Who it's for
Free hotel nightsAirport loungesTravel credits & perksLounge access
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
$300 dining credit plus 85k free night certificate plus Platinum status more than offset the $650 fee for any frequent Marriott guest. Best hotel card for Marriott loyalists.
$1,547/yrest. value at typical spending
$650annual fee
$300yearly credits
$350fee after credits
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| Category | Rate | Typical spend |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 3x | $400/mo |
| Groceries | 2x | $600/mo |
| Flights & hotels | 3.6x | $300/mo |
| Rent | 2x | $2,500/mo |
| Gas & transit | 2x | $150/mo |
| Streaming | 2x | $80/mo |
| Online shopping | 2x | $200/mo |
| Everything else | 2x | $600/mo |
Rates are what our model counts per dollar. Brand-specific bonuses (like a hotel card at its own hotels) are blended, since most people don't put all category spending with one brand. Typical spending here means our quiz defaults: $4,830 a month, including $2,500 rent or mortgage. Points are valued at 1.5¢ each (travel portal redemption); transferring to airline or hotel partners can be worth more.
Rewards and perks
Points, 1 transfer partner · Airport lounge access
- $300 annual dining credit — $25/mo at restaurants worldwide (easy to use)
- Annual Free Night Award (up to 85,000 Bonvoy points — worth $400-$1,200+ depending on property)
- Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status (normally requires 50 nights/yr)
- Priority Pass airport lounge access
- 6x Bonvoy points at Marriott hotels worldwide
- 3x at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked direct
- 2x on everything else
- 25 elite night credits annually toward higher status
- Complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, and 4 PM late checkout at Marriott properties (Platinum perks)
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit ($120 every 4 years)
- No foreign transaction fees
Transfer partners
Marriott Bonvoy
Head-to-head
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