Analyzing the Benefits of the Amex Marriott Brilliant Card
Exploring the Benefits of the American Express Marriott Bonvoy: Is It Right for You?
Are you the next credit card to continue travel hacking? L Look no further than the American Express Marriott Boundless Brilliant Card. In today's blog post, we'll delve into what makes this card stand out from the crowd and whether it might be the right fit for your travel hacking strategy.
Introduction to the American Express Marriott Brilliant Card
The American Express Marriott Brilliant Card is a travel reward credit card designed to cater to the needs of travel hackers and individuals seeking elevated rewards and exclusive benefits. It is a card I have in my wallet and used as part of my strategy to get a free hotel stay on my family's Disney World Vacation. To learn more about my budget Disney World vacation check out "A Guide to Planning Your Disney World Using Reward Points". Amex has 2 personal Marriott credit cards, the Amex Bevy and Amex Brilliant. To learn more about the Amex Bevy check out our post "American Express Marriott Bevy Card: Is It Right for You?".
The Key Features of the Amex Marriott Brilliant
1. Generous Welcome Offer:
Upon approval, cardholders often enjoy a substantial welcome bonus after meeting the required spending threshold within the initial months. This influx of points kick-starts your journey with Marriott on a high note. The current offer for this card is an 95,000 Marriott point sign-up bonus after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.
2. Earn Marriott Points:
Every swipe with the Amex Marriott Bevy Credit Card earns you Marriott Bonus Points. With the Bevy card, you earn 3 points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with an airline. Now this differs from the Bevy card as you are earning less points per dollar on restaurants, however you are earning bonus points on flights.
3. Elite Status Benefits:
Cardholders automatically receive Platinum status within the Marriott rewards program, unlocking a spectrum of exclusive benefits such as room upgrades, late check-outs, etc. The higher your spending and loyalty, the greater the rewards and status level. To learn more about the various Marriott Bonvoy statuses, check out "Taking a Closer Look at the Marriott Bonvoy Program".
4. Free Night Reward:
Free night rewards can be used at any Marriott for an award night up to 85,000 points. 85,000 points at a Marriott can be used for many higher-end hotels. Free night awards are also a good use of a free night when a stay is not in a multiple of 5 (5th night free on stays booked 100% with points.)
5. Annual Fee
The Amex Bevy has an annual fee of $650. The fee is partially made up for by the free night award. This can be offset by some of the benefits of the card. To learn more about high fee cards check out "Are High-Fee Travel Reward Credit Cards Worth the Price?"
6. $300 Dining Credit
You will receive a $25 monthly credit at restaurants. This can be used to offset the annual fee on this card, effectively making the annual fee $350.
7. Earned Choice Award
If you spend $60,000 in a calendar year on the Brilliant card, you are eligible for ann Earned Choice Award. You can choose one of the following:
5 nightly upgrade awards
$1,000 bed discount from Marriott Retail brands
Free night award with a redemption value of 85,000 points
An 85,000-point night can go for $350-$400 if paying cash for an equivalent room. While the Brilliant has a high fee, it is offset by the $300 dining credit, automatic 85,000 point free night award and possibility of a second 85,000 point free night award. If you assume an 85,000 point room is approximately $350, then the net effect of the the annual fee is $0 ($300 dining credit +$350 room using the automatic free night award).
Is it Right for You?
Before diving into the world of Marriott Bonvoy with this credit card, it's essential to assess whether it aligns with your travel habits and preferences. Here are some factors to consider:
Frequent Marriott Stays: If you often find yourself booking accommodations within the Marriott portfolio, the rewards of this card can amplify your experience and savings.
Travel Lifestyle: The card caters to those who prioritize travel and seek value from their credit card through hotel stays, upgrades, and experiences.
Responsible Spending: To maximize the benefits, ensure that you can manage your spending responsibly and pay off your balance monthly to avoid accruing interest charges. Travel hacking is not an excuse to live outside of your budget. Ensure you do not overspend to accrue points.
Our Travel Hacking Strategies:
Never as an authorized user to your account. It is wise to have a partner or Person 2, but always create a separate credit card account for them. To learn more about using a person 2 check out our post.
Use travel reward credit cards for all of your monthly expenses. Check out our post here on how to strategize your strategies.
When working on a sign-up bonus, ensure you have enough expenses to meet the minimum spending. Check out our How to Start Travel Hacking post.
Use bonus categories to maximize your travel credit card reward strategies. Check out our post here.