American Express has just relaunched massive, limited-time welcome offers for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and Bonvoy Bevy cards, each one almost doubling the previous version.
The Bevy is now giving 155,000 Bonvoy points after $5,000 minimum spend within the first 6 months, while the Brilliant card doles out a whopping 185,000 points after $6,000 spend in 6 months. They are also available via referral, which would add even more love for folks who have another American Express in their household.
Both match the best points offers that we’ve ever seen for these cards and each one will end on 5/14/25. If you’re in the market for Marriott points, both of these should be considered.
The Offers and Key Card Details
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
Limited Time Offer - 185K Points ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer 185k points after $6K spend within the first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees) (Offer Expires 5/14/2025)$650 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Decent ultra-premium option for Marriott fans, especially those aiming for lifetime status tiers Earning rate: 3X airfare -on flights booked directly with airlines; 3X restaurants worldwide, 6X Marriott; 2X on all other eligible purchases Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Annual Choice Award with $60K calendar year spend Noteworthy perks: ✦ 85K Free Night Award each year upon renewal ✦ $300 dining credit per membership year ($25/mo) ✦ Platinum Elite status ✦ 25 elite nights credit ✦ Priority Pass membership (Lounges only) with 2 guests ✦ Global Entry fee credit ✦ Free premium internet at Marriott properties Note: Enrollment required for some benefits. See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
Limited Time Offer - 155K Points ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer 155K points after $5K spend in the first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees) (Offer Expires 5/14/2025)$250 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Earning rate: 6X Marriott.✦ 4X restaurants & U.S. Supermarkets on up to $15K spend per year ✦ 2X on all other eligible purchases Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: One 50K Free Night Award after $15K calendar year spend on eligible purchases. Noteworthy perks: 15 night credit towards elite status every year upon account anniversary ✦ 1,000 bonus points with each qualifying stay ✦ Gold elite status See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
Quick Thoughts
The Amex Points Parade has returned to Bonvoyland.
Both of these new Marriott welcome offers are spectacular; each one matches the best points haul that we’ve ever seen for the respective card. Amex is again throwing down a gauntlet after years of its Bonvoy cards lagging behind Chase’s portfolio (when it comes to welcome bonuses). If you’re still in the Marriott orbit (as I am), these new offers are no-brainers, giving between $1100-$1300 in conservative value.
The Brilliant comes with a hefty $650 annual fee, but also has $300 in yearly statement credits that can be applied to dining charges (in irritating $25/month in increments). Assuming you can use those easily, it brings the annual cost closer to $350, in the same neighborhood as the Bevy’s $250 annual fee. That may make the Brilliant more appealing for many, depending on how much you value the dining credits, Bonvoy Platinum status, 25 elite night credits and Priority Pass membership that come with the card.
If you want to get both, it’s worth noting that Amex has “family” rules that apply to Marriott cards, meaning that you “may” not be eligible for a welcome bonus on the Bevy card if you have or previously have had the Brilliant card. So, if you do plan to take advantage of each of these offers, it would be wise to get the Bevy first, then go for the Brilliant.
You’ve got two months to do it, since both of these offers end on 5/14/25.
Are you eligible for a Amex Bonvoy card?
In true Bonvoy fashion, Marriott has a labyrinthine process for determining whether or not you get a welcome bonus on a given card. It’s like it’s free breakfast or something.
