Refreshed Review
Updated Jan. 24, 2023
Hotel credit cards don't get much more feature-packed than the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Marriott's most luxurious card offers a rich welcome offer, spending credits, a free night award, and much more (terms apply). However, this card also comes with a hefty annual fee (see rates and fees). Decide if it's worth the cost with our Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card review.
Apply Now for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Great for: Marriot Bonvoy benefits
Apply Now for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00 stars
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor
Apply Now for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
Regular APR
19.99%-28.99% Variable
Rewards Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program. 3 points at Worldwide Restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2 points on all other eligible purchases.
2X - 6X points
Annual Fee
$650
Welcome Offer Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 3 months.
95,000 bonus points
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This card has a hefty annual fee, but taking advantage of the big offer and litany of perks it offers can easily make it worth it for the right type of cardholder.
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- Big Marriott Bonvoy bonuses
- Travel credits
- Free night award
- Automatic Gold Elite status
- Airport lounge access
- Annual fee
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- Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 3 months.
- Each Card renewal year, get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide.
- A Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member will earn 50% more points on eligible purchases at participating hotels for each U.S. dollar or the currency equivalent that is incurred and paid for by the member.
- Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program. 3 points at Worldwide Restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2 points on all other eligible purchases.
- Marriott Brilliant Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases, Card Members are eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit. Benefit options include: Five (5) Suite Night Awards, 85K Free Night Award, and mattress and box spring $750 discount from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- $100 Luxury Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership through any Authorized Enrollment Provider for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85) when you pay the application fee with an eligible Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Each calendar year you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
- Enroll in Priority Pass Select, which offers unlimited access to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
- Enjoy unlimited airport lounge visits when you enroll in Priority Pass™ Select membership.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
- Cell phone protection: You can be reimbursed for your costs to repair or replace your damaged or Stolen cell phone up to $800, subject to a $50 deductible, for 2 approved claims per 12-month period when your prior month's wireless bill was paid utilizing an Eligible Card Account. Terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Full Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant review
This credit card is a good fit for: Frequent guests of Marriott hotels who want a luxury card with perks to cover both hotel stays and air travel.
Top perks
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is one of the most feature-packed hotel cards.
95,000 bonus points
You can earn 95,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points when you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first three months.
Marriott Bonvoy points are worth about $0.005 to $0.01 each, depending on where you redeem them. Based on that valuation, the welcome bonus is worth $475 to $950.
CHECK OUT MORE BIG BONUSES: Best Sign-Up Bonus Credit Cards
Up to 6 points per $1
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card earns:
- 6 points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- 3 points per $1 at restaurants worldwide
- 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines
- 2 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases
- Terms apply
Those points are in addition to the points you already earn as a member of the Marriott Bonvoy program. You also earn 50% more points on hotel purchases with Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, which is a complimentary perk of this card. Terms apply.
COMPARE TO OTHER TOP OPTIONS: Best Hotel Credit Cards
$300 annual dining statements credit
Each cardmember year, your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card covers $300 in eligible dining statements (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide. You receive this as a statement credit. Terms apply. Assuming you use the credit every year, it effectively brings this card's annual fee down to $350.
$100 property credit
When you use your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card to book and pay for a stay of two nights or longer at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® using the "$100 Property Credit, Luxury Credit Card" rate, you receive a credit of up to $100 to redeem towards qualifying purchases at the property. The property credit appears as a credit on your bill at checkout, not as a statement credit on your credit card. Terms apply.
Annual free night award
After your card renewal month each year, you receive one free night award. You can redeem this for one night at a participating Marriott Bonvoy hotel with a redemption level at or under 85,000 points.
Complimentary Platinum Elite status
This card offers complimentary Platinum Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy. Platinum Elite status unlocks perks like enhanced room upgrades (when available), late checkout, and extra Marriott Bonvoy points on each stay. You also receive 25 Elite Night Credits each year. Terms apply.
Airport lounge access
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card includes a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. Once you enroll in this benefit, you get unlimited lounge visits for you and up to two guests in the more than 1,200 Priority Pass lounges. Terms apply; enrollment required.
Most premium travel credit cards offer airport lounge access, but this is still a useful feature for frequent flyers.
SEE MORE OPTIONS: Best Credit Cards With Airport Lounge Access
Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
Your Marriott card covers your membership fee to Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, two Trusted Traveler programs. You can get either a $100 statement credit for Global Entry every four years, or an $85 statement credit for TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years. Terms apply.
Global Entry is the superior choice, and not just because it's the larger credit. A membership to that program also automatically enrolls you in TSA PreCheck, so you get both programs' benefits for the price of one.
