topic Re: Downgrade success from Bonvoy Brilliant in Credit Cards

Downgrade success from Bonvoy Brilliant

fleetfoot — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 01:36:37 GMT

I recently downgraded from the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card (AF $650) to the Amex Bonvoy card (AF $95). I earned my SUB three years ago when I first got the card. I didn't like when the annual fee increased last year, but then when the $300 hotel credit was switched to a monthly dining credit I was convinced to downgrade. I used the "new benefits" for over a year and decided that it wasn't going to work for me. I learned on this forum that I could request a downgrade to the discontinued Amex Bonvoy $95 card, which I did. It was easily done via the CHAT function on the Amex website. Five days later I received the new card in the mail. The annual free night is only worth 35K Bonvoy Points, rather than the 85K with the Brilliant. That difference was not enough for me to justify the greater annual fee. I can certainly get more than $95 from the 35K certificate. The 6X points for paid stays is the same as the Brilliant. I am already a Lifetime Platinum member with Marriott, so that benefit of the Brilliant was not needed either. Thank you myFico members. Without this forum I would not have known that such a downgrade was possible.

Re: Downgrade success from Bonvoy Brilliant

AMJ50 — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 05:47:51 GMT

I plan on doing this myself when my Brillant annual fee post next year. Thanks for giving me the name of the card to ask for a downgrade.

Re: Downgrade success from Bonvoy Brilliant

fleetfoot — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 15:24:58 GMT

Good for you AMJ50. In addition to naming the card during your request, be sure to mention the $95 annual fee. The customer service representative might try to convince you to stay with the Brilliant card. She did not offer me an incentive to stay, but I have heard that others have received offers. YMMV. The representative will then review the terms of the new card, including the $95 annual fee and 35K room certificate. It took all of 8 minutes within the CHAT feature on the American Express website. Good luck to you.

Re: Downgrade success from Bonvoy Brilliant

MachoHombre — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 17:18:31 GMT

@fleetfoot wrote:
..... I am already a Lifetime Platinum member with Marriott, so that benefit of the Brilliant was not needed either. .....

The Brilliant works for me, but only because of the Platinum Elite status as one of the perks. If not needed I'd be doing the same as you, no doubt about it!