Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card relaunches with a large welcome bonus and a slew of new benefits — and a higher annual fee

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.

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

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:

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.