HUGE Updates to Amex Bonvoy Brilliant ($650 Annual Fee)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 มิ.ย. 2024
- 💳 Sebby's Card Picks: www.asksebby.com/credit-cards
Huge changes to the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and what it means for you.
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Timeline
0:00 Start Here
0:38 Bonvoy Brilliant Changes
7:34 Card Benefits
13:42 Major Flaws
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💳 Sebby's Card Picks: www.asksebby.com/credit-cards
it says you can earn up to 21x points per dollar when u spend on Marriott. do u get the 10x and 5x points if u only have dinner at one of their participating restaurants n using ur card? or do u have to stay at that property to do a room charge to get the 10x and 5x points extra?
Great video. Just want to add that the status along with the card earn you up to 21 bonvoy points when staying with marriott (10 base bonvoy points * 50% boost w/ platinum status + 6 points that the card gives you).
The platinum status is absolutely a game changer here. Free breakfast and possible suite upgrades are super attractive to me. I normally travel 5-10 times annually, not frequent enough to gain that platinum status, but more than frequent enough to use up all the benefits coming from my chase Marriott boundless card and Amex Plat. An enhanced platinum status will certainly encourage me have this card in the future.
@@MichaelBrown-pg5dy While it is "easy" in that getting a card is much easier than staying ~20 nights, the previous threshold required when stacked with a personal+business card, it's not like this is a no-brainer card for most people, and the coverage by people in the CC game certainly reflects that. It's not particularly easy to justify $650 (especially with such low hanging fruit via Hilton Aspire available), though I do agree it has gotten "easier". There are still plenty of gems where Platinum status is helpful (many international locations, Nashville's Noelle had one of the best hotel breakfast benefits I've seen, the NY EDITION and Westin London Downtown service & upgrade culture for status was no joke, and honestly if you can find high suite-available properties & non-peak times to travel where you're not fighting business travelers during the week or leisure travelers on the weekend, depending on time of year, a single upgrade justifies the card, let alone the ~80% upgrade success rate I had during COVID on ~100 nights over 18 months).
@@MichaelBrown-pg5dy I feel like It's reasonable to see the value of platinum status being depreciated. But that being said, there's still a huge motivation for me to get the card from where I stand now. Feel like the card can be targeting people like me who are not business travelers but are willing to pay a little more for possible upgrades let alone I can get $650 value back from food and hotel credits.
@@kunalmishra9463 It's absolutely worth $650 for me since I can surely get $650 back through food/hotel credits and platinum is just an extra perk. But I can't speak for others. Frequent/business travelers may find this card lame because they can easily get platinum through stays. The launch of the card will further worsen the elite status service in general. btw I've been to NY Edition(the one on the signature clocktower) and the time square Edition with my gold status, no surprise at all... I'll come back with platinum:)
I completely agree with you!!! I always love Free breakfast and suite upgrades.
@@kunalmishra9463 What kind of upgrade did you get as a Plat at the NY Edition? I'm assuming you mean the Madison Square Park location? I stayed there recently as a Plat and got nothing. It wasn't even a high floor. Somewhere in the middle on the range of floors. Cool elevators, that's about it. The place just wasn't for me. I can't believe anyone would shell out the cash rate of $1,000 a night for that place. I'm closing in on lifetime Plat, and its just not worth chasing. The breakfast benefit is a crapshoot in the states. Mostly a measly $10 credit, a croissant and coffee or something along those lines.
🧽yO Sebs! Love your stuff as usual! Surprised you didn't mention anything about the Marriott Lifetime status.. Maybe content for another video? Would love to hear your preference between the different hotel reward programs - Marriott vs Hilton vs Hyatt.. etc.
The platinum status alone puts it in the keeper card category for me...(the annual certificate helps too). One has to wonder what's going to happen with the Hilton Aspire? Right now the perks it provides are insane compared to the AF. I hope it doesn't jump to $650 too.
