American Express · Amex
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
Marriott Loyalists
$650 annual fee up to $400/yr in credits if you use them
Why people consider it
- 6x on Marriott.
- 3x on Dining.
- Points transfer to 5 airline and hotel partners.
Current welcome offer
Current: 100,000 points
Recent typical offer: 150,000 points
Current offer is 33% lower than recent typical offers.
Welcome offer: 100,000 points≈ $700 at our typical valuation
Requirement: Spend $6,000 in 6 months
Tell us what you normally spend and we’ll check it against this requirement. Find a card →
Current offer shown; issuer determines eligibility.
Details: 100,000 points after $6,000 spend in 6 months — the standard offer; the limited-time 150,000 + $250 credit offer ended 2026-09-30. Verified on marriott.com and The Points Guy 2026-10-01 (the Amex page itself blocks automated reads).
Recommended credit score: 720+
Advertising disclosure: we may earn a commission if you apply through this link. This does not affect your ranking. Full disclosure
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Is this card worth it?
Ongoing value
$192/year
for the sample household ($4,800/month) · points at typical value
First-year value
$892 first year
Includes: +$700 welcome offer (100,000 points at our typical value)
$700 is one-time. $192/year is ongoing.
To earn the bonus: spend $6,000 in 6 months.
Offer verified: Nov 4, 2026
Worth considering if you already want this type of card.
- Full annual fee:
- $650, charged in full — credits count only if you use them
- Major trade-offs:
- $650 annual fee is high Marriott points worth only ~0.8¢
- Against a no-fee alternative:
- We'd choose the $0-fee option. Citi Double Cash nets as much as Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant on this spending, with no fee to earn back. (The sample household; run your own numbers.)
Detailed research
Full reward table and category caps
Marriott Bonvoy hotels
Restaurants worldwide
Flights booked directly with airlines
Optional benefits and credits
Credits — if you use them
Up to $25/month at restaurants — enroll in Amex benefits
Up to $100 property credit per paid stay of 2+ nights at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis booked directly with Marriott
Perks (not counted in our math)
Automatically issued each year after card renewal
Automatic — includes lounge access, breakfast, room upgrades
Register at prioritypass.com with your card
Up to $120 for Global Entry (every 4 yrs) OR up to $85 for TSA PreCheck; shown at its ~$30/yr annualized value
Redemption and transfer information
Points transfer to 5 airline and hotel partners — often where the highest redemption values live.
Approval and bonus eligibility caveats
Recommended credit score: 720+ — the issuer decides every application.
Issuer verification source
Rates and fees may vary.See current rates, fees, and terms on American Express's site
Detailed methodology
Net annual value = rewards on a spending profile at typical point value − the full annual fee; credits count only if you tell us you use them; a welcome offer counts once, in year one, only where the profile meets its requirement. Same math as Find a Card. Methodology v2026.09.4.
Editorial review and disclosures
Pros
- + $300 dining credit offsets most of the premium
- + Free night worth up to 85k points (~$400+)
- + Automatic Platinum Elite status with suite upgrades
- + Unlimited Priority Pass lounge access
- + 6x at Marriott — best earn rate on the card
Cons
- - $650 annual fee is high
- - Marriott points worth only ~0.8¢
- - Need to use credits to justify cost
- - Amex not accepted everywhere
Written by Tim · Data verified against issuer terms · Last checked Nov 4, 2026 · Methodology v2026.09.4
Card information is collected independently and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. See our disclosure for details.