Link: Apply now for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Not only does the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card have a great bonus, but the card pays for itself on an ongoing basis, as far as I’m concerned.
In this post:
Earn 95K Points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card has a welcome offer of 95,000 Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first six months.
I value Bonvoy points at 0.7 cents each, given all the great ways there are to redeem them, so I would value 95,000 points at $665.
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 welcome offer of 95,000 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).
Completely forgot about this offer. Thanks for the update Ben!! I just applied and was approved for it. I'm one year away and 56 nights from Lifetime Platinum status, so this card will get me that one year. Plus, the 25 nights and our random stays, I should be LT in the next 2 years!!
Hi Ben,
If I understand correctly, then my wife can get this card and keep it for 10 years to satisfy annual Platinum requirement to get Lifetime Platinum status, as she never had Platinum before. She already has 125 lifetime nights, so to get 600 nights she can get 48 nights annually from this card and stays for the next 10 years to satisfy this requirement.
The point is that she does not have to...
Hi Ben,
If I understand correctly, then my wife can get this card and keep it for 10 years to satisfy annual Platinum requirement to get Lifetime Platinum status, as she never had Platinum before. She already has 125 lifetime nights, so to get 600 nights she can get 48 nights annually from this card and stays for the next 10 years to satisfy this requirement.
The point is that she does not have to get over 50 nights annually to get Platinum, as it will be through the card. She can even stay fewer than 48 nights annually, but it will take longer.
Does it all sound right?
that's correct
Do you know if the 24-month period for getting another Bonvoy sign-up bonus starts from when you opened the last card (for example, the Chase Boundless) or from the date when you earned the previous bonus?
Thanks!
For those interested: The hot tub shown above is at the Roomers Baden-Baden, a very stylish hotel in the southwest of Germany.
any tips on how to get matched to the increased offer if I just applied right before?
@ JT -- Amex doesn't generally match better offers, but it can't hurt to call or send a message to ask.
What if you’re already lifetime platinum or titanium elite with Marriott?
@ stlsch02 -- Then there are no incremental status perks from having the card. Personally I think the card could still be worth it, as that's the situation I'm in. I talked more about why I value the card based on the annual fee here:
https://onemileatatime.com/guides/marriott-bonvoy-brilliant-amex/