Key facts
If you’re a road warrior loyal to the Marriott brand, there’s no other card like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which will reward you with high-level Marriott Bonvoy Platinum elite status and a useful free night award capped at 85,000 points to help you explore its 8,500+ properties worldwide.
Min. Credit Score for Approval:
Good *Ongoing APR:
20.49%-29.49% VariableForeign Transaction Fee:
0%There are plenty of ways to justify the cost of the annual fee. For example, the up-to-$300 annual dining credit, offered as $25/month, that’s seamless to use as it is rebated via statement credit for restaurants worldwide. Terms apply.
Reward multipliers
You’ll earn:
- 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
- 3x points at restaurants worldwide and flights booked directly with airlines
- 2x points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Earns bonus points for spend in the following bonus categories:
6X points only applies to Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resorts booked directly through Marriott. Otherwise, earn 2X
Estimated Rewards Value: 3.6%
Estimated Rewards Value: 1.8%
Estimated Rewards Value: 1.8%
Estimated Rewards Value: 1.2%
Key features
Unique Card Benefits
15 Elite Night Credits Annually
Want to keep climbing the ranks of Marriott Bonvoy elite status to Platinum or Titanium? Just by holding the card, you’ll receive 25 elite night credits every year. Add a Marriott Bonvoy Business® Credit Card, which comes with 15 elite night as well, and you’ll start each year with 40 nights towards a higher elite status.
Earned Choice Award Benefit
After spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, you can select one Earned Choice Award benefit per calendar year. Award options include 5 Suite Night awards, another free night valued at up to 85,000 points, or a $1,000 discount to Marriott retail brand mattress and box springs. Terms apply.
Complimentary Shoprunner Benefit
Enroll this American Express card to get access to a complimentary ShopRunner membership, which gives you free 2-day shipping at 100+ online retailers. Enrollment required; terms apply.
Annual Statement Credits
$300 Annual Dining Statement Credit
In addition to earning 3x points at restaurants worldwide, you can also receive up to $25 per month in dining statement credits each calendar year for eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide. That means you can receive up to $300 in dining credits every single year! Terms apply.
$100 Annual Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit
You can receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges when you book a 2-night minimum stay directly with The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis properties. Terms apply.
Grants Hotel Status
Marriott’s top credit card offering provides 25 annual elite night credits per year and complimentary Platinum elite status, which normally requires 50 nights per year.
This is the third highest elite status level in the Marriott Bonvoy program and provides a ton of useful perks for travelers, including 50% more points at Marriott, enhanced room upgrades (with select suites) upon availability at most brands, as well as breakfast or lounge access at most brands. Enrollment required; terms apply.
Free Annual Hotel Night
The free night award given by the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card is unrivaled, as it holds a potential redemption level of up to 85,000 points. You can even add up to 15,000 points from your own account to “top up” to a room of up to 100,000 points.
This can get you free nights at Marriott’s most luxurious properties, from St. Regis to Ritz-Carlton, though you may need to pay resort fees for certain properties.
Earns Transferable Points
Did you know that you can transfer your Marriott Bonvoy points to three dozen airline frequent flyer programs? Your points transfer at a 3:1 ratio (with a few exceptions), but this can be a great way to use up that sizeable sum of Marriott Bonvoy points sitting in your account.
Marriott Bonvoy | ||
---|---|---|
Transfer Ratio | Expected Transfer Time | |
Aegean Airlines | 3:1 | 3-9 days |
Aeroflot Bonus | 3:1 | TBD |
Aeroplan/Air Canada | 3:1 | 2-5 days |
Air China | 3:1 | TBD |
Air France / KLM Flying Blue | 3:! | TBD |
Air New Zealand Airpoints | 200:1 | TBD |
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan | 3:1 | 1-3 days |
All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club | 3:1 | ~4 days |
American Airlines AAdvantage | 3:1 | Generally 2 days |
Asia Miles | 3:1 | TBD |
Asiana Airlines | 3:1 | 3-7 days |
Avianca LifeMiles | 3:1 | TBD |
British Airways Executive Club | 3:1 | TBD |
China Eastern Airlines | 3:1 | TBD |
China Southern Airlines Sky Pearl Club | 3:1 | TBD |
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles | 3:1 | 2 days |
Emirates Skywards | 3:1 | TBD |
Etihad Airways | 3:1 | TBD |
Frontier | 3:1 | TBD |
Hainan Airlines | 3:1 | TBD |
Hawaiian Airlines | 3:1 | TBD |
Iberia Plus | 3:1 | TBD |
Japan Airlines (JAL) Mileage Bank | 3:1 | Approx. 1 week |
JetBlue | 6:1 | TBD |
Korean Air | 3:1 | TBD |
LATAM Airlines LATAM Pass | 3:1 | TBD |
MultiPlus | 3:1 | TBD |
Qatar Airways | 3:1 | TBD |
Qantas | 3:1 | TBD |
Saudia | 3:1 | TBD |
South African Airways Voyager | 3:1 | TBD |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 3:1 | TBD |
TAP Portugal | 3:! | TBD |
Thai Airways International Royal Orchid Plus | 3:1 | TBD |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | 3:1 | TBD |
United Mileage Plus | 3:1.1 | TBD |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 3:1 | 1-3 days |
Virgin Australia | 3:1 | TBD |
Airport Lounge Access
Use your Bonvoy Brilliant card to enroll in a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which gives you access to 1,200+ lounges worldwide for you and up to two guests. Enrollment required; Terms apply.
Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Reimbursement
You’ll receive up to a $100 statement credit for your trusted traveler program application for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years or 4.5 years, respectively. Enrollment required; Terms apply.
Trip Protections
Trip Cancellation/Interruption
If an unexpected situation arises that disrupts or cancels your trip on a short notice, you can receive reimbursement by filing a claim under trip cancellation and interruption insurance with your Bonvoy Brilliant card.
Terms
For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance benefit of the Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Trip Delay
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express card provides trip delay reimbursement for eligible flight delays greater than 12 hours.
Terms:
Up to $300 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Baggage Insurance
The Bonvoy Brilliant card also offers baggage insurance plan. You can get reimbursed up to $500 in reimbursement for eligible travel flight delays of more than 6 hours (maximum of 2 claims per rolling 12-month period).
If you pay for your trip with this business card, you may receive trip delay coverage and baggage insurance that can provide reimbursement if you experience a flight delay greater than 12 hours or your bag is lost, stolen or damaged.
Terms:
Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Secondary Car Rental CDW Waiver
When renting a car for business purposes, this Marriott Bonvoy credit card offers secondary car rental loss and damage insurance, with the opportunity to upgrade to primary coverage through American Express’ Premium Car Rental Protection program.
Terms:
Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.
· Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
· Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
There are no foreign transaction fees (rates and fees) to pay with the Bonvoy Brilliant card.
Extended Warranty
Items that come with an original manufacturer’s warranty (maximum of five years) are eligible for up to an additional year of coverage thanks to the extended warranty benefit.
Terms:
When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Purchase Protection
You may be able to receive reimbursement for stolen or damaged items during the first 90 days after purchase with this benefit on the Brilliant card.
Terms:
When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Return Protection
Return Protection
Bought something on the card but decided you want to return it? If the original merchant won’t process the refund, this card’s return protection benefit will refund the full purchase price up to $300 per approved claim (up to $1,000 per calendar year) within 90 days of purchase.
Terms:
With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
If you’re traveling more than 100 miles away from home, you can tap into Amex’s Premium Global Assist Hotline, which can help coordinate medical, legal, and financial services.
In serious situations, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost only if approved and coordinated by the Premium Global Assist Hotline. However, all other services will be the sole financial responsibility of the cardholder.
Terms:
You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
No Fees for Authorized Users
There’s no additional fee to add authorized users (rates and fees) to your card. Plus, you’ll earn points on any spend on authorized user cards.
Metal Card
At almost 15 grams, this card will add a bit of heft to your wallet.
Amex Offers
Cardholders can access and enroll in 100 Amex Offers at a time on the American Express website or app, and these discounts range from local to national merchants.
Earn more rewards by combining credit cards
Pros & cons
- Annual free night award presents immense value with a redemption level of up to 85,000 bonus points
- Automatic Platinum elite status comes with free lounge access or breakfast (where available), 4pm checkout (with resorts and convention center properties excluded), and can give you access to space-available suite upgrades
- Top-notch travel benefits, including Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership (enrollment required), Global Entry/TSA PreCheck reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and more
- $650 annual fee is top-of-the-line when it comes to hotel credit cards
- The earning rate isn't as rewarding as many other credit cards, with only up to 3x bonus points on non-Marriott purchases
- The up to $100 Marriott property credit requires a minimum of a 2-night stay booked directly at St. Regis or Ritz-Carlton properties only
Our review
The Marriott Bonvoy program offers five different co-branded credit card options, from both American Express and Chase. If we start from the top, there’s the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, with a considerable $650 annual fee. But the luxury hotel card comes with a substantial number of perks that make sense for the ultra-Marriott loyalist.
For starters, the card offers complimentary Platinum elite status, which typically requires 50+ nights at Marriott hotels per year. At this elite tier level, you’ll enjoy 50% bonus points at Marriott hotels (on top of the card’s earning rate), room upgrades up to select suites upon availability at most brands, and a welcome gift like amenities, points, or even breakfast. Enjoy a guaranteed late checkout of 4pm at most properties (resorts and convention centers are excluded). You’ll also get 25 annual elite night credits which can help you qualify for that next tier of Marriott status — Titanium or Ambassador Elite, anyone?
