topic Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K in Credit Card Approvals

AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

Aim_High — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 04:16:05 GMT

*ETA: Unboxing description and pictures added to Message Number 36 in-thread.

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Aim_High has left the garden.

I've been eyeing the AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant since getting the Chase Bonvoy Boundless but I had to wait for at least 24 months to claim another Marriott SUB. This latest 150K point SUB was too sweet to pass up and it expired last night! I slipped in under the wire. AMEX application page showed that I was "preapproved."

I've been gardening since 8/15/2020 after my AMEX Gold approval, so about 14 and a half months. In a couple of weeks, I'll also be dropping another four "new accounts" and inquiries from my 24-month history so I'll be in pretty good shape to start opening a few new accounts again.

AMEX didn't give me the "Not eligible for SUB" language like they did a few months ago with the Hilton Surpass card. Apparently, I'm back in their good graces.

I thought it a little odd that I was informed of approval with no details, even by email. I had to find my $15K SL on my home page after it refreshed and there was no indication of the APR. I had no alerts of a HP so I'm guessing it was a SP on EX like AMEX is known to do for existing cardholders in many cases.

As for my Chase Bonvoy Boundless, while I could keep it for the "free night" in lieu of the $95 AF, I will probably close it since the AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant eclipses it and would keep my wallet more focused. I had considered a product-change to the Chase Ritz Carlton card which is very similar to the AMEX versionn but has $300 credits against airline fees instead of $300 in Marriott properties. I liked the AMEX credits better and honestly, I've never even stayed at a Ritz Carlton! I'll probably just transfer my CL to my Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

M_Smart007 — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 17:07:53 GMT

@Aim_High, Congrats on your Brilliant approval

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 17:23:24 GMT

Congrats! I want this card once im out the garden. Im at 41 nights with Marriott trying to hit the 50 for the platinum. 2 months left so i need to hit these 9 nights. luckily i have a 1 start hotel about 2 hours away that I can get for about 5k points a night.

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

CreditMagic7 — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 17:34:36 GMT

Congratulations on your AMEX Brilliant approval!!

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

practical1 — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 17:51:08 GMT

Congrats! An excellent SL.

Most of us love this card -- make sure you take advantage of all the small benefits, as well as the large ones -- you should easily recoup the fee and enjoy the ride. Might want to also order additional cards for (trusted) family members -- if memory serves, they're available without extra charge.

Good luck on getting to Platinum -- sounds like you're on your way. These days, PT status is really essential to opening up the best experience at Marriott properties. If I've done the math correctly, you'll get something like 20 - 23 X Bonvoy points in total per dollar spent at Marriot properties, if Platinum and charges are placed on this card. That's really huge!

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

NRB525 — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 19:27:01 GMT

Congrats on the approval. The 150k points is certainly nice.

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

IntegerIntrovert — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 20:28:35 GMT

Congrats on picking this one up!

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

SFLSpotter9210 — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 20:47:12 GMT

@Aim_High congratulations on a great score, enjoy your perks on this gem.

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

cashorcharge — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 21:14:05 GMT

First off...kudos for gardening that long!!!!!

Secondly....WOOHOO!!! Congratulations on your AMEX approval!! 👏🏼🎉🍾

I'm sure you've read up on the 3X/61 CLI policy etc and the plentiful benefits in the Bonvoy program.

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

Aim_High — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 00:20:30 GMT

@M_Smart007 wrote:
@Aim_High, Congrats on your Brilliant approval
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@Anonymous wrote:
Congrats! I want this card once im out the garden ...
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@CreditMagic7 wrote:
Congratulations on your AMEX Brilliant approval!!
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@practical1 wrote:
Congrats! An excellent SL. Most of us love this card -- make sure you take advantage of all the small benefits, as well as the large ones -- you should easily recoup the fee and enjoy the ride ...

Thanks very much @M_Smart007, @Anonymous, @CreditMagic7, @practical1!

Yes, well worth it to garden for this approval and hopefully a few more in the next 12 months!

I'm excited to take this one for a test drive, @practical1. It does have a lot more bells & whistles than the Chase Boundless which accounts for that higher AF. But I did the math and this one just made sense for me plus allowed me to diversify more into AMEX with a card that I could use.

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

Aim_High — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 00:28:47 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
Congrats on the approval. The 150k points is certainly nice.
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@IntegerIntrovert wrote:
Congrats on picking this one up!
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@SFLSpotter9210 wrote:
@Aim_High congratulations on a great score, enjoy your perks on this gem.
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@cashorcharge wrote:
First off...kudos for gardening that long!!!!!
Secondly....WOOHOO!!! Congratulations on your AMEX approval!! 👏🏼🎉🍾
I'm sure you've read up on the 3X/61 CLI policy etc and the plentiful benefits in the Bonvoy program.

Thank you @NRB525, @IntegerIntrovert, @SFLSpotter9210, @cashorcharge!

That 150K SUB was the best I've seen in the past two years, @NRB525!

And yes, gardening that long wasn't easy this time, @cashorcharge, although I found it easier as I went longer.

I need to plot my date for the 3x/61 CLI request, although from what I've read I may not be able to triple a $15K limit.

The card has a lot of perks and I appreciate the automatic Gold status, regardless of my night status.

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

KingRue8500 — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 01:44:16 GMT

Congrats on your AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant approval

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

CreditAggie — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 01:54:40 GMT

Congratulations on your Bonvoy Brilliant approval!

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

Sub16610 — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 02:27:13 GMT

Really awesome approval, congratulations on the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant!

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

greatscott85 — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 02:39:48 GMT

@Aim_High Big congrats! Mine was supposed to be here today but FedEx says tomorrow however, I was able to add to Apple Pay right away and put some spend on it.

Race ya to the sub! .

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

Total80sKid — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 03:45:31 GMT

Congrats on your Bonvoy approval 👍🏼

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

Titans84 — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 10:30:20 GMT

Congrats on your AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant approval!

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

gdale6 — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 14:54:06 GMT

Nice, grats on the Brilliant approval!!

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

Aim_High — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 15:39:00 GMT

@KingRue8500 wrote:
Congrats on your AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant approval
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@CreditAggie wrote:
Congratulations on your Bonvoy Brilliant approval!
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@Sub16610 wrote:
Really awesome approval, congratulations on the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant!

Thanks very much @KingRue8500, @CreditAggie, @Sub16610!

I'm excited! It's supposed to arrive later today by Fedex.

That's impressive to have a new card delivered in only two days.

Re: AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Approval - $15K

Aim_High — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 15:52:16 GMT

@greatscott85 wrote:
@Aim_High Big congrats! Mine was supposed to be here today but FedEx says tomorrow however, I was able to add to Apple Pay right away and put some spend on it.
Race ya to the sub! .
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@Total80sKid wrote:
Congrats on your Bonvoy approval ??
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@Titans84 wrote:
Congrats on your A
MEX Bonvoy Brilliant approval!
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@gdale6 wrote:
Nice, grats on the Brilliant approval!!

Thanks very much @greatscott85, @Total80sKid, @Titans84, @gdale6!!

I'll race you to the SUB @greatscott85, but I have to admit that I have an unfair advantage. Unfortunately, I have some unexpected major expenses coming up so I could probably meet the SUB in one swipe. But .... on the bright side, at least I won't have a problem meeting the SUB! Lol