AmEx Bonvoy Brilliant Luxury Card [General Discussion Thread]
Aug 25, 2018, 11:50 am
#121
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, United Silver, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 2,276
This is the confusing part. Why in the t&c does it state a 2018 and 2019 section about the elite nights. We all know in 2019 it's 15 max regardless of number of co-brand cards. I thought it would be possible to get 15 nights for 2018 also?
Is Marriott and SPG each awarding a max of 15 elite nights this year? I haven't merged yet, got my 15 from the Marriott Visa, and my 5 from the SPG Amex. I thought maybe I could get another 10 nights if an upgrade to the Luxury card was made. But I don't know.
Is Marriott and SPG each awarding a max of 15 elite nights this year? I haven't merged yet, got my 15 from the Marriott Visa, and my 5 from the SPG Amex. I thought maybe I could get another 10 nights if an upgrade to the Luxury card was made. But I don't know.
I don't know how will it will work if you upgrade an existing SPG Amex personal card account that has a renewal between now and the end of 2018. My guess is that the first renewal of the SPG Luxury card would be a year from initiation of the account, not when the personal card would have renewed.
Aug 25, 2018, 12:15 pm
#122
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,219
The 15 elite nights post at renewal, not at initiation. With a new SPG Amex Luxury card account, nobody will have a renewal until 2019.
I don't know how will it will work if you upgrade an existing SPG Amex personal card account that has a renewal between now and the end of 2018. My guess is that the first renewal of the SPG Luxury card would be a year from initiation of the account, not when the personal card would have renewed.
I don't know how will it will work if you upgrade an existing SPG Amex personal card account that has a renewal between now and the end of 2018. My guess is that the first renewal of the SPG Luxury card would be a year from initiation of the account, not when the personal card would have renewed.
Aug 25, 2018, 12:46 pm
#123
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 56
This is the confusing part. Why in the t&c does it state a 2018 and 2019 section about the elite nights. We all know in 2019 it's 15 max regardless of number of co-brand cards. I thought it would be possible to get 15 nights for 2018 also?
Is Marriott and SPG each awarding a max of 15 elite nights this year? I haven't merged yet, got my 15 from the Marriott Visa, and my 5 from the SPG Amex. I thought maybe I could get another 10 nights if an upgrade to the Luxury card was made. But I don't know.
Is Marriott and SPG each awarding a max of 15 elite nights this year? I haven't merged yet, got my 15 from the Marriott Visa, and my 5 from the SPG Amex. I thought maybe I could get another 10 nights if an upgrade to the Luxury card was made. But I don't know.
Aug 25, 2018, 1:09 pm
#124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
DoC said that Amex confirmed that room rate charges count towards the $300 credit. Who wants to be the first guinea pig?
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/amex-...a-second-look/
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/amex-...a-second-look/
(My AF was charged back in April, so based on my calculations I'll only have to pay $300 or so for this year. Since I'm going to be staying at a Starwood property in a couple of weeks, I should easily be able to use the credit, making it effectively $0. I'll definitely update in this thread if the credit doesn't actually get applied.)
Aug 25, 2018, 3:52 pm
#125
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 56
Interesting. Upgraded.
(My AF was charged back in April, so based on my calculations I'll only have to pay $300 or so for this year. Since I'm going to be staying at a Starwood property in a couple of weeks, I should easily be able to use the credit, making it effectively $0. I'll definitely update in this thread if the credit doesn't actually get applied.)
(My AF was charged back in April, so based on my calculations I'll only have to pay $300 or so for this year. Since I'm going to be staying at a Starwood property in a couple of weeks, I should easily be able to use the credit, making it effectively $0. I'll definitely update in this thread if the credit doesn't actually get applied.)
Aug 25, 2018, 4:53 pm
#128
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,063
Actually I would not call that great value (or really even good value) when you factor in the opportunity cost in light of 5/24 and Amex's new policy of denying bonuses if you open/close too many cards. With these anti-churning policies in place, most of us need to pick our new cards carefully. Net benefit of $600 (in MR points) over two years is in relative terms not very good at all IMO.
