New cardholders can choose from six cobranded cards issued by Marriott, with annual fees ranging from $0 to $650. For an annual fee of $650, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is the priciest option.
However, does that prove it is the best? Some significant modifications were made to the card on September 22, 2022, so be sure to read our guide outlining the benefits and drawbacks.
If you sign up for the card now, you may get 150,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $5,000 on it during the first three months. The expiry date of this deal is January 11, 2023.
Who's This Card For?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is a co-branded hotel credit card designed for Bonvoy members interested in maximizing their loyalty reward points and receiving additional benefits when staying at Marriott hotels.
One or two yearly Marriott stays are sufficient to leverage the card's perks and can more than offset the $650 annual charge, so even if you don't travel much, you can still profit from having the card. Because of the program's many airline transfer partners, even occasional Marriott guests may get a lot of use out of their Marriott Bonvoy points.
Value of $1,260 Welcome Bonus
New cardholders must use their Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card to spend $5,000 in purchases during the first three months of card membership. The expiry date of this deal is January 11, 2023. The Points Guy estimates that the 150,000 Marriott points are worth $1,260. Read the fine print on the card's offer information page to ensure you qualify.
The Major Advantages
The card comes into its own with the benefits it provides:
Marriott Elite
Primary card are entitled to complimentary, which provides them with benefits like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and lounge access. Representatives from American Express and Marriott Bonvoy have said that it typically takes less than two weeks to acquire your improved status.
Annual Prize For A Free Night
For up to 85,000 points, you'll get a free night's stay every year after the month in which your card renews. Compare that to the free-night vouchers you get with the lower-tier Marriott cards, and you'll see the difference in value.
$300 Worth of Dining Vouchers:
As an added perk, cardholders may earn statement credits of up to $25 each calendar month simply by using their cards at participating restaurants worldwide. There is an annual value of $300 attached to this.
Tips For Maximizing Your Score
When compared to the standard Marriott Bonvoy American Express and the Marriott Credit Card, Bonvoy Brilliant's earning structure is quite similar; however, it includes two different bonus categories: eating at restaurants across the world and certain airline expenditures.
Cardholders can earn six Bonvoy points for every dollar spent at Marriott Bonvoy partner hotels, and two points on all other transactions.
Methods For Redeeming Points
Using your Marriott Rewards points might be pretty rewarding. Free hotel stays are the most basic and unmistakable kind of redemption. You have many options, as you may choose from over 7,500 properties available across 30 companies and more than 130 countries.
Marriott's portfolio includes some of the world's most extravagant and elegant hotels, among many others. Some are all-suite hotels like the St. Regis Maldives, while others are located in idyllic settings.
Which Cards Rival Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant?
Given that Bonvoy Brilliant Amex is the only premium cobranded credit card offered by Marriott to new applicants, no card directly competes with or conflicts with it. Consider looking at other premium hotel cards, like the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, if you're not mainly devoted to a particular hotel brand.
Many of the same perks apply, including elite status upon joining, statement credits applied automatically, and an annual award night—all for a $450 annual charge. The rewards on additional categories with the card are superior as well.
Conclusion
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is the best option for Marriott loyalists in the market for a cobranded credit card or considering switching from another Marriott card. Even if you don't travel very often, you can still get a lot of value out of the card because of the generous introductory gift and the built-in bonuses, such as $300 in restaurant credits and a free night voucher worth up to 85,000 points per year.
