Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card Review: Platinum Status The Easy Way

Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card Review: Platinum Status The Easy Way

27

Both American Express and Chase issue co-branded Marriott credit cards. In this post, I’d like to take a closer look at the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which is the most premium credit card in the portfolio. This card is quite compelling, and the easiest way to earn Platinum Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy. This is also the ideal time to apply, given the welcome offer that’s currently available.

Link: Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card summary & key details

Before I get into my Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card review, let me briefly summarize the key details of the card:

  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex annual fee: $650 (Rates & Fees)
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex welcome offer: 150K Marriott Bonvoy points plus a $250 statement credit after spending $6,000 within the first six months (limited time offer for applications through September 30, 2026)
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex rewards: 6x Bonvoy points for spending at Marriott properties, 3x Bonvoy points on restaurants worldwide and flights booked directly with airlines, and 2x Bonvoy points on all other eligible purchases
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex foreign transaction fees: none (Rates & Fees)
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex elite status: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status for as long as you have the card, plus 25 elite nights toward status annually, which can help with earning Choice Benefits
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex annual credits & benefits: Anniversary free night award worth up to 85K points, up to $300 annual dining credit, Priority Pass perks, and more

Beyond that, here are what I consider to be some of the major pros and cons of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card:

  • The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex pros include the huge welcome offer, plus the suite of benefits that easily offset the annual fee, including valuable elite status, a free night award, and dining credits
  • The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex cons include that it’s not very rewarding for actually spending on, and fully taking advantage of the dining credits requires a monthly reminder
Exterior of the Bab Samhan Diriyah hotel, part of Marriott's Luxury Collection
The Bonvoy Brilliant is a compelling credit card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card welcome offer, eligibility, & fees

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is Marriott’s most premium credit card. While the card has a hefty annual fee, the perks should more than justify the cost, in my opinion. The card even offers Platinum Elite status, without any sort of a spending requirement. This is a card I have, and that I’ve found to be valuable.

To kick off my Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card review, let’s take a look at all of the details of the card, including the welcome offer, incredible benefits, and more.

150,000 Bonvoy points + $250 statement credit offer

For applications through September 30, 2026, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card has a limited time, two-part welcome offer where you can earn 150,000 Bonvoy bonus points plus a $250 statement credit after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months.

Based on my latest points valuations, I consider Bonvoy points to be worth 0.7 cents each, given all the great ways there are to redeem them, so I would value 150,000 points at $1,050. Add in the $250 statement credit, and you’re looking at $1,300 in value, which is excellent for this card.

Overwater suite interior at the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
Redeem Bonvoy points at the St. Regis Maldives

Marriott Bonvoy credit card eligibility rules

Given how many American Express and Chase Marriott cards there are, there are some pretty complicated restrictions regarding eligibility for this card.

On the most basic level, the welcome offer is not available to applicants who have had this product, or the Starwood Preferred Guest Luxury Card (which is briefly what this card was known as).

Furthermore, the welcome offer is not available to applicants who:

  • 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
  • Have acquired 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 Bold Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, or the Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, in the last 90 days
  • Have received a new cardmember bonus or upgrade offer for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card from Chase, 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 Bold Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, or the Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, in the last 24 months

The key thing to understand is that you are eligible for this card (including the welcome offer) if you have the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (learn more) or Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card (learn more).

General Amex card application restrictions

I find Amex cards easy to be approved for if you have excellent credit. Anecdotally most people I’ve heard from have reported instant approvals on this card, so it really shouldn’t be very tough to be approved for. Just make sure you know that:

See this post for all major credit card application restrictions to be aware of.

$650 annual fee & $0 authorized user fee

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card has a $650 annual fee. You can add additional cardmembers at no extra cost (Rates & Fees). Obviously the fee is steep, but for many people, the benefits will more than outweigh the cost.

Canal view of Venice, Italy, representing global Marriott Bonvoy hotel redemptions
Redeem Bonvoy points for hotel stays globally

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card points earning structure

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card has some bonus categories, though generally speaking this isn’t a card I’d be using for my everyday spending. However, the card does have a significant incentive to spend $60,000 per year, and the math could work out. Let’s talk about how the bonus categories on the card work.

