If you love traveling and staying at Marriott hotels, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card might just be the perfect credit card for you. This premium rewards card is designed for frequent Marriott guests, offering plenty of perks and rewards for your stays. However, before you commit, it’s important to understand how it compares to other top credit cards on the market. This post will give you all the details you need about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, including its benefits, rewards structure, and ideal users.
Key features of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is a luxury card with plenty of perks for those who stay frequently at Marriott hotels. Let’s explore the key features that set this card apart.
1. Sign-up bonus
One of the most attractive aspects of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is its generous sign-up bonus. New cardholders can earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. These points can be redeemed for free nights at Marriott hotels, flights, or car rentals, making this a great way to kickstart your travel rewards.
2. Rewards rate
This card offers 6x points for every dollar spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Additionally, you can earn 3x points on dining at restaurants, flights booked directly with airlines, and U.S. supermarkets. Finally, you’ll earn 2x points on all other eligible purchases. This makes the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card ideal for those who frequently stay at Marriott hotels or dine out often, as it provides high rewards rates in these categories.
3. Annual fee
As a premium rewards card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card comes with an annual fee of $450. While this is quite high compared to other cards, the extensive benefits and rewards more than make up for the fee—especially if you travel often and stay at Marriott properties.
4. Travel perks
When it comes to travel benefits, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card delivers in spades. Cardholders can enjoy a complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status (which grants perks like room upgrades and late checkout), as well as up to $300 in statement credits each year for purchases at Marriott hotels. Additionally, the card offers access to American Express’ Global Lounge Collection, which includes over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide. These benefits make the card a must-have for frequent travelers.
5. Global acceptance
As an American Express card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is widely accepted in the U.S. and internationally. American Express also provides cardholders with customer service 24/7, travel assistance, and fraud protection.
Who is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card best for?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is best suited for:
- Frequent Marriott guests: If you stay at Marriott hotels often, this card is a fantastic choice due to its high rewards rate for Marriott purchases and free nights.
- Luxury travelers: The $450 annual fee might be steep for some, but the benefits like the $300 statement credit and access to premium services make it a great choice for those who enjoy luxury travel.
- Dining and travel enthusiasts: With 3x points on dining, flights, and supermarkets, this card is great for anyone who enjoys dining out and traveling frequently.
- Business and leisure travelers: Whether for business or personal travel, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card is perfect for earning points quickly and redeeming them for free nights or travel expenses.
How does it compare to other travel credit cards?
Now that we’ve broken down the benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, let’s see how it compares to other top travel credit cards on the market.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers 2x points on travel and dining, as well as a 60,000-point sign-up bonus. While it doesn’t offer the same level of rewards for Marriott stays (as it’s not a hotel-specific card), it does provide greater flexibility for redemption. You can transfer your points to numerous airline and hotel partners, which might be ideal for travelers who want more choices when booking. If you prefer flexibility over hotel-specific benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card might be a better fit.
2. American Express Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card offers 4x points on dining, 3x points on flights, and 1x point on other purchases, making it an ideal card for foodies and frequent flyers. However, it doesn’t provide the same hotel-specific rewards as the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card. If you’re someone who values dining and flight rewards, and don’t mind the $250 annual fee, this card is worth considering. However, if you’re loyal to Marriott, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card might offer more targeted benefits.
3. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is another premium hotel card, offering 14x points on Hilton purchases, as well as $250 in annual statement credits. For those who prefer Hilton properties, this card is a great choice. However, if you are more loyal to Marriott, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card provides better benefits for Marriott stays, including the Gold Elite status and the $300 hotel credit.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | American Express Gold Card | Hilton Honors Aspire Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $450 | $95 | $250 | $450 |
| Welcome Bonus | 125,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months | 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months | 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months | 150,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months |
| Rewards Rate | 6x points on Marriott stays, 3x on dining, flights, supermarkets, 2x on other purchases | 2x points on travel and dining | 4x points on dining, 3x points on flights | 14x points on Hilton stays, 3x on flights |
| Travel Perks | $300 Marriott credit, Gold Elite status, access to American Express lounges | Primary rental car insurance, access to Chase Ultimate Rewards | Dining perks, flight benefits | $250 Hilton credit, Diamond Elite status |
| Ideal For | Marriott fans, luxury travelers | Flexible travelers, point transfers | Foodies, frequent flyers | Hilton fans, luxury travelers |
Conclusion
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is a fantastic option for those who frequently stay at Marriott hotels and want to earn high rewards rates for their stays. The generous sign-up bonus, high earning rate on Marriott purchases, and luxury travel perks make this card an attractive choice for travelers who are loyal to Marriott. However, with a $450 annual fee, this card is best for those who travel often enough to fully take advantage of its benefits.
If you prefer more flexibility or if you’re loyal to other hotel chains like Hilton, you might consider other options like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. Ultimately, if Marriott is your brand, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is an excellent way to earn rewards and enjoy luxury travel perks.