💥 *DATA POINTS:* The $300 Dining Credit works for UBER EATS + GRUBHUB! - Uber Eats: I made a pick-up order on 3.13.2023 and received the credit on 3.17.2023. - Grubhub: I made a pickup order on 6.22.2024 and received the credit on 6.24.2024. ⚠ *CLARIFICATION:* The $300 Dining Credit = $25 _per month,_ not per billing cycle, so it's available on the 1st Day of the Month & expires on the Last Day of the Month. 📲 MAXREWARDS - Manage credit cards & rewards! markscreditcards.com/maxrewards 💳👉VIEW CREDIT CARD OFFERS! markscreditcards.com/offers 🛍RAKUTEN - Earn Cash Back! markscreditcards.com/rakuten ⬆(More links in Description below video!)
To me it’s an easy keeper card. $300 of the $650 is dining credit, then you get platinum elite status, only 10 nights to 50 night credit (if you have business too), and then essentially a free night that’s worth well over $350 (assuming you enjoy luxury trips), it’s definitely worth it
People don’t realize the value of 4pm late check out. My wife and me often will stay 1 night somewhere and get a full 24 hrs at the property. Otherwise we’d have to book two nights. Also if you use the free 1 night stay plus the dining credit the card is basically giving you platinum elite status for free
Yes!! The food credits, free night, free food with lounge access, 21x multiplier, room upgrades, etc easily cover multiples of the AF. Amex and Marriott have 2 separate earned choice programs. Similar but separate so can get both awards same year. Excellent card. And got it when they offered 150k bonus earlier in the year. Thank Mark for calling this one out!
Mark, great coverage, this card got ruined for me when they took away a 300 credit that made sense and was directly tied to the product (hotel credit) and changed it to a gimmicky monthly credit that has been hit or miss for me, so I'm canceling it for now, I'll keep my ritz as that card always makes sense but Marriott bonvoyed themselves recently with their new cards and this major change, keep up the great work!!
Totally understand the reason to let it go 🤙 Also consider downgrading to the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card ($95 AF) if you still would find value in an annual 35K FNA cert.
Love this card, got it on the 150k offer awhile back. Been a Marriott loyalist for about a decade now and this just makes titanium a lot easier for me to maintain
I am waiting to see if the Ritz Card might also “upgrade” its Marriott Gold Elite status benefit to Platinum Elite because I frankly would rather pickup the Ritz due to unlimited Priority Pass and Primary CDW. I like the Brilliant because it give automatic Platinum Elite but the Ritz Card beats it out in everything else.
Brilliant overview, as always Mark! One thing I’d like to add is that AMEX terms also excludes mobile card readers which is highly popular among smaller mom & pops places. But in my experience, fortunately, it tracks fine 😊! As someone who works with these readers, I can attest that these readers use algorithms to assign MCC, which may or may not be correct when normally it’s the merchant’s bank underwriter who assigns MCC’s. AMEX prob added those terms just in case it’s wrong
i have to say i feel like a lot of travel sources like the points guy, etc., undervalue marriott bonvoy points on average. yes it's not terribly hard to find a mediocre redemption, like i've seen $250 rooms for 50,000 points, but i've also myself recently redeemed a $370 room for only 19,000 points, and even $1,100 rooms for only 60,000 points. if you put in a little extra time to find the best value, i find you can almost always find at least one hotel within a typical travel area that can redeem at a value of 1 cent per point or more.
Absolutely! The value figures you see online are mean to be averages, taking into account the lows & the highs. The example of the 77K room shown in this video was about 0.9¢ per point (or ~ 1.0¢ per point when factoring in taxes & fees) 💯👍
I have this card. It's definitely worth it if you stay at Marriott hotels often - auto Platinum status makes the stays a lot nicer! I will say that the $25 dining credit is kind of a chore though NGL. Wish it was an annual credit again 😕
I agree that the dining credit would be much more convenient if it was annual, but I love that it just works at any restaurant instead of Amex's usual crap about only going through Uber Eats, GrubHub, etc. that often add on additional costs even for pickup orders.
@@bperez8656 It triggers automatically on any restaurant purchase so using it isn't too bad. Personally the "chore"-like aspect to me is just having to remember to use this card to pay for $25 of dining out per month instead of my Chase cards that earn a more valuable 3x Chase UR points on dining. I set a recurring calendar event that reminds me on the 1st of every month, so it's not horrible but when it's not your main dining card it can be easy to forget if you don't have a system.
@@ThePerfectElement555 Great insight and feedback I don’t cook so this will be a no brainer for me But I am afraid of an earlier comment I saw about it not recognizing some fast food joints
My brother is a long time Marriott employee and to my knowledge he does not get any free rooms. He does get the hefty employee discount as do other family members. Im wondering about combining the employee discount with a cars like this. It would require some super mega stealthy inside info but being upgraded to a suite as an automatic platinum member while only paying the employee rate seem too good to be true.🤷🏽♂️
I have had the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant card for 2 years, spent $10K a year on the card since I used it to segregate my business travel and personal travel, and they won't give me any retention offers both years. So I'm cancelling with the $650 annual fee. Hate the $300 credit through monthly dining. The $450 annual fee with the old benefits ($300 Marriott credit + 50K free night certificate) were better values for me.
I used the card at a hotel restaurant in Vegas. It showed the hotel name and I was able to get the credit. I also used it at a ski resort and paid at the grill, I was lucky the name had the word "grill" in it because I also got the credit. Only keeping this card to help me get Lifetime Platinum status, will close card after 5 years.