6x Bonvoy points at Marriott hotels

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card offers 6x Bonvoy points on eligible purchases at Marriott hotels globally.

Since I value Bonvoy points at ~0.7 cents each, that’s the equivalent of a ~4.2% return on hotel spending. Personally, I still prefer to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (learn more) for my Marriott hotel spending, as it offers 4x Ultimate Rewards points.

The above amounts of course only cover the credit card component of the rewards that you earn for Marriott hotel stays. As a standard, members earn up to 10x Bonvoy points per dollar spent at most brands, and elite bonuses can range from 10-75%. However, you can earn those rewards regardless of which card you pay with.

Exterior of the Langley hotel, part of Marriott's Luxury Collection
Earn 6x points for stays at Marriott hotels with the Bonvoy Brilliant

3x Bonvoy points on restaurants & flights

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card has some bonus categories that offer 3x points, including for purchases with:

  • Restaurants worldwide
  • Flights booked directly with airlines

Based on my valuation of ~0.7 cents per point, that’s like a ~2.1% return on spending, which isn’t amazing. Personally, I think there are better credit cards for both restaurant purchases and airfare purchases.

2x Bonvoy points on all other purchases

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card offers 2x points on all other eligible purchases. Personally, I don’t consider 2x points per dollar spent to be especially compelling since I value that at a ~1.4% return on spending, and there are better cards for everyday spending.

Choice Rewards benefit for spending $60K

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card allows you to select a Choice Rewards benefit when you spend $60,000 in a calendar year. Specifically, you’re able to choose one of the following:

  • Five Nightly Upgrade Awards, each of which can be used to confirm a room upgrade for one night up to five days prior to arrival
  • 50,000 Bonvoy bonus points
  • A free night award, valid at a Marriott property costing up to 85,000 points
  • $1,000 off a bed from one of Marriott’s hotel boutiques

This is in addition to whatever Choice Benefits you’d ordinarily earn for crossing 50 or 75 elite nights in a year. This could be a real incentive to spend money on the card, especially when you consider the opportunity to get a free night certificate worth up to 85,000 points.

Guest room at the St. Regis Venice hotel
Redeem a free night award at the St. Regis Venice

No foreign transaction fees on spending

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card has no foreign transaction fees (Rates & Fees), so it could be a good option for purchases abroad.

How to redeem Marriott’s Bonvoy points for best value

Broadly speaking, how would I approach the value of Marriott Bonvoy points? As mentioned above, based on my valuations, I consider Bonvoy points to be worth 0.7 cents each. I’m not going to suggest that Bonvoy points are my favorite points currency — they’re not — but the reality is that Marriott has a huge global portfolio, and many of the properties are quite decent.

Generally you’ll find that Bonvoy award stays cost anywhere from 10,000 to 200,000 points per night, though some hotels do fall outside of that range. You can maximize value by taking advantage of the fifth night free benefit, which is open to elite members.

One unique thing about Bonvoy points is they can also fairly efficiently be converted into airline miles. You can transfer your rewards to dozens of different airline programs, and a vast majority allow a 3:1 transfer ratio. On top of that, you get a bonus of 5,000 airline miles for every 60,000 Bonvoy points you transfer. In other words, with most programs you can convert 60,000 Bonvoy points into 25,000 airline miles, which is potentially a decent value.

For more details, see my guide to redeeming Bonvoy points.

United Polaris business class cabin aboard a Boeing 777
Efficiently convert Bonvoy points into airline miles

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card benefits & credits

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card offers a variety of perks, ranging from Platinum Elite status, to an annual dining credit of up to $300, to an anniversary free night certificate. For many people (including me), the benefits more than offset the annual fee on the card. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits offered by the card.

