Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is our favorite card for those who stay at Marriott frequently. While the $650 annual fee is substantial, it comes with automatic Platinum Elite status, which offers a range of perks for those who regularly stay at Marriott hotels. You'll also receive a 100,000-point signup bonus and an annual free night certificate worth up to 85,000 points. If you can take advantage of the card's statement credits and regularly stay at Marriott properties, the card can provide enough value to justify keeping long term.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is Marriott's premium personal card, offering the strongest collection of benefits in the Bonvoy ecosystem. If you stay at Marriott properties regularly, the card's perks can help justify its $650 annual fee.
- Platinum Elite status: Receive automatic Platinum Elite status, which includes benefits like 4 p.m. late checkout, enhanced room upgrades, lounge access, a welcome gift, and a 50% bonus on eligible Marriott spending.
- Annual free night certificate: Receive a free night worth up to 85,000 points each year. You can also top off the certificate with up to 25,000 Marriott points, giving you access to many of Marriott's most desirable properties.
- Generous signup bonus: Earn 100,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first six months.
- Statement credits and travel perks: Benefits include a $300 Brilliant Dining Credit, a $100 property credit at participating Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis hotels, a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, and Priority Pass membership.
If you stay with Marriott frequently and can take advantage of the card's credits and elite-status benefits, the Bonvoy Brilliant can be one of the most rewarding hotel cards to keep long term.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
Consider other options if:
- You won’t take advantage of the perks that offset the high annual fee.
- You’re mainly interested in a welcome bonus, and the Boundless Card offers a better one with a much lower annual fee if you decide to keep the card.
What to Know About Marriott Bonvoy
Their poor points redemption value leaves Bonvoy near the bottom of our rankings.
- There are multiple cards with great point transfer options. In theory, this is good.
- Finding a solid value for a Marriott stay is a challenge. A one night stay at desirable destinations can match the number of points from one card bonus.
- Values can be found, but they can be frustrating to find, so it isn’t a terrible system. It just doesn’t have the usefulness of many of the other hotel systems.
How The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Credit Card Fits In The Marriott Bonvoy Ecosystem
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant sits at the top of Marriott's personal card lineup and is our preferred option for travelers who stay with Marriott frequently. Its Platinum Elite status, annual free night certificate, and premium benefits separate it from the rest of the Bonvoy card family.
- Best overall value: If you don't stay with Marriott often enough to justify the Brilliant's $650 annual fee, we generally recommend the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless. Its annual free night certificate can easily offset the $95 annual fee, making it our favorite Marriott card for more casual Marriott guests.
- Status seekers: The Brilliant is the only personal Marriott card that offers automatic Platinum Elite status. While the Bevy and Bountiful offer Gold Elite status, we generally don't find their benefits compelling enough to justify their annual fees. The signup bonuses are pretty good for each, but eligiblity rules will prevent you from getting other Marriott cards.
- No-fee option: The Bonvoy Bold is Marriott's only no-annual-fee card, though its benefits and long-term value are limited compared to the rest of the lineup.
- Watch the eligibility rules: Marriott's bonus eligibility restrictions are among the most complicated in the industry. Before applying for any Marriott card, make sure you understand how earning one welcome offer could affect your eligibility for others.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
Card Extras
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Historical Card Offers
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Estimated Next Offer
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Application Rules
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Amex card in 90 days
Amex will decline your application if you already have 5 credit cards (not charge) and apply for a sixth
You're allowed only 1 personal and 1 business Bonvoy Card at the same time, and only 1 bonus in the last 24 months
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
Amex allows only 1 bonus per specific card every 7 years (yours or that version of the card)
After you apply, Amex may show a pop-up saying you're ineligible for the welcome bonus
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
