My Thoughts on the $650 Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card
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- Опубліковано 24 чер 2024
- I'll be breaking down the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card from American Express. This is a premium hotel credit card with an annual fee of $650 making it one of the most expensive cards on the market.
The Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant has stand out benefits and credits that could make this credit card your ticket to incredible benefits and unforgettable experiences. However features like the $300 dining credit and the free night award may be harder to use than you think.
The dining credit is broken down into monthly $25 increments instead of a one time $300 credit. The free night certificate is easy to use but you almost have to use it on a hotel that would cost $300/night in cash value in order to receive positive value from the credit card.
Keep in mind that the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is best suited for those who frequently stay at Marriott properties and prioritize the associated benefits. If you're a Marriott loyalist or aspire to explore the world with Marriott's extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts, this card is definitely worth considering.
However there are other affordable Marriott credit card options that may better suit your spending habits and lifestyle. Those cards may not have ultra luxurious benefits but they will come at a more easily justifiable annual fee. Or you may be interested in a flexible travel credit card alternative like the Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Capital One Venture X.
Overall, I believe this card is expensive and can be hard to justify its price. Of course my assumption could be wrong and you may find it easy to justify the annual fee just from the dining credit, Marriott platinum status, and free night award.
I would love to hear your thoughts on if you think this card and its annual fee can be easily justified.
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0:00 Introduction
0:42 Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Annual Fee
1:46 Marriott Platinum Status Detailed Breakdown
4:42 Room Upgrade Tip
6:01 Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Benefits
6:10 $300 Dining Credit
7:31 Annual Free Night Certificate
9:26 Other Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Benfits & Credits
9:53 Why A Lot of People Want the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Credit Card
10:47 How To Get Marriott Titanium Status with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
11:47 Why I Want the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card
12:46 Reward Multipliers
13:07 Who is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant For?
13:36 Alternatives to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card
#amexmarriottbonvoybrilliant #bonvoybrilliant #hotelcreditcards
💳 Could you justify the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card?
If you have both AMEX Brilliant and Marriott Bonvoy Business AMEX card you only need 30 nights, not 35. Once you hit 50 elite nights credits, you will achieve the Choice Benefits and one of the option is to get 5 elite night credits.
People who shoot for Titanium status would usually choose this option. Also another perk of being Titanium not mentioned in the video is the automatic Silver Elite status with United airlines.
That is very true 👏🏼 Thank you for mentioning those things.
Great breakdown Chase, love your videos and find them informative
I appreciate that! 🤙🏼
I've been titanium for over a year and it's been great! It helped out when I went to the JW Marriott in San Francisco as we were immediately upgraded at check in, got extra points, and local deals that weren't available to other guests including credits toward the in hotel restaurant. Titanium is not cheap and it's not terribly easy so this card being for a bonvoy loyalist is spot on. I personally hold the bonvoy business and it's already paid for it self for 2 years with the FNA that I just redeemed. Great Video bro!
Im hoping to be Titanium like you one day too 😢 Thank you Chad! 🤙🏼
I really like my Chase Bonvoy Boundless! I definitely like the Marriott brand of hotels and plan to upgrade to the Ritz-Carlton next year.
Thanks Chase for making this video and making me more happy about my Credit Card choices.
Hahahha Im glad that I can help you out! 🙏🏼 Thank you for watching
I have both Hilton Diamond and Marriott titanium status and there is no comparison. Marriott values their guests! The biggest perk for Diamond status is a parking spot up front 😂
lol - I've experienced that
I love Marriott Properties but I dont seem to be able to get as much value from their program. I dont think I can hit Titanium since my Hotel Loyalty is spread out right now. Awesome Video and Awesome Card.
You're a hotel free agent 👌🏼 Thank you Luke! 🤙🏼
Appreciate the video. Just upgraded my Bonvoy (formerly SPG) for the Brilliant card now that work travel is back in full effect. I pair it with the Skymiles Reserve. Steep to have $1200 in combined fees but one first class trip with a companion certificate + a reward night at a St. Regis is about double the value (not to mention Sky Lounge + $300 dining credit, etc.). I see it as forcing me to take more vacations lol.
sheeesh I mean if its for work too then you are CHILLING! 👏🏼 Forcing yourself to take vacation is a problem that I want to have 😂 Thank you for watching!
