Does the T&C explicitly exclude statement credit for GCs? With reports of clawback on airline credit reimbursement for Amex Plat, would Amex eventually crack down on this if it's not supposed to be reimbursed? I am curious because I am contemplating an upgrade to the Brilliant.
LAX
It's not excluded in the terms of the benefit. The only exclusion is for purchasing gift cards online as those are probably charged differently and would not trigger the credit. The terms actually seem quite broad in terms of allowing for purchases made at Marriott properties so purchasing a gc directly from the hotel should be fine. The clawbacks that you mention are in cases where the underlying charge that supports the Amex credit goes away b/c the merchant has provided a credit for the charge. I would only be concerned if you make a charge at a Marriott property that triggers the credit, but then that charge is reimbursed by the hotel (and that part is specified in the terms). For your reference, below are the terms of the $300 credit:
Get rewarded when you renew! Each year, when you renew your Card, get up to $300 in statement credits for purchases on the Card at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.‡
‡Benefit Terms
$300 Marriott Bonvoy Statement Credit
During each year of your Card Membership ("reward year"), you are eligible to receive up to $300 total in statement credits on your Card Account for eligible purchases made directly at hotels and timeshare ownership properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card during that reward year. Your first reward year begins on your account opening date. Each subsequent reward year begins on the anniversary of your account opening date.
Eligible Marriott Bonvoy property purchases must be made directly with the participating Marriott Bonvoy property and charged to your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card account for the benefit to apply. Incidental charges (including charges made at restaurants, spas and other establishments within the hotel property) must be charged to your room and paid for with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card at checkout in order to be recognized as Marriott Bonvoy purchases. Online purchases of Marriott branded gift cards and purchases at Homes & Villas by Marriott International home share properties do not qualify as eligible purchases for this benefit.
Visit
marriottbonvoy.com for the list of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Purchases made by both the Basic and Additional Card Members on the eligible Card Account are eligible for statement credits. However, each Card Account is eligible for up to a total of $300 per renewal year in statement credits across all Cards on the Card Account. Please allow 8-12 weeks after the eligible Marriott Bonvoy purchase is charged to your Card Account for statement credit(s) to be posted to the Account. Please call the number on the back of your Card if statement credits have not posted after 12 weeks from the date of purchase. Statement credit(s) may be reversed if the eligible purchase is returned/cancelled or if we, in our sole discretion, determine that you have engaged in abuse or misuse in connection with the benefit or that you intend to do so (for example, if you do not maintain an eligible Card Account for the duration of the reward year). Card Members remain responsible for timely payment of all charges.