The card_name is the premium card in the Marriott portfolio. This card is ideal for the elite-status traveler. It’s also great for the premium and/or luxury traveler. In this Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant review, we’ll cover everything you need to know before applying for the card.
In addition to the card_name, another Amex Marriott card you can apply for is the Marriott Bonvoy Business. Chase is also a Marriott credit card issuer. The two Chase cards that you can apply for are the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and Marriott Bonvoy Bold.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Review Details
card_name earns 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Premium cards typically come with high annual fees. That is the case with the $650 Annual Fee card_name. While this card does have a steep annual fee, its welcome offer, earning structure, perks, and benefits help to offset that fee. In addition, this card has no foreign transaction fees.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Credits
Marriott has focused on a credit structure with this card. This means that the annual credits are what cardmembers can use to offset the $450 annual fee. The 3 credits that come with this card are an Annual Marriott Hotel Credit, a Marriott Property Credit, a Global Entry or TSA Precheck Credit, Elite Night Credits, Restaurant Credits, and a Luxury Property Credit.
Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the card_name at restaurants worldwide.
Every 4 years you receive a $100 Global Entry credit and every 4.5 years you receive an $85 TSA Precheck credit. Global Entry includes TSA Precheck so it makes sense to use the $100 credit for Global Entry.
Each calendar year you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Elite status. Elite nights from the Marriott Bonvoy Business are stackable with any of the Marriott personal cards. This means that if you have the Marriott Bonvoy Business and card_name, you receive 40 elite night credits annually.
Each card renewal year, get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide. Statement credits post to your account 8-12 weeks after the purchase is made with your card.
Lastly, cardmembers receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your card.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Perks
As you might expect with a premium credit card, the card_name comes with perks. These include 1 Free Night Award, Marriott Platinum Elite status, Priority Pass Select, a Shopprunner Membership, and an Earned Choice Award benefit.
card_name comes with 1 Free Night Award every year after your card renewal month. This award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. It’s important to note that certain hotels have resort fees, which you are required to pay.
Priority Pass Select offers cardmembers access to more than 1,200 lounges across the world. In reality, lounges can be overcrowded which limits your ability to use this benefit. However, the lounges are a comfortable place to relax as compared to sitting by your departure gate.
A Shoprunner Membership offers 2-day shipping with participating online merchants. This works much like Amazon Prime. By enrolling your card at shoprunner.com/americanexpress, you receive 2-day shipping when purchasing items online.
Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases, card members are eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit. Benefit options include Five (5) Suite Night Awards, an 85K Free Night Award, and a mattress and box spring $1,000 discount from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques.
How to Earn Points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
card_name earning structure is straightforward. Cardmembers earn points at the following rates:
- 6x points at Marriott
- 3x points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with the airline
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases
There are other cards to consider using for your Marriott, U.S. restaurant, and flight purchases. You earn 3x points on travel with the Amex Green Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Citi Premier Card. Citi Prestige Card and Amex Gold Card cardmembers earn 5x and 4x points respectively at restaurants. As an Amex Platinum Card or Citi Prestige card member, you earn 5x points on flights.
How to Redeem Points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
You can use Marriott points to book an award stay. In addition, you can transfer Marriott points directly to its more than 40 airline partners. Not all Marriott airline partners are created equal. Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, and Japan Airlines are partners that can provide high value.
Examples of how to redeem Marriott points with airline partners include 1) 135k points transferred to Asiana to book United business class to South America, 2) 135k points transferred to Alaska Airlines to book Qantas business class to Australia, and 3) 120k points transferred to Japan Airlines to book Japan Airlines business class to Japan.
What Cards Compete with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
The Hilton American Express Aspire is the primary competitor to the card_name. The Hilton American Express also has a high annual fee, earns tons of points at Hilton, comes with elite status, a Weekend Night Certificate, and a Hilton resort credit.
Mid-tier cards that compete with the card_name include the Hilton American Express Surpass Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, and IHG Club Premier Card.
Conclusion on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
Marriott has positioned the card_name as its premium credit card. Its annual fee is at the top end of what you see with travel credit cards. The way to receive the most value with this card is to use the credits and perks that come with the card.
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