american-express

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card

American Express' Business Green Rewards Card offers 2 points per $1 for eligible purchases on amextravel.com, and 1 point for any other purchases.

Credit needed
Good
APR
Variable: 15.74%-24.74%
Annual Fee
$450

Card Summary

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card is designed for frequent travelers to Marriott Bonvoy hotels. It offers solid rewards, large welcome bonuses, and many benefits.

You earn six points per $1 on purchases made at Marriott Bonvoy properties and hotels, as well as three points per $2 on purchases from restaurants in the U.S., direct flights purchased by passenger airlines and one point per $ on all other purchases.

After you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases with your card, new cardholders will receive 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points. For eligible purchases made in the U.S., you can earn $200 in Statement credits.

Within the first six months of your Card Membership, you can eat at any restaurant in America. One free night award every year upon your card account anniversary.

The credit card offers a range of protection and travel benefits. It also charges no foreign transaction fees and allows international travelers access to lounges around the world with Priority Pass Select.

Review of Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card:

This card is useful for frequent travelers who are part of the Marriott Bonvoy program.

However, it has significant fees and an extremely high interest rate.

Card Summary - Cons

Rates and fees

Issuer Name
American Express
Penalty APR
Variable: 29.99%
Credit Needed
Good
Balance Transfer Fee
N/A
Annual Fee
$450
Cash Advance Fee
You can choose to pay $10 or 5%, depending on the cash advance amount.
APR
Variable: 15.74%-24.74%
Foreign Transaction Fee
None

Highlights

After you make your first $3,000 purchase with the new card, 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy points will be earned. For eligible purchases made in the U.S., you can also earn $200 in Statement credits Within the first six months of card membership, restaurants are eligible.

For eligible purchases made at participating hotels in Marriott Bonvoy, card members can receive up to $300 per year in credit. For every dollar spent at eligible hotels in Marriott Bonvoy, earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Earn 3 points on U.S. restaurant reservations and flights directly booked with airlines. All other eligible purchases earn 2 points. Each year, you will receive a free night award for your card anniversary.

You can redeem the award for one night at participating hotels (redemption amount at or below 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points). Some hotels charge resort fees.

Priority Pass, Select Membership: Unlimited airport lounge visits.

No Foreign Transaction Fees.

450 annual fee. These terms and conditions apply.

Comparative Analysis with Other Cards

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card: vs. American Express Platinum Card

Annual Fee: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card has a $450 fee and the Platinum Card from American Express has a $695 fee.

Reward: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card earns six points per $1 on qualifying purchases made at Marriott Bonvoy hotels. You also get three points per $2 on dining at U.S. restaurants and on flights purchased directly from airlines.

All other eligible purchases are eligible for two points per $1 Five points per dollar are available on flights up to $500,000 that have been booked with American Express Travel or directly with the passenger airline.

All eligible purchases, including hotel bookings made with American Express Travel and flight and hotel package reservations on amextravel.com are worth one point each. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card Users Get 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points.

After you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within 3 months, you will earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. For eligible purchases made in the U.S., you can also earn $200 in Statement credits. Within the first six months of your Card Membership, restaurants are eligible.

You will receive 100,000 Membership Rewards points if you make a purchase on your Card after spending $6,000 in the first six months. You can earn 10x points when you shop small in the U.S. with The Platinum Card by American Express.

Benefits: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card benefits include $300 in statement credits per year for eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Priority Pass Select airport lounge access is also available, as well as a free annual one-night hotel stay.

Benefits of The Platinum Card American Express include a maximum $200 credit per calendar year for incidental airline fees, credit for Global Entry and TSA Pre Check fees as well as up to $200 annually in Uber Cash.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card vs. Citi Prestige Credit Card

Annual Fee: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant America Express Card has a $450 fee and the Citi Prestige Credit Card has a $495 fee. Each authorized user must pay $75.

Reward: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card holders receive six points per $1 on eligible purchase at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, three points per $1 on direct flights from American airlines and purchases made at U.S. restaurants. All other purchases are eligible for two points each dollar Citi Prestige Credit Card offers five points per $1 on dining and air travel, three points on hotels and cruise lines, and one point for all purchases.

You can get 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points when you purchase $3,000 within 3 months with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card. For eligible purchases made in the U.S., you can also earn $200 in Statement credits Within the first six months of card membership, restaurants are eligible.

Benefits: Citi Prestige Credit Card gives you 50,000 bonus points for every $4,000 spent within the first three months. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card Holders get a one-night free hotel stay and $300 in Statement Credits yearly for any eligible purchase at Marriott Bonvoy Hotels.

Other benefits include baggage insurance and access to Priority Pass Select airport lounges. Citi Prestige Credit Card benefits include a $250 travel credit per calendar year, credit towards Global Entry and TSA Pre Check fees as well as Priority Pass Select airport lounge access. You can also book up to four nights consecutively through Citi Thank You Rewards for a fourth night free at any hotel you choose.

Conclusion

Do You Need the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card?

If you do:

Stay at the Marriott Bonvoy Hotels a lot!
You can take advantage of the generous welcome offer Frequent foreign transactions.

Note: Credit Card summary is for informational purposes only and is not an endorsement of the product. Products and services described are offered by third parties and not Bright Money or its partner banks. Bright Money strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider, or specific product’s site and the information has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the product before publication.

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