Hey Chase! I'm currently running the Brilliant + Business combo, and have about 15 more nights to make it to Titanium Elite!! My experience with Platinum has been just ok. I haven't been upgraded yet at any domestic properties, and I haven't really tried out the food credit since I do a lot of Courtyard, Fairfield, TownePlace Suite type stays where is just easier to get extra points. I do like the super late checkout though. I wonder if Titanium will be better (I guess we'll see next year when I get it)! Great strategy, hope you get the Brilliant - that SUB is nuts right now!!
1000% tryna take advantage of the SUB 😬 Once you hit Titanium status let us know how things are different. But thanks for sharing your experiences with us Stan. 🤙🏼
I don’t remember the last time I’ve actually stayed at a Marriott property, so I know that this $650 AF card definitely isn’t for me. I’d actually sign up for the Amex Platinum first 😅. Good and very informative video overall Chase 🙌🏾 🙌🏾
FACTS 🔥 That annual fee is gnarly. Plus I also think the Amex Platinum is a better value card. Thank you CJ! 🤙🏼
CJ, I am sure that when you reach to 500,000 subscribers in your UA-cam channel you will start staying at beautiful Marriott Properties (Ritz Carlton, St. Regis, W Hotel, JW Marriott, Edition, etc). Cheers brother 🥂
@@Leoprieto74 Ya CJ!
@@Leoprieto74 thanks Leo! I hope that i have that many subscribers one day 😃
The free night cert is awesome! used it to stay at St Regis and saved a lot of $$$$....
Sheeeeesh well you made great use of that cert 🔥
You definitely would have to travel A LOT and stay solely at Marriott properties. seems like a solid hotel card.. Aye Chase good vid bro 💥
No doubt a frequent Marriott loyalist would LOVE a card like this 🔥 But just like you said, you'd have to travel a bunch to really justify that annual fee. Thank you for watching Mike 🤙🏼
My favorite card that I have. I’d have 10 of em if I could. The FNA alone pays 1.5-2x the annual fee not counting the restaurant credits. (Titanium with 84 nights this year so far). Also utilizing the business bonvoy and the Ritz Carlton card
How do you like Titanium status? Is it noticeably different than Platinum status? Also where are you staying using the FNA to get like $1,200 for that one benefit? 😱
10% here in the house, representing,.. this card is my 2nd favorite after my Amex Platinum. Always had good luck getting upgrades and the M Club lounges are amazing. And between the $300 Dining Credit & 85k points free night you easily recoup the $650 AF.
Ayeeee REPRESENT! 🔥 I'm glad you spoke up 👏🏼 May I ask how many times are you staying at a Marriott throughout the year? And about how many times do you think you are getting upgraded?
@@ChaseYokoyama I usually do between 12 to 15 nights per year at Marriott Properties. Around 80% of the time I get upgraded and almost always early check-in. I prefer early check-in over late check-out. I prefer Marriott properties over Hilton (I also have the Hilton Aspire card). I stay at Hilton properties around 10 nights per year.
Definitely agree..Appreciate the suite upgrades & lounge access
Lounge access has gone downhill since the pandemic in the US. It’s different overseas, you can have good food at the lounge.
@@benleejoven Westin Yokohama
I think the Marriott Business is the best Marriott card. I liked this card when it was $450 but difficult to justify at $650. Thanks for the info 👍
Fair enough! I agree the $650 is harder to justify now 😬 Thank you Cesar! 🤙🏼
I am on the fence regarding getting a hotel credit card but unless you are a Marriott loyalist this is hard to justify. Like most hotel cards (there are some exceptions) the daily spend multipliers are not that great so they sit in your sock drawer and get used the few times a year you might go to the hotel except the relatively new / slightly annoying thing with this card is you have to leave it in your wallet to use the $25 a month dining credit to offset the annual fee.
Right?! 😅 Those suckers knew what they were doing when they made it a monthly credit. Other than Marriott purchases that card would just stay in the sock drawer like you said. For a lot of people it's a tough card to get value from. Thank you Ryan! 🤙🏼
I hold this card and have gotten strong value from despite only staying at Marriotts a few times a year. So far, every time I've stayed at a Marriott that has suites, I've been upgraded to the top-level room in the hotel.
Damn really? Thats good to know! 👏🏼
@ChaseYokoyama I got the Chairman's suite at the Swan Reserve in Orlando, the Picasso suite at the Beaux Arts in Miami, and one of the presidential suites at the JW in DC. I've heard people complain about not getting upgraded domestically, but that hasn't been my experience.