Complimentary Bonvoy Platinum Elite status

On an ongoing basis, just for having the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card, you receive complimentary Platinum Elite status. This status ordinarily requires 50 elite nights per calendar year, and offers the following benefits:

  • 50% bonus points on hotel stays
  • Guaranteed 4PM late check-out at non-resorts
  • A room upgrade, including to a standard suite
  • Executive lounge access at most brands, assuming the hotel has a lounge
  • A welcome gift, including breakfast at many brands

It’s amazing that you can now receive Platinum Elite status just for having a credit card, with no spending required. For what it’s worth, the Platinum Elite status earned with this card (as well as the elite nights) do count toward lifetime Elite status.

Seating area inside the Marriott Frankfurt Airport executive lounge
Receive executive lounge access as a Platinum Elite member

Up to $300 per year in restaurant credits

Just for having the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card, you receive up to $300 per year in restaurant statement credits. This comes in the form of a $25 credit each month, which you can use for purchases at restaurants worldwide. This benefit is available the first year, and all subsequent years.

This should be easy enough to maximize — if you spend at least $25 a month at restaurants, you should get the full value out of this.

Restaurant dining area at the Bodrum EDITION hotel
Receive a $300 annual restaurant credit with the Bonvoy Brilliant

Annual free night award worth up to 85K points

Another major perk that makes the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card worthwhile is that you get a free night award every year on your renewal month, valid for a one-night hotel stay at a property costing up to 85,000 points (certain properties have resort fees). You receive your first one of these on your first anniversary.

The free night certificates offered on most other Marriott cards are valid at properties costing up to 35,000-50,000 points per night, so using these at properties costing 85,000 points per night is awesome. This gets you access to all kinds of luxury hotels.

Marriott even lets you top off free night certificates with up to 25,000 points, so you could redeem these certificates at hotels costing up to 110,000 points.

Pool and beach area at the Domes Zeen Chania resort
Use your free night certificate at Domes Zeen Chania

25 elite nights toward Bonvoy status

Just for having the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card, you receive 25 elite nights toward status annually. Several co-branded Marriott credit cards offer elite nights for being a cardmember, though this is the only card to offer 25 elite nights. Furthermore, you can only receive this benefit on one personal and one business card.

So if you had this card plus the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, you’d start every year with 40 elite nights.

Of course you already get Platinum Elite status with this card, but those elite nights could come in handy if you want to earn Choice Benefits (like Nightly Upgrade Awards) or go for Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite status.

Interior of the EDITION Abu Dhabi hotel
Platinum Elite status comes with some great perks

$100 Ritz-Carlton & St. Regis property credit

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card also offers a $100 on-property credit at Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis hotels when you book stays of at least two nights. The catch is that you have to book an “eligible rate,” which is going to be equivalent to the best available/non-discounted rate. Personally, I don’t consider that to be so valuable. Why?

  • You have to book a specific rate, so points stays, discounted member rates, etc., don’t qualify
  • All of these hotels belong to Marriott STARS, and some of these hotels belong to Virtuoso, which offer similar benefits
Guest room at the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto hotel
The $100 credit might not be as valuable as it sounds

Priority Pass™ membership

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card offers a Priority Pass™ membership (Enrollment required), giving you access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide. You can bring two guests with you into lounges, space permitting. This is a great way to make your airport experience more pleasant, and I’d say this is one of the best cards for getting such a membership.

Seating area inside the Chase Sapphire Lounge at New York JFK airport
Access Priority Pass lounges with the Bonvoy Brilliant

TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card offers a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck once every 4 years. You’re eligible for either program, but not both. Simply charge the membership fee to your card, and it will automatically be reimbursed. It doesn’t matter who the fee is being paid for, as long as you charge it to your eligible card. (Enrollment required)

Business class cabin aboard an Air Canada A320 aircraft
Get the TSA PreCheck cost reimbursed with the Bonvoy Brilliant

Access to the Amex Offers program

One of the great features of Amex cards is access to Amex Offers, which gives members savings on purchases with all kinds of retailers. There’s huge value to be had in getting as many Amex cards as possible so that you can get these offers on multiple cards.

Screenshot of Marriott Bonvoy Amex Offers deals for 2025
There are lots of valuable Amex Offers deals

Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card worth it?

