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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card: A premium card with tons of added benefits

8 min read
Amex disclosure

Whether you love traveling overseas or have a favorite vacation spot in the U.S., a travel credit card can allow you to earn valuable rewards and other perks. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant? American Express? Card is a premium credit card with a steep annual fee, but it offers plenty of benefits and rewards that justify its cost.

  • Annual fee
    $650
  • Welcome offer
    Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy? bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months
  • Card type(s)
    Travel, Hotel
  • Ongoing Purchases APR
    20.99%-29.99% Variable
  • Recommended credit score
    Excellent/Good
  • Rewards rate
    • Earn 6x Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
    • Earn 3x points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines
    • Earn 2x points on all other eligible purchases
  • Benefits
    • Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card at restaurants worldwide
    • Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your card renewal month (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy; certain hotels have resort fees)
    • Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Elite status

If you frequently stay at Marriott properties, you can qualify for up to 21 Marriott Bonvoy points per $1 spent with your card and Marriott Bonvoy Premium Elite Status, and your travel is backed by added protections like trip delay insurance and car rental protection. Plus, you get added perks like airport lounge access and TSA PreCheck or Global Entry statement credits.

As a cardmember, you can earn a higher rewards rate on qualifying hotel stays, restaurant meals, flights and all other purchases. And because you have the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, you're a Marriott Bonvoy member and qualify for complimentary Platinum Elite status. As a result, you can maximize your rewards. Combined with your credit card points, Marriott Bonvoy membership and Platinum Elite Status, you can earn up to 21 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels that participate in Marriott Bonvoy.

For example, let's say you book a $1,000 stay at a participating hotel. You'd earn the following:

  • Your credit card would give you six points per $1 spent, or 6,000 points.

  • You'd earn up to 10 points per $1 spent for your Marriott Bonvoy membership, giving you 10,000 points.

  • You'd earn up to five points per $1 spent with the 50% bonus on eligible stays, a benefit solely for Platinum Elite status members, giving you 5,000 points.

Combined, you'd earn 21,000 points.

You can redeem your rewards in the following ways:

  • Travel: You can use your points to book hotel stays at Marriott hotels and resorts, flights, cruises and rental car reservations.

  • Transfers: You can transfer your points to loyalty program partners.

  • Shop: With your points, you can purchase electronics, accessories, and gift cards.

  • Charitable donations: You can donate your points as a cash gift to major charities.

  • Bonvoy Moments: Use your points to book Marriott Bonvoy Moments, exclusive experiences like concerts or dining outings for Bonvoy members.

How much your points are worth varies by redemption method, but various estimates value each point between 0.7 and 0.9 cents each. You'll get the most value from your points by redeeming them for hotel stays; the other redemption methods give you less value per point.

Read more: See our picks for the best American Express credit cards

As is typical for a premium travel card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card provides robust benefits and perks:

  • $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Get up to $25 per month in statement credits for eligible purchases made at restaurants.

  • $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property credit: Up to $100 in property credits for stays at The Ritz-Carlton St. Regis when you book directly using a special rate for at least two nights.

  • One free night: One free night at Marriott Bonvoy hotels per year.

  • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry: $100 fee credit for Global Entry and $85 fee credit for TSA PreCheck application fees; you can qualify for the fee every four years.

  • Platinum Elite status: As a cardmember, you're granted Platinum Elite Status, which gives you 50% more points on Marriott Bonvoy hotel stays, potential free room upgrades and other perks like free late checkout (when available) and a welcome gift upon arrival.

  • Earned choice award: If you spend $60,000 or more in a calendar year, you can choose an additional award. Options include five nightly upgrades, a $1,000 bed discount from Marriott Retail Brands (allowing you to enjoy the famous Marriott beds at home), and a free night award.

  • Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership: With your Priority Pass Select membership you can access over 1,200 airport lounges for you and up to two guests.

  • Premium internet: You'll get complimentary premium internet service during any Marriott stay.

As a cardmember, you can also take advantage of the following benefits and protections:

  • Amex offers: With Amex Offers, you can earn statement credits by making purchases from partner retailers. For example, you can get 10% back on purchases made from Expedia, up to a maximum of $100.

  • Baggage insurance plan*: If you're traveling via a common carrier like a major airline and your luggage is lost or stolen, your card can provide up to $2,000 of coverage for checked bags and up to a combined $3,000 for checked and carry-on bags. This coverage is on top of the insurance provided by the carrier. In some states, such as New York, different limits apply; in New York, the maximum coverage amount is $2,000 per bag or suitcase for each covered person, up to $10,000 combined for all covered persons per trip.

  • Car rental loss and damage insurance: Decline the rental car company's coverage when you pick up the vehicle and use your card to pay for the fee to qualify for free car rental loss and damage insurance. This coverage protects you against damages or theft of a rental vehicle. It provides secondary coverage, meaning it only applies after using your personal insurance policy.

  • Cell phone protection: New smartphones are pricey, so cell phone protection is a valuable perk. With the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, you're covered up to $800 in for phones that are damaged or stolen. The maximum amount of claims is two per year.

  • Extended warranty protection: On items with warranties of five years or less, the card extends your warranty by one year.

  • Premium Global Assist Hotline: If you need emergency cash, legal referrals, or help securing a prescription when traveling, the Premium Global Assist Hotline provides assistance 24/7. You may be responsible for any fees incurred by using third-party services.

