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If you stay frequently at Marriott hotels then the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a no-brainer. The card is currently offering one of the best welcome bonuses ever – 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points after you make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months of holding the card.
This bonus is one of nine reasons are why I carry this card and why you should add it to your wallet:
9. Credit at Ritz Carlton or St. Regis
I love St. Regis hotels and have stayed in many of the brand’s properties. Ritz Carlton also has some wonderful hotels. With this card, you can receive up to $100 in Marriott Bonvoy® Property Credit towards qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton (excluding Ritz-Carlton Reserve) or St. Regis when you book direct on Marriott.com using a special rate for stays that are two plus nights.
8. Earned Choice Award Benefit
Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases, card members can select an Earned Choice Award benefit. Options include: Five Suite Night Awards, an (up to 85K) Free Night Award, or a mattress and box spring $1,000 discount from Marriott Bonvoy® Boutiques.
7. Lounge Access
The card comes with a Priority Pass Select Membership. This gives you access to many lounges around the world. Enrollment is required.
6. Elite Night Credits
The card offers 25 Elite Night Credits each calendar year. This is a nice boost and one that I appreciate since my travel is not taking me on the road as many nights these days.
5. Instant Status
The card comes with complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status. This normally requires staying 50+ nights at Marriott hotels. It’s good to know you’ll always have this status at a minimum.
4. Dining Credits
Who doesn’t want to save money when eating out? Up to $300 back per calendar year (up to $25 per month) on dining purchases at restaurants worldwide.
3. Generous Earnings
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program
- 3x Marriott Bonvoy Points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with the airlines
- 2x Marriott Bonvoy Points on all other eligible purchases
2. A Free Night
Receive one Free Night Award every year after your card renewal month. The award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
1. 185,000 Bonus Points
Earn 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases on the card within the first six months.
Anthony’s Take:
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a must for frequent Marriott guests. Its annual fee is $650, but I have found that the dining credits, free night, and other benefits easily make this up. An excellent welcome bonus makes it even better. It will always have a place in my wallet. Learn more about the card.
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