I think its definitely worth it. Ive had this card many years. Return protection. Ext warranty add to this value.
Return protection is definitely a nice extra perk to have 👍🏼
Where did you find the chart of the average nightly rate per properties in the US by year?
I LOVE THIS CARD!!!! EASILY PAYS FOR ITSELF
Fair enough. Have you had only positive experiences with Platinum status?
Chase,
Thank you so much for this channel and your advice. Since February, I acquired Chase Freedom Unlimited, Flex, Sapphire Preferred and Ink Unlimited cards and completed the bonuses. I consolidated the points to Sapphire and need help. Should I use the Sapphire exclusively as it has a 10% anniversary bonus? I'm also sure to cancel the Ink, but when and how should I do this?
first off, thank you so much for watching and I am so happy for your credit journey so far! 🔥 it sounds like you are heading in a great direction. I would say still put charges on your other cards that have better reward multipliers. For example, put charges on the Unlimited to earn 1.5% back when the Preferred would only earn 1%. Because even with the 10% more points on those purchases, the Unlimited will still earn more points.
Same goes for the Freedom flex, use it for the 5% categories. However for restaurant spend, put it on the Preferred since all three cards earn 3%. So the 10% anniversary bonus will make a small difference. I hope that helps! Also if you want to cancel the ink I would wait until after your first anniversary.
@@ChaseYokoyama Thank you so much!
This is easy to justify 1) if you use the dining credits 2) if you are willing to pay about 100 bucks more to get a night at a fancier room (note this is only after your first anniversary. If so you basically get Diamond status for free and the card is a moneymaker the first year with the bonus. I stay once a year at a Marriott for s convention and want the card basically for that, although I am certain I will use it for a few other stays as well
Hmm so im guessing you would use that Free night award every year for that convention? 👍🏼
Good review. But your review walks us through a user who is not a Marriott loyalist. I have this card. I get a ton of value beyond $650. I definitely use the $300 dining credit, easily. I stay only at Marriotts when I travel (I am a moderate traveler) and I almost always get room upgrades, free breakfast credit vouchers, and other perks during a Marriott stay. I personally think Marriott overall provides better service and nicer rooms than Hilton. I think I get more benefits and VIP treatment as Marriott Platinum member than the Hilton Honors membership. Marriott are more abundant throughout the country and world than Hilton or Hyatt. So I believe a Platinum member of Marriott is a huge benefit of the Brilliant card. Also, I have at least 2 or 3 staycations at a Ritzs each year, where I get the $100 credit voucher for free dining/massages at the Ritz. You left that out. That could be hundreds of free dollars per year. I used the Brilliant to get the Global Entry card, which is awesome for the once or twice a year I travel internationally. There are other benefits to this card, but these above reasons are my reasons for this praising this card. But your video is spot on overall- not a good card if you are not a Marriott loyalist. If you are a Marriott loyalist, this is a no-brainer card to get. Thanks for the great review!
Yes and I agree. For Marriott loyalists like yourself this card PRINTS value. 💵 However I personally think most people are not able to do things the way you do so this card is not as valuable to them. I appreciate you watching and sharing ur experiences 🤙🏽
Hello Chase,
Good video, and I agree with you on most points and I, personally, wouldn't spend the $650 for this card especially when you consider the lower point valuations compared to other premium cards. From my experience, Hilton Aspire is the best Hotel Card by a wide margin, the Ritz Carlton Card is 2nd, and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is 3rd for premium hotel cards. I'm lifetime platinum with Marriott and also held diamond with Hilton for many years. For me the Hilton diamond status is slightly better in terms of the hard perks such as lounges, upgrade availability, and offerings to name a few. Marriott is better with the soft perks such as special requests, exceptions, and making things right when a stay doesn't quite meet expectations.
oooo thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us! 👐🏼 Too bad the Ritz Carlton card is discontinued. I also agree that the Hilton Aspire card is pretty killer 🔥 Must be nice to have lifetime platinum with Marriott tho! I appreciate your insight on Platinum vs Diamond status. Also have you had any experiences or feedback with Titanium status?
