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.

Does American Express offer other credit cards besides the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card?

Yes, American Express offers many credit cards besides the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, including the American Express Platinum Card and Blue from American Express.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Review

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
A great card for frequent travelers who are Marriott Bonvoy members
- 2–6 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
- 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
- $650Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
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
Annual fee set at $650
No foreign transaction fees
Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points when you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months of membership with your new card
Enjoy up to $300 in statement credits each year, receiving up to $25 monthly for restaurant charges on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Gain room upgrades, including suites or enhanced views, with Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status at select properties on qualifying rates
Earn 6X points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3X points at global restaurants and on direct airline bookings, 2X points on all other purchases
Secure an annual Free Night Award following your card's renewal month, redeemable for a one-night stay at participating Marriott Bonvoy® hotels for 85,000 points or less; note that some hotels may include resort fees
Select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award after $60,000 annual spend on eligible purchases, limited to one per year, details at the Marriott choice benefit page
Get up to $100 credit on qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® with a minimum two-night stay booked directly on a special rate
Benefit from a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fees every 4 to 4.5 years when application fees are charged to your card
Receive 25 Elite Night Credits yearly towards the next Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status level, conditions apply, not exclusive to American Express
Enroll for complimentary Priority Pass(TM) Select access to over 1,200 lounges worldwide, regardless of flight carrier or class
Get cell phone protection with up to $800 reimbursement per claim for damage or theft with a $50 deductible, up to 2 claims per 12-month period, when the prior month's wireless bill was charged to your card
Terms, rates and fees apply

WHY TRUST OUR REVIEWS

MoneyGeek’s methodology and comprehensive review process help us to determine the best credit cards for different consumer profiles based on card fees, interest rates, rewards, benefits and more. We use a comprehensive process that involves collecting credit card information, standardizing data point weights, establishing the cards' value and ranks for different categories, reviewing data monthly and other key rating factors.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

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 earn 6x points for every dollar spent on Marriot hotel stays, 3x points for flights booked directly with airlines and 3x points for dining. You also get 2x points for all other eligible purchases. These perks plus a $300 annual statement credit for eligible Marriott purchases 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 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. $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.

Important Card Details

Before signing up for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, here are the key fees and penalty charges you need to be aware of.

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.
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.
APR for cash advances
Cash advances have a 29.99% APR which may vary depending on the prevailing prime rate.
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.
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

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.

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
Purchase APR: 20.99% – 29.99% variable
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Rewards Rate: 6x points per dollar for Marriott purchases, 3x points per dollar for flights and dining, and 2x points otherwise
Redemption Options: Marriott hotel stays, flights, rental cars, room upgrades, gift cards and shopping
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 Ultimate Rewards, 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

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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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Review

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