Here’s Greg’s helpful chart for deciphering the Marriott eligibility rules:
| Card You Want | |||||||
| Cards You've Had (Or Recently Applied For) | Chase Bonvoy Bold | Chase Bonvoy Boundless | Chase Bonvoy Bountiful | Amex Bonvoy Business | Amex Bonvoy Brilliant | Amex Bonvoy Bevy | |
| Chase | Ritz Carlton | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠30 | |
| Bonvoy ($45 card) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Bonvoy Premier | ⚠24 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ||
| Bonvoy Bold | ✅ | ⚠90 ⚠24 | ⚠30 ⚠90 ⚠24 | ||||
| Bonvoy Boundless | ✅ | ||||||
| Bonvoy Bountiful | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠24 | ||||
| Bonvoy Business ($45 card) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠30 | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Bonvoy Premier Plus Business | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠90 ⚠24 | ⚠30 | ||
| Amex | Bonvoy | ⚠30 | ⚠30 ⚠90 ⚠24 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Bonvoy Business | ⚠90 ⚠24 | ⛔ | ✅ | ✅ | |||
| Bonvoy Bevy | ✅ | ✅ | ⛔ | ||||
| Bonvoy Brilliant | ✅ | ⛔ | ⛔ | ||||
| Eligibility Key | |
| ✅ | You are eligible for this card and welcome bonus |
| ⚠30 | You're are not eligible for a welcome bonus if you have had the card on the left within the past 30 days |
| ⚠24 | You will not be approved if you currently have or if you've received a welcome bonus in the past 24 months for the card on the left |
| ⚠90 ⚠24 | You are not eligible for a welcome bonus if you were approved for the card on the left within the past 90 days; or if you've received a welcome or upgrade bonus in the past 24 months. |
| ⚠30 ⚠90 ⚠24 | You are not eligible for a welcome bonus if you've had the card on the left within the past 30 days; or if you were approved for it within the past 90 days; or if you've received a welcome bonus or upgrade bonus for it in the past 24 months. |
| ⛔ | You are not eligible for a welcome bonus if you've ever had this card before (but the system seems to "forget" that you've had the card about 5 to 7 years after you cancel) |
Amex Application Tips
- Safe to Apply: Amex is usually the safest bank for trying your luck at earning a new welcome offer. Most of the time, they won’t issue a hard pull when denying your application or when approving you if you already have at least one Amex card. Plus, they’ll warn you during the application process if you’re not eligible for the bonus.
- Once in a Lifetime Rule: If you've ever had a card before, you are most likely prohibited from earning a welcome offer for that same card if you apply now. Fortunately you'll be warned during the application process if this is the case. Amex is known to "forget" that you've had a card after about 5-7 years. Note that there are frequently offers with no lifetime language (NLL) that aren't bound by this restriction.
- "Family" Rules: In addition to the "once in a lifetime" rule, Amex now applies additional "family" rules to several groups of consumer cards. These rules don't apply to business cards.
- Platinum/Gold/Green: You may not be able to get a welcome offer on the Green, Gold, Platinum, Charles Schwab Platinum or Morgan Stanley Platinum if you've previously had any of the Platinum cards previously.
- Cash back cards: You may not be able to get a welcome offer on the Blue Cash Everyday card if you've previously had the Cash Magnet, Blue Cash Preferred or Morgan Stanley Blue Cash Preferred cards. You're not eligible for a welcome offer on the Blue Cash Preferred card if you've previously had the Morgan Stanley Blue Cash Preferred card.
- Delta cards: You can get a welcome offer on any of the Delta cards provided you've never had a more expensive Delta card than the one you are applying for. So, for example, you're eligible for a welcome offer on the Delta Reserve if you've had the Delta Gold, but you may not be eligible for a welcome offer on the Delta Gold if you've previously had the Reserve.
- 1 per 5 days: You can get at most one credit cards within every 5 days. This rule does not apply to Pay Over Time (charge) cards.
- 2 per 90 days: You can get at most two credit cards within 90 days. This rule usually does not apply to Pay Over Time (charge) cards.
- 1 of same product per 90 days: Amex will only approve you for the same card once every 90 days; this primarily comes into play when applying for "no-lifetime-language" (NLL) links.
- It seems that Amex considers the Marriott Bevy and Brilliant cards as the same product, which means that you would have to wait 90 days after applying for the Bevy before being able to be approved for the Brilliant.
- Marriott cards: Approval for any Marriott card is governed by a labyrinthine set of unintuitive rules. You can see the full eligibility chart here.
- Card Limits: Amex normally only allows customers to have five credit cards and ten Pay Over Time (charge) cards at one time. Both personal and business cards count towards the respective five and ten card limits. There are some instances where certain customers have been allowed to go above those limits.
- Application Status: Call (877) 239-3491 to check your application status or use this link.
- Reconsideration: If denied, you can call (800) 567-1083 and ask for your application to be reconsidered.
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I applied and was approved for the Bevy, I misread the eligibility chart as I have an open boundless from chase…got the bonus in early 2022. The question is…since I was approved, am I good to assume I am going to get the bonus after the 5k spend. Otherwise I need to cancel the card as I have no interest in the $250 fee without any bonus attached.
I missed this last October, and have been waiting for the increased SUB. Locked it in today.
I wouldn’t exactly call 185K Bonvoy points “whopping” anymore. That won’t even get you 2 nights at most of their higher end properties in popular destinations, and it won’t even get you 1 night at their highest properties.
We are going to start having to see some 300K+ offers for me to get really excited about Bonvoy points anymore. I’ve stopped trying to collect them even through welcome bonuses anymore.
The rules are headspinning, but If I understand it correctly, anyone holding a current Bonvoy Premier Plus Business can never get an Amex Bonvoy card. Correct?