Overall I am happy with the new card because I typically get the most value out of increased status and stay points multipliers associated with higher status, and I don’t mind paying more for that as long as the annual fee is offset by credits. However, I am bummed about the $300 dining credit change because I much preferred the hotel stay credit, which was easy to knock out after one trip early in the year. Plus I will now have to forego earning 5X points on my Citi Prestige to chase those $25 monthly dining credits.
Another great video, I’m going to get this card before my next big trip to Europe. Do you know if the status nights combine with the status nights from the Chase phone via card?
Thanks sebby. Will you make a video comparing this to the ritz carlton card?
Platinum status devalued at Marriott now for consultants. I like it as someone who was on cusp of hitting every year.
🧽Great video! Thank you for the thorough explanation!
Thank you for the information. I find benefits in your point of view.
How do you think that the overall increase in hotel pricing has impacted the value of points / certificate as a currency?
I was waiting for Sebby’s take on this!
One thing I would have really liked with the higher AF would’ve been to get back airport restaurant access with Priority Pass like they do with Capital One, or give us access to some of the “Escape” Centurion lounges without having to pay $45. I still get use out of Priority Pass at the Vegas airport, Lisbon, and some others, but I fly in/out of San Francisco and Sacramento often and would love some better lounge options there with this card’s higher AF. US locations are pretty lackluster in general with this Amex “select” version of the priority pass, unfortunately.
Literally cancelled the card a month ago prior to the announced changes, due to the change regarding the hotel credit. But once they announced the changes I don’t really regret my decision. When I had platinum status it was hardly acknowledged and didn’t see much of a difference between gold and titanium besides a welcome gift of chocolates.
I have had titanium elite status for years they don’t upgrade me very often honestly you need ambassador. They make it harder and harder it’s a joke at this point for all these people chasing status from a Titanum elite I can tell you…. It’s not worth it.
@@caspi88 Thanks for letting us know, I did find out Marriott stays charged much more points after merged with Sheraton and their benefits are awful in comparison with Hyatt.
Totally agreed, had gold but after merged with Sheraton, no lounge access and their points are much higher plus benefits are awful.
I think alot of people may be aspirational travellers for hotels but not for flights... Eg. families with a couple kids - first or business class plane tickets make little sense when you need 4 separate tickets but staying in an aspirational hotel with 2 double beds and possible suite upgrades at amazing properties is well worth it. For this reason I will always book economy on flights but book really nice hotels for family travel.
For this reason, I really like this update. I experienced Bonvoy platinum for the first time this year (got platinum status for the first time due to a signup bonus during COVID), and it is a significant improvement over Bonvoy gold imho. Both my wife and I have the Brilliant card and this is a keeper... We both also have the Aspire and its such a huge value having top elite statuses at both Hilton (diamond) and Marriott (platinum).
I was very much using the same strategy as you, but then I got upgraded to Deltaone a few weeks ago (partially thanks to Delta Reserve card) . Now that I have been dosed with that sweet heroin, I'm not so sure about economy flights...😬 Oh geeze.
Heavenly beds are awesome though. I'd def chose that, especially since I get the SNAs anyway
Great video Sebby - QQ - does the platinum status count towards lifetime status? I’ve already got the 600 nights; but need 3 more years of platinum status. I’m grinding on an old Marriott card that grants 1 elite qualifying night per 3K spent; but only gets me 1 point per dollar spent. Think I need to ditch that card for this one. Thx!
I love statement credits for food/dining. I travel for work and I get per diem. I submit receipts and get reimbursed. My employer isn't going to know if I got the statement credit or not. Same with the gold/plat Uber credit. They just see I paid. Then I get the full amount of the meal in the bank on pay day.
