I’ve had the American Express Bonvoy Brilliant Card for a few years now. I also don’t plan to get rid of it because, despite the hefty $450 annual fee, the benefits work for me. You can read more about why I keep it here. Well, starting 9/22/22, there is a change to the American Express Bonvoy Brilliant Card.

 

 

Previously, this card came with a $300 yearly Marriott credit when used at a hotel or resort. That could be used to book a room, pay for food, pay for services, etc. That pretty much brought the annual fee to $150. Additionally, the 50K annual certificate was worth more than a $150 room, so the card has been a no-brainer for me. And it comes with Priority Pass Lounge Access – you know what an airport lounge geek this girl is!

However, sometimes, I almost forget to use that $300 (both my hubby and I have the card so it’s $300 to spend twice). Yikes!

The Change

Starting 9/22/22, the benefit changes to $25/month in dining credit. Hey, I like to eat out! Whether it is eating out while traveling or just grabbing dinner out when at home, this benefit will be an easy one for me to use. Just charge at least $25/month at restaurants on the card and that $25 will be credited back to your account. That is such an easy thing to do and I know that I have a night each month that I HAVE to spend eating out (and not cooking 🙌). Now, that’s a win-win.

Maximizing The Change

My plan to maximize this change is to use the $300 credits in September when I visit the Wailea Beach Resort. I’ll spend that old $300 credit there. Then I’ll plan to use the $25 dining credits for October, November, and December and get another $75 credit. I’m hoping this will work!

Bottom Line

The change to the American Express Bonvoy Brilliant Card goes from a $300 credit at their hotels annually to a $25/month dining credit starting in September. What are your thoughts? Yay or nay? For me, it’s a big yay!