Same here This is my first year as gold and 2pm checkout has changed my travel life dramatically. I am now hooked and will get this card for 10 years to reach lifetime status I am 29 and have been a Marriott (Starwood side) loyalist since I was 19! I just didn’t travel alot But that’s all about to change
Thanks! Personally, the $300 dining credit alone + 85k FNA alone are worth the $650 to me, so I think I’ll go for it when the time is right I’ve heard rumors to changes for the Hilton Aspire but hope they aren’t true
Good luck on the application whenever the time is right! I too heard about possible changes to the HH Aspire. Only time will tell to see what may happen ✌️
I don't like the idea of monthly credits. I think it would be more beneficial for card companies to give me a reason to use their card not forcing me to with monthly credits. Better multipliers are more likely to get me to use cards vs credits
its me again LOL other post about this, the difference between 2x 85K certs and 150k offers are you don't lose any points on 150k points offer while you do lose out on 85k certs so say you used it on 80k night then you just lost 5k points each night, hope this make sense to you? it can sometime be confusing with so many deals out there. :)
Yes, that's correct. 1. Certificates are good for 1 night. Any unused points are not preserved. 2. Certificates expire 1 year after they're issued. Marriott points expire after 24 months if you have no account earn / redeem activity (but if you do, then points never expire). 3. Certificates can be combined with up to 15K points, so those 85K certs can be used for up to a 100K redemption.
Hi Mark I'm a subscriber and love your videos. Quick question, I am a Marriott Ambassador member and Lifetime Titanium member. Is this card still worth it for me? Thanks.
If I were in the same situation, it would likely be a "no." However, you _could_ find it worthwhile if you get strong value out of the: 1. Earned Choice Award, after spending $60K. 2. 85K FNA 3. $100 Property Credit @ Ritz-Carlton & St. Regis locations, esp. if used multiple times per year. 4. Priority Pass membership, if you don't already have one and would actually use it. ^ It's up to you to figure out how much those 4 benefits impact your travels.
I am a fan of the card. As long as you stay at Marriotts, it is worth it. Keep an eye on the $25 per month dining credit. They tend to miss crediting fast food restaurants.
Glad you're liking it! Interesting about fast food restaurants having issues with the credit. Were your purchases at big national chains w/ payment done directly with the card?
@@MarkReese I called AMEX. It turns out that that the $25 is based on a calendar month and not the statement cycle. I was making sure I used the card for dining once a billing cycle but sometimes that was twice in the same month. I will admit that I am pretty frustrated that they are not clear about this. Thanks to your video I now know better!
I just got an offer in the mail for this card. Too bad I won't qualify. My job cut all OT and 1 late payment wrecked my 4 yrs of hard work. I still have my Amex Plat for travel
Mark, Great review and very easy to follow explanation of all the benefits. I know you have all the major personal hotel cards. Which one would you recommend of the WOH, Aspire, IHG, Ritz, Brilliant? I’m waiting for a supersized SUB to be announced. I already have AEcPlat and CSP but not hotel card. TYSM
I don't recommend cards 'just because.' What are you trying to achieve? Do you have any loyalty / preferences to hotel chains? Are certain benefits more valuable to you than others?
@@MarkReese I was gonna ask Mark, with these latest changes to the Brilliant, do you still like the Ritz card better. A couple of years ago, you had the Ritz card better than Brilliant and Aspire I think.
@@DT-we2ye - I don't 'rank' premium hotels as being better or worse than each other because they have enough value that _doesn't_ overlap to make them worth getting for the right people. The HH Aspire is likely a better value than both the Ritz and the Brilliant. However, even if it's the 'best' hotel card right now, I canceled mine and still don't have it in my wallet.
Mark great video as always!!! Honestly I don't find much value with this card outside the status. I think Amex Platinum( I have the CS version) provides most of the benefits. When I book with the FHR I got 5x MR (1.1 to 2c+ value per point) points at a Ritz Carlton(I stayed over seas), a 100 dollar resort credit, a double room upgrade due to gold status plus the FHR upgrade, 4pm check out, and breakfast included. I only needed to stay one night for the 100 dollar credit. When I book Marriott in the USA my gold status seems not to provide much benefit. It would be great to do a direct comparison between the AMEX platinum and this card.
That benefit is mentioned at 5:09. The text says, "1 Free Night Award certificate every cardmember year." 12 months have to pass for a cardmember year to occur, so "after" is already implied.
I think the biggest advantage of this credit card is that there are far more Marriott properties than Hilton, IHG, or Hyatt. I realized I end up staying at Marriott far more frequently. The platinum status can be very valuable if you stay overseas as it provides full free breakfast. However, the platinum status provides only $10 for the breakfast in the US. I think this card is very overpriced in general.
@@MarkReese I have a question. Do I lose platinum status right away if I cancel this card? I will end up achieving 50 elite nights (25 from Brilliant card) in September which will qualify as a platinum elite status. However, I plan to cancel at the end of the year. I don't know if I will continue having the platinum status next year. BTW, I have Chase Bonvoy Boundless card and will keep it.
@@krisjohnson8765 - It's my understanding that if you earned elite status by accumulating a total of 50 ENCs & then cancel the card, then you should still maintain that level of status through the end of the elite qualifying year.
I got this card and hate it. First, you can only book certain hotels with points not all of them and I am not talking about a handful of hotels a lot of them. Then once you do find the hotel that point is valid for, some of the rooms cannot be booked with points. I have the Hilton Business card and its surpasses Marriott Bonvoy when booking rooms. I get to book at almost any hotels and almost any rooms. I haven't yet run into a hotel where points aren't expected or rooms which they won't allow me to book. Yes, Marriott has a huge portfolio but after charging over $600 in annual fee and still having consumers blocked from using their points is pathetic. I am aware of the food credits and other benefits but its primarily designed as a "Marriott" card which is geared towards their hotels. I will be downgrading it this year, had it for just this first year and do not like it.
Sorry to hear about your bad experience, Julio. However, do recognize that award availability has nothing to do with the credit card. The ability to book rooms w/ points will be the same no matter which Marriott credit card you have (or if you have no Marriott credit card at all).
@Mark Reese // Credit & Finance I understand and that is the reason why I am downgrading as there is too many restrictions. Hilton AMEX on other hand is much more flexible.
