The offer mentioned below for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Cardis no longer available. To view the current offer, click here.
Marriott Bonvoy introduced two new credit cards on Thursday: the *Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card from Chase. Both cards have annual fees of $250 and provide high-end benefits like automatic elite status and the opportunity to earn free night awards. *See rates and fees.
But it didn't stop there. Marriott is also making significant changes to its top-tier Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, including enhancing existing benefits, adding new benefits and increasing its annual fee. Plus, it's offering a limited-time welcome bonus of up to 150,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in eligible purchases on the card in the first three months.
Here's what you need to know about the new benefits, along with the other features already included on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card.
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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card changes
The changes to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card are major. Put simply, Marriott's most premium credit card is getting more premium.
Annual hotel credit shifts to dining
The card's first change was announced in July, and it's that the up to $300 Marriott Bonvoy hotel statement credit is being swapped for a dining credit that can be redeemed at any eligible restaurant worldwide. Although it still adds up to the same total, you'll now only be reimbursed up to $25 per month over the course of 12 months, as opposed to being able to redeem the entire credit at once. Overall, this should give cardholders greater flexibility as they're not locked into Marriott purchases to earn the statement credit. However, you'll have to make sure you're putting at least $25 a month worth of dining purchases on the card to ensure you're getting maximum value.
Free night award becomes more valuable
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card previously offered an annual free night award worth up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Now, the award can be used towards rooms costing up to 85,000 points, potentially allowing you to book higher-end hotels.
Improvements to elite status benefits
Cardholders now get Platinum Elite status instead of Gold Elite status, unlocking perks like free breakfast at some brands and upgrades to suites. Additionally, those chasing a higher tier of status now get 25 Elite Night Credits each year instead of 15.
Opportunity to earn choice benefits
Along with the enhancements listed, the card is introducing the opportunity to earn an "Annual Card Choice Award" by spending $60,000 on the card in a calendar year (starting January 2023). You'll have the choice of five suite night awards, an additional free night award (worth up to 85,000 points) or $750 off a bed from Marriott Bonvoy® Boutiques.
New welcome offer
To celebrate the refresh, now through Jan. 11, 2023, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card will offer new cardmembers an elevated welcome bonus of 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after they spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on the card in the first three months.
Higher annual fee
As you might expect, the new benefits come at a cost. The annual fee on this card is now $650 (see rates and fees), up from $450. If you opened your card before Sept. 22, 2022, the new annual fee will take effect on your first renewal date on or after Jan. 1, 2023.
Still, the annual fee can be offset if you take full advantage of all the benefits:
- Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Status
- One Free Night Award each year after Card renewal month that can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 back per month) for dining purchases at restaurants worldwide
- 25 Elite Night Credits each calendar year to use toward achieving your next level of elite status
- Up to $100 property credit when staying two nights or more at the Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® properties
- Annual Earned Choice Award: Each calendar year (starting January 2023), after making $60K in purchases, Card Members can select an Earned Choice Award benefit
- Airport lounge access with Priority Pass Select Membership (enrollment required)
- Up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee
- Various travel protections
- *Purchase and return protection
Same earning rates
There are no changes to the card's earning rates:
- 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties
- 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines
- 2X points on all other eligible purchases
Other Marriott Bonvoy credit cards
There's no question that the annual fee is high, and you should never put yourself in financial constraint just to hold a credit card. If you prefer a card with a lower (or no) annual fee, Marriott Bonvoy has plenty of other options:
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
Rewards
Earn up to 14X total points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy® hotels, 2X points on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains) and 1X point on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 50,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from your account opening. Plus 50,000 Bonus Points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® through 1/31/24.
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply. Information about the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Rewards
Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining; 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 spent; earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card, and 2X points for every $1 spent on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from your account opening. Plus 50,000 Bonus Points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® through 1/31/24
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply. Information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Rewards
6X Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program, 4X points for each dollar of eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping, 2X points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $8,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 11/1/23.
Annual fee
$125
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
20.99% - 29.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
Rewards
6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy; 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
Welcome bonus
Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
$250
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
20.99% - 29.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees. Terms apply.
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card
Rewards
6X Marriott Bonvoy Points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy; 4X Marriott Bonvoy Points on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets; 2X Marriott Bonvoy Points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 85,000 Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening.
Annual fee
$250
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
20.24% – 27.24 variable
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply. Information about the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
Bottom line
If you are a road warrior and want all the bells and whistles that make your travels more comfortable, don't overlook the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Although its $200 annual fee increase can be a tough pill to swallow, there are lots of new benefits and a generous welcome bonus to make up for it. However, if the annual fee is too expensive, don't fret — Marriott Bonvoy offers several other credit cards that have lower fees.
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For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, click here.
*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Information about the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