I currently have a Chase Bonvoy Premier Plus Business and I was instantly approved for the AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant today
I downgraded my Ritz to Boundless last July, but I am still showing ineligible for the Brilliant. Tried in January and again today. Anyway to sort this out? Really frustrating.
I assume you are getting a popup message indicating your ineligibility. What is the language of the popup message? For example, are you ineligible for the card or for the welcome bonus? Does it mention ineligibility based on having a Chase Marriott card or is it more general language based on your history with Amex?
Based on Chase card
185k – almost enough for a single night at an aspirational property.
The Business card is also 3x 50,000 FNCs for a signup bonus for 6k spend, which can be useful if you can use them all in a year.
wait till 5x50k dont take inferior offers
Does Amex ever match offers for recently approved applications? P2 was approved on 3/2/25. Any chance of getting matched to the higher offer?
It is super annoying that having the JPMorgan Chase Ritz Carlton CC prevents you from getting the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Bevy and Brilliant CC.
You can’t even downgrade to a personal Chase Marriott CC (both the Bonvoy ($45 card) and Bonvoy Premier are no longer downgrade options and Bonvoy Bold, Bonvoy Boundless, and Bonvoy Bountiful still make you ineligible for the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Bevy and Brilliant CCs). I wish Marriott would blow up this CC matrix and let us get whatever card we want.
My P2 has the Ritz as an authorized user. Is he eligible if he downgrades the Ritz card, then applies for the Brilliant?
I don’t think having AUs or being an AU affect your chances of getting approved and getting a sign up bonus on any Marriott CC.
The way I read the chart, downgrading the Ritz to the Boundless would allow you to get the Brilliant and its SUB after 30 days, assuming you also were originally approved and received the SUB for the Ritz/whatever card it was before you upgraded at least 24 months ago. Did I read it wrong?
Hi Billy, you might be right. Now that I read the terms closer:
“90 & 24: You are not eligible for a welcome bonus if you were approved for the card on the left within the past 90 days; or if you’ve received a welcome or upgrade bonus in the past 24”
“30 & 90 & 24: You are not eligible for a welcome bonus if you’ve had the card on the left within the past 30 days; or if you were approved for it within the past 90 days; or if you’ve received a welcome bonus or upgrade bonus for it in the past 24 months.”
I haven’t received a welcome bonus or upgrade bonus on my Ritz Carlton in the last 24 months. So based on my understanding, if I product change my Ritz Carlton to either a Boundless or Bold and then wait 30 days, I should be eligible for either the AMEX Brilliant or Bevy.
Is that how you interpret those terms?
That is how I interpreted it but I have no personal experience with it so I can’t tell you if it’ll work. Also, to clarify, the chart suggests that the Brilliant will work with this strategy. However, for some reason, if you want to get the Bevy, you also cannot hold the Boundless/Bold in the last 30 days – meaning you would have to cancel the card outright as you alluded to in you original post. Not sure why the difference between the Brilliant and the Bevy.
In a literal reading this is correct, but scouring the internet for data points I haven’t been able to find much stories of success. Instead what seems to happen is that AMEX continues to show you as ineligible for the Bevy/Brilliant SUB months after downgrading from a Ritz card.
I’m with Grant – it’s quite annoying that having the Ritz card ever seems to be a one way ticket to no AMEX Marriott SUBs. But I doubt Marriott will change that – with the confusing eligibility matrix this is by design!
This could work – eventually. My personal example is:
I will try to product change the Boundless back to the Ritz later this year when I can try to time it to maximize my chances of getting both the 35K free night award and the 85K free night award.
Well, if you read that literally, then is there any need to downgrade a Ritz card that you received the bonus for >24 months ago? Clearly that would also have been approved for over 24 months ago (so not “within the past 90 days”.
What am I missing?
Oh ya, that is also true. I didn’t make any changes and went through the application process, but I got the popup message:
“Grant, you are not eligible to receive the welcome offer because of certain limitations associated with previously or currently having The Ritz-Carlton® Credit Card from JPMorgan, J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Bonvoy® Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Rewards® Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Bonvoy Business® Credit Card from Chase, or a Marriott Rewards Business® Credit Card from Chase.”
I only currently have the Ritz Carlton, but I have had those 3 other cards in bold.
Thanks. So “CURRENTLY HAVING” an RC is also a disqualifier.
Net holding an RC (or an old Chase Premier Business) means that all Amex Bonvoy cards are off limits.
