topic Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant in Credit Cards

Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

Ricky_D — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 00:37:41 GMT

Will never forget the night I checked my Amex cards in the app and the graphic changed on the Brilliant card. Called Amex about it and the rep said, "We just changed the card 10 minutes ago. Check tomorrow and you'll see exciting new benefits".

Um, okay.

Next day:

1 Annual fee increase. To $650?!!

2. Full use statement credit gone, replaced with UP TO $25 a month credit towards a restaurant with conditions. F.Y.I.READ them.

3. Platinum status. Why not top level? $650!!!

Plus more "benefits"

So, tried to book my free night stay at one of my usual places that I've stayed before.

No suites available with cert anymore. Only 40,000, 50,000 point rooms with less desirable views. The new 85,000 point value goes really nowhere. No free or discounted parking anymore even with upgrade to platinum. Tried to book 5 other places stayed in the past with the free night cert. Even tried different dates. lesser rooms only.

Used the card at a restaurant on 11/10 and it coded as "other, misc". Called Amex and was told "We don't know when the credit will show and if you will get it or not. It can take up to eight weeks." What?!!! My bill closes 12/2. Again, read the statement credit conditions.

Hilton gives you top status, Any room / suite view if available, a lot of properties have preferred Diamond member free parking or free valet. Generous points, easy to use.

My only gripe with Hilton is they try to sell you on timeshares from time to time offering a ton of points if you'll listen.

I have Plat, Gold, Aspire, Brilliant, Delta Res, and Blue Cash. Plat, Gold, Hilton, and Delta credits come quick. Not a big spender on cards, not chasing points either. I pay the annual fees for perks which I use alot. But I see no value in Brilliant @$650 anymore for me.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

BronzeTrader — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 00:49:29 GMT

Interesting.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

Aim_High — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 07:11:22 GMT

We all have to make our own decisions about the cards that are right for us, @Ricky_D, especially those with high AFs. Sorry to hear of your frustrations! I hear you about the changes not working for you. I had some initial concerns but so far haven't had problems justifying the higher AF. I was able to come closer to using most of my 85K points on a high-priced big city hotel room, used complimentary Platinum breakfast for two a couple of times already, and had no problem getting the first $25 credited for dining out. So in my case, I still find the Brilliant a great value. I wrote a longer review with my experience at >this thread< for anyone who cares to read more.

Thanks for sharing your perspective!

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

wasCB14 — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 08:33:40 GMT

I hadn't given much thought to the "basic rooms only" limitation. So I can see the appeal being limited unless the property has a high standard for a "basic room".

I'd re-upgrade my $95 card if they'd give me 150k points or something like that. That $95 card does not seem to be a card that gets a lot of upgrade offers, though...at least compared to BCE, ED, charge cards, and Delta cards. Nothing since I downgraded in I think early 2020. But without an upgrade incentive I'm happy to keep my AF cost limited and actually use up a lot of accumulated points.

In general, I've had a pretty good experience with getting merchant-specific and category-specific Amex credits.

Keep in mind the adage that if everyone has status, no one has status. If "free breakfast" is standard for anyone willing to pay a few hundred dollars in annual fees (as opposed to $10k+ in hotel chain spend) then eventually the hotel prices are going to reflect that "free" breakfast in the price because a large share of their customers will be getting it.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

RehabbingANDBlabbing — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 09:21:25 GMT

I recently got this card.

The dining credit takes longer to post than the other cards. I'd say closer to 7-10 days. But my credit finally showed up for a $30 Starbucks card reload after waiting a while. So to me, the dining credit is fine because I can definitely use it each month, since it applies to most restaurants. You just had some bad luck with the one you went to not coding, because I rarely/never run into that issue with AmEx. I say stick with it.

As for the benefits of the free night and Platinum status, this is my first foray into Marriott. I've been loyal to Hilton for a while and I have Diamond status and the Hilton Business AmEx card. It's been a pretty good value proposition for me. Hilton benefits are pretty good, so I am excited to see how it goes with Marriott. But even if I don't get a suite with my certificate, I should still be able to recoup the annual fee by booking a room that costs more than $400 in cash. Not optimal, but tenable.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

iced — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 14:56:44 GMT

@Ricky_D wrote:
Will never forget the night I checked my Amex cards in the app and the graphic changed on the Brilliant card. Called Amex about it and the rep said, "We just changed the card 10 minutes ago. Check tomorrow and you'll see exciting new benefits".
Um, okay.

