Originally Posted by
Adelphos
As a reminder... Even though I downgraded my card, I will note - for the vast majority of Marriott elites that don't have lifetime status of any kind, a Marriott card (including the Brilliant) makes sense. I received a ton of value out of the refresh, and only downgraded due to Amex basically letting you retain the benefits of the refresh (85K point cert, 15 nights, etc) after downgrade. I may very well be re-upgrading in 2025.
I think the card makes sense for two groups - one group is the optimizer group that is willing to jump through hoops to get the most out of the card (85K night cert + $300 in dining credits pays for itself and then you get whatever other benefits layered in such as the extra elite nights, etc) and the other is the casual traveler that would otherwise not have platinum status and may not have another card for priority pass.
But for those with lifetime status and other superior earning cards (the CSR out-earns the Brilliant card.. even at Marriott hotels) and not interested in micro-optimizing, it just doesn't make a lot of sense at the $650/year cost. Maybe it helps get SNA which I do still value (albeit less and less), but that is dependent on not being able to get enough nights organically. If you'll already have 75 nights a year anyways, the card has virtually no value outside of the sometimes-hard-to-use 85K award and the always-hard-to-use dining credit.