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Personally, the Hilton Aspire has much more to offer than the Brilliant. AF is 200 cheaper. Diamond status, which is the highest vs Platinum. 250 resort credit, which you can use all at once instead of being forced to use once a month. + 250 airline incidental…Hilton’s free night has no limits on which Hilton property you chose to stay and you get it on your opening, instead of needing to wait a year to get a 85k cert.
Diamond hasn't gotten me much in the states. Only been upgraded to a suite once in China and another time recently at the Crockfords Vegas but that was probably more to do with the amex FHR program. Everyone is diamond now so no one is diamond. Just spent my way to Globalist seems to offer better benefits than Hilton or Marriott
Well platinum is good. Dont really care about suite upgrade. I will just take the guaranteed benefits such as breakfast and lounge and 4pm check out. This card is so worth it
@@newagain9964 thats why for marriott brand, better to stay at the brands that originally fall under SPG original brand umbrella such as westin, sheraton, st regis. They usually offer full bfast as welcome gift
Just to make it clear the complimentary suite upgrades are always subject to availability. It’s never confirmed. Only if the hotel will have it available then only you’ll are eligible for it.
@@ugoeze7360 Yep... AC needs Zone # lanes for the lounges. YVR domestic lounge in the morning is fucked. People buying their way to 35k... 35k shouldn't give lounge access in the first place.
@@singlehackenduro8877 Don't think you can buy 35K. The only status you can buy as of now is 25K through credit card spend. It's the credit card access and influx of new elites (25K created through Covid) that are overcrowding the lounges.
Also worth noting is that you can upgrade the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless to the Ritz Carlton card after having the Boundless for the first year. Chase left the annual fee alone, but they added the 85k certificate. They still offer gold status, not platinum. If you went with the RC instead of the Brilliant, would you be missing out on anything by having gold status instead of Platinum?
If you have the Ritz Carlton, it automatically makes you ineligible for the Amex Bevy and Brilliant sign up bonuses. Just one thing to watch out for if you're hunting for the SUBs (among a few other pesky rules). But yes I would say the Ritz Card is essentially giving you the same thing for less annual fee
Everyone says the Hilton Aspires card is better, but in my opinion, it’s much easier to get Hilton elite status through credit cards. “When everyone is platinum, no one is platinum” should be more suitable for Hilton Honor than Marriott Bonvoy.
Modified the salary example for real life: your boss told you you're getting a 5% raise but everything else is up 20%. To be fair, Platinum status wasn't worth much before this change either. Most Marriott properties will continue to ignore the rules on upgrades and give you a supposedly better view instead of that suite. The monthly credit is such a negative change maybe this won't cause there to be too many Platinums after all.
I’m not a big Marriott fan anymore. It’s very difficult to use your suite upgrades, a lot of Marriott hotels still try to rip you off with a continental breakfast or a bagel. And many lounges are closed. I’m very disappointed in how Marriott treats its best customers.
I disagree that the Brilliant is valuable to frequent Marriott travelers. If you're already Platinum or above as a Marriott loyalist then the complimentary status isn't worth anything. The only sweet spot I see is that if you stay around 30-35 days in Marriott per year, then 40 Elite nights (25 Brilliant + 15 Business) can get you to Titanium and the 40k certificate choice benefit. That leaves you paying $350 for the 85k cert whereas the Ritz Carlton offers the same cert for essentially $150
Reading the fine prints that $25 credit is very restricted. For example it will not apply if the merchant uses a mobile or wireless card reader!!! Are they trying to bring us back to the 70's???
Just wondering have you heard Marriott is thinking of downgrading platinum level, they may take away late checkout or club lounge use, the complaints are coming from the hotel owners.
I live in Italy and in the beginning I was mad that in Europe we don't have those cards but as you said the results is having huge competitions on upgrades in America.. Recently I went in middle east and i was upgraded all the time with titanium.. the most far you go from US .. the better 😂
Maybe Marriott will settle down with all the changes now. WIth the new Bevy and Bountiful it feels like they are trying to push customers into the Brilliant card.
Just seems you need to be the type that spends a lot of money on hotel stays to make these cards worthwhile. Imagine spending 100k points for a single night hotel stay! What do I do for the other 13 nights of my vacation lol?
I already got Bonvoyed (or Amexed?) by the Brilliant dining credit. One of my restaurant charges didn't code as dining so I have to use the Brilliant on dining again this month rather than a card that will earn more than 3x Marriott points on dining. I definitely prefer the $300 Marriott credit.
Does the Platinum Elite (or Gold Elite as it is here in the UK) status given by the Amex cards counted towards a member's lifetime nights? I.e. could you hold a Bonvoy Brilliant card for 10 years and effectively become Lifetime Platinum without staying 50 nights a year?
hey sir, firstly I would lie to thank for immense knowledge I gained by watching your videos. Words are short to praise your work and intelligence. BIG ThankYOU. Secondly, please tell me if you may, how long does it take to convert RBC avion when transferring to British Airways loyalty partner. If you may answer that would be great, if not I still respect and appreciate your knowledge and great work.
Personally Marriott Bonvoy appear to Not really give a squat about Customer loyalty. I’m finding breakfast looking skimpy and Lounges looking overcrowded. I travel a lot and Marriott has been sliding backwards in the Customer First Arena . Hyatt appears to be on the rise.
Makes reaching lifetime platinum way less worth it. They’ve completely removed the loyalty factor for the higher annual fee. After 10 years of loyalty there should be lifetime titanium if everyone with the card gets platinum. There is still ambassador above that. Titanium with a lower point multiplier is still good in my opinion as long as long as lifetime has priority over a cardholder for upgrades 🤷
This card killed my loyalty to Marriott. Absolute GARBAGE tier rewards program. Marriott just finds ways to continually ruin its brand reputation and experience for high value customers. It is the new holiday inn.
