Update 7/5/22: Another round has gone out. Valid until 8/15/22. Hat tip to xosotypical
Update 2/9/20: Another round has gone out. This time only for 50,000 points :(. Hat tip to reader Chris
Update 12/6/19: Another round of 125,000 upgrade offers has gone out. Hat tip to paullau813
Update 10/2/19: Another round has gone out, this time for 120,000 points after $3,000 in spend
Update 9/24/19: End more people targeted, this time offers were sent out via e-mail. Subject line is ‘Our Highest Offer:’
Update 9/17/19: More people targeted, shows up under AmEx offers.
Update 9/6/19: More people have been targeted for the 125,000 point offer.
Update 7/30/19: Another round of upgrade offers has gone out, seems to be for much lower amounts this time.
Update 7/3/19: Another round has gone out. This time some people have been targeted for a 125,000 point. Hat tip to @jeffreyb100
Update 5/3/19: Another round has gone out, reader @Jrsideproject reports an offer for 50,000 points after $2,500 in spend. Others might see the 100,000 offer.
Update 3/7/19: Another round has just gone out. Hat tip to reader Brian.
The Offer
No direct link, either targeted via e-mail ( or it will show up when logged in and you navigate to the SPG Brilliant card sign up page (look for the ‘upgrade’ words
- Some existing American Express Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express Card are aseeing offers to upgrade to the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant. Offer I saw was for 100,000 points, but others might be higher or lower.
Card Details
- $450 annual fee
- $300 in statement credits each year of card membership for eligible purchases at SPG & 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 - Starting in 2019: 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
- Read full review here
Our Verdict
This is the third round of upgrade offers that have gone out, you can read our post on the first round here, second round here. Sign up bonus on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant when you apply directly is now 100,000 points. This upgrade offer is worth considering, we talk about why in these three posts:
- We talk about why the upgrade offer is worth a second look here
- We confirm the $300 credit does apply in the first year
- We confirm it’s possible to get an upgrade offer and the regular bonus here
For more information on upgrade offers in general, you’ll find this linked post highly helpful.
Hat tip to reader Anufer
View Comments (134)
I received the offer. I have already paid the $95 annual fee and received the free night certificate.
If I upgrade, most likely billed a prorated fee until anniversary date (similar experience when upgrading HH AX cards), but when will I receive the 50K FNA? Immediately? 60-90 days? At anniversary when I pay the fee?
Usually 6+ weeks after the annual fee be charged.
It is also worth mentioning that AmEx's upgrade offer often explicitly states that you should not close or downgrade the card within 12 months after upgrading. So unless you already have a trip in mind to use the FN, the exact date probably wouldn't be that important.
If the holding time is 12 months, does that mean the pro-rated fee for this year will get one 50k FN plus another 50k FN after the fee payment next year?
Which date would be considered for anniversary date, the original Bonvoy or the upgraded Brilliant date?
Upgrading a card won't change your card anniversary date.
No, you won't get another 50k FN for the pro-rated part of the current membership year. You will get a 50k FN weeks after your paid the annual fee for next membership year
Marriott points have horrendous value in most places
Has anyone received an upgrade offer lately? I only ever received a couple upgrade offers that were only for 50k points.
I don’t want to cancel my standard Bonvoy card, I use the free night every year and rely on the no foreign transaction fees. There’s also no downgrade path and I’m trying to increase my average age of accounts.
But holding this card is blocking my ability to get sign up bonuses on Chase Bonvoy cards.
As of 2022, if you accept an upgrade bonus to the Brilliant, you would become eligible for a bonus on the Chase Bonvoy Bold or Boundless after a 30-day waiting period- provided you haven't received a bonus on the Amex Bonvoy business card in the last two years- since you would no longer be holding the legacy Amex card that Chase's card "replaced".
I don't think this is correct as the terms & conditions on the Chase Bonvoy cards states : "Eligibility for the new cardmember bonus: The bonus is not available to you if you:
(1) are a current cardmember, or were a previous cardmember within the last 30 days, of Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card (also known as The Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express);
(2) are a current or previous cardmember of either Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (also known as The Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express) or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (also known as the Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card), and received a new cardmember bonus or upgrade bonus in the last 24 months;
or
(3) applied and were approved for Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (also known as The Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express) or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (also known as the Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card) within the last 90 days."
It specifically states at the end of number 2 "and received a new cardmember bonus or upgrade bonus in last 24 months" so the upgrade would invalidate the signup bonus.
Ah yes, I stand corrected. Thanks!
Upgrade offer for 100k. Ends 4/29. Should I wait to get a 125k offer post 4/29? :D
Did anyone else get an interesting letter after upgrade saying their annual fee was staying the same? I never got charged a pro-rated fee when I upgraded (September upgrade with may renewal date). I didn't keep the letter but I suppose I should have.
I also received that letter. I love Amex now!
By any chance, did they let you upgrade a business card within a year of having it? That's unlawful, so if that's the case, maybe they're making up for their mistake?
Nope, had the card since May 2018. That's what I thought was particularly odd.
I've had this offer since Monday but don't wanna get Bonvoyed with the upcoming devaluation.
This card gives you good value only if you double-dip the $300 credit & close it after a year.
I have an upgrade offer to go from the basic Bonvoy card to the Brilliant one -- but *without* the bonus. Guess I'll wait a while and hope for the best over the coming months/year.
Was on the phone with Amex today about my Gold personal card. Asked about a possible upgrade offer along with possible retention offers. Rep stated, "Amex doesn't do bonus offers on upgrades -- only new accounts." I am really sick and tired of their reps lying and/or being misinformed. Been given false information so many times that I've lost count. Gave up and just closed the Gold card. Tired of fighting with Amex. Would rate their customer service as 2/10 -- terrible.
Got spend $2,500 get 50,000 points upgrade offer.
Does not honor promotion offers. AMEX ran a promotion last March for 100k Marriott Bonvoy points after $5K spend. I accomplished over $10K spend in the required time frame but afterwards claimed that the sign up was not “tied” to the promotion even though the email was offered as proof. Have called several times to resolve, but they use delay tactics, and close the complaint without communication. Terrible service. Canceling account after 20 years of having an open a count.
Hello, may I know if this is a good offer as you need pay $450 annual fee. And you can't upgrade and close account to save annual fee as you need to keep account for at least one year or amex will get the points back. So it means $450 for 100K points?
Plus $300 Marriott credit, plus a good one night certificate. Plus a cool card in metal)