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’re interested in this card, now is a great time to apply, as we’ve just seen an improved welcome offer introduced.
In this post:
Earn 185K points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is offering an improved welcome offer where you can earn 185,000 Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first six months. This is in line with the best offers that we’ve seen on this 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 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 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 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 Platinum status, a valuable free night award, and much more.
Read a full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card.
Bottom line
At the moment, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card has an increased welcome offer that can earn you 185,000 bonus points, which is in line with the best offers that we’ve seen on the card.
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).
It seems they've updated the terms on this card (and the Bevy as well), and now you can't get the welcome bonus if you *currently* have any other Marriot card:
"Welcome offer not available to applicants who (i) *have or have had* The Ritz-Carlton® Credit Card from J.P. Morgan, the J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards®...
It seems they've updated the terms on this card (and the Bevy as well), and now you can't get the welcome bonus if you *currently* have any other Marriot card:
"Welcome offer not available to applicants who (i) *have or have had* The Ritz-Carlton® Credit Card from J.P. Morgan, the J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy® Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Business® Credit Card from Chase, or the Marriott Rewards Business® Credit Card from Chase *in the last 30 days,*
Taking Amex's product family restrictions to a new level... what a shame.
@ZK,
I don't know where you are getting your info from, but the Amex website says otherwise.
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card-application/apply/prospect/terms/marriott-bonvoy-brilliant-card/25330-10-0#offer-terms
You may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer if you have or have had this Card or the Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card or previous versions of these Cards. You also may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer based on various factors, such as your history with credit card balance transfers,...
@ZK,
I don't know where you are getting your info from, but the Amex website says otherwise.
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card-application/apply/prospect/terms/marriott-bonvoy-brilliant-card/25330-10-0#offer-terms
You may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer if you have or have had this Card or the Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card or previous versions of these Cards. You also may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer based on various factors, such as your history with credit card balance transfers, your history as an American Express Card Member, the number of credit cards that you have opened and closed and other factors. If you are not eligible for a welcome offer, we will notify you prior to processing your application so you have the option to withdraw your application.
Welcome offer not available to applicants who (i) have or have had The Ritz-Carlton® Credit Card from JPMorgan or the J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card in the last 30 days, (ii) have acquired the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase, or the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase in the last 90 days, or (iii) received a new Card Member bonus or upgrade offer for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase, or the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase in the last 24 months.
@Jasong Wong,
It seems we are both correct - if I open the 'Offer & Benefit Terms' in my normal browser, this is where it takes me: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card-application/apply/member/terms/marriott-bonvoy-brilliant-card/36182-11-0/#offer-terms
And the terms are the same as I shared before (ie, the full list of Marriott cards).
However, if I open it in an incognito browser, I get the link you shared with the shorter list. Exact same flow, but resulting in a slight different URL ending:...
@Jasong Wong,
It seems we are both correct - if I open the 'Offer & Benefit Terms' in my normal browser, this is where it takes me: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card-application/apply/member/terms/marriott-bonvoy-brilliant-card/36182-11-0/#offer-terms
And the terms are the same as I shared before (ie, the full list of Marriott cards).
However, if I open it in an incognito browser, I get the link you shared with the shorter list. Exact same flow, but resulting in a slight different URL ending: .../36182-11-0/#offer-terms on mine vs .../25330-10-0#offer-terms on yours.
Now, if I login to Amex in the icognito browser, it goes back to my more limiting terms, with the full list of Marriott cards.
So it seems my account has been 'flagged' in a way, and Amex doesn't want me to apply for one of their Marriott cards (I'm seeing the same limiting terms on the Bevy) if I keep my Chase card. I guess they're cracking down on folks with multiple Marriott cards?
Is anyone else experiencing this?
Are you able to convert the existing Marriott Bonvoy AMEX to Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant AMEX?