the only additional thing I'll add is once you earn 50 elite nights you can choose your platinum gift which can be 5 elite night credits
yes very true and I forgot to mention that in the video
I’ll consider this card if Amex does a revamp of this card. Atleast a bit more credits brining down the Effecfive annual fee down to about $250 as opposed to $350
I'd like that too 😅 except we wont see a revamp for a while since this was their "new" revamp
I remember the Ritz Carlton before Marriott took over. It was a real quality experience in general. Marriot Gold staus is worthless and platinum is not much to write home about. Even in Ritz's fall from glory, I'd take the Ritz Carlton card any day over this one. I received a 200k SB offer for the card, and still couldn't find a good reason to get it😎
Yuh its too bad the Ritz Carlton card is discontinued now 😢 I agree that Marriott Gold is nothing crazy at all. Thank you for watching! 🤙🏼
@@ChaseYokoyama The RC Card is still available via product change.....Boundless + 1year -> RC Card FTW......must have a $10k CL before crossing over....if you wait for the sign on bonus for the 5 nights for spending x....really makes it work out in your favor :)
I have this card since it was introduced and use it the most. The $300 dining credit and the 85K certificate covers the AF, I like the ability to transfer points to miles for the programs not covered by Chase. I also have the base Hilton Amex and use it enough to earn the Diamond status. I use the IHG card only for the gas and with Chase offer merchants. I am thinking about getting the Hyatt card in a few month, just before my staya in December so that I can get the lowly Discoverist status. I used the Sapphire points to book 3 stays and thought a little status is better than none. With that said, I hardly ever pay for hotels, except for the annual credit card fees, and get my money's worth.
Sheeesh you are the hotel credit card connoisseur 👏🏼 How often are you staying at hotels throughout the year? And do you ever use flexibly points (Chase, Amex, Citi, etc.) on flights or things other than hotel redemptions?
@@ChaseYokoyama I probably stay around 30 nights a year with all the hotel programs combined so I am not much of a traveler. Pre-pandemic, my trips were mostly to major cities so the Marriott and the Hilton programs covered my needs. Post pandemic, I have more needs to go to small cities in Asia where those American hotel chains don’t have presence, so I picked up the CSP to add more flexibility through their travel portal. The only airline credit card I have is the CITI AA card because I always felt you get more bangs for the buck with hotel programs. When I travel, I want the hotel rooms to be as comfortable as my house, so those hotel points come in handy by redeeming on their better properties. Recently I am having difficulties finding award tickets on American and United, so the Chase points come in handy. I redeemed business class tickets on SQ to Vietnam. I also joined the JAL program so I can convert the Marriott points to the JAL miles. I had to pay more for taxes and fuel surcharges on the JAL program, but you are spending fewer miles and have better availability than on the AA program, so I would say that’s a wash.
@@johnsmith02 aight aight 👀 So its safe to say that you know how to take advantage of ALL of your credit cards 🔥I like that standard of only staying in hotel rooms that are as comfortable as your house.
I had this card but down graded to the 95 dollar card still get 35k points a year and get 15 elite nights so keeper for me. Only thing I'm gonna miss is the restaurant credit.
And Im sure you dont miss the $650 annual fee 😂
Elite night credits help towards life time status mainly Id say
Trueee and they can help for yearly Titanium status as well if one were to chase after that.
Is this card a good fit for Marriott employees who already have a discount on stays?
It depends.
1. Make sure you can use all $300 of the dining credit every year. That should give you the full $300 of value.
2. The Free Night Award won't be as valuable to you since the cash equivalent of the hotel stay would be cheaper for you since you are a Marriott Employee. For example, if I were to stay at the Ritz, it could cost like $300. So using the FNA would be valued around $300. However if you were to book the same room at the Ritz it would cost you the employee discount rate (idk how much you get off). Let's assume you get the same room for $200. That means the FNA in that instance would only be valued $200 for you and $300 for me.
3. So it comes down to the other benefits on this card to see if it's worth it for you.
- Will you use the 25 elite night credits
- TSA Precheck / Global Entry
- Marriott Platinum status
Like can you use your Marriott loyalty benefits while staying on an employee rate? If so, then if you stay at Marriotts often the Platinum status should provide you with value. But is the value from Platinum status enough to cover the remaining effective annual fee? ($150 or so).
Basically, it might not be worth it unless you stay at Marriotts frequently throughout the year and can take advantage of the Platinum status benefits.
Thank you so much! I love your videos man!!!