Next day:
1 Annual fee increase. To $650?!!
2. Full use statement credit gone, replaced with UP TO $25 a month credit towards a restaurant with conditions. F.Y.I.READ them.
3. Platinum status. Why not top level? $650!!!
Plus more "benefits"

So, tried to book my free night stay at one of my usual places that I've stayed before.
No suites available with cert anymore. Only 40,000, 50,000 point rooms with less desirable views. The new 85,000 point value goes really nowhere. No free or discounted parking anymore even with upgrade to platinum. Tried to book 5 other places stayed in the past with the free night cert. Even tried different dates. lesser rooms only.

Used the card at a restaurant on 11/10 and it coded as "other, misc". Called Amex and was told "We don't know when the credit will show and if you will get it or not. It can take up to eight weeks." What?!!! My bill closes 12/2. Again, read the statement credit conditions.

Hilton gives you top status, Any room / suite view if available, a lot of properties have preferred Diamond member free parking or free valet. Generous points, easy to use.
My only gripe with Hilton is they try to sell you on timeshares from time to time offering a ton of points if you'll listen.

I have Plat, Gold, Aspire, Brilliant, Delta Res, and Blue Cash. Plat, Gold, Hilton, and Delta credits come quick. Not a big spender on cards, not chasing points either. I pay the annual fees for perks which I use alot. But I see no value in Brilliant @$650 anymore for me.

Titanium and Ambassador status are worth more than $650/year. It would be an offense to those who got to those tiers the hard way to sell it for that little. You might not see that value, and that's fine. Others would in a heartbeat, so placing it at Platinum was the right level.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

MrDisco99 — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 15:11:33 GMT

Eery once in a while when I feel like looking for new cards, I glance at the Bonvoy cards, but they just don't seem that attractive compared to the Hilton cards. Seems the Brilliant got a nerf and the Bevy is just puzzling.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

BronzeTrader — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 23:45:00 GMT

@MrDisco99 wrote:
Eery once in a while when I feel like looking for new cards, I glance at the Bonvoy cards, but they just don't seem that attractive compared to the Hilton cards. Seems the Brilliant got a nerf and the Bevy is just puzzling.

Hilton?

I've not stepped into any Hilton for at least a couple of years. The last time it was prior to Covid. We stayed at the Hampton Inn Sedonia, AZ. That was a bad property.

Hilton has the serious over-crowding issue. When everyone can pay for the top Diamond status, then status has no meaning.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

Ricky_D — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 00:46:10 GMT

Sooo... I paid my charge today and lo and behold, the $25 credit applied a minute later.

Hmmm.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

iced — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 15:48:55 GMT

@BronzeTrader wrote:
Hilton?

I've not stepped into any Hilton for at least a couple of years. The last time it was prior to Covid. We stayed at the Hampton Inn Sedonia, AZ. That was a bad property.

Hilton has the serious over-crowding issue. When everyone can pay for the top Diamond status, then status has no meaning.

This. Diamond started swirling down the bowl around 2015 when they started handing it out like candy to credit card owners. Upgrades dissipated and they flooded the market with alternative ways to earn points so devaluation came swiftly afterward. It's no cooincidence that was the year I jumped ship to Marriott.

The parking spots can be an 'amenity' at the lower-tier properties like Hampton or Garden Inn (when it's even enforced -- when's the last time they asked you for a plate number to verify that car parked there is yours?), but it's nearly non-existent at the upper-tier properties, and useless at the few that do have it (valets got it covered).

Today HHonors in general has become so diluted that I ended up finding that the only semi-worthwhile means ot burning through 500k points was to use them at low-end properties during peak times. At upper end properties, 500k points might pay for a day or two, if that. To be fair, Marriott's slowly devaluing too, but there's still really good options (including international) where 500k points can still stretch into almost a week.

MrDisco isn't wrong, though. Hilton went so far to embed credit cards into the HHonors program that it's now the majority source of their program, so things look more enticing on the cards even if it translates into a less impressive program overall. They're like the Centurion Lounge of hotels now.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

BronzeTrader — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 17:50:42 GMT

Can we count how many Hilton cards in the market? AmEx has about 4-5? AmEx single handed destroyed Hilton Honor program. The point value is like 0.3-0.4 cpp. I feel it is like peso vs US dollar.

