Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: hotel credit changing to $25 monthly dining credit (last day for double-dip)

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Reminder 9/21 – Tomorrow the Bonvoy Brilliant’s $300 hotel credit is changing to a $25/month dining credit. Until the changeover happens, new cardholders will still be able to double-dip by using the full hotel credit before 9/22 and then taking advantage of the dining credits after (as Nick details below). But, you must make the hotel charge (and have it post) before 9/22, meaning that today is the last call. Front desk gift cards, anyone?

One of the key benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card (at the time of writing) is a $300 annual statement credit for purchases at Marriott properties. Effective 9/22/22, that $300 Marriott credit (which can currently be used in a lump sum) is being replaced with a monthly $25 credit for dining purchases. Some people may prefer that, though I think this is a disappointing change for Marriott and credit card rewards enthusiasts.

a hand holding a credit card

 From premium hotel card to the latest coupon book

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card currently offers up to $300 in statement credits annually for Marriott purchases. That’s a cumulative total which can be used with a single stay/purchase or multiple purchases. The key limitation of the credit is that it has to be used at Marriott hotels and resorts. Of course, those who would consider paying a $450 annual fee for a Marriott credit credit presumably spend more than $300 per year at Marriott properties, so I wouldn’t view that as a limitation but rather a nearly cash-like benefit.

In recent years, Amex has increasingly moved away from one-time lump-sum credits and toward monthly dribs-and-drabs credits. That is no doubt intended both to increase breakage (people forgetting to take advantage of the benefit) and to make it impossible to take advantage of a full year’s benefit without keeping the card for a full year. I understand why a change like this is being rolled out, but I don’t like it. I’d much rather have a credit that can be used in one shot than have to try to remember to use the card once a month for a $25 restaurant charge (and sacrificing some rewards while I’m at it). I regularly spend more than $25 per month at restaurants, I just wouldn’t want to need to track it for the purposes of making sure I triggered the credit. I would much rather be able to spend $300 on a single Marriott stay.

Is the card still worthwhile?

While I don’t have the Bonvoy Brilliant card, I don’t think it is difficult to justify its annual fee. The combination of the $300 annual Marriott credit (at the time of writing) and the 50K free night certificate could easily exceed the value of the annual fee for someone who regularly spends more than $300 per year at Marriott hotels (keep in mind that some people qualify for Ambassador status with more than $20K per year in spend at Marriott properties).

With the change to a dining credit, the extra hassle of being sure to use the credit each month makes it a slightly more questionable value in my opinion. It certainly wouldn’t be impossible to get enough value to justify the fee, it’s just more hassle than I’d prefer on an ultra-premium card. I think this change in the credit makes the Ritz card a clearly superior long-term choice.

Bottom line

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card still comes with an annual $300 credit for purchases at Marriott properties, but starting on 9/22/22 that credit will become up to $25 per month in statement credits for purchases at restaurants worldwide. I believe that if you applied before 9/22/22 you would be able to take advantage of the $300 Marriott credit this year provided you do so before 9/22/22 and then also get a year’s worth of $25 dining credits. While I still don’t love the hassle, that would add a nice little boost on top of the card’s welcome offer and might make it worth considering in the short-term — I just think this card is now harder to justify in the long term.

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