For people who love Marriott, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is one of the best credit cards you can get.
With a $650 annual fee, many people who want to get this card wonder if the perks are worth the money.
Let’s look at this card’s value by breaking down its benefits and awards and seeing if it’s really worth the money.
Welcome Bonus and Earning Potential
The big welcome gift is one of the best things about this card. From March 2025 on, people who get a new card can get 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $6,000 in the first six months.
Given that Marriott points are worth about 0.7 cents each, this bonus is worth about $1,295, making it a great benefit right away.
The card also gives 6 points for every dollar spent at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3 points for every dollar spent on flights and restaurants, and 2 points for every dollar spent on everything else.
These rates are good for Marriott stays, but other premium travel cards may give you better returns on other types of buying.
Check out the full details of this card here
Annual Free Night Award
People who have this card get an 85,000-point free night every year on their account anniversary. You can use this at high-end Marriott hotels like The Ritz-Carlton, The St. Regis, and JW Marriott.
Because of how much high-end hotels cost, this bonus can more than cover the annual fee.
But because Marriott hotels use a dynamic pricing approach, it takes some flexibility to find properties that are within the 85,000-point cap.
This perk could save you a lot of money each year if you plan it right.
Elite Status and Travel Perks
This card automatically grants Marriott Platinum Elite status, which comes with a range of perks, including:
- Room upgrades (including suites, when available)
- 4 p.m. late checkout
- Complimentary breakfast at select properties
- Welcome gifts at check-in
Platinum Elite status significantly enhances your Marriott experience, especially if you frequently stay at full-service properties.
If you spend $60,000 annually on the card, you can also qualify for an Earned Choice Award, which includes five Suite Night Awards.
Dining and Travel Credits
The card gives up to $300 in eating bill credits every year, which are given out in $25 increments every month. Even though this is helpful, you have to stick to going out to eat once a month to get the most out of it.
A lot of cardholders would rather have a one-time travel credit than a monthly cap.
The card also gives you a $100 credit toward your stay when you book a stay of at least two nights at a high-end Marriott hotel, such as The Ritz-Carlton or The St. Regis.
This credit can be used at the hotel for spa treatments, meals, or events.
Airport Lounge Access and Travel Benefits
Cardholders get Priority Pass Select membership, which lets them and two friends use more than 1,700 airport lounges around the world.
This is a great perk for people who travel a lot, but it doesn’t come with Priority Pass eating benefits.
The card also pays for the $100 entry fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years. This benefit is common to many high-end travel cards, but it’s still nice to have.
Comparison with Other Hotel Credit Cards
It’s helpful to look at the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex next to other hotel cards to see if it’s worth the money:
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | Hilton Aspire Amex | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $650 | $550 | $550 |
| Welcome Bonus | 185,000 points | 150,000 points | 60,000 points (Ultimate Rewards) |
| Free Night Award | 85,000 points | One weekend night | None |
| Elite Status | Platinum | Diamond | None |
| Dining Credit | $300 (monthly installments) | $400 Hilton credit | $300 travel credit |
| Lounge Access | Priority Pass | Priority Pass | Priority Pass |
| Travel Credit | Global Entry/TSA PreCheck | Global Entry/TSA PreCheck | Global Entry/TSA PreCheck |
The Hilton Aspire Amex gives you Hilton Diamond status and a free weekend night. However, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant may be a better deal for people who are loyal to Marriott because it has more ways to redeem points and a free night voucher.
Who Should Consider This Card?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex is ideal for:
- Frequent Marriott guests who can fully utilize the Platinum Elite perks and free night award.
- Luxury travelers who prefer staying at high-end Marriott properties such as The St. Regis, The Ritz-Carlton, and JW Marriott.
- Dining enthusiasts who can make use of the $300 dining credits throughout the year.
- Frequent flyers who value airport lounge access and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck reimbursement.
Who Might Want to Skip It?
- Occasional Marriott guests who won’t make the most of their elite perks and free night certificate.
- If you want a general travel points card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Capital One Venture X might be a better choice.
- There are cardholders who don’t like monthly dining credits and would rather have one-time trip credits.
The Final Word: Is the $650 Fee Worth It?
For people who travel a lot with Marriott, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex is one of the best hotel credit cards.
For people who stay at Marriott properties a lot, the card’s valuable free night award, big welcome bonus, and elite status perks easily make up for its yearly fee.
But if you don’t travel much or like points that you can use in different ways, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum might be a better choice.
Before you apply, think about how often you stay at Marriott hotels and how much you spend to make sure you get the most out of the card.
In conclusion, this card is worth having if you are a loyal Marriott customer who stays at high-end hotels. If not, look into other high-end travel cards that offer more open perks and better earning potential.