LEARN MORE: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR: Which Program Is the Best?
Travel and purchase protections
American Express cards tend to have top-notch protections, and this one is no exception. It offers (and here, too, terms apply):
No foreign transaction fee
Like just about all the best travel credit cards, this card doesn't charge you extra for international transactions in a foreign currency. This can easily save you 2% to 3% on every transaction in non-U.S. dollars versus cards that charge foreign transaction fees. (see rates and fees)
READ MORE: Best Airline Credit Cards
Alternatives to consider
If you want a less expensive Marriott Bonvoy card: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has a much more affordable annual fee. Even though it costs less, it isn't lacking in benefits, as it offers a great welcome bonus and extra points on Marriott Bonvoy stays.
If you want more flexible travel perks: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers premium benefits that just about any traveler can use. Those include a $300 annual credit on bookings made with Capital One Travel, and a massive sign-up bonus.
For more options, take a look at our picks for the best rewards credit cards.
As of Jan. 24, 2023
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| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card |
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00 stars
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00 stars
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
|
Apply Now for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
On American Express' Secure Website. Terms apply |
Apply Now for Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's Secure Website. |
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| Rates & Fees | ||
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Credit Rating Requirement:
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions. |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions. |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Excellent (740-850)
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions. |
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Welcome Offer: Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 3 months. 95,000 bonus points |
Welcome Offer: Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card! Earn 3 Free Night Awards |
Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel. 75,000 miles |
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Rewards Program: Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program. 3 points at Worldwide Restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2 points on all other eligible purchases. 2X - 6X points |
Rewards Program: Earn up to 17x total Bonvoy points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy™; Earn 3X Bonvoy points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining; Earn 2x Bonvoy points per $1 spent on other purchases. 2x - 17x points |
Rewards Program: Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, plus unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases 2x - 10x miles |
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Intro APR: Purchases: n/a Balance Transfers: n/a |
Intro APR: N/A Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A |
Intro APR: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A |
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Regular APR: 19.99%-28.99% Variable |
Regular APR: 20.24% - 27.24% Variable |
Regular APR: 21.24% - 28.24% (Variable) |
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Annual Fee: $650 |
Annual Fee: N/A $95 |
Annual Fee: $395 |
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Apply Now for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
On American Express' Secure Website. Terms apply |
Apply Now for Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's Secure Website. |
Show More
Show Less
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What could be improved
There is one downside to know about with this Marriott card.
Annual fee
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card certainly doesn't come cheap at $650 per year. However, that annual fee can be justified if you visit Marriott properties often.
Remember that the $300 dining statement credit can bring this card's annual cost down to a more reasonable $350. There's also the annual free night credit (which has a redemption value up to $500), Platinum Elite status, airport lounge access, and many other perks. Assuming you take advantage of its benefits, this card's value more than makes up for its annual fee. If that's not likely, you're better off checking out other credit card reviews.
Have a business? Then you should check out The Ascent's Marriott Bonvoy Business Credit Card review.
Find the best credit card for your needs
Compare credit card rewards, fees, APRs, and more using our side-by-side comparison tool.
Suggested credit score
We recommend a FICO® Score of 670 or higher to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. It generally takes a good or excellent credit score to get approved for this card.
As with any credit card application, your credit score isn't the only factor that matters. American Express reviews your entire credit history as well as your income when evaluating your application. You can get approved with a lower score or denied with a higher one.
GET THE CREDIT CARD YOU WANT: How to Increase Your Credit Score
The Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is right for you if:
You book stays at Marriott properties several times per year and want the card that will get you the most benefits there.
If you visit Marriott often, you're just about guaranteed to get your money's worth from the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. It offers a spectacular list of features, rivaled only by the best credit cards. Not only can you save a substantial amount of money on your Marriott stays, but the complimentary perks can result in a better hotel experience
FAQs
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The minimum starting credit limit for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card is usually $3,100, but higher limits are possible depending on your income and credit profile. Some people have reported receiving credit limits of $20,000 or more.
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This card isn't hard to get if you meet its qualifications. Approval depends on several factors, one of the most important being your credit score. A FICO® Score of at least 670 gives you a good chance of getting approved.
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Yes, you can use this card internationally, and it doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee.
Our Credit Cards Expert
Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California but currently lives as a digital nomad with a home base in Colombia.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
*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.
**Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
***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.
JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. American Express is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends JPMorgan Chase and Target. The Motley Fool recommends Marriott International and recommends the following options: long January 2023 $115 calls on Marriott International. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
For rates and fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, click here
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