Why I want this Marriott credit card — even though the annual fee is high

Many years ago, there was really only one major rewards card that cost more than around $100 per year — and that was the ubiquitous Platinum Card® from American Express. If you wanted to get into a Centurion Lounge — which at the time was in a league of its own — you didn't leave home without it.

But that was then. Now, many rewards cards cost several hundred dollars per year. And the top-tier cobranded Marriott credit card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, comes to a somewhat jaw-dropping $650 per year (see rates and fees) — just barely below the Amex Platinum's $695 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Here's potentially the even crazier part — I see enough value in the card, despite the high annual fee, to want it in my wallet.

And no, this is not because of some weird and deranged desire to have the most premium of credit cards. It's because it would save me more money than the other Marriott cards.

Here's how that math works out — and why I really want to get my hands on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant.

Related: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card review

Instant Marriott Platinum status

I travel a lot, but with a largely remote job, two kids, a spouse, a dog and a cat back home, I don't live for months of the year on the road. This makes keeping top-tier elite status in multiple programs somewhere between a stretch and an impossibility.

On paper, Marriott requires 50 eligible nights in a hotel per year to earn and maintain Platinum status. But there are ways to reduce that true number down, such as by getting a 15- to 25-night head-start on elite status by having a personal Marriott card such as the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card — and potentially another 15 elite nights credited by holding a small-business card such as the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card.

I've currently got a couple of Marriott credit cards — but both are of the small-business variety, so I only get 15 nights per year credited out of the 50 I need. If I was able to add the Bonvoy Brilliant to my arsenal, my Marriott elite status work would be done — not just for this year, but every year.

Daily Newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

I get well over $1,000 in tangible value out of having Marriott Platinium status every year between the additional points earned on paid stays, the breakfast benefit, lounge access and suite upgrades.

While Marriott Platinum status admittedly doesn't matter much at a random Fairfield Inn, it makes a whole lot of difference somewhere like the St. Regis New York, the Autograph Collection property in Vail or even the Swan Reserve at Walt Disney World.

While I don't have those higher-end Marriott stays all the time, I do usually have a few a year where status makes a big difference in terms of breakfast, amenities and suites.

Frankly, because I know I'll get my money back from the elite benefits, the Platinum status alone would be worth a $650 fee without worrying about earning it.

$300 in dining credits

It's true that $650 is a whole lot of cash each year for one credit card — even if it does unlock Platinum perks.

Fortunately, the true cost isn't that high if you use the built-in up to $300 in dining statement credits.

We all have to eat, and as long as you have a system to remember to spend the maximum of up to $25 on dining each month on the card, it drops the true out-of-pocket cost from $650 to $350.

My trick to using these sorts of monthly dining credits is to load our Chick-fil-A app with $25 each month at the beginning of the month. Then, when it's our turn to get the nugget tray for school parties, or we just are craving tenders, we are good to go.

You could presumably do it with Starbucks, too, if that's more your jam. Or just remember to use the card when you go out to eat.

An annual night worth 85,000 points

Another perk that makes me really want the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card more than ever is the annual award night, which is worth 85,000 points. Of course, it's also true that Marriott's program utilizes dynamic award charts, so you probably need the higher-value certificate just to book what you want in some cases.

Be that as it may, I'd love to get my hands on a Marriott 85,000-point certificate. Since you can add up to 15,000 Marriott points to a certificate, you can pick from most Marriott properties around the world that cost up to 100,000 points with the certificate and a "top off."

I'd try to find nights where I could use the certificate at a hotel such as the new Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad which otherwise would be well out of my price league at $1,500 or more most nights. I'd say that's more than getting your money's worth if you can cash in for something like that. (Even though Ritz-Carlton is quite weak when it comes to Marriott Platinum perks.)

95,000 bonus Marriott points

Last but certainly not least, you can also earn a 95,000-point welcome bonus as long as you spend $6,000 on the card in the first six months. That's a nice amount of points that can be used in an almost endless number of ways.

I'd probably earmark them for either an eventual (fingers-crossed) one-day blowout return to the Maldives or similar for a big round number birthday. Otherwise, I might use them in a bit more practical fashion for several nights on a Disney trip with a stay at the Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin or Swan Reserve hotels.

I've previously bought Marriott points at 0.83 cents each, so I think TPG's October 2024 valuation of 0.85 cents each is about right on the money for this one.

Bottom line

I'd say I easily get over $2,900 in value from having this card — especially in the first year, thanks to the welcome bonus. This, plus the credits and other perks Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant cardholders get, offer a ton of real-world value — and it's great not to have to worry about hitting Marriott Platinum status each year.

So yeah, it probably sounds crazy at first glance, but as soon as I'm in a position to apply for my next credit card, I'd love it if I were able to get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant. Yes, the fee is high. But at least for me, it's also a solid overall deal.

Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex

For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.