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If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy® loyalist, or even a “free agent” there are some amazing offers to look into. Two of these are ending soon on May 13th. Plus the business version of the card also has a limited time offer, though there’s no publicly set end date yet for that available.
Let’s break down each one of them in more detail:
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Annual Fee: $650 (see rates & fees)
Pat’s Take: This card is great if you’re a Marriott Bonvoy loyalist and you’re also trying to build towards or want an easy way to elite status. The card comes with complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Status (enrollment required) which is arguably its strongest perk.
The annual fee can seem steep, but there’s a good amount of credits on the card that can help justify the fee a bit more. Here are some of the highlights:
- Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Status: With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate. Enrollment required.
- Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card at restaurants worldwide.
- $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: With your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis when you book direct using a special rate for a 2 night minimum stay.
- 25 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year, receive 25 Elite Night Credits towards the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a $120 statement credit for Global Entry or a statement credit for up to $85 for TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) for a 5-year plan. Only one credit will be given in a 4 year period for whichever application fee is charged to your Card first.
- Priority Pass Select: Get complimentary Priority Pass Select membership with access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide. Enrollment required.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
Annual Fee: $250 (see rates & fees)
Pat’s Take: If we’re purely talking about the limited time offers, I personally think that the Bevy card is the sweet spot here. The limited time offer is only 25,000 points less than the Brilliant, and the annual fee is $400 less. However, many people will find the additional benefits and perks from the Brilliant worth the higher cost of the annual fee.
That said, the Bevy does have some perks as well that are worth calling out:
- Marriott Bonvoy® 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Terms apply.
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status: With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, earn perks like priority late checkout (until 2 p.m., subject to availability) and earning 25% more points on every eligible hotel purchase. Must book with a Qualifying Rate. Enrollment required.
- Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at a participating hotel. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year, receive 15 Elite Night Credits towards the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy® member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Annual Fee: $125 (see rates & fees)
Pat’s Take: It’s worth flagging that this one doesn’t have a set end date like the two others that are ending on 5/13. However, none of us know when this one may end, and since it’s being marketed as a limited time offer, it’s worth looking into sooner rather than later.
It’s worth flagging that each free night award part of this limited time offer has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points. This means if you take full advantage of this, the total potential value of this offer is up to 250,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply.
Outside of the welcome offer, a few others perks and benefits are worth calling out:
- Marriott Bonvoy Room Rate Discounts: Receive a 7% discount on eligible bookings as a benefit of being both a Marriott Bonvoy® member & a Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Member when you book directly with Marriott through an eligible channel for a participating property under the Amex Business Card Rate.
- Free Night Rewards: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night at a redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points Certain hotels have resort fees.
- 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year, receive 15 Elite Night Credits towards the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status: With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, earn perks like priority late checkout (until 2 p.m., subject to availability) and earning 25% more points on every eligible hotel purchase. Must book with a Qualifying Rate. Enrollment required.
Final Thoughts
All three of the cards represent awesome opportunities for anyone who has plans for an upcoming trip with a Marriott Bonvoy property in the area.
If you value status benefits and more premium perks, and you’re okay with a higher annual fee, I’d learn towards the Brilliant.
If you’re more of a free agent and have an occasional stay with a Marriott Bonvoy property, I’d lean towards the Bevy.
If you can qualify for a business card, then the Business Card is absolutely worth looking into. This card’s bonus represents the highest potential if you’re able to reach the full bonus at 5 free night awards and redeem each free night award at the full 50,000 points.
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Editorial Disclosure: The opinions are Pat’s alone. This content is not reviewed or endorsed by any entities.
