AmEx Bonvoy Brilliant Luxury Card [General Discussion Thread]
Oct 6, 2019, 6:46 am
#1036
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,894
‘Not necessarily - Paying cash and putting that stay on a Brilliant would net me 1,943 points (12.5 standard points, 6 points after using the Brilliant), which I value at $15.50. It’s even better if I can apply the Brilliant Marriott credit.
Oct 6, 2019, 11:19 am
#1037
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,347
Very true. I guess to me it would depend on the age, credit history, and credit limit on the card I'm considering to close. I'm always hesitant to just close any card but my former SPG card is one of my oldest with a long history and high credit limit so I would be loathe to close it and would rather use the free night benefit to just cover the annual fee even if I'd get better value by charging to a Brilliant card.
Oct 6, 2019, 12:33 pm
#1038
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,894
Very true. I guess to me it would depend on the age, credit history, and credit limit on the card I'm considering to close. I'm always hesitant to just close any card but my former SPG card is one of my oldest with a long history and high credit limit so I would be loathe to close it and would rather use the free night benefit to just cover the annual fee even if I'd get better value by charging to a Brilliant card.
Oct 7, 2019, 7:45 pm
#1040
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Old SPG card AF hit a couple of weeks ago. I now have a 125Kpt offer in my account to upgrade. If I do so will I forfeit the anniversary night this year? Any data points?
Oct 7, 2019, 9:42 pm
#1041
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: NGS
Programs: UA Silver, ANA MC, HH Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Bonvoy Plat, IHG Plat, Shangri-La GC, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,232
I was in a similar situation when I received the 125k offer. I had already paid the AF for the SPG card before receiving the offer, but still had not received the free night award. I asked the Amex rep if I would get the 35k FNA despite upgrading and she said I would. If I were you, I'd call in to upgrade and get verbal confirmation that you'll get the FNA from the SPG card if you upgrade, but I think you will.
Oct 7, 2019, 9:45 pm
#1042
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
I was in a similar situation when I received the 125k offer. I had already paid the AF for the SPG card before receiving the offer, but still had not received the free night award. I asked the Amex rep if I would get the 35k FNA despite upgrading and she said I would. If I were you, I'd call in to upgrade and get verbal confirmation that you'll get the FNA from the SPG card if you upgrade, but I think you will.
Oct 7, 2019, 10:28 pm
#1043
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: NGS
Programs: UA Silver, ANA MC, HH Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Bonvoy Plat, IHG Plat, Shangri-La GC, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,232
A 50K FNA would be even better, but I agree, you need to verify and get the name of the rep who told you so you can hold them to it. I hope you get the deal.^
Oct 13, 2019, 8:09 am
#1044
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 33
Hi there! So sorry if this has been posted already - tried to search for it but couldn't find it. Do Advanced Purchase rates (hotel prepays) trigger the $300 Bonvoy Brilliant credit? I was going to buy gift cards, but I hate that you can't use gift cards to buy advanced purchase rates (which are often quite a bit cheaper than flexible rates). Thanks for your help!
Oct 13, 2019, 11:03 am
#1045
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CAN, LAX, TPE
Programs: AA, AS, CI, DL, UA
Posts: 2,898
New annual fee of $450 won't be charged until November according to the e-mail they sent. Not sure how they will pro-rate the $95.
The e-mail reads:
You’re close to receiving a Free Night Award
from Marriott Bonvoy TM
Happy Card anniversary! We wanted to remind you that you will receive one annual Free Night Award from Marriott Bonvoy each year of Card Membership within 8-12 weeks after your Card Account anniversary date.
You can redeem the Free Night Award e-certificate for a one-night stay inclusive of room rate and applicable taxes (additional mandatory resort fees may apply) at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels with a redemption level at or under 50,000 Bonvoy points.
You will receive an email from Marriott Bonvoy to the email address listed on your loyalty member account confirming that the Free Night Award e-certificate has been deposited into your loyalty Bonvoy member account. The email will also provide instructions on how to redeem your Free Night Award e-certificate. To qualify for the Free Night Award, your account must be open and not in default at the time of the Free Night Award e-certificate issuance. Please see below for important Terms & Conditions.
Please confirm the correct email address is included in your loyalty Bonvoy member profile - you can do this by accessing your profile on marriottbonvoy.com or by calling 1-888-625-4988.
Thank you for your Card Membership.
Enjoy!
American Express Customer Care
Oct 14, 2019, 8:38 pm
#1047
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
Just as a DP, I called AMEX a week ago about a different issue and while I was on the phone, I mentioned I would be interested in the 125k upgrade offer. The agent said she would notate my account, but I haven't heard back so I assume it's not promising. Will update if anything changes.
Oct 15, 2019, 10:17 am
#1048
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,294
1. I have the same Amex offer on my card, so I asked the Amex rep if that and any other offers would be carried over to the new Bonvoy Brillant Card, and she said yes, anything offers on or associated with the old card would automatically carry over to the new card. If you'r still worried about it, you could just download the same offer on your new card when you get it.
[Update] ... and can now further confirm receipt of the credit after a R-C stay. FWIW, this was in spite of not having received the "Congrats! You used your Amex Offer" e-mail. I confess to having sweated a bit; I share this so that you do not need to.
Last edited by Biggie Fries; Oct 31, 2019 at 11:09 am Reason: Further update
Oct 21, 2019, 4:29 pm
#1049
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 244
Did you get your FNA yet? My AF hit last month and now I have the 125K upgrade offer on my account - says offer expires 10/30, trying to decide whether to pull the trigger or not. On a separate note, do we need to meet the spend requirement organically or does MS work on this card?
Oct 22, 2019, 2:54 pm
#1050
Join Date: Dec 2015
Programs: AA EXP, UA Silver, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 81
Has anyone tried to double dip? As in apply for a Brilliant then get the upgrade on an existing card after? I would have to close an Amex card and I'm not sure if I'd get approved for the Brilliant, and I'm not sure if I would lose the upgrade offer either.