Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card worth it?
$650 annual fee. Free 85K-night cert + auto-Platinum status (15 elite night credit) + $300 dining credit. Cert alone often covers the fee.
Annual fee
$650
Auto-offsets
$1199
$1199 credits · $0 auto-perks
Net cost
+$549Pays you to hold
Annual credits & free nights
- redeem
Priority Pass Select
$429
Priority Pass Select lounge membership
- redeem
$300 Dining Credit
$300
$25/month at restaurants worldwide
- redeem
Earned Choice Award
$200
Suite night awards or free night after $60K annual spend
- redeem
Free Night Award (85k pts)
$170
Annual free night certificate up to 85,000 points
- redeem
$100 Ritz-Carlton/St. Regis Credit
$100
$100 on-property credit for 2+ night stays
Earning rates
| Category | Multiplier | Effective return |
|---|---|---|
| marriott hotelsDirect booking: 6x card + 10x base + 5x Platinum (50%) | 21x | 16.80% |
| dining | 3x | 2.40% |
| airlinesBooked directly with airlines | 3x | 2.40% |
| hotels | 2x | 1.60% |
| other | 2x | 1.60% |
The honest answer
Auto-offsets exceed the annual fee — the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card pays you to hold it before you swipe once. Almost always a hold.
Run it through Card CoachCard Coach
Plan your next card move.
Coach reasons through 7 issuer rules — Chase 5/24, Amex once-per-lifetime, Citi 8/65/95 — to suggest your next application without burning eligibility.
Ask CoachGet started
Add your cards in 30 seconds.
Connect via Plaid or pick from 90+ cards. Once added, every search shows which card earns most for that specific booking.
Add cards