Now AmEx is doing the same with Marriott. And Marriott seems not to care much.

This is the reason that I've started to transfer Marriott points to United Airline miles. We had the 20% (or 25%) transfer bonus in September or October. I'm preparing for the devaluation all along. Maybe some day.

To me, Hilton Honor program is dead.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

iced — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 17:59:18 GMT

@BronzeTrader wrote:
Can we count how many Hilton cards in the market? AmEx has about 4-5? AmEx single handed destroyed Hilton Honor program. The point value is like 0.3-0.4 cpp. I feel it is like peso vs US dollar.

Now AmEx is doing the same with Marriott. And Marriott seems not to care much.

This is the reason that I've started to transfer Marriott points to United Airline miles. We had the 20% (or 25%) transfer bonus in September or October. I'm preparing for the devaluation all along. Maybe some day.

To me, Hilton Honor program is dead.

To their credit, Marriott cared enough not to let them hand out Titanium/Ambassador status via card.

UA's not exactly innocent either. They've done two rounds of heavy devaluation of their points and have placed major restrictions on how open-jaw/intra-zone hopping awards could be redeemed. RTW J used to cost me ~150k per seat RT, but my last redemption earlier this year was 175k/seat just to Europe.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

BronzeTrader — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 18:17:01 GMT

@iced wrote:
@BronzeTrader wrote:
Can we count how many Hilton cards in the market? AmEx has about 4-5? AmEx single handed destroyed Hilton Honor program. The point value is like 0.3-0.4 cpp. I feel it is like peso vs US dollar.

Now AmEx is doing the same with Marriott. And Marriott seems not to care much.

This is the reason that I've started to transfer Marriott points to United Airline miles. We had the 20% (or 25%) transfer bonus in September or October. I'm preparing for the devaluation all along. Maybe some day.

To me, Hilton Honor program is dead.

To their credit, Marriott cared enough not to let them hand out Titanium/Ambassador status via card.

UA's not exactly innocent either. They've done two rounds of heavy devaluation of their points and have placed major restrictions on how open-jaw/intra-zone hopping awards could be redeemed. RTW J used to cost me ~150k per seat RT, but my last redemption earlier this year was 175k/seat just to Europe.

What the difference of Marriott Platinum vs Titanium?

As to UA miles. At least I can use them and I need them. Not the Million of Marriott points I piled over the years. I do not hold UA CCs. This is a good way to get UA miles.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

iced — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 18:28:44 GMT

@BronzeTrader wrote:
@iced wrote:
@BronzeTrader wrote:
Can we count how many Hilton cards in the market? AmEx has about 4-5? AmEx single handed destroyed Hilton Honor program. The point value is like 0.3-0.4 cpp. I feel it is like peso vs US dollar.

Now AmEx is doing the same with Marriott. And Marriott seems not to care much.

This is the reason that I've started to transfer Marriott points to United Airline miles. We had the 20% (or 25%) transfer bonus in September or October. I'm preparing for the devaluation all along. Maybe some day.

To me, Hilton Honor program is dead.

To their credit, Marriott cared enough not to let them hand out Titanium/Ambassador status via card.

UA's not exactly innocent either. They've done two rounds of heavy devaluation of their points and have placed major restrictions on how open-jaw/intra-zone hopping awards could be redeemed. RTW J used to cost me ~150k per seat RT, but my last redemption earlier this year was 175k/seat just to Europe.
What the difference of Marriott Platinum vs Titanium?

As to UA miles. At least I can use them and I need them. Not the Million of Marriott points I piled over the years. I do not hold UA CCs. This is a good way to get UA miles.

Reservation guarantees. If they can't fit you in or oversell rooms, they'll buy you an equal or better room somewhere else. You can book a room at a sold-out property and they'll make a room available for you.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

BronzeTrader — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 22:48:30 GMT

@iced wrote:
@BronzeTrader wrote:
@iced wrote:
@BronzeTrader wrote:
Can we count how many Hilton cards in the market? AmEx has about 4-5? AmEx single handed destroyed Hilton Honor program. The point value is like 0.3-0.4 cpp. I feel it is like peso vs US dollar.

Now AmEx is doing the same with Marriott. And Marriott seems not to care much.

