American Express
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
Annual Fee
$650
Sign-up Bonus
95,000 pts
Travel Credit
$300
Where It Wins, Where It Doesn't
Generated from the card's data against our full catalog, not editorial opinion.
- 6x on hotels (catalog median is 2x)
- 3x on dining (catalog median is 2x)
- 3x on fast food (catalog median is 2x)
- Credits worth about $350/yr at typical usage offset 54% of the fee
- Non-bonus spending earns only 1x
Is the $650 Fee Worth It?
Net annual value (rewards + credits at typical usage, minus the fee) at three reference spending profiles. Signup bonuses excluded.
Everyday
Groceries, gas, and dining out a few times a month ($24,000/yr)
-$50/yr
$250 rewards + $350 credits - $650 fee
Foodie
Heavy dining and delivery, lighter on travel ($26,000/yr)
+$52/yr
$352 rewards + $350 credits - $650 fee
Traveler
Several trips a year with flights and hotels ($28,000/yr)
+$183/yr
$483 rewards + $350 credits - $650 fee
Rewards by Category
Dining
3x
Grocery
1x
Gas
1x
Flights
1x
Hotels
6x
Other Travel
1x
Online Shopping
1x
Rideshare
1x
Streaming
1x
Amazon
1x
Other
1x
Apple
1x
Cell Phone
1x
Fast Food
3x
Home Utilities
1x
Internet
1x
Walmart
1x
Point value: 0.8 cents per point
The Fine Print That Changes the Math
6x at Marriott, 3x at US restaurants, 3x on flights booked directly with airlines. $300 Marriott credit, free night up to 85k. Platinum Elite status.
Benefits & Credits
Marriott Credit$300
Priority Pass Select$100
We count this at 50% of face value (typical usage)
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant FAQ
What is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant annual fee?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant has a $650 annual fee. Statement credits worth about $350/yr at typical usage reduce the effective cost.
What is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant signup bonus?
95,000 points for new cardholders meeting the minimum spend. Check the issuer's site for the current offer.
What are the best spending categories for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant?
6x on hotels, 3x on dining, 3x on fast food. Everything else earns 1x.
Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant worth the annual fee?
At a typical $24,000/yr spending profile, it comes up about $50/yr short of covering the fee. It can still win for heavier spending in its bonus categories; run your own numbers in the optimizer.
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Is Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Right for You?
Run your personalized optimization to see how this card fits into your wallet and how much you could earn based on your actual spending.
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