I had the card but canceled it due to the fact that they eliminated the $300 marriot credit. I hate that amex transitioned this to a monthly dining credit, this is not a dining card, should have stuck with the hotel credit.
I can't speak for Chase, but my guess is they're trying to determine your level of liquidity to pay your bills. Nontaxable income = more money in your pocket (i.e. greater liquidity). It's neither good nor bad that they ask.
Not sure if 'ranking' would be helpful to people. It's best to get the one(s) that you want / need...or none of them if they don't make sense for your travel style.
How would you compare this card with the Amex Hilton Aspire card? I currently have the Amex Hilton Aspire, can I product change that into this Marriott card?
1. Comparing would require a separate video. I may do so at some point, but there are rumors of the HH Aspire Card changing some benefits. That said, the HH Aspire is likely a better overall value card on paper (mathematically), but which one to get depends on what you value, etc. I prefer the Bonvoy Brilliant & even canceled my HH Aspire Card despite it being a great product (that's the subjective angle as Marriott is my preferred chain & program). 2. You cannot change a Hilton card into a Marriott card.
@@Jesus-kt5dc ha ha exactly. Honestly if they had something similar to the Hilton Surpass, I'd get it but the closest $95 card is Chase (not Amex) so that's a no go for me #5/24Jail
I have friends who have the Aspire and I think the Brilliant card is better. Well, let me say it this way. First off, I think Marriot provides better value as a hotel chain than Hilton. Better hotels, better rooms, on average. I think Aspire probably comes out to be more bang for its buck, but Brilliant has more opportunity to get value, if you maximize and take full advantage of the benefits. Close call and reasonable minds can disagree.
Mark, if you have the Ritz Card that gives you 15 elite nights and the Brilliant Card that gives you 25 Elite nights, do those stack to give you 40 elite nights a year?
Hey Mark, I'm a huge fan of the channel. I have some very specific questions about Marriott Bonvoy points and this Bonvoy Brilliant card. It's kind of an odd situation that I came across when booking an upcoming stay. I know I didn't get scammed. It just felt like I got massively outsized value and was wanting to message / email you with details. I was curious if the deal I got was just a fluke and I got lucky or if situations like this are actually common. PS this was my first hotel card and I'm not used to hotel points yet. How can I contact you via email or message?
Mark, all I gotta say is the quality of your content and clarity of your explanations is bar none. Thank you for all the work you put into these videos, they are amazing.
Mark, the Aspire just seems like the better choice if you want to squeeze out as much as possible. The $450 AF is easily recovered by the free night and priority pass. I think we both know the things you can do with the $250 airline incidental credit, and the $250 resort credit is an awesome additive if you stay at one of their resorts. Did I mention you receive DIAMOND status!? Personally, I have held both cards and in my experience, the CS in Hilton properties has always been a tad bit better.
Yes, I agree that the HH Aspire is a better value card on paper right now & likely the best overall hotel credit card available. However, I value Marriott Platinum (mid-tier status) more than Hilton Diamond (top-tier status).
@@MarkReese Marriott Platinum isn’t mid-tier. It’s top tier They’ve just made a slightly better Titanium and a super elitist ambassador. Platinum is still considered top tier
@@MarkReese That’s fine. I’m sure you have your logical reasons, and I would accept them and respectfully consider your point of view. But I work inside of the industry and am a veteran at Marriott. No one inside of Marriott calls Platinum “mid-tier” And that’s just the reality of it regardless of how you see it, or feel.
@@bperez8656 - Awesome to have an industry-insider here, you rock! 👊💯 Regardless of the label we put on it, it's definitely the level that I aspire to each year & where I find the greatest value for my needs.
As is the case with most luxury hotel or airline credit cards, they can be SUPER solid if you pledge your loyalty to a specific company. However, as you mentioned, they aren't gonna be daily spenders earning you a ton of valuable points necessarily. If I was a Marriott loyalist, this would be a card I'd add to my list!
Currently loving my Aspire card, but this guy has always been on my radar 👀 Still trying to figure out if I could have both and still get a decent amount of value.
Hi Mark! If you get the 25 elite nights with a Brilliant card, and 15 for buisness bonvoy amex, can you still get the 1 Elite night for every $5000 spend on the Boundless? looking to go for the lifetime platinum status.
As far as I'm aware, the answer should be yes. I don't see anything in the terms preventing it, and I just spoke w/ a Marriott rep who confirmed the same (although he also said to confirm 100%, it'd be best to ask the bank, i.e. Chase).
Thanks for another good one. I always appreciate your slides. I came very close to picking up this card for the Platinum status a few months ago, and still might. It’s not a bad luxury hotel card, and if you can use the 85,000 point night and the $300 dining credit you will make a profit on it. In the end I decided against, mainly because I have too many other cards with overlapping benefits, but I could see pairing this with the Business version if you were going for Titanium. I just got a 125,000 point offer on the Bonvoy Business, which I thought was very solid on a card with a $125 annual fee.
Hello Mark, when do we get back the coupon credits back after spends, such as Cole Hann etc. I just applied for the brilliant card for my wife, I have had mine for two years and get great value from it. Nice video.
It can vary by the offer. For instance, the one I have for Blue Apron says, "Statement credit will appear on your billing statement within 90 days after 2/9/2024." Read the terms for the one(s) you're tracking.
Hey Mark, what is advantage of having the Ritz Credit Card and the Marriott Brilliant at the same time.. I know having the the Brilliant is best way to get Platinum Elite how about the benefits of having the 2 cards
When will you receive the anniversary certificate? It’s been 4 weeks already after I paid the annual fee of $695 and yet I did not receive it yet??? Thank you.
Per the terms: _"The Free Night Award will be automatically deposited into your Marriott Bonvoy member account within 8-12 weeks after your renewal month."_
I’m not gone lie sometimes I read these comments and think these guys are sponsors for getting poorly modeled and valued cards even if you are a Marriott loyalist this is a bad card, which got even worse with the 25 dollar credit and raising of the annual fee but I guess to each his own.