🧽 Been waiting for your review! Thank you! I got the card last November with 150k bonus offer and 85k initial certificate with 50k recurring certificate. The updates of Platinum, 25 ENC & now 85k recurring cert make it a keeper for me now. Used points & the 85k cert in London this summer (Sheraton Grand Park Lane) and happy to know I can do a similar trip next year elsewhere in Europe. PLUS, the $650 starts AFTER 1/1/23, so I still only have to pay $450 because I renew prior to that (from what I understand). Thanks for your reviews! Always great.
Thank you
Hi. Can I still get a still get a sign up bonus if I have one of the Marriott cards from Chase? Or even get this card at all? Thank you.
Not the best time to get it for me now, but I definitely am considering getting it next year, looks great!
We travel overseas usually three or four times a year, but we nearly always stay with friends or family so it's hard to justify these with only a handful of Marriott stays a year.
I'll stick with my Ritz Carlton for now. Thanks for the info + video!
The RC card just earned a spot on my short list of cards to consider getting next (technically, it would be the Bonvoy Boundless with plans to upgrade to RC after year 1). Gotta love the addition of the 85k cert at the same annual fee. Let’s hope it doesn’t increase! 🤞
Time for a Router give-a-way. I can always use extra routers and switches lol!
Your reviews are the best! Most other TH-camrs just read out the perks, without any assessment of the card. Thanks for being critical and giving us a deep give!
I love your work Sebby!!! Thank you for everything my Asian brother. Which hotel credit card do you think is the best overall between all the big players like IHG, Hilton, Ritz and Marriot or any others that I havent mentioned?
my biggest concern with Aspire is if they indeed implement the new 550 fee with the new credits that are hard to use, then it becomes useless
Diamond status and FNC still makes it highly viable.
Sebastian do you think this is spelling the end for the Hilton aspire card? I think it’s really hard for them to give top tier status and benefits at such a low annual fee (sidenote, I can’t believe I just typed that). I foresee a significant increase in annual fee upcoming.
🧽!! always some great material. Thank you!
🧽Is it possible to status match from any hotel programs to an airline?
50k certificate was worth the $150 for me. 85k certificate isn't worth the $350 for me since if I want to stay multiple nights, I'm paying the cash rate for the second and later nights.
I have 2 Marriott credit cards (Boundless & Brilliant). I like these changes and hopefully I will get credit card upgrade soon (from Chase Boundless to Chase Bountiful). $250 Chase Bountiful looks very appealing to me. I am planning to use My Night Award at The Ritz-Carlton. I wish Marriott had more flexibility with Night Awards, because I really would prefer to use these points at Marriott Bonvoy Moments.
Half the hotel!! Wow, fasctinating! I guess I've been very lucky with upgrades even in the pasty year :)
To get auto-platinum status, I got to get this card and hold my nose to use the first coupon book (also first Amex card) in my cc portfolio, this $25 monthly dining credit. Now this update will quickly get me Lifetime Platinum status by holding this card for 10 yrs.
I always keep in mind my lost points when calculating values of credits, so $300 in dining means a loss of 1200 MR points (because I would have used my gold card), or $24 at 2ccp, so at most it's only $276.
Would you pay $2,000 for 100,000 MR?
@@FBNick08 100% yes. That's an easy decision
Yep. Opportunity cost is often overlooked.
Most CC credits can't be taken at full face calue
@@LK_EBM personally I have very high business spend some I can hit $30k a month if not $20k which means although I get high value from MR i value it at slightly less 1.5cpp because they’re a dime a fozen
yeah but you still earn 600 bonvoy points worth $5, so $281
Venture X does have restaurant allowance.
I have both the bonvoy business and bonvoy boundless right now, should I get the brilliant as well? or is that even possible?
Mixed feelings. My annual fee gets charged before 2023 so I get to try these new benefits for one more year of $450! So for now, it's great! We don't typically do too many luxury stays but doing the occasional one sounds fun. Not sure if it will be worth keeping for $650 next year or not but that's a lot of time in the credit card landscape, products could change by then.
Does "on availability" mean something at Marriott Bonvoyed?
Will you do a comparison video between this new Marriott Amex card vs the already established Hilton Aspire Card? You made a quick snippet of it in your comments but just curious if you can go further in why you think the Aspire card is better. You are doing an awesome job on all your videos.
Having to track the food credit each month seems like such a pain.
I wish they allow to carry over to a maximum of three months like the DoorDash credit on the Chase Reserve.
I agree. I got monthly food credits on the Delta Gold last year (this was only a temporary offering for the Delta and Hilton cards in 2021). Even though I knew I would be dining out anyway, it was a hassle just to remember to use the credit. Having to track monthly credits is a major reason why I’ve passed on the Amex Gold.
😊 Thank you!
Good info….
Are you eligible for this card and its intro bonus if you already hold the OG SPG card, now converted to Bonvoy?
Wow…think I’m a bit disappointed. I’m about to hit year 2 with this card. I already earned Lifetime Titanium prior to getting the card, and Ambassador now. I preferred the $300 for Marriott properties and now AF of $650. I’m going to keep for now…as u say the certificate (if used right) could pay the entire AF. And I can throw on $25 a month on my Starbucks card. But now I’m thinking of getting the Hilton card. Seems better overall benefits now.
Idk why but every time you put the paper towel roll on your head it cracks me up. 👏🏼👏🏼
I was not able to find it in the video. Did Sebby talked the odds that Platinum could lose Lounge access next year?
Great Vid!
A comparison with the newly updated Chase Ritz-Carlton would be great!
I think these 2 would compliment each other. One gives the airline incidental credit, and is recognized everywhere - the other gives 300 dining credit and confers good elite status. Thinking of holding both in my family.
i think its pretty unfortunate that the category multipliers are so low...
Love your videos ❤
I am a platinum status and currently have a personal and business Bonvoy. 12 more nights needed to continue my status for next year. Does it make sense to upgrade my personal to the Brilliant?
I have the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card , I like most of the changes , the 300 dining credit in particular, not such a great fan of the annual fee increase though . I will keep he cars though .
Will Uber eats trigger the use of the $300 dining credit? For example, just prefer pickup of food rather than dining, so wondering if the month $25 trigger it. Thanks.
🧽🧽🧽I'm a Marriott girl and I love the change so far. I will use the certificate for aspirational travel for sure. Went to the Maldives this year and stayed free using points.
We also have the Chase Boundless, so combined it works to our benefit as we travel a few times a year.
Working on next year's travel.
Quick Question: were you eligible for welcome offer when you applied for Brilliant card having Chase Boundless card?
@@soyeanlee7903 I can't remember, but I believe so.
I think this is a great refresh for the card!
Thanks for telling us Priority Pass Select offers by this card does not include restaurants, which is a deal breaker for me to get this card. Marriott Platinum can't compete with Hyatt at all aspects; Hilton is even worse, most of their lounges are not open and give me only 12.5 per day for my Diamond status. Hyatt offers me all you can order menu items when their lounges are closed. This card also don't give you sign on bonus if you have other Bonvoy cards including Ritz card.
Is this card a good option for Marriott associates who get discounts on hotel stays?
Can I stack the 25 elite nights from this card with other Amex cards that give 25 elite night marriot benefit?
How much do you have to make to get approved for that card?
Don’t really care about the AF. The instant platinum status easily offset the $650 AF
I value instant platinum elite status @ $1200 easily
I want to apply for the brilliant and also apply for a business account to get 40 elite nights toward Titanium status. The rules are so confusing. Do you know which business credit card I can pair with the Amex Brilliant?
I stayed as a platinum for over 10 years and stayed over 700 lifetime days to achieve lifetime Platinum status... now anyone with a pulse and this card can have platinum.... boo!
Looks to be a good compliment to the Ritz as well. Those two free night certificates can become helpful.
Good vid
Would this be good if I was close to lifetime status?
Just thinking and don’t know if you covered it… if you have the Bonvoy Brillant (comes with Platinum Status) for 10 years and 600 qualifying nights, does that qualify you for Lifetime Platinum Status? So in other words, just by having the card is 1/3 of the way?
I have the Bonvoy AmEx Brilliant that I got as part of a deal for some Marriott Vacation Club points, and I have a legacy Chase Bonvoy Boundless. How do these new benefits of the AmEx Brilliant compare with the Chase Bonvoy Boundless. I wonder if I should ditch the Chase Bonvoy Boundless and keep the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant?
🧽 I love the upgrade! I only book big rooms for my family of 5 and now this opens up a lot more hotels now that I’m not limited to a 50,000 point room. This makes the card so much easier to use for families that typically only use Marriott for rooms for 5+ people.
Aspire or Bonvoy Brilliant?
Platinum status and the restaurant credit makes it a winner for me. 👍
That sheraton is nice. Would stay there again
I hate keeping track of all these monthly credits.
This is a major reason I took a pass on the Amex Gold. Monthly credit tracking just isn’t my lifestyle.
I like the changes!
Titanium was the only time I felt the upgrade or preference benefits. I only really use the certificate at the ritz or something random in London
Sebby if you I get additional cards for my kids. would they also get 25 elite nights each?
Bilt rewards announced bilt day and this is waaay more valuable than Bonvoy given they have some of the best transfer partners in the industry
The problem is that you won't fly to Hawaii to stay ONE night at the Ritz, and then what? It's going to be a pretty expensive trip just to use that free night. Another issue is that for those of us who already have lifetime Platinum this card basically has nothing to offer except you can argue that it'll give you 25N towards Titanium if that's the aim.
I had a question regarding this card. Once you pay the annual fee as I understand it you get Platinum Elite status. Is that status contingent on paying for a Marriott stay with the Brilliant card or can you pay with another card and get platinum benefits such as room upgrade, breakfast etc? thanks
You can pay with another card. Platinum status is linked to your Marriott account and will remain active as long as the Brilliant is open.
The algorithm is not working. Your videos are well thought out. Your experience pops with your discourse.
Getting another Aspire instead
I love the changes even with the $650 AF. 85K certificate (one extra by spending 60K) and Platinum status alone make the card so appealing. Actually I prefer this one over the Hilton Aspire because of the more flexible 85K certificate and larger footprint of Marriott.
Free night reward from Hilton is 1000 times better then Marriott. You can stay at Hilton very top tier holtels as long it's a standard night up to 120,000 points. Can't do that with Marriott certificate
@@raze2400 Yes, but is it limited to "weekend night" only?
@@MrEdisonLo with the pandemic rules it's anyday for now
@@raze2400 Good to know.... Unfortunately Hilton does not have any credit card business in Canada, and their points are not as good as Marriott in terms of valuation (in my opinion).
The only platinum benefit is the lounge access. "on availability" means "none" at Marriott. Bonvoyed.
I’m trying to see if it’s worth it to give up my grandfathered Amex Bonvoy and upgrade to this. 🤦♂️
I was waiting for Sebby's take on this. First I laughed at the Brilliant update when it came out, but then I did run the numbers (exactly how you introed the video, Sebby). Even at 80% valuation for dining and 50% valuation for the free night, the card breaks even even before factoring in status etc.
Especially for people who are not staying much at Marriotts, it's a good card because it's easier to break into the 50 elite nights for the suite upgrade rewards. Marriott seems to value the SNA at 150 a night (based on their mattress alternative), which is ludicrous. But even at $40-50 value per night, this is a fine perk. I would say for hardcore Marriott travelers this is less of good news because of potential status dilution and the 10 extra elite credit nights may not move their needle, but for the occasional Marriott traveler this is a great card.
I'm still laughing at the Bevy though... if that's for people who want to flash without running numbers, why is it not metal?? Such missed opportunity, need some 🧽🧽 to mop up this mess!! 😂
Why the hate on Buffalo though, mate? Hit me up when you're visiting the Nickel City
So, I hit that lifetime platinum status. What program do you feel is the next best to pursue for hotels?
I WANT IT. IS THERE A RULE CONCERNING HOLDING THE BRILLIANT AND THE RITZ?
I have a global entry credit. It does not interest me in sighing up for it. "value" $0.
I in on team Hyatt, less nonsense, more value.
Im going to get it pared with my ritz.
I need to research bevy and bonvy business(?)
I have the card as well as the Ritz Carlton card, so now two 85K nights a year. I will escape 2022 with another $450 annual fee, but the $650 will catch me in late 2023. I'm still working thru this change as I see several places where the nights are over 100K points and still out of reach. This next year will be interesting.
Is rc card worth it?
@@Ricocase Good question, as Sebby always says YMMV, with me as the Ritz Carlton is an infinite visa, the trip protections match the Chase Sapphire Reserve. The 85,000 pt night can be enough to offset the annual fee all by itself. The annual $300 credit for airline seat upgrades has worked flawlessly for me, although you do need to contact them to make sure the credit is applied. Chase throws our pretty good offers to the Ritz card from time to time. I had 10X on gas for most of the last quarter of 2022. It is one of the last priority pass cards to allow restaurant use in airports currently, which is important since my less than one year old Venture X has already backed out on that perk. They have run promos on several categories of spend from 5X to 10X last year. It is a great keeper card for me that gets a lot of use as well. Not a sock drawer card.
🧽 Great and very useful information as always Sebby!
Is this all starting on January 1st?
The new benefits apply starting September 22, I think.
So many people will have platinum now that you can buy into it. It is almost impossible to get a suite upgrade already, now will be zero chance.
I had higher hopes for the Bevy and Bountiful, but those turned out to be total duds. I have a Boundless already, but I'm considering getting the Brilliant since I do a lot of single-night hotel stays flying in the day before cruises, so the free nights are quite useful. Still a bit on the fence, but the Brilliant is definitely a much better value proposition than their newest offerings.
Marriot Boundless Bonvoy Chase card had 250K points for a $5k spend (5 nights upto 50k Points per night) in July of this year. I booked at JW Marriot Savannah. 50k points per night and $450 a night for a $2250 value. Only a $99 dollar fee. Best Card I ever had!
Oh Amex. Between the Centurion lounge LAX hours (closes at 4:30) and SFO being closed, the plat card is on the short list of cards to cut. Why you hobbling your other cards too? Coupon book extravaganza.
🧽Always thankful to your reviews. Always helpful. My wife and I had our Brilliant card for almost 5 years now and really love the card. We travel enough to places that we can always use the certificates. Took us to St Regis Maldives for a week. I think the $650 is hefty and it does pay for itself. But the 300 dinning sucks compared to the resort credit. Kind of makes you spend higher for better value for the certifcate
I don't think this card gets you into the centurion lounge.. i just looked .. i couldn't find that benefit..
I don’t really think this card is worth the annual fee. Considering you can get the chase reserve or an AMEX for that same annual fee and have more perks. Also I get the TSA $100 pre check credit on my capital one venture and I know many other lower annual fee cards do as well so is it really worth it, in my opinion I would rather get the chase freedom reserve and use those points (doubled) to redeem for hotel stays.
I think these are positive changes for the MBB. I may entertain looking at this card, but the Bonvoy program is still not that interesting to me for 1) they treat my price category unfairly, 2) they don't recognize status as well as other hotel loyalty programs. I got upgraded twice with Hyatt using points from 2 separate stays within a 2 week period. They REALLY went out of their way to recognize my Globalist status!
Yes agreed, was Marriott gold for 15+ years with one upgrade at Sheraton; I switched to Hyatt with that reason.