I don't love Marriott, but here's why I caved and got the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex anyway
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
I'm not a huge fan of the Marriott Bonvoy program. However, when I was shopping for a new credit card to add to my insane collection of cards, I realized that my supply of Bonvoy points was pretty depleted. Despite not loving the Marriott loyalty program, I end up staying at a lot of Bonvoy properties and I can always find ways to use the points. For instance, I used Bonvoy points to stay at the Sheraton Kauai Resort last year.
New to The Points Guy? Sign up for our daily newsletter and check out our updated beginner’s guide.
I already have the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card which carry hefty annual fees. So why would I want to open another high-annual-fee card?
I read my colleague Benji Stawki's review of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, and it had me intrigued.
The card currently has a welcome offer of 100,000 Bonvoy points and a free night award (worth up to 85,000 points) after you use your new card to make $5,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months of cardmembership.
Unfortunately, I opened my account back in February, so I missed out on this new and improved offer. Still, I earned 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
While that's not a huge amount of points, especially after Marriott has repeatedly devalued the program, TPG still pegs the value at about $600, and I knew I could get that much value out of the welcome offer.
The Bonvoy Brilliant™ card also has a $450 annual fee (see rates & fees).
What really allowed me to justify the card, however, was the $300 in statement credits. I figure I'm really only paying about $150 for the card since I'll get $300 of the fee back as a credit from Amex. Those 75,000 bonus points I earned are easily worth $150.
The information for the Hilton Honors Aspire has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card
While I don't consider Marriott Bonvoy points the most valuable hotel currency, it still has its uses. Sure, it's now costing more to stay at some of our favorite Marriott properties, but I can still always find a way to use Bonvoy points.
Related: Why I’m not so nervous about Marriott’s upcoming switch to dynamic award pricing
I mentioned some of the benefits of the card above, but there are several others worth talking about. Unlike me, you'll get 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points as a welcome offer and that $300 statement credit for staying at any Marriott property. You'll also get a free night certificate valid for up to 85,000 points. That opens up some nice hotels.
The card includes a Priority Pass Select membership, which gives you free entry to airport lounges worldwide. You also receive a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit once every five years.
You can earn quite a few Bonvoy points using the card, too. You'll earn 6 points per dollar at eligible hotels (Marriott Bonvoy program hotels). You also get 3 points per dollar at restaurants in the U.S. and on flights booked directly with the airlines. You'll get 2 points per dollar for all other purchases.
You'll also receive a free night award worth up to 50,000 points each year when you renew the card. I did a quick search and found I'd be able to stay a night at the brand new AC Hotel in downtown Bozeman or even the Wilson Hotel in Big Sky, Montana (a fancy Residence Inn). Or you could stay at the Courtyard in Paris Gare de Lyon.
Note that Marriott's shift to dynamic pricing may make these a bit harder to use now. However, the program does plan to add the ability to top off these certificates with up 15,000 points from your Bonvoy account. This could open up even more luxurious (and expensive) properties.
You also get Marriott Gold Elite status just for holding the card which could give you a few extra benefits at your next Marriott stay.
Speaking of status, if you're aiming a little higher, you also get 15 elite-qualifying night credits per year. So, if you want the extra benefits that come with Platinum status, you’ll need just 35 nights instead of 50 nights. Open a Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, and you'd only need 20 nights to hit Platinum.
Related: Earn up to 30 elite nights by holding Marriott cards
Opening the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
Opening the card was easy. I applied for the card via TPG's application page (of course), which you can access via this link: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
It takes you to a dedicated page with the welcome offer and other details.
Getting the bonus points for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
I was able to get the spend done on the card in just a few weeks, and I've already earned more than 79,000 Bonvoy points. That includes 211 bonus points for dining and, of course, those points from the welcome offer.
I've also already booked my first stay on the card that will earn me that $300 statement credit with two nights at the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit in May. The bill will come to just over $400, so I'll end up paying just about $100 for a two-night stay at one of the nicest hotels in Detroit. Score.
Bottom line
Even with many of the best Marriott Bonvoy properties now costing more points due to dynamic pricing, I still find that Bonvoy points come in handy in my travels and I'm always looking to stock up. The welcome offer and the $300 statement credit for hotel stays made getting the Bonvoy Brilliant card a no-brainer for me.
It's an even better idea now that Marriott has increased the welcome offer.
I'm already enjoying holding the card. I won't make a decision on keeping or canceling until the annual fee comes due in February of 2023. That's plenty of time to see how the card is treating me. Knowing my track record though, it's another one I could keep long-term. I think I'm now up to more than a dozen cards.
What can I say? I'm definitely a credit card junkie.
Official application link: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant with 100,000 points plus a free night award (up to 85,000 points) after you use your new card to make $5,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months of account opening.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, please click here.
Featured photo by Ben Smithson/The Points Guy.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
- Learn Moreabout American Express® Gold CardTerms Apply
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- Breeze through security with CLEAR® lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Learn more.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. |
Intro Offer
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.Earn 80,000 PointsAnnual Fee
$695Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- Breeze through security with CLEAR® lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Learn more.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees