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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card: A premium card with tons of added benefits

Kat Tretina
10 min read
Amex disclosure

Whether you love traveling overseas or have a favorite vacation spot in the U.S., a travel credit card can allow you to earn valuable rewards and other perks. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliantยฎ American Expressยฎ Card is a premium credit card with a steep annual fee, but it offers plenty of benefits and rewards that justify its cost.

  • Annual fee: $650 annual fee (see rates and fees)

  • Welcome offer: Earn 95,000 points when you spend at least $6,000 in first six months after account opening

  • Rewards:

    • 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on purchases at eligible Marriott Bonvoy hotels

    • 3x Marriott Bonvoy points at restaurants worldwide and flights booked directly with airlines

    • 2x Marriott Bonvoy points on all other eligible purchases

  • Recommended credit score: Good to Excellent

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card is a premium credit card, and as such, it charges a high annual fee of $650.

New cardmembers can qualify for 95,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 or more on purchases within six months of account opening. Bonus points will be issued to your account within eight to 12 weeks after meeting the spending requirement.

Depending on how you use your bonus points, the welcome offer could be worth anywhere from $665 to $855.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card doesn't have a promotional APR offer for either purchases or balance transfers.

With the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, you can earn the following rewards:

  • 6 points per $1 spent on purchases at eligible Marriott Bonvoy hotels

  • 3 points per $1 spent at restaurants and flights booked directly with airlines

  • 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases

As a cardmember, you can earn a higher rewards rate on qualifying hotel stays, restaurant meals, flights and all other purchases. And because you have the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, you're a Marriott Bonvoy member and qualify for complimentary Platinum Elite status. As a result, you can maximize your rewards. Combined with your credit card points, Marriott Bonvoy membership and Platinum Elite Status, you can earn up to 21 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels that participate in Marriott Bonvoy.

For example, let's say you book a $1,000 stay at a participating hotel. You'd earn the following:

  • Your credit card would give you six points per $1 spent, or 6,000 points.

  • You'd earn up to 10 points per $1 spent for your Marriott Bonvoy membership, giving you 10,000 points.

  • You'd earn up to five points per $1 spent with the 50% bonus on eligible stays, a benefit solely for Platinum Elite status members, giving you 5,000 points.

Combined, you'd earn 21,000 points.

You can redeem your rewards in the following ways:

  • Travel: You can use your points to book hotel stays at Marriott hotels and resorts, flights, cruises and rental car reservations.

  • Transfers: You can transfer your points to loyalty program partners.

  • Shop: With your points, you can purchase electronics, accessories, and gift cards.

  • Charitable donations: You can donate your points as a cash gift to major charities.

  • Bonvoy Moments: Use your points to book Marriott Bonvoy Moments, exclusive experiences like concerts or dining outings for Bonvoy members.

How much your points are worth varies by redemption method, but various estimates value each point between 0.7 and 0.9 cents each. You'll get the most value from your points by redeeming them for hotel stays; the other redemption methods give you less value per point.

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As is typical for a premium travel card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card provides robust benefits and perks:

  • $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Get up to $25 per month in statement credits for eligible purchases made at restaurants.

  • $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property credit: Up to $100 in property credits for stays at The Ritz-Carlton St. Regis when you book directly using a special rate for at least two nights.

  • One free night: One free night at Marriott Bonvoy hotels per year.

  • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry: $100 fee credit for Global Entry and $85 fee credit for TSA PreCheck application fees; you can qualify for the fee every four years.

  • Platinum Elite status: As a cardmember, you're granted Platinum Elite Status, which gives you 50% more points on Marriott Bonvoy hotel stays, potential free room upgrades and other perks like free late checkout (when available) and a welcome gift upon arrival.

  • Earned choice award: If you spend $60,000 or more in a calendar year, you can choose an additional award. Options include five nightly upgrades, a $1,000 bed discount from Marriott Retail Brands (allowing you to enjoy the famous Marriott beds at home), and a free night award.

  • Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership: With your Priority Pass Select membership you can access over 1,200 airport lounges for you and up to two guests.

  • Premium internet: You'll get complimentary premium internet service during any Marriott stay.

As a cardmember, you can also take advantage of the following benefits and protections:

  • Amex offers: With Amex Offers, you can earn statement credits by making purchases from partner retailers. For example, you can get 10% back on purchases made from Expedia, up to a maximum of $100.

  • Baggage insurance plan*: If you're traveling via a common carrier like a major airline and your luggage is lost or stolen, your card can provide up to $2,000 of coverage for checked bags and up to a combined $3,000 for checked and carry-on bags. This coverage is on top of the insurance provided by the carrier. In some states, such as New York, different limits apply; in New York, the maximum coverage amount is $2,000 per bag or suitcase for each covered person, up to $10,000 combined for all covered persons per trip.

  • Car rental loss and damage insurance: Decline the rental car company's coverage when you pick up the vehicle and use your card to pay for the fee to qualify for free car rental loss and damage insurance. This coverage protects you against damages or theft of a rental vehicle. It provides secondary coverage, meaning it only applies after using your personal insurance policy.

  • Cell phone protection: New smartphones are pricey, so cell phone protection is a valuable perk. With the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, you're covered up to $800 in for phones that are damaged or stolen. The maximum amount of claims is two per year.

  • Extended warranty protection: On items with warranties of five years or less, the card extends your warranty by one year.

  • Premium Global Assist Hotline: If you need emergency cash, legal referrals, or help securing a prescription when traveling, the Premium Global Assist Hotline provides assistance 24/7. You may be responsible for any fees incurred by using third-party services.

  • Purchase Protection: Use your card for eligible purchases, and American Express will back the item with purchase protection. This benefit protects you against damage, theft, or loss for up to 90 days from the purchase date. The maximum coverage amount is $10,000 per purchase, up to a maximum of $50,000 per calendar year.

  • Return protection: If a seller won't accept a return within 90 days of the purchase, return protection allows you to return the item to American Express for a full refund. The maximum reimbursement amount is $300 per item, up to $1,000 per calendar year.

  • Shoprunner membership: The card gives you a complimentary ShopRunner membership. As a Shoprunner member, you can qualify for free two-day shipping at qualifying stores.

  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: If your trip is canceled or interrupted due to a covered reason, such as a serious illness, this coverage can reimburse you for some of your non-refundable fares and reservations.

  • Trip delay insurance: If your round-trip booking is delayed by more than six hours, trip delay insurance can reimburse you for some covered expenses, such as meals or a hotel stay.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex is best for frequent travelers who are Marriott property devotees. Marriott runs 30 brands and nearly 8,700 properties worldwide, including well-known brands like Aloft, Sheraton, The Ritz-Carlton, and Westin.

If you frequently stay at Marriott properties, you can qualify for up to 21 Marriott Bonvoy points per $1 spent with your card and Marriott Bonvoy Premium Elite Status, and your travel is backed by added protections like trip delay insurance and car rental protection. Plus, you get added perks like airport lounge access and TSA PreCheck or Global Entry statement credits.

The card is less valuable if you aren't loyal to Marriott Properties; if you prefer more flexible hotel options, another card may be a better choice.

  • No foreign transaction fees: Unlike many cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, so you won't pay an added fee to use your card outside of the U.S. (See rates and fees.)

  • Includes travel insurance: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card includes a lengthy list of travel insurance benefits, including trip cancellation or interruption coverage, which can help you recover your money if an emergency pops up during your trip.

  • Attainable new cardmember offer: Some new cardmember offers require a substantial amount of spending within a short period, such as a requirement to spend at least $6,000 within three months. With the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, you have more time to meet the spending requirement; you have up to six months to meet the spending threshold and earn the welcome bonus points.

  • Steep annual fee: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card's annual fee is a whopping $650. Although that isn't unusual for a premium travel card, it may not be worth the cost if you aren't a Marriott loyalist.

  • No promotional APR: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card doesn't have a promotional APR offer for purchases or balance transfers, so the regular APR will apply to all transactions.

  • Limited point redemptions: Although you can redeem your points in various ways, Marriott hotel stays offer the highest value. Other redemption methods offer significantly less value for your points.

You can make a payment online or through the Amex mobile app. Or, you can call customer support:

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card is best for those who travel often and prefer to stay at one of Marriott's brand hotels. If you prefer more flexibility and options, consider these alternative cards:

American Expressยฎ Gold Card

American Expressยฎ Gold Card
Rates & fees, terms apply
Learn more

Why we like it: The American Express Gold Card boasts valuable benefits and perks, but it has a more modest $325 annual fee (see rates and fees). With this card, you'll earn a higher rewards rate at restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and flights, and you'll earn one Membership Rewardsยฎ point per $1 spent on all other purchases. If you don't travel often or like to price shop before choosing a hotel, this card gives you more options than the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card.

Recommended credit score: Good to Excellent

Limited-time offer and new foodie benefits from the American Express Gold Card โ€” for a higher annual fee

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Learn more

Why we like it: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium travel rewards card with a $395 annual fee. But unlike the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, which limits you to certain hotel brands, this card allows you to earn a higher rewards rate on accommodations and rental cars from multiple brands as long as you book them through Capital One Travel.

Recommended credit score: Good to Excellent

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Learn more

Why we like it: The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, a co-branded credit card released by Chase, has a much more modest fee than the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card; its fee is just $99. With the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, you'll earn a higher rewards rate on all travel, dining, and gas, and the card has a valuable new cardmember welcome offer.

Recommended credit score: Excellent

This article was edited by Rebecca McCracken

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