Hey Mark, will be traveling international this year staying at St. Regis. I have Marriott gold with the biz plat but would you recommend grabbing the brilliant so I have platinum status when I stay? Are you more likely to get upgraded having platinum status over gold or does it not matter?
Totally up to you & what you value 👍 Platinum Elites should have much better upgrade experiences (i.e. better rooms) and frequency (i.e. getting upgraded more often) than Gold Elites, and Platinum the first level of status eligible for suites. That said, elite treatment tends to be a good deal better abroad than in the U.S. I've read about people getting worthwhile upgrades even as a Gold Elite when traveling internationally. Also keep in mind you have access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts Collection via the Business Platinum Card, which gives a lot of elite-like perks, some of which are guaranteed.
Appreciate the video. I have the brilliant, and have been upgraded each stay. I also got the aspire and having a tough time valuing the card considering how much the room redemptions go for. I think I'm the oddity
I prefer the Bonvoy Brilliant over the HH Aspire, too. However, the HH Aspire is a better overall value on paper. It all depends on how / where you travel & what you value.
No, it is not😎 if I were willing to jump thru hoops for artificially lofty statuses with Marriott, and a benefactor was paying for my stays - maybe🤔 Nope not even then😀
When do you receive your first free night certificate? The terms seem to say on account anniversary, which I take to mean beginning after the first year. Is that incorrect?
So for many of us that already have AE cards and will use the easy-to-use Restaurant credit, it's $350 for a free night and Platinum status. I wish I had gotten this card before (I'm in popup jail right now) as the free lounge access would come in handy for me.
Great video of my beautiful Amex Marriott Brilliant card. This card is my 2nd favorite card in my wallet from my 10 premium travel setup card (1st is my Platinum 😊). A quick note about the feee night certificate, it took 12 weeks to get mines. Also, I tried to extend the expiration date by 10 days by calling Marriott and I was denied the 10 days extension. The Marriott representative said they NO longer extended expiration date. No big issue with me. I love Marriott properties, especially the resorts and their Lounges.
💥 *DATA POINTS:* The $300 Dining Credit works for UBER EATS + GRUBHUB!
- Uber Eats: I made a pick-up order on 3.13.2023 and received the credit on 3.17.2023.
- Grubhub: I made a pickup order on 6.22.2024 and received the credit on 6.24.2024.
⚠ *CLARIFICATION:* The $300 Dining Credit = $25 _per month,_ not per billing cycle, so it's available on the 1st Day of the Month & expires on the Last Day of the Month.
📲 MAXREWARDS - Manage credit cards & rewards!
markscreditcards.com/maxrewards
💳👉VIEW CREDIT CARD OFFERS!
markscreditcards.com/offers
🛍RAKUTEN - Earn Cash Back!
markscreditcards.com/rakuten
⬆(More links in Description below video!)
To me it’s an easy keeper card. $300 of the $650 is dining credit, then you get platinum elite status, only 10 nights to 50 night credit (if you have business too), and then essentially a free night that’s worth well over $350 (assuming you enjoy luxury trips), it’s definitely worth it
💯💯💯
People don’t realize the value of 4pm late check out. My wife and me often will stay 1 night somewhere and get a full 24 hrs at the property. Otherwise we’d have to book two nights. Also if you use the free 1 night stay plus the dining credit the card is basically giving you platinum elite status for free
4PM late checkout = one of my favorite perks 🏆
Yes!! The food credits, free night, free food with lounge access, 21x multiplier, room upgrades, etc easily cover multiples of the AF. Amex and Marriott have 2 separate earned choice programs. Similar but separate so can get both awards same year.
Excellent card. And got it when they offered 150k bonus earlier in the year.
Thank Mark for calling this one out!
And like you said in the video, this is largely a benefits card. Kind of like the Amex platinum. Just need to determine what works for you.
Did I miss anything?
All excellent points above, Chris! Great that you got approved w/ the 150,000-point offer 🌟
@@MarkReese Thanks! Meant to say thanks to you, as usual, for the demo on using the points.
@@theeverydailyshow Was this a Targeted offer or general to everyone? Thanks
Thank you Mark for the in depth review on the card. I just got mine this week and happy it was for the 185k SUB 😬
Congrats on the approval + fantastic offer!
Mark, great coverage, this card got ruined for me when they took away a 300 credit that made sense and was directly tied to the product (hotel credit) and changed it to a gimmicky monthly credit that has been hit or miss for me, so I'm canceling it for now, I'll keep my ritz as that card always makes sense but Marriott bonvoyed themselves recently with their new cards and this major change, keep up the great work!!
Totally understand the reason to let it go 🤙 Also consider downgrading to the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card ($95 AF) if you still would find value in an annual 35K FNA cert.
I thought you weren't allowed to hold both the ritz and brilliant cards at the same time?
Love this card, got it on the 150k offer awhile back. Been a Marriott loyalist for about a decade now and this just makes titanium a lot easier for me to maintain
Great to hear it! 💯
Damn I want a $150k offfer
I am waiting to see if the Ritz Card might also “upgrade” its Marriott Gold Elite status benefit to Platinum Elite because I frankly would rather pickup the Ritz due to unlimited Priority Pass and Primary CDW. I like the Brilliant because it give automatic Platinum Elite but the Ritz Card beats it out in everything else.
👍
Is primary CDW car insurance ??
@@bperez8656 - Yes. It's an acronym for Collision Damage Waiver.
The new card is so much better. Also, it actually looks nice :)
Agreed!
Brilliant overview, as always Mark! One thing I’d like to add is that AMEX terms also excludes mobile card readers which is highly popular among smaller mom & pops places. But in my experience, fortunately, it tracks fine 😊! As someone who works with these readers, I can attest that these readers use algorithms to assign MCC, which may or may not be correct when normally it’s the merchant’s bank underwriter who assigns MCC’s. AMEX prob added those terms just in case it’s wrong
You're referring to what was said at 3:01, correct?
I'm very satisfied with my Hilton Aspire card. It's damn easy to receive +$1,000 in value every year.
Great to hear you're getting big value from it!
i have to say i feel like a lot of travel sources like the points guy, etc., undervalue marriott bonvoy points on average. yes it's not terribly hard to find a mediocre redemption, like i've seen $250 rooms for 50,000 points, but i've also myself recently redeemed a $370 room for only 19,000 points, and even $1,100 rooms for only 60,000 points. if you put in a little extra time to find the best value, i find you can almost always find at least one hotel within a typical travel area that can redeem at a value of 1 cent per point or more.
Absolutely! The value figures you see online are mean to be averages, taking into account the lows & the highs. The example of the 77K room shown in this video was about 0.9¢ per point (or ~ 1.0¢ per point when factoring in taxes & fees) 💯👍
I have this card. It's definitely worth it if you stay at Marriott hotels often - auto Platinum status makes the stays a lot nicer! I will say that the $25 dining credit is kind of a chore though NGL. Wish it was an annual credit again 😕
Agreed on all of the above 💯
I agree that the dining credit would be much more convenient if it was annual, but I love that it just works at any restaurant instead of Amex's usual crap about only going through Uber Eats, GrubHub, etc. that often add on additional costs even for pickup orders.
Why is it a chore
What do you have to go through to access it?
@@bperez8656 It triggers automatically on any restaurant purchase so using it isn't too bad. Personally the "chore"-like aspect to me is just having to remember to use this card to pay for $25 of dining out per month instead of my Chase cards that earn a more valuable 3x Chase UR points on dining. I set a recurring calendar event that reminds me on the 1st of every month, so it's not horrible but when it's not your main dining card it can be easy to forget if you don't have a system.
@@ThePerfectElement555
Great insight and feedback
I don’t cook so this will be a no brainer for me
But I am afraid of an earlier comment I saw about it not recognizing some fast food joints
My brother is a long time Marriott employee and to my knowledge he does not get any free rooms. He does get the hefty employee discount as do other family members. Im wondering about combining the employee discount with a cars like this. It would require some super mega stealthy inside info but being upgraded to a suite as an automatic platinum member while only paying the employee rate seem too good to be true.🤷🏽♂️
I have had the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant card for 2 years, spent $10K a year on the card since I used it to segregate my business travel and personal travel, and they won't give me any retention offers both years. So I'm cancelling with the $650 annual fee. Hate the $300 credit through monthly dining. The $450 annual fee with the old benefits ($300 Marriott credit + 50K free night certificate) were better values for me.
If it no longer makes sense, it's time to let it go 😄
Lovin the 5 o’clock shadow Mark
Thanks 🤙
Superb analysis
So grateful for you!
Thanks B Perez!
I used the card at a hotel restaurant in Vegas. It showed the hotel name and I was able to get the credit. I also used it at a ski resort and paid at the grill, I was lucky the name had the word "grill" in it because I also got the credit. Only keeping this card to help me get Lifetime Platinum status, will close card after 5 years.
I too am using the card to work towards lifetime status 💯👍
Same here
This is my first year as gold and 2pm checkout has changed my travel life dramatically.
I am now hooked and will get this card for 10 years to reach lifetime status
I am 29 and have been a Marriott (Starwood side) loyalist since I was 19!
I just didn’t travel alot
But that’s all about to change
Love this card. Need 2 more years of platinum to get lifetime Platinum status. Card gives me plenty of value. Definitely a keeper.
Nice! The 2-year countdown begins! 👊
Thanks! Personally, the $300 dining credit alone + 85k FNA alone are worth the $650 to me, so I think I’ll go for it when the time is right
I’ve heard rumors to changes for the Hilton Aspire but hope they aren’t true
Good luck on the application whenever the time is right! I too heard about possible changes to the HH Aspire. Only time will tell to see what may happen ✌️
I think this card is definitely worth it. The credits, FNC, and platinum status are great!
3 solid benefits right there!
Excellent video🎉
Thanks!
I don't like the idea of monthly credits. I think it would be more beneficial for card companies to give me a reason to use their card not forcing me to with monthly credits. Better multipliers are more likely to get me to use cards vs credits
I'm with ya on that. Definitely prefer yearly credits + useful multipliers.
I got the card a few months ago and I like the card so far
Congrats on the approval! Great to hear you're liking it.
updated 2024 review pls, thanks
No need. Same rewards. Same benefits.
its me again LOL other post about this, the difference between 2x 85K certs and 150k offers are you don't lose any points on 150k points offer while you do lose out on 85k certs so say you used it on 80k night then you just lost 5k points each night, hope this make sense to you? it can sometime be confusing with so many deals out there. :)
Yes, that's correct.
1. Certificates are good for 1 night. Any unused points are not preserved.
2. Certificates expire 1 year after they're issued. Marriott points expire after 24 months if you have no account earn / redeem activity (but if you do, then points never expire).
3. Certificates can be combined with up to 15K points, so those 85K certs can be used for up to a 100K redemption.
I just got the card. I like the old design better though lol. Wish I had would have applied right before the design changed.
Congrats on the approval! 🏆
Hi Mark I'm a subscriber and love your videos. Quick question, I am a Marriott Ambassador member and Lifetime Titanium member. Is this card still worth it for me? Thanks.
If I were in the same situation, it would likely be a "no."
However, you _could_ find it worthwhile if you get strong value out of the:
1. Earned Choice Award, after spending $60K.
2. 85K FNA
3. $100 Property Credit @ Ritz-Carlton & St. Regis locations, esp. if used multiple times per year.
4. Priority Pass membership, if you don't already have one and would actually use it.
^ It's up to you to figure out how much those 4 benefits impact your travels.
