Link: Apply now for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is the most premium credit card in Marriott’s co-brand card portfolio. The card has great ongoing perks that can more than justify the annual fee, and it’s a card that I’ve had for years.
If you’ve been considering picking up this card, now is a great time to do so, as we’ve just seen a limited time welcome offer introduced.
In this post:
Earn 185K points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card
For applications through May 14, 2025, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card has a limited time welcome offer of 185,000 Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first six months. This is in line with the best offers I ever recall seeing on the card.
I value Bonvoy points at 0.7 cents each, given all the great ways there are to redeem them, so I would value 185,000 points at $1,295.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card eligibility requirements
If you’re applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card, the general Amex application restrictions apply. For example, you’re limited to having a total of five Amex credit cards (not including hybrid cards), regardless of whether they’re personal or business. The good news is that I find Amex cards to anecdotally be pretty easy to get approved for.
Beyond that, since both American Express and Chase issue cards for Marriott, there are some pretty complicated restrictions regarding eligibility for this card, so see this post for more details.
Why the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is worth it
Not only does the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card have a generous welcome offer, but this is a card that’s worth keeping in the long run. It’s a card I’ve had for years, and plan to hold onto. The card has a $650 annual fee (Rates & Fees), and for that you receive huge perks:
- The card offers Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status for as long as you’re a cardmember; this is where status really gets valuable, and offers perks like suite upgrades and free breakfast at most brands
- The card offers 25 elite nights toward Marriott Bonvoy status annually, which can help you earn a higher elite tier, like Titanium status or Ambassador status, or qualify for Choice Benefits
- Both the Platinum status as well as the elite nights that you earn with the card count toward Marriott Bonvoy lifetime status
- The card offers an anniversary free night award every year, valid at a property costing up to 85,000 points per night (this can also be topped off with up to 15,000 additional points)
- This card offers up to $300 per year in restaurant credits, in the form of a $25 credit each month
- The card offers a Priority Pass Select membership, which can get you airport lounge access (Enrollment required)
To me this card is absolutely worth it. You’re getting $300 per year in restaurant credits (I just buy $25 in Starbucks gift cards every month), which I consider to be worth close to face value. Then for that you’re getting Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status, a valuable free night award, and much more.
Read a full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card.
Bottom line
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card has a limited time welcome offer of 185,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first six months.
The card offers Bonvoy Platinum status for as long as you have the card, an anniversary free night award, up to $300 in annual restaurant credits, and more. If you stay at Marriotts with any frequency and don’t have this card, you’re potentially missing out on quite a bit of value.
Do you plan on picking up the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card?
The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees).
I’m in PUJ and makes me big sad
Sounds like a great way to spend $650 and get 75K airline miles in one's favorite FF program. No way on this earth I'd be collecting that many points unless I was immediately going to use them and, well, 50K points for a neighborhood Courtyard or more for an airport hotel isn't terribly appealing. Especially considering that in the USA the Platinum status would not even guarantee me breakfast or a room upgrade.
Is this the "best" offer they've ever had on this card.
I think years ago, it came with 1 free night plus a significant amount of points.
do you recall?
There was once 150k points+85 cert that was never seen again.
This is the best offer in the last few years.
Questions for Ben and the informed commentariat...
Is this seemingly impressive 185K welcome bonus actually worth it considering Marriott's steady point devaluation? Increasingly concerned that Bonvoy is headed the way of the SkyPeso program.
Broadly speaking, which hotel group (Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, IHG, Accor, others) do you think offers more consistent elite recognition and better redemption value these days? I'm reconsidering where my loyalty makes sense.
Most bloggers would unanimously say Hyatt.
DCS would say Hilton
Tim Dunn would say Delta even if we're talking about hotels.
I would say for consistency Hyatt and IHG.
Never had issues with Globalist or Diamond breakfast, club pass, or upgrades certificate and always a mild 1-2 category upgrade but rarely ever a suite.
Bonvoy is consistently inconsistent. I've been denied breakfast. I've been given the 2nd best suite, a huge...
Most bloggers would unanimously say Hyatt.
DCS would say Hilton
Tim Dunn would say Delta even if we're talking about hotels.
I would say for consistency Hyatt and IHG.
Never had issues with Globalist or Diamond breakfast, club pass, or upgrades certificate and always a mild 1-2 category upgrade but rarely ever a suite.
Bonvoy is consistently inconsistent. I've been denied breakfast. I've been given the 2nd best suite, a huge 2br, but also been "upgraded" to my same room. Or denied cash compensation for guaranteed benefits.
If you travel outside the US carpets roll out, same with IHG. And considering I can book a $20K safari on points, I think it's fine.
Perhaps the bigger question is whether loyalty is even worth it. Whether free agency based on pure economic value on each stay is the better path. We see much discussion of this with respect to airlines.
Nope....won't do any card with a $650 annual fee.
I really wish Ben would wean himself off marriott. So many better options out there. It would make for a more interesting blog to see plenty of small boutique hotels. Marriott is so cookie cutter...
I know points are at the core of this blog...
You got a roster of small boutique hotels that you've had good experiences with?
Was just looking at a Fairfield Inn booking. 59k points per night. Sure, a skilled hobbyist can find sweet spots. But, the average person will not.
I'll be happy if the average person only finds Fairfield for 59k while I normally find them under 25k. They won't drain the availability.
Or these average people seems to be staying exclusively in Manhattan Fairfields.
LA -- high season