Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card
When I say “Marriott,” many of you will strongly react. I bet few will have a non-polarizing response. I can’t think of any program whose name has become a verb, overwhelmingly conveying dissatisfaction. For what it’s worth, I returned to Marriott several years ago, and I’ve largely come out ahead with the Bonvoy program. I’ve focused exclusively on their cobranded Amex cards since. Today, I’m describing why now’s the optimal time to jumpstart your Marriott relationship with the Bonvoy Brilliant Amex card.
A Huge Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card Welcome Offer
Right now, new holders of the Bonvoy Brilliant Amex card earn 185k bonus points by spending $6k within six months. That’s the biggest signup bonus I recall on the card in the last several years, if ever. Even better, cardholders have six months to hit the $6k spend threshold, certainly reasonable for the majority of consumers. This offer towers over the norm, often well under 100k Bonvoy points.
The card comes with a hard-to-ignore $650 annual fee, but individuals playing a two-player game with a spouse or domestic partner can subsidize that with a referral bonus. I’m seeing 25k Membership Rewards referral offers in my account, and others may see higher. Promptly consider and apply, since this welcome offer ends 14 May.
Buying Into Platinum
Making the value proposition more attractive, the Bonvoy Brilliant Amex card comes with Platinum status. As a Platinum, I’ve been upgraded more often than I expected, even without using Nightly Upgrade Awards. But I’ve been even more pleasantly surprised of the elite breakfast benefit, particularly at St. Regis, JW Marriott, Marriott, and Westin properties. I admit Bonvoy has a convoluted elite breakfast scheme, but with a bit of research, one can easily come out ahead.
Amex’s Easiest Dining Credit
The Bonvoy Brilliant Amex card comes with what I consider the easiest dining credit in the bank’s entire portfolio. The $25 monthly dining credit is easily triggered by using the card at any establishment with that coding. And I’ve noticed that a wider scope of establishments trigger it, such as, ahem, certain places with large screens that also happen to sell food and beverages. Sure, it would be easier if this $300 was a truly annual credit not tied to using or losing each month, but most everyone can reasonably dine out once a month at that modest amount to trigger the entire monthly allotment.
The Best Way to Earn Buckets of Bonvoy Points
Perhaps I’m playing into Marriott’s and Amex’s hands with this one, but that doesn’t make the following any less true. Amex (and Chase) don’t highly reward Marriott cardholders for ongoing spend. The variety of Marriott card bonus categories – with the exception of spend at Marriott properties – are easily outperformed by other products. I’ve made a case for 4x spend and two 50k Free Night Awards on one Bevy annual fee, but that’s relatively niche.
The lack of attractive ongoing earnings puts even more emphasis on picking up the largest possible signup bonuses on new Marriott cards, something you can do most notably with the Bonvoy Brilliant Amex card right now.
The Other Stuff
The Bonvoy Brilliant Amex card comes with a few other benefits which DDG highlights here. Perhaps the one I like most is 25 elite night credits toward the next level of status. But I’m not trying to get to the next level of status; rather, I’m trying to unlock the first level of Annual Choice Benefits. I end up with another 15 nights by holding the Bonvoy Business card and stay at least 10 nights in Marriott properties annually (award nights count). By hitting that 50-night threshold, I unlock an Annual Choice Benefit. I’ve picked the five Nightly Upgrade Awards choice for the past few years, and that’s worked out swimmingly.
Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card – Conclusion
While I think it’s important to reevaluate card relationships annually (at least), I believe it’s more integral to do so with Amex’s Marriott than Hilton cards. Shocker, Marriott has made their cards higher maintenance than others. But those willing to put in just a bit of time and attention can do big things with Marriott cards. And currently, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card offers the highest welcome offer of them all. But again, apply soon, as this offer ends 14 May.
Are you a Bonvoy Brilliant Amex cardholder? What’s the most attractive aspect of the card in your situation?