I am a fan of the card. As long as you stay at Marriotts, it is worth it. Keep an eye on the $25 per month dining credit. They tend to miss crediting fast food restaurants.
Glad you're liking it! Interesting about fast food restaurants having issues with the credit. Were your purchases at big national chains w/ payment done directly with the card?
@@MarkReese I called AMEX. It turns out that that the $25 is based on a calendar month and not the statement cycle. I was making sure I used the card for dining once a billing cycle but sometimes that was twice in the same month. I will admit that I am pretty frustrated that they are not clear about this. Thanks to your video I now know better!
@@BobBacheler - Yep that's correct, the 1st of the month thru the Last Day of the month 👍
@@MarkReese Learn something new every day thanks to gurus like you! Thanks for sharing!
freaking awesome videos!!!!🤣😁🥰
Thank you!
I just got an offer in the mail for this card. Too bad I won't qualify. My job cut all OT and 1 late payment wrecked my 4 yrs of hard work. I still have my Amex Plat for travel
Bummer sorry to hear about that ✌
Mark, Great review and very easy to follow explanation of all the benefits. I know you have all the major personal hotel cards. Which one would you recommend of the WOH, Aspire, IHG, Ritz, Brilliant? I’m waiting for a supersized SUB to be announced. I already have AEcPlat and CSP but not hotel card. TYSM
Aspire, Ritz, Surpass, Hilton Business, Wyndham Business
I don't recommend cards 'just because.' What are you trying to achieve? Do you have any loyalty / preferences to hotel chains? Are certain benefits more valuable to you than others?
Nah, Hilton Aspire and Ritz are much better cards. Even Hilton Surpass and Business are better.
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@@MarkReese I was gonna ask Mark, with these latest changes to the Brilliant, do you still like the Ritz card better. A couple of years ago, you had the Ritz card better than Brilliant and Aspire I think.
@@DT-we2ye - I don't 'rank' premium hotels as being better or worse than each other because they have enough value that _doesn't_ overlap to make them worth getting for the right people.
The HH Aspire is likely a better value than both the Ritz and the Brilliant. However, even if it's the 'best' hotel card right now, I canceled mine and still don't have it in my wallet.
Mark great video as always!!! Honestly I don't find much value with this card outside the status. I think Amex Platinum( I have the CS version) provides most of the benefits. When I book with the FHR I got 5x MR (1.1 to 2c+ value per point) points at a Ritz Carlton(I stayed over seas), a 100 dollar resort credit, a double room upgrade due to gold status plus the FHR upgrade, 4pm check out, and breakfast included. I only needed to stay one night for the 100 dollar credit. When I book Marriott in the USA my gold status seems not to provide much benefit. It would be great to do a direct comparison between the AMEX platinum and this card.
Well done on using the Platinum Card to make for a great stay abroad! 💯 The elite treatment outside of the U.S. tends to be better.
I think you had one thing wrong in this video and it's your free night award is after the cardmember year
That benefit is mentioned at 5:09. The text says, "1 Free Night Award certificate every cardmember year."
12 months have to pass for a cardmember year to occur, so "after" is already implied.
@@MarkReese thanks for the clarification! I’m a noob to the credit card game and your content is always so informing.
I think the biggest advantage of this credit card is that there are far more Marriott properties than Hilton, IHG, or Hyatt. I realized I end up staying at Marriott far more frequently. The platinum status can be very valuable if you stay overseas as it provides full free breakfast. However, the platinum status provides only $10 for the breakfast in the US. I think this card is very overpriced in general.
All depends on where you stay & what you value!
@@MarkReese I have a question. Do I lose platinum status right away if I cancel this card? I will end up achieving 50 elite nights (25 from Brilliant card) in September which will qualify as a platinum elite status. However, I plan to cancel at the end of the year. I don't know if I will continue having the platinum status next year. BTW, I have Chase Bonvoy Boundless card and will keep it.
@@krisjohnson8765 - It's my understanding that if you earned elite status by accumulating a total of 50 ENCs & then cancel the card, then you should still maintain that level of status through the end of the elite qualifying year.
Great review as always but I really don’t have much use for this card and the AF has a lot to do with it.
Totally understand that ✌️
I got this card and hate it. First, you can only book certain hotels with points not all of them and I am not talking about a handful of hotels a lot of them. Then once you do find the hotel that point is valid for, some of the rooms cannot be booked with points. I have the Hilton Business card and its surpasses Marriott Bonvoy when booking rooms. I get to book at almost any hotels and almost any rooms. I haven't yet run into a hotel where points aren't expected or rooms which they won't allow me to book. Yes, Marriott has a huge portfolio but after charging over $600 in annual fee and still having consumers blocked from using their points is pathetic. I am aware of the food credits and other benefits but its primarily designed as a "Marriott" card which is geared towards their hotels. I will be downgrading it this year, had it for just this first year and do not like it.
Sorry to hear about your bad experience, Julio.
However, do recognize that award availability has nothing to do with the credit card. The ability to book rooms w/ points will be the same no matter which Marriott credit card you have (or if you have no Marriott credit card at all).
@Mark Reese // Credit & Finance I understand and that is the reason why I am downgrading as there is too many restrictions. Hilton AMEX on other hand is much more flexible.
Does complementary status count towards lifetime status??
Yes.
Yeah $650 is way too much for this. If it was $450 like the Aspire then I’d get one.
I'd prefer a $450 price tag, too 😁
I had the card but canceled it due to the fact that they eliminated the $300 marriot credit. I hate that amex transitioned this to a monthly dining credit, this is not a dining card, should have stuck with the hotel credit.
I agree. Also that credit was also triggered by room rates.
Good to let the card go if proved to be more of a nuisance than a benefit 👍
Mark does room upgrade on work when you pay with credit card not with point?
You're eligible for a room upgrade in both situations. You can pay the cash rate with the card or redeem points.
