This review provides an in-depth analysis of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card (formerly SPG Luxury Card) and its benefits, helping readers
Table of Contents
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card
You read through this blog post and know about it.
Application Link
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card is a premium travel rewards credit card that offers a range of benefits to frequent travelers. To apply for the card, visit the American Express website
Benefits
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card comes with a range of benefits that make it a great choice for frequent travelers. Some benefits are being given, you must read them
Welcome bonus: The card offers a welcome bonus of 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months of card membership.
Annual fee statement credit: The card comes with an annual fee of $450, but it offers a statement credit of up to $300 each year for eligible purchases made at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
Elite status: The card automatically grants you Gold Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program, which comes with perks like room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points on stays.
Free night award: Each year on your cardmember anniversary, you’ll receive a free night award worth up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points that you can use at participating hotels.
Bonus points on spending: You’ll earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for every dollar spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3 points per dollar at U.S. Earn 2 points per dollar on purchases at restaurants and flights booked directly with the airline, and much more.
Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® fee credit: Receive a statement credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for either Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
Airport lounge access: The card offers complimentary access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through the Priority Pass Select program.
Disadvantages
While the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card offers a range of benefits, it’s important to be aware of its drawbacks:
High annual fee: The card comes with a $450 annual fee, which can be difficult to justify if you don’t travel frequently or stay at Marriott Bonvoy hotels often.
Limited bonus categories: While the card does offer bonus points on certain purchases, like stays at Marriott Bonvoy hotels and dining at U.S. restaurants, it doesn’t offer bonus points on many other common spending categories.
Limited travel partners: While Marriott Bonvoy is a large hotel loyalty program, it has relatively few airline and rental car partners compared to other programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards.
Introduction to Marriott Points
Marriott Bonvoy is a hotel loyalty program that offers members the ability to earn and redeem points for stays at more than 7,000 participating hotels worldwide. Points can also be redeemed for other travel rewards, like flights, rental cars, and experiences.
The value of Marriott Bonvoy points can vary depending on how you redeem them, but on average they’re worth around 0.8 cents each. This means that the 125,000-point welcome bonus on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card is worth around $1,000.
Recommended Application Time
It’s generally a good idea to apply for travel rewards credit cards when they’re offering a high welcome bonus, and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card is no exception. In the past, the card has offered welcome bonuses of up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for these offers.
Additionally, it’s important to note that American Express has a limit on how many credit cards you can have at once, so if you already have several Amex cards, you may want to wait
until you’re eligible for an upgrade or downgrade before applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card. It’s also a good idea to make sure your credit score is in good shape before applying, as this can impact your chances of being approved.
Summary
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card is a great choice for frequent travelers who stay at Marriott Bonvoy hotels often. Its benefits, like the annual fee statement credit, elite status, free night award, and airport lounge access, can provide significant value. However, the high annual fee and limited bonus categories may make it less appealing for some travelers.
Related Credit Cards
Other travel rewards credit cards that are similar to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card include:
Chase Sapphire Reserve: This card offers similar benefits, like an annual travel credit, airport lounge access, and bonus points on travel and dining purchases, but it doesn’t come with elite status in a hotel loyalty program.
The Platinum Card from American Express: This card offers airport lounge access, elite status in several hotel loyalty programs, and bonus points on travel purchases, but it comes with a higher annual fee and doesn’t offer a free night award.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card: This card is a lower-cost alternative to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card, offering a lower annual fee and fewer benefits, but still providing bonus points on Marriott Bonvoy hotel stays and a free night award each year.
Recommended Downgrade Options
If you find that the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card’s annual fee is too high or its benefits don’t align with your current travel habits, you may want to consider downgrading to a different card. Two options to consider are:
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card: As mentioned earlier, this card offers similar benefits to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card but with a lower annual fee.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card: This card has no annual fee but offers fewer benefits than the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card, making it a good option for those who want to maintain their Marriott Bonvoy account but don’t travel frequently.
After Applying
After applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card, it’s important to keep track of your spending to make sure you meet the minimum spend requirement for the welcome bonus. Additionally, make sure to take advantage of the card’s benefits, like the annual fee statement credit and free night award.
Historical Offers Chart
Here is a chart of historical offers for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card:
September 2021: 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $5,000 in the first three months
June 2021: 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $5,000 in the first three months
January 2021: 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $5,000 in the first three months
November 2020: 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $5,000 in the first three months, plus an additional 25,000 points after the first anniversary of card membership
August 2020: 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $5,000 in the first three months
FAQ
What is the annual fee for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card?
The annual fee for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card is $450.
What kind of rewards can I earn with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card?
With the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card, you can earn Marriott Bonvoy points for every purchase you make. You can also earn bonus points on Marriott Bonvoy hotel stays, eligible travel purchases, and restaurants. The points can be redeemed for hotel stays, airline miles, car rentals, and more.
What kind of welcome bonus does the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card offer?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card typically offers a welcome bonus of 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $5,000 in the first three months of card membership.
What kind of travel benefits does the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card offer?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card offers several travel benefits, including a $300 annual statement credit for eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access, and more.
Can I downgrade my Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card to a lower-cost card?
Yes, you can downgrade your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card to a lower-cost card, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card.
How can I use the free night award that comes with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card?
The free night award that comes with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card can be redeemed for a one-night stay at a participating Marriott Bonvoy hotel with a redemption level up to 50,000 points. The award is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