Ya, that seems to be the case 🙁
Given the storm of recent changes and potentially signaled changes (such as lower earning rates, no/reduced elite breakfast benefit), it’s hard to see Bonvoy in any light other than opportunistic/transactional. Normally, I’d say go after sign-up bonuses and don’t commit to anything more. But, how valuable are SUBs when a Fairfield Inn can be priced at 60k+ points per night? Never would I have imagined that an 85k Free Night Certificate from the Amex Brilliant might only be usable at a Fairfield Inn (for some). And, sadly, I see little reliable value from my own lifetime status.
Amex pts vs Cash rate can be insane with apparently little rhyme or reason.
Recently booked multiple nights in Boston for this October (Leaf changing season). Cash prices are crazy high but Pts booking are semi-reasonable – I.e. Moxy Boston Downtown 33K vs $553 Cash (perhaps its because they already have a high reservation (and expected high occupancy and higher reimbursement for award stays).
Looking at the 3-4 day weekends Memorial, 4th, Labor rates are all super reasonable for cash but insane for points booking (One would kinda of expect the holidays to have have higher occupancy and rates).
I have also found you have to regularly check for price/points drop closer to your reservation – have often saved by re-booking.
On the Fence about the 185K – essential its 185K for $350 and $6K spend over 6 months – but kinda of depleted the stash with topping up the 35K certs and some 20K per night stays.
I already have the Brilliant and planning on PC a Boundless to RC this fall – my wife has the Amex Bonvoy biz (1 35K FNC) – so the Platinum isn’t so valuable for P2 as we tend to move points to my account. 185K is 12 FNC top ups of 15K.
I got the “not eligible for the sub” message when applying for the Bevy card, but I can’t figure out why.
I do not currently have any amex Marriott cards, and have only ever had the base “bonvoy” card that the old spg cards switched to.
On the chase side I have the bonvoy premier. At one point years ago I had the ritz card.
I have never had the Bevy or brilliant cards.
Based on the very handy “are you eligible” chart, I don’t see why I’m not eligible. Any ideas?
To answer my own question, the fine print on the 155k bevy sign up says I cannot have the chase premier card within the last 30 days. I currently have that card, which I’ll now cancel to get the Bevy a month later. Not sure if that is a rule for everyone on this card.
One more data point. I hit the 30 days since canceling my chase premier and tried again for the Bevy. Now instead of getting the pop up saying I’m not eligible because I have (or have recently had) another card, I get a more generic pop up saying I’m not eligible for the SUB due to other factors.
Guess I try again in a few weeks.
Curious if I can open Bevy and wait a couple weeks then open Briliant and get both SUBs so long as I don’t find myself locked in the brig with amex? So many rules on these cards.
Hey Alex, from the charts I have seen it seems possible. Worst thing that happens is you get the pop-up that you are not eligible for Brilliant when you try to apply…
Hi Alex, the answer is no. Amex considers the Bevy and Brilliant the same product for their 1 in 90 days rule. You can get it, in that order, but have to wait 90 days between applications.
I got a denial because I had too many amex cards. I currently have 3 active, and 2 I cancelled 4 weeks ago. I assume I need those two to drop off…any idea how long that takes?
I had this exact scenario, called DOC’s recon # nice lady said too many cards – I specified I only had 3 credit cards and 1 charge card with them since I closed 2 cards recently. She verified recent closures and put in for manual review with recon, said 3-5days but was approved next morning (4AM CST).
Thanks, it worked for me, and I was approved within hours.
Not best EVER, same offer was available 6 months ago. Bonvoy !
Any thoughts whether Chase might have a similar elevated offer as Amex on their cards? (Or if they have tended to have comparable offers in the past when Amex has had an imrproved offer?). Especially considering that Chase’s Bountiful and Amex’s Bevy have virtually identical benefits.
I’m in the middle of a multi-year plan (involving downgrades, applications and product changes, based on the rules of that chart) to get both myself and P2 a Chase Ritz Carlton card. And so need to eventually get a Chase Marriot card, and need to prioritize applications to have a 5/24 slot open when a good offer comes up.
I’m on the same plan as you and would also like to know this. Looking to get to Ritz cards after I’ve finished hauling some points for P1 and P2.
The (5) 50K cert offer on the Boundless card has been to top Chase offer for awhile now. Considering that AmEx just matched that offer on their Bonvoy Biz card (which has the same $95 AF as the Boundless), I don’t think we’ll see anything higher out of Chase. If you see the (5) 50K cert offer come back on the Boundless, I’d use that opportunity to open that card and start the year clock until you can upgrade to the Ritz card.
Bonvoy biz iz $125 af, not $95.