The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is the premium co-branded Marriott card on the market. It’s the only Marriott card that grants automatic Platinum Elite status, plus 25 elite night credits each year to help you climb toward Titanium or Ambassador status. Cardholders also receive an annual Free Night Award worth up to 85,000 points and a set of Amex-style “coupon book” credits (like monthly dining credits and travel perks) that help offset the $650 annual fee. For frequent Marriott guests, these benefits can make the card a valuable addition — especially if you’re able to grab it with a strong welcome bonus.
Sign-Up Bonus & Eligibility
The Bonvoy Brilliant usually comes with a sizable welcome offer, though the exact number of points changes throughout the year. In the past, bonuses have gone as high as 185,000 points after $6,000 in spend. If you don’t need the card’s benefits or points right away, it can be smart to wait until a higher bonus comes around. To see the current offer, check out our referral link (we’ll also receive a referral bonus if you’re approved).
One important thing to know: Marriott credit card eligibility can be confusing because both American Express and Chase issue Bonvoy cards. Amex also has its own internal rules about who can earn a bonus. If you’ve recently had certain Marriott cards, you may not qualify. American Express will often warn you with a “pop-up” during the application process if they believe you’re not eligible for the bonus — this is sometimes referred to as being in “Amex pop-up jail.”
Rather than memorize the fine print, the best way to keep track is to refer to Frequent Miler’s excellent, regularly updated resource that explains which Marriott Bonvoy credit cards you can apply for based on what you already hold: see their Marriott card eligibility guide here.
Annual Fee
The Bonvoy Brilliant carries a $650 annual fee. While that’s on the higher side for a hotel credit card, Amex offsets it with a mix of credits, elite status, and an annual Free Night Award..
Bonus Spending Categories
When spending on the card, you earn points in the Marriott Bonvoy program as follows:
- Earn 6 points for every dollar of eligible purchases at participating Marriott Hotels
- Earn 3 points for every dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines
- Earn 2 points for all other eligible purchases
These categories are decent, but not amazing compared to other cards. Even at Marriott hotels, earning 6X isn’t dramatically better than what you’d get using a strong travel card. For example, cards like the American Express Green Card earn 3X points on a wider range of travel, and those points can often be more valuable when transferred to airline partners.
Card Benefits
One of the biggest selling points of the Bonvoy Brilliant is that it comes with automatic Platinum Elite status. That level normally requires 50 nights per year, and it unlocks meaningful perks like:
- 4 p.m. late checkout (subject to exceptions at resorts and convention hotels)
- Welcome gift of points, breakfast, or an amenity
- Enhanced room upgrades, including select suites
- Guaranteed lounge access at properties with executive lounges
- 25 Elite Night Credits each year to help you climb toward Titanium or Ambassador
In addition to Platinum status, the Brilliant also includes extras such as premium in-room Wi-Fi when booking directly, a guaranteed room type, and no foreign transaction fees.
Card Credits
Amex is known for loading its premium cards with credits, and the Bonvoy Brilliant is no exception. These can help offset the $650 annual fee if you use them:
- $25 monthly dining credit (up to $300 per year)
- Free Night Award every year after your card anniversary, worth up to 85,000 points (you can top it off with an extra 15,000 points if needed)
- $100 property credit when booking a 2-night minimum stay at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis through a special rate
- Choice Benefit after $60,000 spend in a calendar year (options include 5 Suite Night Awards, an extra 85K Free Night, or $1,000 off a Marriott bed)
- Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership (excludes non-lounge “experiences”)
- Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit
- Cell phone protection up to $800 per claim when you pay your bill with the card
Ways to Use Bonvoy Points
Points from the Bonvoy Brilliant can be used in several ways, with hotel stays being the most popular option.
Hotel Stays
Bonvoy points can be redeemed at over 30 Marriott brands worldwide, ranging from budget-friendly Fairfield Inns to luxury properties like Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis. Marriott also allows you to add up to 15,000 points on top of a Free Night Award, which makes it easier to book higher-end hotels.
We’ve personally redeemed points for memorable stays in Austria, Germany, and England.
Airline Transfers
Marriott partners with 30+ frequent flyer programs, and you can transfer points to most of them at a 3:1 ratio. You’ll also get a bonus of 5,000 miles for every 60,000 points you transfer (10,000 when transferring to United). That makes it most efficient to transfer in 60,000-point increments.
👉 For the current airline partner list, check Marriott’s official site here: Marriott transfer partners.
Marriott Bonvoy Moments
Points can also be used for special experiences through the Marriott Bonvoy Moments program, which offers a range of unique experiences, including concerts, sporting events, and more, often with VIP access.
Final Thoughts
The Bonvoy Brilliant really does have the richest set of perks you’ll find on a Marriott credit card. Automatic Platinum Elite status, 25 Elite Night Credits, an annual Free Night Award worth up to 85,000 points, and $300 in dining credits give it the potential to be a powerhouse for Marriott loyalists.
But that value only shines if you’re able to use everything. The dining credits require remembering to use them on a month-by-month basis, the Free Night Award requires planning to maximize at higher-end properties, and Platinum status is only as valuable as the number of Marriott nights you actually stay.
For frequent Marriott travelers, the Brilliant can absolutely justify its $650 annual fee and may be worth keeping year after year. For more casual Marriott guests, it often makes sense to take advantage of the welcome bonus, enjoy a year of top-tier perks, and then decide if the benefits are worth the ongoing cost. In the end, this card is exactly what its name suggests — brilliant, but only if you can put all the benefits to work.
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