wi-Fi
- 50% bonus points on stays
- Guaranteed 4 PM late checkout
- Welcome gift of points, breakfast, or amenity
- Lounge access at participating properties
Earned Choice Award Benefit
After spending $60,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year, you can select one of the following benefits:
- Five Suite Night Awards
- $750 Marriott Bonvoy property credit
- 85,000-point Free Night Award
Additional American Express Benefits
The card includes valuable perks common to premium American Express cards:
- Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access
- $100 property credit on eligible stays of two nights or more at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis properties
- No foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad
- Travel protections including trip delay insurance and baggage insurance
- Plan It® feature to split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments for a fixed fee
- Access to card management features through the American Express app and online account
Consider Using Kudos
While the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers excellent benefits for Marriott loyalists, savvy cardholders might want to maximize their rewards even further. This is where Kudos comes in. Kudos is a free AI-powered browser extension that helps you get the most out of all your credit cards when shopping online.
For Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card cardholders, Kudos can be particularly valuable when:
- Shopping at merchants where another card in your wallet might earn higher rewards
- Taking advantage of Flash Boost events that can multiply your rewards up to 5X
- Discovering new credit cards that might complement your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® for specific spending categories
If you're looking to get more out of your credit cards, Kudos is the best free shopping app to use when you shop online. And, they're currently offering $20 back after your first eligible purchase — just sign-up for free with code "GET20" and make a purchase at a Boost merchant.
Our Expert Takeaway
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card delivers exceptional value for frequent Marriott guests who can utilize its premium benefits. The combination of automatic Platinum Elite status, $300 brilliant dining credit, and an annual Free Night Award worth up to 85,000 points creates a compelling package that can easily offset the annual fee for the right user.
However, this card is not for everyone. Its value proposition depends heavily on your travel patterns and loyalty to Marriott properties. Occasional travelers or those who prefer varied accommodation options might find more flexibility with a general travel rewards card.
For dedicated Marriott loyalists who enjoy dining out and value elite status perks, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card represents one of the most comprehensive hotel card offerings available. When paired with tools like Kudos to optimize your broader credit card strategy, it becomes an even more powerful addition to your wallet.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card FAQ
What is the annual fee for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card comes with a premium annual fee. Please check the American Express website for the current fee structure, as rates and fees may change over time.
How does the $300 brilliant dining credit work?
The $300 brilliant dining credit is distributed as up to $25 in statement credits each month when you dine at restaurants worldwide. The credits are automatically applied when you use your card for eligible restaurant purchases and reset each month throughout the calendar year.
What level of Marriott Bonvoy status does the card provide?
The card automatically confers Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, which typically requires 50 qualifying nights per year to earn. This status includes benefits like room upgrades (including suites when available), enhanced views, late checkout, and bonus points on stays.
Can I convert Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles?
Yes, Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to over 40 airline partners, typically at a ratio of 3:1. When you transfer 60,000 Marriott points, you'll receive 20,000 airline miles plus a 5,000-mile bonus (for a total of 25,000 miles).
Does the card charge foreign transaction fees?
No, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card does not charge foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad, making it an excellent choice for international travel.
What is the Free Night Award redemption level?
The annual Free Night Award can be redeemed for a stay of up to 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. This can provide significant value at luxury properties or during peak travel seasons.
How can I maximize value from the Plan It® feature?
The Plan It® feature allows you to split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments for a fixed fee instead of interest. To maximize value, compare the fixed fee to potential interest charges for your specific situation, and use it for large purchases you need to pay off over time.
Are there any spending thresholds for additional benefits?
Yes, after spending $60,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year, you can select one Earned Choice Award benefit: five Suite Night Awards, a $750 Marriott Bonvoy property credit, or an 85,000-point Free Night Award.
How do room upgrades work with this card?
As a Platinum Elite member through your card membership, you're eligible for room upgrades including suites when available at check-in. While upgrades aren't guaranteed, your elite status puts you ahead of members with lower status tiers.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos 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.
