10 Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Benefits You Didn’t Know About
-
Written by
Meghan Hunter
-
Edited by
Emily Gadd
-
Reviewed by
Jasmin Baron
The right hotel credit card can completely change how you travel, through perks like elite status, complimentary upgrades and enhanced rewards. If you’re loyal to Marriott properties, a Marriott Bonvoy card isn’t just nice to have; it’s essential for getting the most from every stay.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is the top-tier of the Marriott-branded card offerings. With its $650 annual fee, this card delivers comprehensive benefits including automatic Platinum Elite status, generous earning rates and extensive travel protections.
While most discussions focus on obvious perks, like the welcome offer of 185,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening and 6x earning at Marriott properties, much of the card’s value lies in the lesser-known benefits that can easily justify the annual fee.
1. Automatic Platinum Elite Status To Enhance Your Stays
I didn’t fully grasp the power of elite status until I experienced it firsthand, and I’ve been hooked on using travel rewards cards ever since. Platinum Elite status with this card includes:
- Room upgrades (even to suites when available)
- Complimentary breakfast at select brands
- 4 p.m. late checkout (when available)
- Bonus points on every stay
Last Christmas in Prague, I booked a standard room at the Augustine, A Luxury Collection Hotel. By check-in, I’d been upgraded to a suite, scored a complimentary breakfast, and got a late checkout that saved us from rushing to catch our train. The breakfast alone would have cost several hundred dollars for my family of three over five nights.
What makes this status even better is that it renews automatically as long as you hold the card, unlike elite status earned through stays.
2. Elite Night Credits To Fast-Track Your Status
Here’s something many cardholders overlook: You automatically get 25 elite nights toward status just for having the card. These credits put you a third of the way to Titanium Elite status, which requires 75 nights total. During slower travel years, these credits have saved my elite status more than once.
3. Annual Restaurant Credit
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card offers up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year for restaurant purchases worldwide, distributed as up to $25 per month.
What makes this credit brilliant (see what I did there?) is how broadly “restaurant” is defined. I’ve earned credits at coffee shops, food trucks and even some grocery store cafes. The key is ensuring the merchant codes as a restaurant, so it could take some testing to see what works.
Over the year, this can add a lot of value. Credits post automatically within a few business days; however, unused amounts don’t roll over from month to month.
4. Free Night Certificate
Every year after your card renewal, you get a Free Night Award worth up to 85,000 points that works at any Marriott property (some hotels have resort fees). The certificate doesn’t expire for a full calendar year after it’s issued, giving you time to use it strategically.
Most people think of this as just another free night, but 85,000 points open doors to seriously luxurious properties. I used mine at the W Costa Rica — Reserva Conchal, a property that would have cost over $700 that night. The certificate covered the full redemption, and my Platinum Elite status landed me an upgrade and complimentary breakfast.
The secret is strategic timing. Don’t waste it on a $150 property when you could apply it to a $600+ luxury resort.
5. Property Credit at Luxury Hotels
This card perk can be of huge benefit for cardholders who frequent Marriott’s luxury properties. When you book a minimum two-night stay at participating St. Regis or Ritz-Carlton properties using a specific “$100 Property Credit, Luxury Credit Card Rate,” you receive a $100 property credit that can be used for dining, spa services or other hotel amenities.
The best part? You can use this benefit multiple times per year as long as you meet the two-night minimum stay requirement.
6. Earned Choice Award
After spending $60,000 on eligible purchases in a year, you can elect an Earned Choice Award. Options include additional elite night credits, nightly upgrade awards, another 85,000-point free night award or $1,000 off a mattress from Marriott Retail Brands (the mattress option ends at the end of 2025). It’s a nice bonus for heavy spenders.
7. Priority Pass Select Airport Lounge Access
The Priority Pass Select membership provides access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide. Unlike the airport lounge access offered by many competitors, cardholders get complimentary access for up to two guests per visit, which can increase the benefit’s value for families and business travelers.
You need to enroll in the program, but this benefit alone can justify much of the card’s annual fee. Standalone Priority Pass membership costs $469 annually, with guest access typically running $35 per person per visit. Just three lounge visits per year with one guest delivers over $200 in value.
The global network spans major airports across North America, Europe, Asia and beyond. Access includes complimentary snacks, beverages, Wi-Fi and comfortable seating away from terminal chaos.
8. Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Fee Reimbursement
Less glamorous but practical, this card reimburses Global Entry application fees up to $120 or TSA PreCheck up to $85 once every four to 4.5 years, respectively. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits plus expedited customs processing when returning from international travel. The reimbursement appears as a statement credit within a few billing cycles after paying with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card.
9. Comprehensive Travel Protections
The card’s travel insurance benefits are robust. Car rental coverage provides up to $75,000 protection for damage or theft when you book with the card, letting you skip expensive agency insurance. Standard coverage acts as secondary insurance, but a Premium Protection upgrade provides primary coverage for your entire rental period without requiring other insurance claims.
Trip protection covers up to $10,000 per trip ($20,000 per card annually) for cancellations or disruptions due to covered reasons. This includes trip delay coverage up to $500 per incident and baggage insurance. The comprehensive nature means no separate purchase or activation required.
10. Purchase Protections
These types of benefits are where many American Express credit cards shine. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, in particular, includes purchase protection up to $10,000 per occurrence and $50,000 annually, plus extended warranty coverage that adds up to one year to manufacturer warranties under five years. Return protection covers up to $300 per item if a merchant refuses returns within 90 days, with a $1,000 annual limit per account.
These are benefits you hope never to need but deeply appreciate when something goes wrong.
For the Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
For the Trip Delay Insurance on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
For the Baggage Insurance Plan on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the Purchase Protection on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the Return Protection on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Benefits
Is Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant worth the $650 annual fee?
For frequent Marriott travelers, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant annual fee can be well worth it. The automatic Platinum Elite status alone can easily provide hundreds in value through upgrades, breakfast and bonus points. The free night certificate adds another $200 to $800+ in annual value, depending on how you use it.
Does the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant have lounge access?
Yes, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant offers cardholders Priority Pass Select lounge access (enrollment required) to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide.
How do I maximize the Bonvoy Brilliant’s Platinum Elite status benefit?
To make the most of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant’s Platinum Elite status, book directly with Marriott, take advantage of 4 p.m. late checkout and don’t be shy about mentioning your elite status at check-in. The breakfast benefit alone can save $30+ per night at premium properties.
How long do I have to use the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant annual free night certificate?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant free night certificate expires one year from the date it was issued, giving you plenty of time to use it.