  • Purchase Protection: Use your card for eligible purchases, and American Express will back the item with purchase protection. This benefit protects you against damage, theft, or loss for up to 90 days from the purchase date. The maximum coverage amount is $10,000 per purchase, up to a maximum of $50,000 per calendar year.

  • Return protection: If a seller won't accept a return within 90 days of the purchase, return protection allows you to return the item to American Express for a full refund. The maximum reimbursement amount is $300 per item, up to $1,000 per calendar year.

  • Shoprunner membership: The card gives you a complimentary ShopRunner membership. As a Shoprunner member, you can qualify for free two-day shipping at qualifying stores.

  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: If your trip is canceled or interrupted due to a covered reason, such as a serious illness, this coverage can reimburse you for some of your non-refundable fares and reservations.

  • Trip delay insurance: If your round-trip booking is delayed by more than six hours, trip delay insurance can reimburse you for some covered expenses, such as meals or a hotel stay.

*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.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex is best for frequent travelers who are Marriott property devotees. Marriott runs 30 brands and nearly 8,700 properties worldwide, including well-known brands like Aloft, Sheraton, The Ritz-Carlton, and Westin.

The card is less valuable if you aren't loyal to Marriott Properties; if you prefer more flexible hotel options, another card may be a better choice.

  • No foreign transaction fees: Unlike many cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, so you won't pay an added fee to use your card outside of the U.S. (See rates and fees.)

  • Includes travel insurance: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card includes a lengthy list of travel insurance benefits, including trip cancellation or interruption coverage, which can help you recover your money if an emergency pops up during your trip.

  • Attainable new cardmember offer: Some new cardmember offers require a substantial amount of spending within a short period, such as a requirement to spend at least $6,000 within three months. With the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, you have more time to meet the spending requirement; you have up to six months to meet the spending threshold and earn the welcome bonus points.

  • Steep annual fee: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card's annual fee is a whopping $650. Although that isn't unusual for a premium travel card, it may not be worth the cost if you aren't a Marriott loyalist.

  • No promotional APR: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card doesn't have a promotional APR offer for purchases or balance transfers, so the regular APR will apply to all transactions.

  • Limited point redemptions: Although you can redeem your points in various ways, Marriott hotel stays offer the highest value. Other redemption methods offer significantly less value for your points.

You can make a payment online or through the Amex mobile app. Or, you can call customer support:

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card is best for those who travel often and prefer to stay at one of Marriott's brand hotels. If you prefer more flexibility and options, consider these alternative cards:

  • Annual fee
    $325
  • Welcome offer
    Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards? points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months, plus 20% back on restaurant spending worldwide (up to $100 in statement credits) for new cardmembers through November 6, 2024
  • Card type(s)
    Travel, Rewards
  • Ongoing Purchases APR
    See Pay Over Time APR
  • Recommended credit score
    Excellent/Good
  • Rewards rate
    • 4x Membership Rewards Points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)
    • 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)
    • 3x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
    • 2x Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com
    • 1x Membership Rewards points on all other eligible purchases
  • Benefits
    • NEW: Five Guys is now eligible for $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month when you pay with your American Express Gold Card at Five Guys, Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, and Wine.com (enrollment required)
    • NEW: Up to $100 in annual statement credits ($50 semi-annually) when you use your American Express Gold Card on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants on the Resy app or Resy.com
    • NEW: Up to $84 per year ($7/month) in statement credits after using your American Express Gold Card to pay at more than 9,000 Dunkin’? locations nationwide

Why we like it: The American Express Gold Card boasts valuable benefits and perks, but it has a more modest $325 annual fee (see rates and fees). With this card, you'll earn a higher rewards rate at restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and flights, and you'll earn one Membership Rewards? point per $1 spent on all other purchases. If you don't travel often or like to price shop before choosing a hotel, this card gives you more options than the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card.

  • Annual fee
    $395
  • Welcome offer
    Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
  • Card type(s)
    Travel
  • Recommended credit score
    Excellent
  • Rewards rate
    • 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
    • 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
    • 2x miles on all other purchases
  • Benefits
    • $300 annual credit for travel bookings through Capital One Travel
    • 10,000 annual bonus miles (worth $100 in travel spending; starts on your first account anniversary)
    • Unlimited access for you and two guests to Capital One Lounges and 1,300+ more lounges through partner networks

Why we like it: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium travel rewards card with a $395 annual fee. But unlike the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, which limits you to certain hotel brands, this card allows you to earn a higher rewards rate on accommodations and rental cars from multiple brands as long as you book them through Capital One Travel.

  • Annual fee
    $99
  • Welcome offer
    Limited-time offer: Earn five Free Nights after spending $4,000 in three months
  • Card type(s)
    Travel
  • Ongoing Purchases APR
    21.49% - 28.49% Variable
  • Recommended credit score
    Excellent/Good
  • Rewards rate
    • 26x points at IHG hotels and resorts
    • 5x points on travel, dining, and at gas stations
    • 3x points on all other purchases
  • Benefits
    • Earn a free night on each account anniversary, plus get a fourth night free when you redeem your points for a consecutive four-night stay at IHG properties
    • Receive up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees
    • Access perks including free upgrades, welcome amenities, and guaranteed room availability when you book at least 72 hours in advance

Why we like it: The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, a co-branded credit card released by Chase, has a much more modest fee than the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card; its fee is just $99. With the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, you'll earn a higher rewards rate on all travel, dining, and gas, and the card has a valuable new cardmember welcome offer.

This article was edited by Rebecca McCracken

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