With the basics of my Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card review out of the way, let’s now talk about if the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is worth it. If you stay at Marriotts with any frequency, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is a slam dunk, in my opinion. The biggest perk is Platinum Elite status, so getting that just for having a credit card is huge.

Even beyond that, though, the annual fee is easy to justify. I consider the $300 restaurant credit to more or less be worth face value, while I think the free night certificate valid at a property costing up to 85,000 Bonvoy points is easily worth $350.

To me, that’s an excellent deal. The card has plenty of other perks that are also potentially valuable:

  • The card offers a Priority Pass™ membership, giving you access to 1,300+ lounges around the world
  • The card offers 25 elite nights toward status annually, which can help you achieve higher elite tiers, or receive Choice Benefits
  • The card offers a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit, which is useful for security and immigration
Exterior of the Gritti Palace hotel in Venice, part of Marriott's Luxury Collection
Enjoy a stay at Gritti Palace Venice, Marriott Luxury Collection

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs. Bonvoy Bevy Card comparison

American Express has two personal co-branded Marriott cards, with the other card being the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card (learn more), which has a $250 annual fee (Rates & Fees). Many people may be trying to decide between these two cards, so which is more compelling?

  • The Bonvoy Bevy Card is arguably the best for Marriott spending, as it offers 6x points per dollar spent, plus 1,000 bonus points per Marriott stay
  • The Bonvoy Bevy Card offers Gold Elite status just for being a cardmember plus 15 elite nights toward status annually
  • The Bonvoy Bevy Card doesn’t offer an anniversary free night award just for being a cardmember, but instead you have to spend $15,000 on the card per calendar year to get a free night award; that free night award is worth up to 50,000 points

I prefer the Bonvoy Brilliant Card, since I think it’s worth paying for the Platinum Elite status and the valuable free night award. On top of that, the $300 restaurant credit also helps offset the annual fee. Some may feel differently, but I think the choice here is pretty obvious.

Pool area at the Bodrum EDITION hotel
Both the Bonvoy Brilliant & Bevy are potentially great cards

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs. Bonvoy Business Card comparison

Speaking of co-branded Marriott Amex cards, I should also mention the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (learn more), which has a $125 annual fee (Rates & Fees). As I see it, the two cards potentially make great complements — for example, I have both of them.

Here’s the logic for having the Bonvoy Business Card as well:

  • The Bonvoy Business Card offers a free night award on the account anniversary every year (valid at a property costing up to 35,000 points), and on top of that, the card offers up to 15 elite nights toward status annually
  • What I value so much is that you can stack the elite nights on the Bonvoy Brilliant Card and Bonvoy Business Card, so if you have both cards, you start each year with 40 elite nights, which is pretty awesome, and gets you close to the first threshold for Choice Benefits
Guest room at the Hotel Schwarzschmied in South Tyrol, Italy
I value the Bonvoy Business Card free night award perk

Other cards to consider in lieu of the Bonvoy Brilliant

Obviously the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is primarily targeted by Marriott loyalists, or at least those who stay at Marriotts with some frequency. I think there’s absolutely to be had, though it’s not like it’s the most well rounded single credit card out there.

In general, here are a few other options to consider in lieu of the Bonvoy Brilliant Card:

