Many years ago, the Platinum Card® from American Express was one of the few major rewards cards with an annual fee exceeding $100. It offered exclusive access to the Centurion Lounge, making it a must-have for travelers. However, times have changed, and now several rewards cards come with hefty fees. Among them is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which carries a $650 annual fee, just shy of the Amex Platinum's $695.
Despite this high cost, some find value in the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card. "I see enough value in the card, despite the high annual fee," said Summer Hull from The Points Guy. The appeal lies not in prestige but in potential savings compared to other Marriott cards.
The card offers instant Marriott Platinum status without requiring 50 hotel nights per year. "If I was able to add the Bonvoy Brilliant to my arsenal...my Marriott elite status work would be done," Hull explained.