The is Marriott’s premium hotel credit card, but you don’t need to stay at Marriott every week to get your money’s worth.
Between its annual free night award, monthly dining statement credits and automatic Platinum Elite status, it’s surprisingly easy to justify the card’s $650 annual fee (see rates and fees) — even if Marriott isn’t your primary hotel brand.
I’m a Hyatt loyalist myself, yet the Bonvoy Brilliant has remained on my wish list for exactly that reason.
Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: The basics
As a premium hotel card, the has plenty of benefits, including:
(Enrollment is required for select benefits.)
You’ll also earn bonus points in a few categories, such as on Marriott and flight purchases and at restaurants worldwide. You’ll get the best value from these points by redeeming them for hotel stays, but you can also use them to top off your airline loyalty accounts (more on that later).
Bonvoy Brilliant Amex pros and cons
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Enrollment is required for select benefits. |
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Bonvoy Brilliant Amex benefits
The easiest path to recouping the ‘s $650 annual fee is through its annual free night award** and up to $25 in monthly statement credits for eligible dining purchases.
The Bonvoy Brilliant’s free night award** can be redeemed for an award night costing up to 85,000 points. The best way to maximize this benefit is to use it when the cash rate is over $350 per night (particularly if you’ll get greater than TPG’s August 2026 valuation of Marriott points at 0.75 cents per point).
You can extend this even further by topping up your free night award with up to 25,000 points, allowing you to cover an award night costing up to 110,000 points.
That means you can get outsize value from the Bonvoy Brilliant from the free night award** alone, while the dining statement credits can add up to another $300 in value each year.
The $100 on-property credit could be hard to maximize if luxury stays at Marriott properties generally don’t fit into your plans or budget.
It’s rare to see a Priority Pass Select membership on a hotel card. You’ll be able to bring two guests in for free, which is valuable when traveling with others. Between this, the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck statement credit and dining statement credits, I definitely see the intention for the Bonvoy Brilliant to be more than just a hotel card.
That said, unless this is your first premium credit card, you probably already have a Priority Pass Select membership and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck statement credits from other cards. Of course, you can always gift your Global Entry/TSA PreCheck statement credit to someone else if you already have a membership.
**Certain hotels have resort fees.
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How to earn and use your rewards
Earning points on the Bonvoy Brilliant Amex
The earns Bonvoy points at the following rates:
- 6 points per dollar spent on Marriott purchases
- 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines
- 2 points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
Keep in mind that thanks to this card’s complimentary Platinum Elite status, you’ll earn an additional 15 points per dollar spent on Marriott purchases, bringing the grand total to 21 points per dollar spent when you pay with this card.
I suggest using the Bonvoy Brilliant for Marriott purchases and nothing else, unless you need Bonvoy points or are working toward a welcome bonus. That said, if you have a premium travel rewards card that earns bonus rewards on hotels, you’ll want to consider whether you prefer earning Bonvoy points or a more valuable transferable currency. Even if you pay with another card, you’ll still earn 15 Bonvoy points per dollar spent thanks to your Platinum status.
Since Bonvoy points are only worth 0.75 cents apiece per TPG’s valuations, you’ll get more bang for your buck with a card that earns transferable rewards on dining or flights. Transferable rewards from issuers like American Express and Chase are usually worth more than Bonvoy points, since you can earn them more quickly and then transfer them to airline and hotel partners.
Redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points
When it comes time to use your rewards, your best bet will usually be to redeem them for hotel stays.
TPG Contributing Editor for Credit Cards Matt Moffitt redeemed 43,200 Marriott Bonvoy points for a two-night stay at the Palacio Santa Clara, Autograph Collection in Valencia, Spain, during the busy Christmas period last year. He booked the stay using a PointSavers redemption and, thanks to his Platinum Elite status, received an upgrade to a room with a better view along with free breakfast for two each day.
If you have a ton of Marriott points to use but no hotel stays in mind, you can also use your points for merchandise, gift cards, cruises and charity donations. You can also transfer Marriott points to 38 different airlines.
If you do, you’ll receive an additional 5,000 points or miles for every 60,000 Bonvoy points you transfer to most airline programs. (You must transfer a minimum of 3,000 points, and you may transfer no more than 240,000 points per day.)
Related: The Ritz-Carlton, Portland: A touch of luxury in the Pacific Northwest
Where the Bonvoy Brilliant Amex falls short
The definitely leaves a lot to be desired with its non-Marriott earning rates, considering the value of Bonvoy points. In addition, this card will be hard to maximize if you rarely eat out. You’ll need to be strategic in getting enough value from the Bonvoy Brilliant’s free night award (certain hotels have resort fees) to break even on this card’s annual fee.
I wish the on-property credit could be used at more properties than just St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton. As someone who rarely stays at luxury properties, I know I’d have a hard time using this credit each year.
Bonvoy Brilliant Amex vs. Bonvoy Bevy Amex
The is the other personal Marriott card issued by Amex. While I believe the Bonvoy Brilliant is one of the best hotel cards available, in my view, the Bonvoy Bevy falls short of expectations.
It charges a $250 annual fee (see rates and fees) but offers little in exchange. You must spend at least $15,000 on this card to earn a free night award (certain hotels have resort fees), an unreasonable requirement for a card with this annual fee.
Even if you’re a Bonvoy loyalist, it will be extremely hard to get outsize value from the Bonvoy Bevy each year. I recommend sticking with the all the way.
If the Bonvoy Brilliant’s annual fee is too much for you, skip the Bonvoy Bevy and instead go with one of Chase’s Marriott cards, such as the (see rates and fees).
Related: Who should (and shouldn’t) get the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express card?
When to apply for the Bonvoy Brilliant Amex
Currently, the allows new cardmembers to earn 150,000 bonus points and a $250 statement credit after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
According to TPG’s valuations, the full offer (including the statement credit) is worth $1,375.
This is a solid offer based on the card’s bonus history, so now is a good time to apply.
Just keep in mind that the eligibility rules for Marriott cards can be complex, so look at them closely before applying.
Related: Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex worth the $650 annual fee?
Other cards to consider if you don’t want the Bonvoy Brilliant Amex
If the isn’t for you, consider one of these options instead:
- If you want a more affordable Marriott card: The only charges $95 each year, but still offers compelling benefits like a free night award worth up to 35,000 points each year (certain hotels have resort fees). To learn more, check out our full review of the Bonvoy Boundless.
- If you want to maximize your dining purchases: The offers up to 4 points per dollar spent on restaurant purchases worldwide (on up to $50,000 each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent) and a few dining-related statement credits (enrollment is required for select benefits). To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Gold.
- If you want to earn more on flights: The earns 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly or through American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent). You can also earn up to $200 as statement credits for airline incidental charges on an eligible airline you select each calendar year (enrollment is required). To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum.
For additional options, check out our picks for the best travel cards.
Bottom line
The Bonvoy Brilliant isn’t just for Marriott loyalists.
I hope to eventually open the Bonvoy Brilliant, since its annual free night award (certain hotels have resort fees) and up to $25 in monthly dining statement credits would be easy for me to use. I imagine the same will be true for many travelers, although it’s always important to consider how easy a card’s benefits would be for you to use before applying.
Even if its $650 annual fee seems intimidating, you’ll come out ahead as long as you use the full $25 in monthly dining statement credits and redeem the free night award for at least $350 in value each year.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex, click here.