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Here’s the best-ever offer for the premium Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (see rates and fees).
It’s 185,000 points after $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of cardmembership. That strikes me as a pretty low threshold. And while a single Marriott point is worth less than an airline mile, 185,000 is pretty substantial – I estimate worth somewhere between $1,100 – $1,200.
This is a $650 annual fee card. However it comes with a lot.
- Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status, plus 25 nights each year towards status (which can help you reach even higher status, plus count towards lifetime status)
- Each year you receive a Free Night Award after your card renewal month, valid for a night’s redemption worth up to 85,000 Marriott points. Bear in mind that some hotels have resort fees that apply on free night redemptions.
- Plus, each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on the card you become eligible for a choice benefit. The current list:
- 5 Nightly Upgrade Awards
- 1 Free Night Award valued at up to 85K points
- 50,000 Marriott points
- $1,000 Off a Bed from any Marriott Bonvoy retail brand
- 5 Nightly Upgrade Awards
- $300 in total dining statement credits ($25 each month)
I don’t consider the card attractive for ongoing spending, but it’s got a great bonus and strong benefits. I believe I’ve only seen 185,000 points offered for this card once before.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, click here.
Gary’s valuation is accurate, especially after the recent Marriott devaluations; 0.6 cents per point is the new breakeven, which is not ideal, because it used to be closer to 0.8, and even more before. While you can find some redemptions at outsized value, like 2-3 cents per point, you’d have to go to really far destinations, like the Maldives, in order to achieve that maximization.
As for the Brilliant as a ‘keeper card,’ it really comes down to how you use that 85K certificate each year, and whether you’re disciplined enough to use the $20/month dining credits. If you can breakeven on that, and enjoy the complimentary breakfast benefits with Platinum status (if properties even honor it anymore), then it works out. I’ve kept mine for years and years, even though @Gene will try very hard to convince you to ditch these guys entirely. Bah!
This is a great offer except when you find out Marriott no longer cares much about its guests, it’s not such a great deal. As you’ve written many times, Marriott does not require its properties to honor the amenities promised.
Gary and @1990 — thanks for the analysis! I wonder if Hyatt will be coming out with a premium card at some point.
@Gene — hit @1990 with a “that’s a nope from me, dawg”!
@L737 — I hope (for Hyatt). That’d be sweet, because currently the annual free night with the existing Hyatt card is capped at Category 4, and while there are still a few decent options, especially overseas, it’s becoming slim-pickings within the USA, other than at like a random hotel off I-95. Now, if Chase and Hyatt were to unveil a premium card, say $495 annual fee, includes higher status and a free night valid anywhere, then I’d open/upgrade in a heartbeat. I’ve got IHG’s and Hilton’s ‘premium’ cards, too, and, basically, it’s the free night certificates that make any of them ‘keepers,’ but you’ve gotta plan wisely on when/where to use ‘em (or you lose ‘em!)
@1990 — With you on Hyatt! *Fry shut up and take my money meme* Aspire had been great for me – been coming out ahead even without accounting for the free night which is quite the cherry on top.
Platinum is worth whatever you’d pay for 2pm checkout and a Sysco croissant these days.
185,000 Bonvoy points will get you a week at a nice airport hotel by DTW.
@L737 — “Are there any left?!” (The scene where that meme is from is actually pretty funny in and of itself.)
@Connor — Oh, cheer up, buttercup. There’s far better options in Detroit, even with Bonvoy… I’ve stayed at the David Whitney, Autograph Collection, which was not bad, historic building, good location, honored the Platinum breakfast benefit with egg and cheese sandwiches, about 69K points. Niccce.