American Express
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Key Features
| Annual Fee | $650.00 |
| Regular APR | 19.49% to 28.49% variable APR on purchases. |
| Network | American Express |
About this card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card presents a mixed bag of valuable rewards and significant costs. Its rewards program is strong, especially for Marriott loyalists, offering high points earning rates on hotel stays, dining, and flights, along with a generous sign-up bonus and valuable perks like Platinum Elite status and an annual free night award. These benefits can indeed offset the high annual fee for frequent Marriott travelers. However, the $650 annual fee is a major drawback, making the card inaccessible to many. The high APR further diminishes its appeal for those who might carry a balance. While the card has a positive reputation due to American Express's reliable customer service and the luxury travel experience it provides, its value proposition is highly dependent on maximizing Marriott stays and utilizing the provided credits. Therefore, considering the high fee, APR, and target audience limitations, the overall rating is 3.4, indicating a 'Good' card with notable strengths and weaknesses. It's a solid choice for dedicated Marriott enthusiasts but not ideal for casual travelers or those seeking broader travel rewards.
Pros & Cons
What's great
- Generous sign-up bonus
- High rewards rate
- No foreign transaction fees
- Automatic elite status
- Luxury perks
Things to consider
- High annual fee
- High regular APR
- Requires good or excellent credit
What this card offers
Sign-up bonuses
- Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Rewards
- 6X POINTS On Hotels For eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®.
- 3X POINTS At Restaurants At restaurants worldwide.
- 3X POINTS On Flights Booked directly with airlines.
- 2X POINTS For Each Dollar Spent on other eligible purchases.
Other features
- $300 Brilliant Dining Credit Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Card at restaurants worldwide.
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Free Night Award Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite Status. With Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available upon check-in at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy when booked with a Qualifying Rate.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees Enjoy every trip abroad with no foreign transaction fees from American Express with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express Card.
- Brilliant Earned Choice Award Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Brilliant Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
- Plan It Buy Now, Pay Later Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don't have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you'll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.