On Wednesday, Marriott has opened up its new Bonvoy program to the world! With the new program, you’ll get new cards, new bonuses, and new options for your next hotel.
Let’s dive into the details on the Bonvoy Brilliant card here.
Image courtesy of American Express
Find the application for the new Bonvoy Brilliant card from American Express here! (not an affiliate link)
As we noted earlier this month, the Bonvoy Brilliant is American Express’s answer to a new luxury card for the Marriott Bonvoy brand. The card will be replacing the short-lived SPG Luxury card, and will have fees and benefits to match. Here’s a recap:
- $450 annual fee
- 6x Marriott Rewards on Marriott and SPG stays, 3x restaurants and flights booked with airlines, 2x everything else
- Up to $300 statement credit annually for eligible purchases at Starwood and Marriott properties
- 15 Elite night credit annually as long as you hold the card (does not stack with other SPG/Marriott card elite credits)
- Free hotel night each year after renewal, up to 50,000 points
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
- Marriott Gold Elite Status
- Priority Pass Select membership
- NEW – $100 annual property credit to use on stays of 2 nights or more at St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton properties.
Should you sign up for the American Express Bonvoy Brilliant Card?
The welcome offer on this card will be available as long as you are approved on or before April 24th, 2019. For opening the card and making $5,000 in purchases within your first 3 months of card ownership, you’ll earn 100,000 bonus Bonvoy points. Assuming you’re using the card on only non-bonus spend, that’s 22 Bonvoy points per dollar on your first $5,000 in spend, for a total of 110,000 Bonvoy points. Add in some restaurant and Marriott hotel spend, and let’s say you’ll have 115,000 total Bonvoy points after receiving and using the card. That’s enough to get you 15 nights at their lowest level hotels, and only enough for one night at a Category 8 hotel (85,000 points/night).
(SEE ALSO – What do you think of the new Bonvoy card designs?)
One of the first times I redeemed SPG points – a 3 night stay at the Westin Resort in Cancun! I sure will miss the old SPG program…
Am I Eligible for the Welcome Bonus?
I’d argue that this isn’t a particularly great offer on the card, but not terrible. If you really need the Bonvoy points, go for it. Watch out though, the terms for the bonus are tricky!
Welcome offer not available to applicants who (i) have or have had The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card from JPMorgan or the J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card in the last 30 days, (ii) have acquired the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier Business from Chase or the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase in the last 90 days, or (iii) received a new Card Member bonus or upgrade offer for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ from Chase, Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier from Chase, the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier Plus Business from Chase or the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase in the last 24 months.
And you thought 5/24 was bad…
If you’ve had a Ritz-Carlton card in the last 30 days, have opened and of the Marriott (Rewards or Bonvoy) cards in the last 90 days or received any Marriott bonus from Chase whatsoever in the last 24 months, you’re out of luck.
With things tightening up, I’m sure not going to open this card – I’m not eligible for the bonus anyway. Besides, I’m canceling cards left and right…
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
Exactly what is this: 15 Elite night credit annually as long as you hold the card
Hi Tom! As long as you hold one of the Bonvoy (or former Marriott or Ritz) cards, you’ll earn 15 nights’ worth of elite credit on your Bonvoy account. This is equivalent to staying 15 nights at Bonvoy hotels during a single year, and can help you reach elite status with the hotel.
I wish they bring back the 125k offer some time soon
Here’s hoping!
Sounds alot like the Ritz Carlton Card. I have that card and one nice thing it gives you are the 3 free club level access when you pay for a Ritz room. We used that benefit in DC at one of the Ritz hotels charging only $200 per night. I think I will just hold onto the Ritz card instead of this one.