Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
For frequent Marriott guests who want automatic Platinum Elite treatment on every stay. Up to $300 in dining credits, issued monthly, and the annual Free Night Award can offset most of the $650 fee. Earning tops out at 6X at Marriott hotels. The current welcome offer is limited time and ends September 30, 2026.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status with room upgrades and club lounge access where offered
- Annual Free Night Award, redemption level up to 85,000 points
- Up to $300 per year in dining statement credits, issued as up to $25 per month
- $100 property credit on eligible two-night stays at The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis
- Statement credit for Global Entry ($120) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85)
- Unlimited Priority Pass Select lounge access after enrollment
- No foreign transaction fees
- Annual fee: $650
- Regular purchase APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
- Intro APR: N/A
- Balance transfers: not offered on this card
- Cash advance APR: 28.74% Variable
- Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Late payment fee: Up to $40
- Foreign transaction fee: None
- Rates and offers verified on the issuer's website on August 27, 2026 and may change. See the issuer's pricing and terms for current details.
- You stay at Marriott brands often and Platinum Elite perks improve every stay
- Your renewal is repaid by the 85,000-point Free Night Award and $300 in dining credits
- You fly enough to use lounge access and the Global Entry credit
- You should skip it if the Bevy or a $95 Marriott card already covers your nights
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Review
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is the top of Marriott's card lineup. This review adds up Platinum Elite status, the dining credits and the 85,000-point Free Night Award against the $650 annual fee.
How You Earn
Earning concentrates at Marriott properties, where 6X card earning stacks with base and Platinum Elite bonus points.
- Restaurant earning applies worldwide
- Flight earning applies to direct airline bookings
| Category | Earn rate |
|---|---|
| Participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels | 6X |
| Restaurants worldwide | 3X |
| Flights booked directly with airlines | 3X |
| Other eligible purchases | 2X |
How You Redeem
The Free Night Award and point stays at Marriott's premium brands are where the card returns its fee.
- Annual Free Night Award covers stays up to 85,000 points
- Points book award nights across more than 30 Marriott brands
- Top off an award with points when a stay prices above the certificate
Benefits and Protections
The Brilliant behaves like a premium travel card with hotel status attached.
- Platinum Elite status with upgrades and lounge access where offered
- 25 Elite Night Credits each calendar year
- Priority Pass Select membership after enrollment
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit
- $100 Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis property credit on eligible stays
Who This Card Is For
This card is for the traveler with regular Marriott stays who will use the monthly dining credit and an 85,000-point certificate every year. Below that stay pattern, the $650 fee outweighs the perks.
- Frequent Marriott guests who want automatic Platinum Elite
- Travelers who can use monthly dining credits
- Not for occasional hotel guests
Comparison
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $650 | $550 | $95 |
| Welcome Offer | 150,000 pts plus $250 credit, ends 09/30/2026 | 150,000 pts after $6,000 in 6 months | 4 Free Night Awards after $3,000 in 3 months |
| Rewards Rate | 6X Marriott, 3X dining and flights | 14X Hilton, 7X flights and dining | Up to 17X at Marriott hotels |
| Intro APR | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None | None | None |
| Best For | Marriott luxury perks | Hilton luxury stays | Marriott free nights |
Issuer Comparison
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card | American Express® Gold Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $650 | $250 | $325 |
| Welcome Offer | 150,000 pts plus $250 credit, ends 09/30/2026 | 125,000 pts plus $150 credit, ends 09/30/2026 | As high as 100,000 pts after $8,000 in 6 months |
| Rewards Rate | 6X Marriott, 3X dining and flights | 6X Marriott, 4X dining and U.S. supermarkets | 4X restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, with caps |
| Key Credits | $300 dining, $100 property credit | 1,000 bonus points per paid stay | Dining, Uber Cash, Resy and Dunkin credits |
| Best For | Marriott luxury travel | Regular Marriott guests | Food and everyday earning |
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Reader reports, not issuer data. Not a prediction of your result. Ranges only, reviewed before publishing.