Hi Mark, this this card give special rates for booking trips on Marriot Bonvoy website or would it be a regular member rate?
Regular rates for the Bonvoy Brilliant.
The Bonvoy Business Card gives a special business rate of 7% off.
Hey Mark. This question is off topic, but why does Chase ask how much of your gross annual income is NON-taxable? Good or bad? Thanks!
I can't speak for Chase, but my guess is they're trying to determine your level of liquidity to pay your bills. Nontaxable income = more money in your pocket (i.e. greater liquidity). It's neither good nor bad that they ask.
Would you rank the Marriott cards? I’m surprised you haven’t revisited the Marriott business card with the elevated offer.
Not sure if 'ranking' would be helpful to people. It's best to get the one(s) that you want / need...or none of them if they don't make sense for your travel style.
I thought this was a video about the marriott bonvoy brilliant, but instead it's an ad for max rewards.
If a 1-min. ad for MaxRewards ruins the remaining 15 min. review for you, then that's a matter of perspective 🤙
It does.
Thoughts on this card vs. the Ritiz Carlton card if your able to upgrade?
That'll require an updated comparison video. I've got it on my list 👍
How would you compare this card with the Amex Hilton Aspire card? I currently have the Amex Hilton Aspire, can I product change that into this Marriott card?
1. Comparing would require a separate video. I may do so at some point, but there are rumors of the HH Aspire Card changing some benefits. That said, the HH Aspire is likely a better overall value card on paper (mathematically), but which one to get depends on what you value, etc. I prefer the Bonvoy Brilliant & even canceled my HH Aspire Card despite it being a great product (that's the subjective angle as Marriott is my preferred chain & program).
2. You cannot change a Hilton card into a Marriott card.
Doesn't the Ritz Carlton card get an 85k free night as well? I saw your reward in the screenshot only showing 50k...?
Yes it does. I received the 50K FNA prior to the change to the 85K FNA.
600 night /25 elite nights = 24 years for lifetime lol
And probably $0 of value to the person who obtains it that way since they never stay at Marriott properties 😄
Does the certificate expire on your anniversary date or the day they issue it to you
It expires 1 year from the date you receive it.
@@MarkReese ok thanks
This card doesn't hold a candle to the Hilton Aspire card but that card might get nerfed
*I aspire to be like you one day Hilton Aspire. -Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant*
@@Jesus-kt5dc ha ha exactly. Honestly if they had something similar to the Hilton Surpass, I'd get it but the closest $95 card is Chase (not Amex) so that's a no go for me #5/24Jail
On the whole, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card is currently a better value.
However, I find Marriott Platinum to be more valuable than Hilton Diamond.
@@MarkReese In what way? Easier to get upgrades or nicer properties?
I have friends who have the Aspire and I think the Brilliant card is better. Well, let me say it this way. First off, I think Marriot provides better value as a hotel chain than Hilton. Better hotels, better rooms, on average. I think Aspire probably comes out to be more bang for its buck, but Brilliant has more opportunity to get value, if you maximize and take full advantage of the benefits. Close call and reasonable minds can disagree.
Mark, if you have the Ritz Card that gives you 15 elite nights and the Brilliant Card that gives you 25 Elite nights, do those stack to give you 40 elite nights a year?
No, they do not stack. You'll get 25 ENCs from the Brilliant. You can only stack by adding the Bonvoy Business Card.
@@MarkReese So just confirming you can only stack with the Ritz and Bonvoy Business, or Brilliant with Bonvoy Business?
@@mprieto57 - Yes. You can only earn ENCs from 1 personal Marriott card + 1 business Marriott card.
Curse this card and annual fee from hell, until I find the magic to break the spell!
Go find that magic ✨
❤
💯
usless card
For some...yes.
For others...no.
Hey Mark, I'm a huge fan of the channel. I have some very specific questions about Marriott Bonvoy points and this Bonvoy Brilliant card. It's kind of an odd situation that I came across when booking an upcoming stay. I know I didn't get scammed. It just felt like I got massively outsized value and was wanting to message / email you with details. I was curious if the deal I got was just a fluke and I got lucky or if situations like this are actually common. PS this was my first hotel card and I'm not used to hotel points yet.
How can I contact you via email or message?
Hi Matthew - please ask the question here in the comments, that way others can benefit, too 👍
@@MarkReese Thank you. I just posted the scenario above in another comment.
Mark, all I gotta say is the quality of your content and clarity of your explanations is bar none. Thank you for all the work you put into these videos, they are amazing.
Appreciate it, Tony!
Mark, the Aspire just seems like the better choice if you want to squeeze out as much as possible. The $450 AF is easily recovered by the free night and priority pass. I think we both know the things you can do with the $250 airline incidental credit, and the $250 resort credit is an awesome additive if you stay at one of their resorts. Did I mention you receive DIAMOND status!? Personally, I have held both cards and in my experience, the CS in Hilton properties has always been a tad bit better.
Yes, I agree that the HH Aspire is a better value card on paper right now & likely the best overall hotel credit card available.
However, I value Marriott Platinum (mid-tier status) more than Hilton Diamond (top-tier status).
@@MarkReese
Marriott Platinum isn’t mid-tier.
It’s top tier
They’ve just made a slightly better Titanium and a super elitist ambassador.
Platinum is still considered top tier
@@bperez8656 - I see it differently & that's all good ✌
@@MarkReese
That’s fine. I’m sure you have your logical reasons, and I would accept them and respectfully consider your point of view.
But I work inside of the industry and am a veteran at Marriott. No one inside of Marriott calls Platinum “mid-tier”
And that’s just the reality of it regardless of how you see it, or feel.
@@bperez8656 - Awesome to have an industry-insider here, you rock! 👊💯 Regardless of the label we put on it, it's definitely the level that I aspire to each year & where I find the greatest value for my needs.
