FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - AmEx Bonvoy Brilliant Luxury Card [General Discussion Thread]
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 5:44 am
  #4258  
ericmc
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Join Date: Apr 2020
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Question Brilliant Amex Welcome Bonus with holding Chase Ritz Card?

Hi everyone, I could use a bit of help figuring this out.

Right now I hold the Chase Ritz-Carlton card (originally got it via a product change from the Bonvoy Boundless back in 2024). I’m thinking about applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, but I have a few questions before I move forward:
  1. Am I eligible for the welcome bonus on the Brilliant card if I already have the Ritz? I know Amex has some weird rules when it comes to Marriott cards and eligibility.
  2. Do I have to cancel my Ritz card to get the Brilliant welcome offer? If yes, is there a required waiting period after closing the Ritz before applying for the Brilliant and qualifying for the bonus?
  3. I actually want to hold both personal Marriott cards (Brilliant + Ritz) if possible — is that allowed? I understand Ritz is no longer open for new applications, so I’d prefer not to give it up unless absolutely necessary.
  4. In your opinion, is Brilliant clearly better than Ritz now? I know Brilliant is easier to get, but Ritz has some strong perks that aren’t easy to replace (especially the Priority Pass with unlimited guests). I’m weighing whether closing Ritz just for the bonus on Brilliant is worth it.
  5. I also currently hold the Marriott Bonvoy Business® Amex card, so with that plus my current setup, I get 30 elite nights/year (15 from Ritz + 15 from Biz). If I add the Brilliant, I’ll be able to get 40 nights a year total (since you can stack the 25 nights from Brilliant with 15 from Biz). That’s part of why I’m considering this.
Any insights on how best to play this — or your own experience holding both cards — would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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