This is the reason that I've started to transfer Marriott points to United Airline miles. We had the 20% (or 25%) transfer bonus in September or October. I'm preparing for the devaluation all along. Maybe some day.

To me, Hilton Honor program is dead.

To their credit, Marriott cared enough not to let them hand out Titanium/Ambassador status via card.

UA's not exactly innocent either. They've done two rounds of heavy devaluation of their points and have placed major restrictions on how open-jaw/intra-zone hopping awards could be redeemed. RTW J used to cost me ~150k per seat RT, but my last redemption earlier this year was 175k/seat just to Europe.
What the difference of Marriott Platinum vs Titanium?

As to UA miles. At least I can use them and I need them. Not the Million of Marriott points I piled over the years. I do not hold UA CCs. This is a good way to get UA miles.

Reservation guarantees. If they can't fit you in or oversell rooms, they'll buy you an equal or better room somewhere else. You can book a room at a sold-out property and they'll make a room available for you.

Not really. The only difference to me is the United Silver status. If that is any valuable to anyone.

Reservation guarantee is never a benefit to me. If the hotel is fully booked, I'm not going to open my wallet to pay the official rate.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

iced — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 14:34:21 GMT

@BronzeTrader wrote:
Not really. The only difference to me is the United Silver status. If that is any valuable to anyone.

Reservation guarantee is never a benefit to me. If the hotel is fully booked, I'm not going to open my wallet to pay the official rate.

And that's fine.

That benefit is valuable to many members however, in particular those who travel frequently on business and if every schmuck with a credit card had it, it would become a problematic guarantee for Marriott to maintain (likely leading to a devaluation). There's a reason You24 was made available only to Ambassador once Marriott merged in Starwood's program, and there's a reason they don't want to hand out the guarantee to hundreds of thousands of people, either.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

tussking — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 23:32:33 GMT

I agree the fee is a bit high, but there is value.

My credits for restaurants show up in a matter of days.

I have no issues using my free night and getting upgraded.

Thank god they didn't give away Titanium for a few hundred dollars!

EARN IT.

I have stayed 80+ paid nights this year.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

BronzeTrader — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 14:10:12 GMT

@tussking wrote:
I agree the fee is a bit high, but there is value.
My credits for restaurants show up in a matter of days.
I have no issues using my free night and getting upgraded.
Thank god they didn't give away Titanium for a few hundred dollars!
EARN IT.
I have stayed 80+ paid nights this year.

Because they know cardmembers won't pay anything for the Bonvoy Titanium. There is no real difference other than the United Silver.

The Chase Ritz Carlton is a much better card.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

IntegerIntrovert — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 06:22:59 GMT

Agreed, it's just not worth it with dynamic pricing for rewards (read: expensive), the $25 monthly credit (that's not enough for a place in my wallet), the general terrible state of all hotel chains, Marriott included. 9 times out of 10 not offering the daily $ credit for F&B, my folio consistently wrong the past year, etc.....

I get triggered just thinking about Marriott nowadays vs 10+ years ago.

Re: Done with Bonvoy Brilliant

K-in-Boston — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 20:30:19 GMT

In addition to the above differences between Platinum and Titanium, Titanium also has an additional choice benefit* (I usually pick the free night certificate, which isn't available as a 50 night choice), a 48-hour guarantee (if I book by 3 PM today, I'm guaranteed a room the day after tomorrow), and a 75% bonus instead of 50% bonus on room charges. (*Choice benefits for status are only available when you actually reach 50 or 75 elite nights each year; status from CCs or spend on CCs alone does not unlock them, although the Brilliant card next year does have additoinal choices when you reach $60k spend.) The reservation guarantee discussed above is not a distinction between them - both Platinum and Titanium include that.

I'm very glad they're still not offering Titanium status by simply paying an annual fee. As alluded to above, when everyone has status no one has status. There have certainly been some undesirable changes to the program and it's far from where it was during the days immediately before the SPG merger was finalized, but I don't really see anyone with a better program that comes anywhere close to Marriott's footprint. For those of us who actually stay at Marriott properties, it's still pretty difficult to beat this card. The free night certificate more than covers the annual fee as it is, and while I'll certainly miss the easy $300 statement credit I have been getting for my first stay after each renewal, it's not too difficult to remember to use the card once a month to reload $25 to my Dunkin balance in the app.