AmEx Bonvoy Brilliant Luxury Card [General Discussion Thread]
Jun 2, 2019, 2:28 pm
#873
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 133
After having no upgrade incentive for months, I checked yesterday and I can now upgrade my regular Amex Bonvoy card to Brilliant with 50,000 points bonus. Seems like a good deal, but I'll hold out if there's likely to get something better. I know there was an earlier targeted bonus of 100,000 points, which seemed almost too good to be true.
I assume that my current free night certificate would still be 35,000, and that I'll get my next certificate on the SPG Amex anniversary date (i.e. my existing card) good for a 50,000 point room. Does that sound right?
Besides the upgrade bonus, it seems about equivalent to the current card. Fee jumps $350, but that's tempered by the $300 Marriott credit. Worth the extra $50 for the better free night to me. Given I already have Priority Pass, any other benefits to the Brilliant card?
I assume that my current free night certificate would still be 35,000, and that I'll get my next certificate on the SPG Amex anniversary date (i.e. my existing card) good for a 50,000 point room. Does that sound right?
Besides the upgrade bonus, it seems about equivalent to the current card. Fee jumps $350, but that's tempered by the $300 Marriott credit. Worth the extra $50 for the better free night to me. Given I already have Priority Pass, any other benefits to the Brilliant card?
Jun 3, 2019, 9:46 am
#874
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta Gold, Marriott Platinum, Former Amtrak Select, Former Hilton Gold
Posts: 422
Applied today, got the instant approval, then when I requested the instant card number got an error that said their systems are not responding and I would receive a $60 statement credit. Frankly the $60 is more than worth waiting a week for the physical card.
Anyone know how long it takes to set up Priority Pass? I tried through the amex website and it threw an error saying not available, then when I went back to the benefits page it says "pending". Went back a second time and it now says "status unavailable"
Anyone know how long it takes to set up Priority Pass? I tried through the amex website and it threw an error saying not available, then when I went back to the benefits page it says "pending". Went back a second time and it now says "status unavailable"
Jun 3, 2019, 9:59 am
#875
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,926
I received the physical PP materials about a week after submitting.
Jun 3, 2019, 11:36 am
#877
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
I do believe, based on some comments previously in this thread (and my own experience), you should expect to see your certificate in your account 8 to 12 weeks after your renewal date. I think they process them once a month sometime during the the first week of each month. So if your renewal date is the 1st of a month, then you will probably see your cert about 2 months later during that cycle. If your renewal date is say the 8th of a month, then you will probably have to wait closer to the 3 months as that month's cycle has already completed and you will have to wait until the next month's cycle.
Jun 15, 2019, 8:49 am
#878
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,895
I just got my card in hand - the contactless Sapphire is the thinnest metal card I have. Bonvoy feels more rigid. The Amex Platinum and Capital One Venture (both without the contactless feature) are thicker and heavier (I do have a contactless Plat on the way)
I have the regular Bonvoy card that was converted from the Starwood card. I keep checking for bonus points to upgrade but no dice. 
Jun 19, 2019, 6:14 am
#880
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,895
Data point on the Bonvoy credit - drinks at the rooftop bar at Moxy Chelsea NYC triggered the credit (I paid at the bar, wasn’t staying at the hotel)
Jun 19, 2019, 1:09 pm
#884
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,895
AMEX doesn't tell me how it categorized yet (should know in a day or two). However the credit has already applied. The charge appears as "MOXY CHELSEA RESTAURANT"
Jun 20, 2019, 7:16 am
#885
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,895