Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
The welcome offer, the 85,000-point free night, the dining credit and its catch, Platinum Elite status, the insurance, and whether the $650 fee pays for itself.
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Hotel cards · American Express
Welcome offer
100,000 points
Annual fee
$650
100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after $6,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Not available to anyone who has had this card or the Starwood Preferred Guest Luxury card, who had the Ritz-Carlton card in the past 30 days, who opened a Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful, Boundless or Bold card in the past 90 days, or who earned a bonus or upgrade offer on one of those Chase cards in the past 24 months.
Foreign transaction fees: NoneRewards: Marriott Bonvoy points
The Atelier Take
A status card at heart; worth it only for regular Marriott guests.
Who it suits
Marriott loyalists who want Platinum Elite status without 50 nights a year, and who eat out often enough to use the monthly dining credit.
Who should skip it
Anyone who stays at Marriott only occasionally: the $95 Boundless gives a free night for far less.
Every credit, and the catch
The dining credit and the free night together exceed the fee for anyone who uses both fully.
Dining credit
Up to $300 a year
Restaurants worldwide, but in monthly slices: an unused month is lost.
Annual Free Night Award
One night up to 85,000 points
Only at hotels costing up to 85,000 points a night; resort fees may apply.
Property credit
$100 per qualifying stay
Only at The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis, booked direct at the special card rate for a stay of two nights or more; that rate can cost more than others.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
Up to $120 every 4 years
What it earns
Rewards: Marriott Bonvoy points.
6x
Hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
3x
Restaurants worldwide
3x
Flights booked directly with airlines
2x
Everything else
TPG values Bonvoy points at 0.75¢ each, so 2x returns about 1.5¢ per dollar: less than a flat 2% card outside Marriott hotels.
Status, lounges and other benefits
Platinum Elite status
Room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites when available, on qualifying rates.
25 Elite Night Credits
Each year, toward higher Marriott status.
Priority Pass
Enrollment required; two guests free per visit.
Brilliant Earned Choice Award
After $60,000 of purchases in a calendar year, a choice of benefits such as five nightly upgrades, a free night or 50,000 bonus points.
Will the $650 fee pay off?
Enter what would go on this card. The result values points at TPG’s valuation, adds the credits that would actually be used and, in year one, the welcome offer, then sets the total against a no-fee card that pays 2% back on everything.
1 · Spending on this card
Example figures are filled in; replace them with real ones.
Marriott Bonvoy hotelsCard points only; member points come with any card and are left out
6x
RestaurantsWorldwide
3x
Flights booked directly with airlines
3x
Groceries
2x
Gas
2x
Everything else
2x
2 · Credits that would be used
Tick only what would be used anyway, at full value.
3 · Assumptions
The result
The free night arrives after each card renewal, so it starts in year two. Not counted: Platinum Elite status, Priority Pass, the 25 Elite Night Credits and the Brilliant Earned Choice Award after $60,000 of spending.
Insurance and protections
Pay for the trip or purchase with the card to be covered. Travel cover is secondary: it pays after any other insurance. Amex’s Guides to Benefits have the full terms and exclusions.
Trip delay
Up to $500 per trip after a delay of more than 6 hours, for up to 2 claims per 12 months. The round trip must be paid entirely with the card. Secondary.
Trip cancellation and interruption
Up to $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per card per 12 months, for covered reasons such as illness or severe weather. Secondary.
Cell phone protection
Up to $800 per claim for theft or damage, after a $50 deductible, for up to 2 claims per 12 months. The monthly phone bill must be paid with the card.
Baggage insurance
Up to $2,000 for checked bags and $3,000 for carry-on bags, with a $3,000 total per person per trip. Secondary.
Car rental loss and damage
Up to $75,000 for theft or damage to a rental car, for rentals up to 30 days, when the rental company’s damage waiver is declined. Secondary.
Purchase protection
Theft or accidental damage within 90 days of purchase: up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 a year.
Extended warranty
Adds up to one year to manufacturer warranties of five years or less: up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 a year.
Return protection
If a store won’t take back an eligible item within 90 days, Amex may refund up to $300 per item and $1,000 a year.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Platinum Elite brings upgrades, including suites when available
- A higher free night cap than other Marriott cards
- The dining credit is easy to use
- Priority Pass and premium travel insurance
Cons
- $650 fee
- Marriott points are worth about 0.75¢
- The monthly dining credit needs attention
Card terms change often and some offers are personalized; the issuer’s page is the final word.