@@josekarate2002 I appreciate you so much for watching my video! 🤙🏼
Monthly credits are a pain in the ass and the reason I got rid of my Amex cards to begin with. Once you have kids you don’t have time for bs
hahahh i can definitely see that. keeping track of monthly credits can be a pain to keep up with
I try to get to Titanium status every year that entitles you 23.5 points per dollar spend on stays and dining at Marriott properties. If you spend $340 there, you get 8,000 points, good enough for a free Level 1 Marriott stay. I have four Bonvoy credit cards and get the best value out of these 4 FNCs, not to mention the two free elite night choice awards that come with Titanium status.
Jeez, I want to experience Marriott the way you do! 😱
I have the Bonvoy brilliant and Aspire card. I need 2 years of platinum to get lifetime platinum so the card is gonna help me there. Then aspire is great for the diamond status.
u big chilling with those statuses
How about if you have 2 cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card and the RITZ-CARLTON visa from chase? what are the benefits? Will I get the benefits from each card?
yes you will get the benefits from each card
The free breakfast from the diamond status is really disappointing in the US.
Would’ve been nice if the FNC was given on the current year and not upon renewal so in essence your Effective Annual Fee is $700 in a span on 2 years with only 1 FNC in between. This card while tempting is a pass. Will keep my Amex Plat/Chase Reserve/ Hilton Aspire/Wyndham Business Earners Quadfecta.
Agreed! Its a bit strange that an expensive card like this gives you the FNC AFTER you renew ur card 🤔
I just got an offer for this card, and as a WDW annual passholder, we stay at the Swan or Dolphin resorts at least 6x per year, so this just may be worth it…
damn 6 times a year? That platinum status could potentially do wonders. Also I would love to be able to go to WDW that many times in a year
@@ChaseYokoyama - Living in FL helps for sure. 😅 I just called Marriott and verified a night at the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve can cost anywhere from 54k to 84k a night, depending on property and day / date. Regardless, the bonus night for 85k allows for one night at a property, which I value around $500 (not counting upgrade), so I think this is a no-brainer for us.
EDIT: Thanks for the vid and reply!
@@theelderkine Fair point 😅 you might as well reserve a permanent room there
In addition, Marriott has a larger footprint than all of the other chain hotels
foot print is important
I hate the monthly dinning credit, I am close to life time Platinum status, and as soon as I get there I am cancelling my Brilliance.
It'll be such a nice feeling to have that lifetime Platinum status 💎 😍 Keep on grinding to get that. 🔥 I'm officially pre- jealous of you
Just have to hold this card for 10 years and that would give the lifetime status am I right? If so; that would be the main draw for me.
@@lscott9263 of course, hold and try to maximize that dinning credit.
Do you have to be a CEO to get a business card?
yes, typically you must own the business. However you can create a small business or sole proprietorship which does not require owning a large or even medium scale business.
I have platinum status and it is actually the better tier out of all the tiers
please explain more. im curious
I stay 15 nights a year
I don't think it's worth it to try to get Titanium status. From the vast majority of videos I've seen and resources I read online, the bulk of the benefits you get at Titanium you already receive at Platinum. Personally, I think this card is great if you want to hit the sweet spot in Marriott status immediately and/or are looking at the 25 elite night credits to boost your way to the Marriott lifetime status.
Good to know 👏🏼 I know I'll definitely want to experience at least Platinum status sometime.
@ChaseYokoyama Though thinking about it, it might be worth it if you want another 25% in Bonvoy points and a status match to United Airline's silver status. The premier silver status with United is probably the more interesting benefit out of those two.
@@jro669 very true. I tend to naturally fly United more than anyone else on cash flights so that could help me out a bit
Nope. The AMEX Hilton Aspire card is better value.
I agree. The Aspire card has a better Annual fee to benefits ratio
if only this came with PP for free AU & at least $150 Marriott credit... this can replaced AMEX Plat, CSR & Venture X
i would love a Marriott credit on this card
You are not wrong, you just sounded biased
it's a great card. just gotta fit the right demographic and lifestyle to get that value from it
Legitly is not a word. You mean legitimately.
Ok
Isn't it kewl 2 use slang sometimes tho?
@@ChaseYokoyama Not if it makes you sound ignorant.
@@1bridge11 not a big deal. ease up
First!
Second! 🥈
@@ChaseYokoyama who beat me? 👀
@@ItsMeCJ lol dont worry 😂 I was saying that I was second.
no im first!!
@@acecatalan 🤣🤣, nah, I’m always first, even when it doesn’t look that way