As is the case with most luxury hotel or airline credit cards, they can be SUPER solid if you pledge your loyalty to a specific company. However, as you mentioned, they aren't gonna be daily spenders earning you a ton of valuable points necessarily. If I was a Marriott loyalist, this would be a card I'd add to my list!
Definitely not a worthwhile card as a daily spender 😁
Currently loving my Aspire card, but this guy has always been on my radar 👀 Still trying to figure out if I could have both and still get a decent amount of value.
Great that you're liking that HH Aspire! 👊
Hi Mark! If you get the 25 elite nights with a Brilliant card, and 15 for buisness bonvoy amex, can you still get the 1 Elite night for every $5000 spend on the Boundless? looking to go for the lifetime platinum status.
As far as I'm aware, the answer should be yes. I don't see anything in the terms preventing it, and I just spoke w/ a Marriott rep who confirmed the same (although he also said to confirm 100%, it'd be best to ask the bank, i.e. Chase).
Thanks for another good one. I always appreciate your slides.
I came very close to picking up this card for the Platinum status a few months ago, and still might. It’s not a bad luxury hotel card, and if you can use the 85,000 point night and the $300 dining credit you will make a profit on it. In the end I decided against, mainly because I have too many other cards with overlapping benefits, but I could see pairing this with the Business version if you were going for Titanium. I just got a 125,000 point offer on the Bonvoy Business, which I thought was very solid on a card with a $125 annual fee.
Congrats on the Bonvoy Business approval! 💳
they gotta bring the 150k bonus offer back.. their apps are gonna drop like a rock on jupiter w/o it. I'll go with the hyatt card instead shortly
No info yet on if / when a 150K offer will return ✌️
Hello Mark, when do we get back the coupon credits back after spends, such as Cole Hann etc. I just applied for the brilliant card for my wife, I have had mine for two years and get great value from it. Nice video.
It can vary by the offer. For instance, the one I have for Blue Apron says, "Statement credit will appear on your billing statement within 90 days after 2/9/2024."
Read the terms for the one(s) you're tracking.
Hey Mark, what is advantage of having the Ritz Credit Card and the Marriott Brilliant at the same time.. I know having the the Brilliant is best way to get Platinum Elite how about the benefits of having the 2 cards
Two 85K certificates + best Priority Pass membership available.
When will you receive the anniversary certificate? It’s been 4 weeks already after I paid the annual fee of $695 and yet I did not receive it yet??? Thank you.
Per the terms: _"The Free Night Award will be automatically deposited into your Marriott Bonvoy member account within 8-12 weeks after your renewal month."_
I’m not gone lie sometimes I read these comments and think these guys are sponsors for getting poorly modeled and valued cards even if you are a Marriott loyalist this is a bad card, which got even worse with the 25 dollar credit and raising of the annual fee but I guess to each his own.
We all see things through our own lenses ✌️
Hey Mark, will be traveling international this year staying at St. Regis. I have Marriott gold with the biz plat but would you recommend grabbing the brilliant so I have platinum status when I stay? Are you more likely to get upgraded having platinum status over gold or does it not matter?
Totally up to you & what you value 👍
Platinum Elites should have much better upgrade experiences (i.e. better rooms) and frequency (i.e. getting upgraded more often) than Gold Elites, and Platinum the first level of status eligible for suites.
That said, elite treatment tends to be a good deal better abroad than in the U.S. I've read about people getting worthwhile upgrades even as a Gold Elite when traveling internationally.
Also keep in mind you have access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts Collection via the Business Platinum Card, which gives a lot of elite-like perks, some of which are guaranteed.
Appreciate the video. I have the brilliant, and have been upgraded each stay. I also got the aspire and having a tough time valuing the card considering how much the room redemptions go for. I think I'm the oddity
I prefer the Bonvoy Brilliant over the HH Aspire, too.
However, the HH Aspire is a better overall value on paper.
It all depends on how / where you travel & what you value.
Re: the FNC. Do you get it in the *first* year? T&C seem to indicate anniversary year
No, you receive the first FNA every anniversary year (i.e. after the first 12 months). You can't have an anniversary before the 1st year goes by 🤙
No, it is not😎 if I were willing to jump thru hoops for artificially lofty statuses with Marriott, and a benefactor was paying for my stays - maybe🤔 Nope not even then😀
😄✌️
@@MarkReese ✌🏾
When do you receive your first free night certificate? The terms seem to say on account anniversary, which I take to mean beginning after the first year. Is that incorrect?
That's right. Typically 8-12 weeks after you've had the card for 1 year.
The free certificate is released about 2 months after you pay the $650 annual fee.
So for many of us that already have AE cards and will use the easy-to-use Restaurant credit, it's $350 for a free night and Platinum status.
I wish I had gotten this card before (I'm in popup jail right now) as the free lounge access would come in handy for me.
Hopefully Pop-Up Jail will be short lived 😁
@@MarkReese trying to put as much as I can on my cards now to up my AE cards as I heard that is the way out...
Great review. Thanks Mark!
Of course!
You make great videos Mark, nice job!
Thanks Trendari!
Good job on this presentation sir.
Thank you!
This was so helpful! Thank you!
You're welcome!
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Totally worth it.
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Great video of my beautiful Amex Marriott Brilliant card. This card is my 2nd favorite card in my wallet from my 10 premium travel setup card (1st is my Platinum 😊). A quick note about the feee night certificate, it took 12 weeks to get mines. Also, I tried to extend the expiration date by 10 days by calling Marriott and I was denied the 10 days extension. The Marriott representative said they NO longer extended expiration date. No big issue with me. I love Marriott properties, especially the resorts and their Lounges.
Glad you're liking the card! 💯
That dining credit isn’t worth 100% of face value, because I would never voluntarily put dining spending on a low-earning hotel card.
Fair point. Give it your own value to determine if the card makes sense for you 👍
I'm considering this card.
💯
I just hired in with Marriott and get free rooms. Keep your credit card. 🤣
Nice benefit! 💯
About time you got a job