Marriot Bonvoy Brilliant
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium hotel rewards credit card tailored for travelers who frequently stay at Marriott properties and seek luxury perks. With a substantial annual fee of $650, the card offers a suite of benefits designed to enhance the Marriott Bonvoy experience.
Key Features:
• Rewards Structure:
• 6X Points at Marriott Bonvoy Hotels: Earn 6 points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• 3X Points on Dining and Flights: Earn 3 points per $1 spent at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
• 2X Points on Other Eligible Purchases: Earn 2 points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
• Annual Fee: $650.
• Welcome Offer: Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Terms apply.
Additional Benefits:
• Annual Dining Credit: Receive up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide.
• Free Night Award: Receive one Free Night Award every year after your account renewal month, redeemable for a night costing up to 85,000 points at participating hotels. Certain hotels may have resort fees.
• Automatic Platinum Elite Status: Enjoy complimentary Platinum Elite status, which includes benefits like enhanced room upgrades (when available), 4 p.m. late checkout, and 50% bonus points on eligible hotel purchases.
• 25 Elite Night Credits: Receive 25 Elite Night Credits each calendar year, accelerating progress toward higher Marriott Bonvoy status tiers.
• Priority Pass Select Membership: Enroll to access over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass Select, enhancing your travel experience.
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Fee Credit: Receive a statement credit every four years for the application fee for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85) when charged to the card.
• Travel Protections:
• Trip Delay Insurance: Reimbursement for expenses incurred due to trip delays of more than six hours.
• Baggage Insurance Plan: Coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen luggage.
• Secondary Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Provides coverage for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Make purchases abroad without incurring additional fees.
Pros:
• Generous Welcome Offer: The substantial initial bonus can provide significant value, especially when redeemed for Marriott stays.
• Valuable Annual Credits: The $300 dining credit and annual Free Night Award can help offset the annual fee for frequent travelers.
• Automatic Platinum Elite Status: Offers high-tier status without meeting stay requirements, granting numerous perks during Marriott stays.
Cons:
• High Annual Fee: The $650 fee may be prohibitive for some, especially if they cannot fully utilize the card’s benefits.
• Monthly Dining Credit Structure: The $300 dining credit is distributed as $25 per month, which may be less convenient than a lump sum credit.
• Limited Bonus Categories: While the card offers elevated points on Marriott stays, dining, and flights, other purchases earn a modest 2X points.
Considerations:
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is well-suited for travelers who frequently stay at Marriott properties and can leverage the card’s extensive benefits to offset the high annual fee. However, those who do not anticipate utilizing the card’s Marriott-specific perks or the monthly dining credits may find greater value in other travel rewards cards with lower annual fees.