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MoneyGeek’s Take
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Review
Updated: August 25, 2024
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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
On Partner's Website
Rewards Summary
Earn 2X – 6X pointsEarn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 3X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
APR
20.99% - 29.99% variableAnnual Fee
$650Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a gem for frequent travelers and dining enthusiasts. Not only does it offer generous rewards for hotel stays and dining, but it also includes remarkable perks like free night awards, global lounge access and sought-after Platinum Elite status privileges. International shoppers will love the absence of foreign transaction fees, and the cell phone protection adds a modern touch to its suite of benefits. While the card does come with a premium price tag, its extensive advantages could outweigh the annual fee for those who maximize its potential. All in all, it's a powerful card for the discerning spender.
- PROS
- Offers welcome bonus
- Comes with numerous benefits
- Generous points on hotel bookings and dining
- No foreign transaction fees
CONS- High annual fee
- Some rewards have limitations
- Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.
- Up to $300 in dining credits each year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide.
- Room upgrades with Elite status at select Marriott Bonvoy properties when booked with a Qualifying Rate.
- Earn 6X points on eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award annually after card renewal (up to 85,000 points). Note: certain hotels have resort fees.
- Eligible for a Brilliant Earned Choice Award after spending $60,000 annually. See Award options.
- Up to $100 property credit at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis for qualifying charges with a two-night minimum stay.
- Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application every 4-4.5 years.
- 25 Elite Night Credits annually toward Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.
- Priority Pass™ Select membership for unlimited airport lounge visits.
- No foreign transaction fees on international purchases. See rates and fees.
- Cell Phone Protection up to $800 per claim with a $50 deductible, limited to 2 claims per year.
- Annual fee of $650. See rates and fees.
- Terms apply.
- See rates and fees.
*Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
WHY TRUST OUR REVIEWS
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If you’re looking for a travel card with premium perks, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card benefits are often enough to offset the $650 annual fee. You can 6X points on eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X points on all other eligible purchases. These perks plus a $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide make this card worth considering if you travel frequently and like to stay at Marriott properties.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Overview
If you are a frequent traveler loyal to the Marriott brand, you will get great value from the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card which comes with the following rewards program.
Quick Take
- Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.
- $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
- Terms Apply
Important Card Details
Here are the key fees and penalty charges you need to know about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
Regular APR
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has a variable APR of 20.99% – 29.99% based on factors such as creditworthiness. It is important to note that this card does not have an introductory APR. See rates and fees
Annual fee
The annual fee for this card is $650. This rate is higher than the annual fee charged by most travel cards but it can be offset by the annual statement credits you get with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. See rates and fees
APR for cash advances
Cash advances have a 29.99% APR which may vary depending on the prevailing prime rate. See rates and fees
Cash advance fees
Cash advances are charged $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater.
Penalty APR and fees
Late payments and returned payments attract a penalty fee of up to $40. The penalty APR for late and returned payments is 29.99%. Once the penalty APR is applied to your account, it will apply for at least six months. See rates and fees
Foreign transaction fees
This card has no transaction fees for any transactions made outside the U.S., so you can use the card globally at no extra charge. See rates and fees
Additional Benefits
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a luxury travel card that offers great value for frequent travelers partial to the Marriott brand
- Standard features: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card comes with the following standard benefits:
- Car rental collision damage waiver,
- Access to a global assistance hotline,
- Purchase return protection,
- Extended warranties,
- Baggage insurance,
- Trip delay insurance
- Customer Service: American Express has a J.D. Power score of 838 out of 1,000 and is ranked first according to J.D. Power's 2020 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study. The cardholder experience is enhanced by online and mobile access to customer service, live chat options and a 24/7 hotline.
- Security Features: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card comes with enhanced security features including EMV chip technology. You can also set up a digital wallet and account alerts to enable you to access your account securely and get notified in case of suspicious card activity.
How the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Compares To Other Cards
Hefty annual fees are typical for luxury travel cards and the $650 annual fee for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card can be offset by the generous rewards you get with this card. However, for travelers who may not be partial to the Marriott brand, there are better all-around travel cards that will earn you generous rewards for hotel stays and purchases, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card.
How the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Compares
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- Annual Fee: $650 See rates and fees
- Purchase APR: 20.99% – 29.99% variable See rates and fees
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None See rates and fees
- Rewards Rate:6X points on eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
- Redemption Options: Marriott hotel stays, flights, rental cars, room upgrades, gift cards and shopping
- Terms Apply
- See rates and fees
- Mini Verdict: Best for travelers who frequent Marriott properties
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
- Annual Fee: $550 (plus $75 for each user)
- Purchase APR: 22.49% – 29.49% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Rewards Rate: 1x–10x points per dollar split among six reward tiers
- Redemption Options: Chase Travel℠, cash back, gift cards, Amazon.com orders and Apple purchases
- Mini Verdict: Best for travelers looking for an all-around travel card with generous rewards for all travel purchases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average credit score needed to get approved for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card?
AmEx does not publicly share information regarding the minimum credit score required to acquire this card.
Does Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card report to all three credit bureaus?
Yes, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card reports to all three credit bureaus.
Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card application process lengthy? Can you prequalify?
American Express has online pre-approval where applicants can check whether they qualify for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. You can get approved for the card instantly or your application may be reviewed for up to 30 days before you get confirmation from the issuer.
What information is needed to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card?
To apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you need to provide your personal details, including your name and address, Social Security number and financial information, including your source of income and how much you make.
Does Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card have good customer service or satisfaction?
Yes, American Express has good customer service and is ranked first in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power based on their 2020 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study. This card comes with access to various account management tools, including mobile and live chat options to access customer service and a 24/7 hotline.
Does Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card have a mobile app or the option to pay or manage your account online?
Yes, you can manage your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card online or using the mobile app.
Does Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card raise credit limits automatically or charge for limit increases?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card may raise credit limits automatically depending on your creditworthiness and the history of your account. American Express reviews accounts periodically but cardholders can also request to have their accounts reviewed for a credit increase.
Does Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offer the option to freeze your credit/account or have other security features?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has security features, including EMV chip technology. You can also set up account alerts to get notified in case of suspicious card activity.
Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. For more details, please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, please click here.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
sources
- American Express. "Interest Rates and Charges." Accessed December 15, 2021.
- American Express. "Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card." Accessed December 15, 2021.
- Chase Credit Cards. "Chase Sapphire Reserve Card." Accessed December 15, 2021.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.