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card FAQs

What is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is Marriott’s most premium co-branded credit card, and it has a $650 annual fee. It offers a huge number of perks, from valuable Bonvoy Platinum status, to an anniversary free night award, to up to $300 in annual dining credits. If you stay at Marriott properties with any frequency, this card could represent a great deal.
How much is the annual fee for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card has a $650 annual fee. There is no annual fee for Additional Cards.
What credit score do you need for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card?
American Express does not publish a single minimum credit score that guarantees approval for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card. Credit card approval decisions can depend on multiple credit factors. Personally I’d hope to have a credit score of at least 700 when applying. However, I’ve heard of people with lower credit scores being approved, and people with higher credit scores being denied.
Does the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card come with Marriott Platinum status?
Yes, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card offers complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status. Platinum members receive benefits including a 50% bonus on eligible hotel purchases, enhanced room upgrades subject to availability, guaranteed late check-out at non-resorts, a welcome gift choice that varies by brand, and other elite benefits.
Does the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card offer a free night certificate?
Yes, each year after the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card’s renewal month, cardmembers receive one Free Night Award that can be used at a participating Marriott Bonvoy property requiring up to 85,000 points per night. Certain properties may charge resort fees.
How does the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card $300 dining credit work?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card offers a dining credit of up to $300 per year, which comes in the form of a $25 monthly credit. This is really easy to use — just spend at least $25 on dining on the card per month, and you’ll receive a statement credit for that amount.
How many Marriott Bonvoy points does the Brilliant Card earn?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card earns 6x Bonvoy points on eligible Marriott spending, 3x points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2x points on other eligible purchases.
Can I get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card if I already have another Marriott credit card?
Possibly, but your eligibility for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card welcome offer can depend on which Marriott card you have or previously had, when you acquired it, and when you received a welcome or upgrade bonus. The Marriott card eligibility rules are unusually complicated, so it’s important to check the current terms before applying rather than assuming that having another Marriott card automatically makes you ineligible.
Can I get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant welcome offer if I’ve had the card before?
Generally, the welcome offers on Amex cards are “once in a lifetime,” so don’t expect that you can earn the welcome offer on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card if you’ve had this exact product before. However, you may still be eligible if you’ve only had another Amex or Marriott card.
What's the maximum number of Amex credit cards you can have?
It’s possible to have up to five Amex credit cards at any given point. Note that this limit doesn’t include cards with no preset spending limit.

Bottom line

That’s my Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card review, so I hope that covers all the details people are curious about for Marriott’s most premium credit card. The card has a $650 annual fee, but offers perks like Platinum Elite status, an up to $300 annual restaurant credit, an annual free night certificate valid at a property costing up to 85K points, and much more. Add in all the money-saving offers available with Amex Offers, and you should easily come out ahead with this card.

Personally, I think the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is worth it. If you’ve been considering picking up this card, now would be the ideal time to apply, given the welcome offer that’s available.

If you want to learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card, follow this link.

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), Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees), and Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees).

Conversations (27)
The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.
Comment as a member

Membership is free and takes no more information than commenting as a guest. Earn status points for good contributions, and see fewer ads as your status grows.

Type your response here.

If you'd like to participate in the discussion, please adhere to our commenting guidelines. Anyone can comment, and your email address will not be published. Register to save your unique username and earn special OMAAT reputation perks!

  1. 85K points do not Get you Sheet anymore Guest

    Are you willing to stay at Courtyards & other Low end Marriotts for 85K points? Then this card is for you. Last year for wife & I.

    1. 1990_ Diamond

      Ehem. Last I checked… Courtyards still have sheets, sir or madam. (Oh, yeah, for real, 85K ain’t what it used to be…)

  2. Andrew Guest

    Love this card and have done well the last 2 years with my free night.

    Edition Rome Hotel in 2025
    St. Regis Mexico City next week

    1. Andrew Guest

      huh? I don't think I have stayed in anything below a 5 star hotel in over 10 years...

  3. JuicyJay Member

    Ben surely you have to lower your valuation on marriott points. They are worth maybe .5cpp with all the devaluations going on. Sure you might be able to find one property during highseason when cash rates are high and you have 5th night free to get "outsized" value, but most normal redemptions at a Sheraton or Marriott is honestly trash value. Best use for points now is probably topping up FNCs from Marriott cards because they've become so worthless.

  4. 1990 Guest

    Platinum the easy way... which gets you... *checks notes* ...maybe free breakfast (if it isn't a Ritz-Carlton). After many years of having this card, the recent devaluations have made me reconsider. 85K certificate (even with the ability to now add 25K points) just isn't cutting it anymore, especially when aspirational properties purposely raise redemptions to 111K (whoospie, can't use it! Got'em!)