Even more interesting is that if you also have the Marriott Bonvoy Business® Card, you’ll earn 15 more elite nights on that card for a total of 40 elite night credits. With Titanium status, which also confers United Airlines Silver elite status, available at 75 nights, you’ll need to stay just 35 nights to achieve it.
As you can expect, this card is quite rewarding for hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, offering 6x points at Bonvoy properties. The card’s rewards rate is easy to memorize as it also provides 3x points at restaurants worldwide and 2x points on all other eligible purchases, but unfortunately it falls flat compared to other luxury cards on the market with those rates, given that we peg the value of a Bonvoy point around 0.6 cents each.
Still, if you’re a heavy spender, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card offers another unique benefit. Once you spend $60,000+ on the card per calendar year, you’ll get access to the Earned Choice Award Benefit. From here, there are some incredibly valuable options like 5 Suite Night Awards, an additional free night award (worth up to 85,000 points), or a $1,000 off a bed from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. Perhaps the most lucrative awards are the former two options, as the suite night awards and free night certificate can be of excellent use at some of Marriott’s most bespoke properties.
Even if you don’t anticipate $60,000+ of card spend per year, don’t fret. You’ll still get a free night award just by renewing the card and paying the annual fee on your account anniversary. This free night award will land in your account after the card renewal month, and is worth up to 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. You can “top off” with up to 15,000 more points from your account if you want to book a night that costs between 85,000 and 100,000 points.
As mentioned above, we estimate Marriott Bonvoy points to be worth about 0.6 cents each so with the 85,000 point certificate, you’re expected to receive at least a $510 value (or more!) for a property of your choice. Use your free night awards wisely, and you can land free nights at some of the most luxurious properties in Marriott’s expansive portfolio.
Not to mention, the card also comes with an up to $300 dining credit, which is distributed in up to $25 monthly credits. You’ll get a reimbursement for restaurants worldwide, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be getting this $300 rebate on your favorite eateries. (Terms apply.)
Finally, the Bonvoy Brilliant card comes with a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application credit (terms apply), up to a $100 Marriott property credit for eligible stays (terms apply), and a swathe of essential travel and purchase protections to boot.
Simply put, if you have a Marriott Bonvoy member account and want top-notch perks when staying at Marriott properties, look no further than the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card.
Rates and Fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Frequently asked questions
Does Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card have an annual fee?
Yes, there’s a $650 annual fee for Marriott’s most premium card offering.
Does Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card get you into airport lounges?
You can enroll in a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which gives you access to more than 1,200 airport lounges worldwide.
Is it hard to get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card?
To maximize your chances of approval for this Marriott Bonvoy credit card, you’ll want to maintain a good credit history, if not an excellent one.
Is it worth getting the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card?
Despite its $650 annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card can provide tremendous value thanks to the card’s annual statement credits and benefits. The up-to-$300 dining credit can wipe off almost half the cost of the annual fee, and the free night award each year is valued at 85,000 points.
How do I earn points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card?
The card offers 6x bonus points on hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy; 3x points at restaurants worldwide and flights booked directly with airlines; and 2x points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Is there a better credit card than the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card?
In terms of Marriott credit cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express is the most premium offering in the hotel chain’s portfolio. For a similar annual fee, you may want to also consider The Platinum Card® from American Express, but the Marriott-related benefits aren’t as robust.
Does the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card charge foreign transaction fees?
No, there are no foreign transaction fees on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card.
Does the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card have car rental coverage?
This card offers secondary car rental loss and coverage, up to $75,000 for most rental vehicles when you use your card to reserve and pay for your rental car and decline the rental car company’s coverage. Terms apply.
Does the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card come with any Elite Status?
Cardholders automatically get Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status, which comes with a hefty number of perks like 50% bonus points at Marriott, space-available room upgrades (with select suites), 4pm late checkout, and a welcome gift upon arrival.
Does the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card offer extended warranty?
Yes, this Marriott Bonvoy credit card provides extended warranty coverage for eligible items purchased on the card with one additional year of coverage. Terms apply.
Does the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card offer purchase protection?
Yes, this purchase protection benefit can provide reimbursement for eligible purchases that are stolen or damaged.
Does the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card offer trip protections?
There are a number of considerable trip protection benefits on the card, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and baggage reimbursement plan.
What credit score do I need to get a Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card?
A good to excellent credit score is required to qualify for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card (670+).
What can I do with the points earned for spending on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card?
You can redeem your points at Marriott properties worldwide or transfer them to 35+ frequent flyer programs (3:1 ratio) such as American Airlines AAdvantage or Delta SkyMiles.
Does Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card have Cell Phone Protection?
Yes! It provides up to $800 per claim, with a limit 2 claims per account for each consecutive 12-month period and a $50 deductible applied to each approved claim.