Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is the flagship of Marriott's card lineup, priced at $650 a year. Through September 30, 2026 it carries an elevated welcome offer: 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points plus a $250 statement credit after $6,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. The card's anchor benefits are status and a free night. You get automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, which normally takes 50 nights a year and brings breakfast at most brands, lounge access, 4 p.m. late checkout, and upgrade eligibility. Each card anniversary you receive a Free Night Award worth up to 85,000 points, high enough to cover many Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and W properties. You also get 25 Elite Night Credits per calendar year toward even higher status tiers. The running credits need attention. The $300 dining credit is metered at up to $25 per month at restaurants worldwide; miss a month and that slice is gone, and in practice many cardholders capture $200 to $250 rather than the full $300. There is a $100 property credit on paid two-night-plus stays at Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis booked through a specific rate, a fee credit for Global Entry ($120) or TSA PreCheck ($85), and Priority Pass Select lounge membership. Earning is 6x at Marriott hotels (up to 21x total with membership and status earn), 3x at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2x elsewhere. The APR is 19.49 to 28.49 percent variable with no foreign transaction fees. The Brilliant suits travelers who stay at Marriott properties 15 or more nights a year, eat out monthly, and will redeem the 85,000 point free night at an expensive property. For that traveler the dining credit plus the free night routinely beat the $650 fee before status is even counted. Skip it if you are a casual Marriott guest: the $95 Boundless delivers a 35,000 point night and 15 elite night credits at a seventh of the price. Skip it too if monthly credit-tracking annoys you, or if your travel is split across chains, where a transferable-points card wins.