When credit card annual fees exceed $600, many people frown and question whether the benefits are worth paying for that fee.
Certainly that’s true Marriott Bonvoy Brillion® American Express® Card – Most Premium Cards Marriott Credit Card Family. This card has a series of impressive benefits, but also has an eye-catching annual fee of $650 (see Fees and fees).
The truth is Cobrand Hotel Card Usually not optimal Maximize your spending Beyond purchasing from a specific hotel chain. But people take note when credit cards offer free evening awards each year and elite status that allows them to offer suite upgrades and free breakfast.
Hilton honors the American Express Aspire Card Prove that you can get it Quite a value From at least one premium hotel card. Let’s break down whether the same applies to Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant.
Hilton Aspire Amex Card Information is collected independently by Points Guy. The card details on this page are not reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Welcome bonus
Start with an introductory bonus offer to find out if your card is worth it.
in Marriott Bonvoi Brilliant American Expressfor a limited time, you can earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of your card membership. This offer ends on May 14th.
TPG March 2025 evaluation Peg Marriott each refers to 0.7 cents. So this bonus is worth $1,295.
Best uses for Marriott Bonvoy Point include free nights at properties such as the Ritz-Carlton, Turku & Caicos, West Hollywood edition, and London Marriott Hotel Park Lane. Those who enjoy winter sports include St. Regis Aspen Resort, St. Regis Deer Valley, or Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor’s Degree Gulch.
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Don’t forget that American Express has it limit If you have previously had other Marriott products, limit your ability to collect new welcome bonuses. Fortunately, Pop-up Please tell me if Amex is not eligible for a bonus when applying before performing credits – and Our charts also help to clarify things.
Annual Free Night Award
After the month of card renewal, you will receive a free night award worth up to 85,000 points each year (certain hotels have resort fees; additional conditions apply).
If necessary Some inspiration for what it can get youwhich include the US’s gorgeous St. Regis New York and St. Regis Deer Valley, the Ritz-Carlton, and Turkey & Caicos for Caribbean holidays. Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto In Japan.
That said, for Marriott’s dynamic pricing model, we recommend doing a calendar search to find flexible dates and find nights below 85,000 points.
The annual Free Night Awards are of great value, but it is worth pointing out that you can only stay for one night using this award. This can be difficult if you plan to stay for more than two nights.
You can also fill these awards with up to 15,000 points from the Bonvoy Points balance.
If you want to maximize this award night and stay on an 85,000-point property, then there are three ideal options for the next night.
- Pay 85,000 points per night from Marriott Balance
- Pay cash fees (can be very high)
- Move to another hotel
Because of this, people have different opinions about the value of free night awards that are worth overnight in a luxurious property.
Related: 8 places to maximize your 85,000 points Marriott Awards night certificate
Annual meal credits
Marriott Bonvoi Brilliant American Express Card members receive up to $300 per calendar year in statement credits for purchasing meals. This benefit is released in monthly increments up to $25. Registration is required. Terminology applies.
Don’t forget to use this credit this benefit every month. It is best to set reminders on your phone or use a spreadsheet to track the benefits of your card.
That said, everyone spends at least $25 a month at restaurants, so unless you forget to use your credit every month, this will help offset almost half of your card’s $650 annual membership fee.
Another small bonus? Credits tend to be posted to your account quite quickly.
Related: How to use the $25 monthly dining credits at Marriott Bonboy Brilliant
Elite Status and Related Benefits
The card will be provided Automatic Marriott Platinum Elite Status, This is one of the best sweet spot hotel elite statuses and is at the level where valuable perks have begun to begin. Terminology applies.
Platinum Elite members are eligible for late check-out and early check-in at 4pm. At the Platinum Elite level, you can access a welcome gift at check-in and a free breakfast at the property of your choice.
Unfortunately, you are not eligible for a Benefits of choice (The most valuable are the 5 Sweet Night Awards) You just have this card. However, you can earn your winning choice awards by spending $60,000 on your card in a calendar year or reaching 50 Elite Night Credits.
You will automatically get 25 credits by getting your card, so you will only have to stay for an additional 25 nights to qualify for the option benefits. Terminology applies.
Please note that you can only earn Elite Night Credits sets from your personal Marriott cards, regardless of the number you have. However, this advantage can Stack with 15 elite night credits Gived to a Marriott card member work Cards – Like Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (The terminology applies).
If there are both Bonvoi Brilliant And with Bonvoy’s business cards, you’ll only have to stay for 10 qualifying nights to get the benefits of your choice.
Senior Director of TPG Content Summer hull “This card is absolutely easy for anyone staying with a full-service Marriott brand multiple times a year, but it’s not enough to naturally win Marriott Platinum Elite Status, which unleashes perks such as free breakfast, club access, suite upgrades, hotels and resorts.”
If you’re filming Titanium Elite Status75 Qualifying Elite Night Credits are required. The 40 elite credits you get from holding both the brilliant and the business card will earn you along the way there.
Related: Your complete guide to earning Marriott Elite Status with a Credit Card
Other perks
Other built-in perks for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card Preferred Pass Selection Membershipyou and two guests will have unlimited access to over 1,700 airport lounges worldwide, with application fee credits for Global Entry ($120 every four years for Global Entry, up to $85 every four and a half years for TSA Precheck). Registration is required for the perks of your choice. Terminology applies.
It is important to note that your preferred pass membership does not include non-lounge visits to the restaurant.
Priority Pass membership is not a massive value-added if you already receive profits through other cards. However, if you have already received a Global Entry or TSA Precheck because you received a filing fee statement credit Another credit cardyou can use this credit to cover application fees for friends and family.
Marriott Bonvoi Brilliant Amex’s revenue structure is similar to other Marriott cards. Card members earn 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy Program, and 3 points per dollar Restaurants all over the world On a direct booked flight Airlines 2 points per dollar Other eligible purchases.
Based on TPG March 2025 evaluationwhich is essentially a 4.2% return on Marriott purchases, 2.1% on flights booked directly at airlines and restaurants around the world, and 0.7% on daily spending. These rates are not Earth’s shattering, but they’re not bad for Cobrand cards.
Bonvoy Brillion comes with a real estate credit of up to $100 when you book a “luxury credit card rate” for at least two nights at participating St.Carlton Hotel. This credit can be used at hotels with spa services, dining and non-third-party hotel recreational activities.
Related: Earn Marriott Points with Uber Vehicles and Food Delivery Orders
Conclusion
While it may not be the best card for daily spending, if you are frequenting Marriott properties and frequently staying with the elite perks offered by the card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant has a lot of value. In fact, it may be easy for the program’s most loyal guests.
Depending on how you evaluate these benefits, you can love the status. A valuable free night award with up to $300 meal credits per calendar year. Still, you may think that the annual fee is too sudden.
Make sure to calculate the values you get from your card before deciding whether you need to add them to your wallet.
Read more Complete review of Marriott Bonboy Brilliant.
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Click here for prices and prices for Marriott Bonvoi Brilliant Amex here.