Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card – How To Use the Monthly $25 Dining Credit [2024]

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card has seen some recent upgrades and changes. This card has long been one of the world’s most popular hotel credit cards because it’s one of the few ultra-premium credit cards.

That ultra-premium label has been taken to the next level thanks to a facelift in benefits and a higher price tag.

One of the card’s new benefits is the monthly dining statement credit of up to $25 (enrollment required) — in this guide, we’ll show you how to use this credit, which happens to be super easy to use.

Card Overview

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card is the most premium credit card you can get as a Marriott Bonvoy loyalist. It offers the most benefits, so you’ll definitely want to consider this card if you’re a fan of Marriott Bonvoy properties.

Here’s a snapshot of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card:

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

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Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

95,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$665

Annual Fee

$650

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program
• 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
• 2x points per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• Steep annual fee of $650 (rates & fees)
• 6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card

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Card Highlights

• Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy^® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy^® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy^® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card.
• Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton^® or St. Regis^® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck^® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy^® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
• Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• $650 Annual Fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99%-28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

Key Card Benefits

You can earn up to 6x Marriott Bonvoy points:

• 6x points for eligible purchases at participating Marriott hotels
• 3x points at restaurants worldwide
• 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines
• 2x points on other purchases

In addition, you’ll receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your card renewal month that can be used for a night that costs up to 85,000 points.

Furthermore, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card comes with complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, which is an absolute game changer thanks to the ability to earn more bonus points, enjoy standard suite upgrades, and complimentary breakfast (at select properties).

And also, whenever you book direct using a special rate for a 2-night minimum stay at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis, you can receive a $100 property credit for qualifying charges with this card.

This credit card also gets you an Earned Choice Award benefit every calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases.

It doesn’t end there — get 25 Elite Night Credits towards the next level of status and premium internet access when staying at Marriott properties.

We also love the fact that the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card has a ton of non-Marriott perks:

• Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership (upon enrollment)
• Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit (as of October 1, 2024)
• Secondary rental car insurance
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Trip delay insurance
• Baggage insurance plan
• Access to the Premium Global Assist Hotline
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty
• Return protection
• Cell phone protection

Of course, there is also the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card’s dining credit of up to $25 per month, which adds up to $300 per year in value.

All in all, this credit card is jam-packed with perks, value, and rewards.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Dining Credit

The annual $300 Brilliant dining credit is spread out across 12 months for a maximum benefit of up to $25 in statement credits per month. You get to enjoy up to $25 per month in dining statement credits each calendar year for eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide. Unlike the American Express^® Gold Card’s monthly $10 dining credit, there are no major restrictions for using the monthly dining credit of up to $25.

Using the Marriott Brilliant Dining Credit

Using the monthly dining credit of up to $25 is super easy. Complete enrollment and then use your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card at restaurants worldwide to get the benefit.

After your purchase, it may take up to 8 to 12 weeks for the credit to apply, though most eligible purchases only take a few days to post.

You don’t have to swipe on the primary cardholder’s card to qualify for this credit — purchases made by authorized users are eligible for statement credits, though keep in mind that authorized users do not get their own credit.

What Doesn’t Count Towards the Dining Credit

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant dining credit is only applicable for purchases at restaurants worldwide. To be specific, here are some examples of purchases that don’t count toward the dining credit:

Purchases must be processed by the merchant within the calendar month to qualify for that month’s dining credit. For this reason, we recommend making your purchase at least a few days before the end of the month.

Also, you may not receive the statement credit if your restaurant purchase was made within another establishment and doesn’t code correctly. For example, if you dine at a hotel restaurant, the merchant may be categorized as travel instead of a restaurant.

Is It Worth It?

We absolutely believe the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card’s dining credit is worth it — it’s like getting free money!

Even though the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card has a hefty annual fee, all of the various benefits make it for it multiple times over.

From the complimentary Platinum Elite status to the monthly dining credit and especially the Free Night Award every year valid for up to 85,000 points, this credit card is a no-brainer.

The only instance in which we don’t recommend adding this card to your wallet is if you never stay at Marriott properties.

Final Thoughts

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card is a top-shelf credit card product offering benefits that bring new levels of luxury hotel perks to the table.

This revamped credit card offers enviable hotel benefits at Marriott properties, as well as useful lifestyle and travel benefits, including the monthly dining statement credit of up to $25.

The dining statement credit alone, which amounts to up to $300 per year, enables cardholders to offset just under half of the card’s price tag at face value — just use your credit card to make restaurant purchases and you’re good to go.

Make sure to also leverage the complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, Free Night Award every year (up to 85,000 points), Priority Pass Select membership (upon enrollment), and up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit.

If you’re a luxury traveler, you can almost certainly come out ahead with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card.

For the car rental loss & damage insurance benefit of 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. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance plan benefit of 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 New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. For the trip delay insurance plan benefit of 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 New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. For the baggage insurance plan benefit of 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 premium Global Assist Hotline benefit of 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. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. For the purchase protection benefit of 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 return protection benefit of 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.