I will already get Marriott status and 15 nights through my Chase card, and the Luxury Card won't do anything to help that.
With regard to 5/24, I am currently at 6, and will be at 5 in October and 4 in March/2019. Luckily, I already have all current Chase cards I need, so 5/24 isn't a huge concern.
For someone that doesn't already have a Marriott or SPG card, I can definitely see how the Luxury Card makes sense. During the first year, you get a signup bonus and $300 credit and a "free" night and $300 credit the second year, easily offsetting the $450 annual fee. Plus, you would still get the Marriott status and 15 qualifying nights.
Thanks for also validating my previous choices. I have the CSR and enjoy that since I can book directly with the hotel, or use Priceline/Hotels.com to save money, and still earn 3x back. The $300 travel credit can be used even without traveling, via Ubers, buses, subway passes etc.
The Platinum offers a $200 airline and $200 Uber credit, also offers Marriott status, and other benefits that don't overlap with my current cards.
People are right when they say that $300 SPG Luxury credit is much easier to use than the $250 resort credit of the Hilton Amex Aspire. However, the Aspire offers a $250 airline credit and an anniversary night that can be substantially more valuable, as long as you can redeem on a Friday/Saturday/Sunday. As an aside, the Amex Aspire gives the free weekend night during your first year too, unlike the SPG Luxury.
Even if I just use the airline credit and free night, I feel justified in paying the $450 annual fee. This year, I was able to max out the resort AND airline credit AND use my weekend night at a property that normally goes for over $400 Euros.
Now, if I stopped taking Uber AND Amex dramatically altered they way that the Aspire and Platinum airline credits work, I would have to re-evaluate my choices, but, at this point, I think both of those cards, along with the CSR offer more value than the SPG Luxury.
Aug 25, 2018, 9:40 pm
#129
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Former UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 576
i appreciate your post. I already have the Marriott Premier Rewards Card from Chase, but I was considering the SPG Luxury, since I could still qualify for the 100,000 signup bonus (After today, I won't have that option).
I will already get Marriott status and 15 nights through my Chase card, and the Luxury Card won't do anything to help that.
With regard to 5/24, I am currently at 6, and will be at 5 in October and 4 in March/2019. Luckily, I already have all current Chase cards I need, so 5/24 isn't a huge concern.
For someone that doesn't already have a Marriott or SPG card, I can definitely see how the Luxury Card makes sense. During the first year, you get a signup bonus and $300 credit and a "free" night and $300 credit the second year, easily offsetting the $450 annual fee. Plus, you would still get the Marriott status and 15 qualifying nights.
Thanks for also validating my previous choices. I have the CSR and enjoy that since I can book directly with the hotel, or use Priceline/Hotels.com to save money, and still earn 3x back. The $300 travel credit can be used even without traveling, via Ubers, buses, subway passes etc.
The Platinum offers a $200 airline and $200 Uber credit, also offers Marriott status, and other benefits that don't overlap with my current cards.
People are right when they say that $300 SPG Luxury credit is much easier to use than the $250 resort credit of the Hilton Amex Aspire. However, the Aspire offers a $250 airline credit and an anniversary night that can be substantially more valuable, as long as you can redeem on a Friday/Saturday/Sunday. As an aside, the Amex Aspire gives the free weekend night during your first year too, unlike the SPG Luxury.
Even if I just use the airline credit and free night, I feel justified in paying the $450 annual fee. This year, I was able to max out the resort AND airline credit AND use my weekend night at a property that normally goes for over $400 Euros.
Now, if I stopped taking Uber AND Amex dramatically altered they way that the Aspire and Platinum airline credits work, I would have to re-evaluate my choices, but, at this point, I think both of those cards, along with the CSR offer more value than the SPG Luxury.
I will already get Marriott status and 15 nights through my Chase card, and the Luxury Card won't do anything to help that.
With regard to 5/24, I am currently at 6, and will be at 5 in October and 4 in March/2019. Luckily, I already have all current Chase cards I need, so 5/24 isn't a huge concern.
For someone that doesn't already have a Marriott or SPG card, I can definitely see how the Luxury Card makes sense. During the first year, you get a signup bonus and $300 credit and a "free" night and $300 credit the second year, easily offsetting the $450 annual fee. Plus, you would still get the Marriott status and 15 qualifying nights.