    1. JuicyJay Member

      I've been questioning for a couple years if I should upgrade/apply for this card as I'm only a handful of years away from LTP, and the last couple years I havent stayed enough to qualify for Platinum even with a personal + biz marriott card. I find better use for my money and points staying at other properties I can't really justify it. plus besides this cards 85k and annoying coupon dining credits its really not that good to keep

    2. 1990_ Diamond

      Ahh, the 'before-times'... long-ago (40ish days), when I did was a mere 'Guest'... bah!

  5. grayanderson Diamond

    I cannot remember - is this card blocked by having the "basic" ex-SPG card?

  6. Chris D Guest

    I genuinely hate this card. The people who have it have to play the coupon book game for the restaurant bit, and plan around finding a hotel they would have stayed at anyway where 85k points exceeds $350 (in real value, not points farm value; and many people never stay at a $350+ hotel in a year), and all to get a status that is no longer viewed as remotely special, but which distorts the...

    I genuinely hate this card. The people who have it have to play the coupon book game for the restaurant bit, and plan around finding a hotel they would have stayed at anyway where 85k points exceeds $350 (in real value, not points farm value; and many people never stay at a $350+ hotel in a year), and all to get a status that is no longer viewed as remotely special, but which distorts the market in regions where Platinum is not given out so easily.

    I will admit that for US residents who have the card and then travel to hotels internationally, the value proposition is unbeatable. But I still think the Marriott ecosystem would be better without this card, which is arguably the reason for the top tier being split up into Plat/Tit/Amb. Hyatt don't offer one and it's the right decision.

    1. 1990 Guest

      I'm with you, Chris. Even overseas, it's been harder and harder to find good redemptions for the certificate that justify the annual fee. However, I disagree on Hyatt; they should have a premium card in their line-up. I closed WOH Chase card because that Cat 1-4 certificate was mostly a pain to use since so many properties have been pushed up to Cat 5 so that you can't use it.

  7. jessie Guest

    I recently applied for this card just purely for the 200K sign-up bonus points. I am already Platinum (and will be Lifetime Platinum without any help of night credit deposit from this card), so for me, I am basically buying 200K Marriott points with $350 (AF 650 - annual dining credit total $300). $6K required spending is not an issue, as I will put some of my company spending on this card. Not bad, but won't keep it after a year.

    1. Chet Member

      Seems like a lot of work for not much money. Although the $6000 spend requirement may seem easy, you are easily giving up well over $100.00 you could be earning on basic spending on any other premium card. Although the $30 per month benefit is also "easy" to use, it is still one more hassle. All of the benefits are redundant with cards that earn more on spending. Basically, there just are not any reasons...

      Seems like a lot of work for not much money. Although the $6000 spend requirement may seem easy, you are easily giving up well over $100.00 you could be earning on basic spending on any other premium card. Although the $30 per month benefit is also "easy" to use, it is still one more hassle. All of the benefits are redundant with cards that earn more on spending. Basically, there just are not any reasons to use the card for spending, other than try to pick up a moderate sign up bonus. So, unless you stay at Marriott a lot and can find some benefit to the Platinum status or the Elite nights, it is an easy pass.

  8. Robin Guest

    Confused about the part about if you've gotten offers to upgrade, you're not eligible. Offers to upgrade come in via email and snail mail often. Is this an offer to upgrade that was taken so there was a change in actual cards?

  9. Rjb Guest

    As a lifetime platinum, I can definitely say the value of Marriott platinum is nearly worthless. Bonvoyed!

    1. ErikOJ Guest

      Yup - Ten years as a loyal Starwoodite - averaging over 80 nights a year, to earn a status that now anyone can pick up by getting this shitty credit card.

      Barry Sternlicht - thanks so much for selling out to the most mediocre player in the industry

      Bonvoy this!

    2. Mike Guest

      This is a great card depending on your stay and spending habits.

      For four nights total of stays plus the dining benefit we got a return of about $1300 for an investment of $650.

      That is a pretty good deal.

