American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant 100,000 Point Sign Up Bonus + Platinum Elite Status + 25k Anniversary Points

Update 1/12/21: Deal set to end tomorrow.

The Offer

Direct link to offer

• American Express is offering an increased sign up bonus of 100,000 Marriott points after $5,000 in spend within the first 3 months of card membership. Plus you get Platinum elite status for the 2021 status year. You also get 25,000 points on card anniversary after your first year

Card Details

• $450 annual fee
• $300 in statement credits each year of card membership for eligible purchases at Marriott properties
• Card earns at the following rates:
  • 6x points per $1 spent at participating SPG & Marriott Rewards hotels
  • 3x points per $1 spent at U.S. restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines
  • 2x points per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free night award every year after your card account anniversary (can be used at any property that costs under 50,000 points per night)
• Complimentary gold elite status
• Platinum elite status after you spend $75,000 or more on the card in a calendar year
• 15 nights towards elite status (you’re restricted to getting this benefit once per Marriott Loyalty program number)
• Unlimited complimentary priority pass lounge access for you and up to two accompanying guests
• Statement credit for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85) every four years
• No foreign transaction fees
• Free, unlimited Boingo Wi-Fi access
• Free in-room premium internet access at SPG & Marriott participating hotels
• Welcome offer not available to applicants who (i) have or have had The Ritz-Carlton^™ Credit Card from JPMorgan or the J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Rewards^® Credit Card in the last 30 days, (ii) have acquired the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards^® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy^™ Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards^® Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy^™ Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase or the Marriott Rewards^® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase in the last 90 days, or (iii) received a new Card Member bonus or upgrade offer for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^™ Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Rewards^® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy^™ Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Rewards^® Premier Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^™ Credit Card from Chase, the Marriott Bonvoy^™ Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase or the Marriott Rewards^® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase in the last 24 months.

Our Verdict

Previous best bonus was 100,000 points, so this is an extra 25,000 points on card anniversary plus you get the elite status. There was an offer for a $700 statement credit that was targeted, but that did require a larger spend requirement of $15,000. I suspect it will be very easy to get and earn elite status at most chains next year due to COVID-19. This can be a good offer for some people, but just keep in mind the massive annual fee. I’d make sure you have a good plan for the Marriott points and resort credit before signing up. I think a lot of people will prefer the Boundless five free night offer if eligible for that. We will add this to our best credit card bonus post. There is also an increased offer on the Marriott business card from American Express.

Hat tip to reader Yuhao X