Thanks for also validating my previous choices. I have the CSR and enjoy that since I can book directly with the hotel, or use Priceline/Hotels.com to save money, and still earn 3x back. The $300 travel credit can be used even without traveling, via Ubers, buses, subway passes etc.
The Platinum offers a $200 airline and $200 Uber credit, also offers Marriott status, and other benefits that don't overlap with my current cards.
People are right when they say that $300 SPG Luxury credit is much easier to use than the $250 resort credit of the Hilton Amex Aspire. However, the Aspire offers a $250 airline credit and an anniversary night that can be substantially more valuable, as long as you can redeem on a Friday/Saturday/Sunday. As an aside, the Amex Aspire gives the free weekend night during your first year too, unlike the SPG Luxury.
Even if I just use the airline credit and free night, I feel justified in paying the $450 annual fee. This year, I was able to max out the resort AND airline credit AND use my weekend night at a property that normally goes for over $400 Euros.
Now, if I stopped taking Uber AND Amex dramatically altered they way that the Aspire and Platinum airline credits work, I would have to re-evaluate my choices, but, at this point, I think both of those cards, along with the CSR offer more value than the SPG Luxury.
Your setup is similar to what I am aiming for. I am planning to add the Aspire card in the next couple of months. If you are using hotels.com, you should check out the Capital One Venture/VentureOne cards. You can earn 10% at hotels.com with the cards (in addition to 10% with hotels.com rewards).
Aug 26, 2018, 1:26 pm
#130
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
Just got an email saying that my card's been replaced in Google Pay. Kinda makes me wonder whether the charges I've made between the time I agreed to the upgrade and now actually counted towards minimum spend (I'm fairly sure they do, but correct me if I'm wrong).
Aug 27, 2018, 3:32 am
#131
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: saint augustine, FL USA
Posts: 463
Has anyone, during the application process, had the AMEX pop up saying they were ineligible for the bonus? I didn't, but have had SPG bonuses in the past. Maybe they are treating this as a new type card.
Aug 27, 2018, 3:53 am
#132
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 238
I signed up for the 100k bonus and later that day I got invited by SPG to apply for a 125k bonus. Seems like I messed up and applied too early. For me I thought it came out to a $0 annual fee.
I exclusively use Marriot now that they have the lower end hotels, I used to do SPG and then hotels on Priceline when hotels were outside a price range that I liked.
Seems like if my math is correct you get the below deal if you get the bonus and don't care about the insurance and/or Priority pass and won't use it for non Marriot stays:
Year 1
I often travel to London and the parking deals are amazing, 8 days of parking included in a 1 night stay at $158 works out to 2,698 points (only earn on the taxable portion) so my total cost is $133.72 for parking coming to $16.71 per day for parking including a free hotel stay.
I exclusively use Marriot now that they have the lower end hotels, I used to do SPG and then hotels on Priceline when hotels were outside a price range that I liked.
Seems like if my math is correct you get the below deal if you get the bonus and don't care about the insurance and/or Priority pass and won't use it for non Marriot stays:
Year 1
- $150 cash cost ($300 off the annual fee of $450)
- $900 in points (100k at 0.9 cents per point)
- 16.65% back in rewards (12.5 points per dollar for gold elite and 6 points per dollar for the card at 0.9 cents per point)
- Total (if you just stay for the $300 credit) profit is $499.95 (rewards minus annual fee)
- $150 cash cost ($300 off the annual fee of $450)
- 50k annual cert (worth up to $450)
- 16.65% back in rewards (12.5 points per dollar for gold elite and 6 points per dollar for the card at 0.9 cents per point)
- Total (if you just stay for the $300 credit) profit is $49.95 (rewards minus annual fee)
I often travel to London and the parking deals are amazing, 8 days of parking included in a 1 night stay at $158 works out to 2,698 points (only earn on the taxable portion) so my total cost is $133.72 for parking coming to $16.71 per day for parking including a free hotel stay.
Aug 27, 2018, 6:52 pm
#134
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507