  10. justindev Guest

    What do you mean that if you have a Chase Boundless card, the Amex offer will not be applicable to you. Are you talking about the sign up bonus miles points?
    My question: If you have a Chase Boundless Card that confers silver status and you get this Amex card which provides Platinum status, will there be a conflict between the two products or will you get the Platinum Elite Status?

    1. Eskimo Guest

      You will be banished by Marriott.
      You will get annual -50 nights making difficult to earn any status and sign up penalty of -100k points.
      Your banished status forces you late check in and early check out. You must check in after 6pm and check out before 8am.

    1. Mike Guest

      Not everyone is Platinum- just those that earn it through the credit card or through stays.

      Companies use status in two way:

      One is to reward loyalty by giving status.

      The other is by encourage loyalty by giving status.

      Both are equally valid.

  11. EndlosLuft Guest

    One of the biggest mistakes Marriott made was to devalue what Platinums get (Breakfast benefit in particular ... now it's do I get breakfast? Do I just get a Bagel? What exactly is the benefit? Is this going to be awkward because the Hotel is just looking at me as a cost factor and not someone who brings more money than others to their bottom line?). They next thing they killed was much of an...

    One of the biggest mistakes Marriott made was to devalue what Platinums get (Breakfast benefit in particular ... now it's do I get breakfast? Do I just get a Bagel? What exactly is the benefit? Is this going to be awkward because the Hotel is just looking at me as a cost factor and not someone who brings more money than others to their bottom line?). They next thing they killed was much of an incentive to stay to earn Platinum. As a frequent guest what's the point in staying frequently at Marriott hotels if anyone with $650 yearly spend can get the same benefit? Just get the credit card stay at cooler indy hotels for a better experience and use the card the rare times you actually have to stay at a Marriott affiliated hotel.

    They also killed the value of Platinum status for the hotel owners by flooding the market with Platinums who only spend $650 and not thousands of dollars a year in stays. What kind of yahoos are running Marriott these days?

    I'm a Lifetime Platinum and hardly stay at Marriott's anymore because Platinum has no real value. (Or at least I can't be sure of the value). The amount of revenue Marriott has missed out on and moved to Hyatt or indy's because of these changes must be staggering. Though clearly not measured at Marriott corporate because then they don't have to know or disclose they have a problem.

    1. Mike Guest

      The breakfast benefit is explained pretty well here:

      https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marriott-marriott-bonvoy/1905264-faq-marriott-s-breakfast-offering-explained-brand-bonvoy-elite-level.html

      If you still have questions about benefits you can call the specific hotel.

      I have and it is easy to do.

    2. Eskimo Guest

      And you'll whine the same thing once you reach lifetime Globalist and start staying at Hiltons.

Recent Comments The latest from the OMAAT community.

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

85K points do not Get you Sheet anymore Guest

Are you willing to stay at Courtyards & other Low end Marriotts for 85K points? Then this card is for you. Last year for wife & I.

1
‼ 0
Andrew Guest

Love this card and have done well the last 2 years with my free night. Edition Rome Hotel in 2025 St. Regis Mexico City next week

1
‼ 0
JuicyJay Member

Ben surely you have to lower your valuation on marriott points. They are worth maybe .5cpp with all the devaluations going on. Sure you might be able to find one property during highseason when cash rates are high and you have 5th night free to get "outsized" value, but most normal redemptions at a Sheraton or Marriott is honestly trash value. Best use for points now is probably topping up FNCs from Marriott cards because they've become so worthless.

0
‼ 0
1990 Guest

Platinum the easy way... which gets you... *checks notes* ...maybe free breakfast (if it isn't a Ritz-Carlton). After many years of having this card, the recent devaluations have made me reconsider. 85K certificate (even with the ability to now add 25K points) just isn't cutting it anymore, especially when aspirational properties purposely raise redemptions to 111K (whoospie, can't use it! Got'em!)

1
‼ 0
grayanderson Diamond

I cannot remember - is this card blocked by having the "basic" ex-SPG card?

0
‼ 0
Meet Ben Schlappig, OMAAT Founder
5,883,136 Miles Traveled

43,914,800 Words Written

47,187 Posts Published