American Express
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
What it is
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is an American Express card earning Marriott Bonvoy points. Its ongoing value can outweigh the annual fee, making it a potential keeper past year one. The premium Marriott keeper: an 85k-point anniversary free night and automatic Platinum Elite status routinely outrun the fee for anyone who books a few Marriott stays a year. A hold-forever card more than a pure churn play.
Offer history
Value is the welcome bonus at your valuations. The Year 1 total also counts recurring benefits and subtracts the annual fee. Spend / mo (the dashed line, right axis) is the monthly pace to clear the minimum spend in time — shown on every view so the spend stays in context.
| Offer | Bonus | Value | Year 1 | Return | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PUBLIC | 150,000$6k · 180d | $1,155 | $1,628 | 19% | May ’26 |
PUBLIC ATH | 200,000$6k · 180d | $1,540 | $2,013 | 26% | Mar ’26 |
PUBLIC | 100,000$6k · 180d | $770 | $1,243 | 13% | Sep ’25 |
What you get
- Anniversary free night$655per year
Annual Free Night up to 85k pts/night (raised from 50k in 2023 refresh). Native-valued. · up to 85,000 Marriott
- Priority Pass + lounges$469per year
Unlimited Priority Pass Select lounge access, plus two guests.
- Marriott dining credit$300per year
$25/mo dining statement credit ($300/yr annual face).
- Marriott Platinum status$250per year
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status.
- Global Entry credit$120one-time
$100 GE / $85 TSA every 4yr; period=once.
- 15 elite night credits$75per year
15 elite night credits toward Marriott Bonvoy status each year.
Dollar figures are the benefit’s face value. What it’s worth to you — after realistic usage and your own point values — is in the receipt below.
The receipt
default values| SUB value | +$1,155 |
| 150,000 Marriott × 0.77¢/pt | |
| Ongoing benefits (yr 1) | +$1,093 |
Anniversary free night(85,000 Marriott · $655 × 85%) Anniversary free night 85,000 Marriott · $655 × 85% $556 Priority Pass + lounges($469 × 50%) Priority Pass + lounges $469 × 50% $235 Marriott dining credit($25/mo × 55%) Marriott dining credit $25/mo × 55% $165 | |
| One-time benefits (yr 1) | +$30 |
Global Entry credit($120 × 25%) Global Entry credit $120 × 25% $30 | |
| Annual fee | −$650 |
| Year 1 | $1,628 |
| Return on $8k MSR | 14% |
Your score sharpens once you sign in — we add eligibility, spend-fit, and 5/24.
Related cards
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant scores 55 here on default point values. See where it ranks against every card, scored for your points, spend, and eligibility.
Open the ranked table →