Hey Ricky quick question: can you start with the Abion plutonium, accumulate the points then product switch to the incite card and transfer the points as well?
This is upsetting, I am a 9 year Platimum member going into my 10th year which will earn me platinum for life and all it takes now is for someone to spend 650 bucks to get platnium for that year when Ive spent over 6 figures over the 9 years. Now I have to compete with someone who gets a credit card for suite upgrades. Hope Marriott puts Platinum for life members over other Platinum members when giving upgrades or else why am I wasting 10 years of loyalty.
No thank you, I'll just stick to paid stays at real luxury hotel brands such as Four Seasons, Rosewood, Taj, Oberoi, Cheval Blanc, Dorchester Collection etc to name a few.
When everyone is platinum NOBODY is platinum. Well said. I booked entirely Marriott hotels this year. Earned platinum. This announcement came a few days after. Such trash news. Are there better loyalty programs? I'll switch to something better if there is something better. I book roughly 50-60 nights per year and was enjoying the idea of achieving some perks for staying under the Marriott umbrella ☂️
Give it a year and see how much peeps like these new changes their paying for. I still say the "top off benefit" is no benefit at all. You're essentially paying more pts for a stay that should have cost less to begin with. 😂 But I have to give it to Marriott for BONVOYING their loyalists once again AND getting them to believe that it is actually a perk. 😂 Thanks for the really good info + video!
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Personally, the Hilton Aspire has much more to offer than the Brilliant. AF is 200 cheaper. Diamond status, which is the highest vs Platinum. 250 resort credit, which you can use all at once instead of being forced to use once a month. + 250 airline incidental…Hilton’s free night has no limits on which Hilton property you chose to stay and you get it on your opening, instead of needing to wait a year to get a 85k cert.
It's too good. I'm sure the annual fee will be going up soon 😭
@@LK_EBM shhhh, don't say that, hilton might see your comment.... lol
@@philbertshevitz3113 It's not good enough. I'm sure annual fee will be going down soon :D
Agree with all these points
Diamond hasn't gotten me much in the states. Only been upgraded to a suite once in China and another time recently at the Crockfords Vegas but that was probably more to do with the amex FHR program. Everyone is diamond now so no one is diamond. Just spent my way to Globalist seems to offer better benefits than Hilton or Marriott
Well platinum is good. Dont really care about suite upgrade. I will just take the guaranteed benefits such as breakfast and lounge and 4pm check out. This card is so worth it
Breakfast depends on the property. And they may give u pts instead.
@@newagain9964 thats why for marriott brand, better to stay at the brands that originally fall under SPG original brand umbrella such as westin, sheraton, st regis. They usually offer full bfast as welcome gift
Bonvoy Boundless was a sweet card in June 250k points bonus for a $95 fee. Stayed at the JW marriot Savannah five nights free. Those were the days :(
Just to make it clear the complimentary suite upgrades are always subject to availability. It’s never confirmed. Only if the hotel will have it available then only you’ll are eligible for it.
When everyone is Platinum, no one is Platinum. You nailed that.
Everyone is Super Elite this year with Air Canada as well. It's brutal.
The AC issue will work itself out at the end of 2023 but I feel you.
You beat me to it 😂
@@ugoeze7360 Yep... AC needs Zone # lanes for the lounges. YVR domestic lounge in the morning is fucked. People buying their way to 35k... 35k shouldn't give lounge access in the first place.
@@singlehackenduro8877 Don't think you can buy 35K. The only status you can buy as of now is 25K through credit card spend. It's the credit card access and influx of new elites (25K created through Covid) that are overcrowding the lounges.
Wow, now you can get bonvoyed to the platinum level for just $650 per year.
Also worth noting is that you can upgrade the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless to the Ritz Carlton card after having the Boundless for the first year. Chase left the annual fee alone, but they added the 85k certificate. They still offer gold status, not platinum. If you went with the RC instead of the Brilliant, would you be missing out on anything by having gold status instead of Platinum?
If you have the Ritz Carlton, it automatically makes you ineligible for the Amex Bevy and Brilliant sign up bonuses. Just one thing to watch out for if you're hunting for the SUBs (among a few other pesky rules). But yes I would say the Ritz Card is essentially giving you the same thing for less annual fee
Yes, the Ritz-Carlton Card is such a strong card with these changes - if you can get it!
@@PrinceofTravel So will the Ritz Card have automatic Platinum? I'm considering upgrading my Boundless to Ritz Carlton in December
@@DavoR7724no
Everyone says the Hilton Aspires card is better, but in my opinion, it’s much easier to get Hilton elite status through credit cards. “When everyone is platinum, no one is platinum” should be more suitable for Hilton Honor than Marriott Bonvoy.
Also don't forget that the $250 resort credit is much more restrictive than people think; just 4% of Hilton hotels that's usable.
Does it have to be the bonvoy business? or could it be the Bonvoy personal bevy to get that elite night increase?
Modified the salary example for real life: your boss told you you're getting a 5% raise but everything else is up 20%.
To be fair, Platinum status wasn't worth much before this change either. Most Marriott properties will continue to ignore the rules on upgrades and give you a supposedly better view instead of that suite.
The monthly credit is such a negative change maybe this won't cause there to be too many Platinums after all.
U forget. Many households (especially that ones that stay in Marriotts often) dine or order out monthly $$
Wait i'm i able to down grade the Billiant to the $95 fee card??
Thanks for sharing Ricky!
I look forward to your review of the co-branded Air France KLM - Brim World elite Mastercard
I’m not a big Marriott fan anymore. It’s very difficult to use your suite upgrades, a lot of Marriott hotels still try to rip you off with a continental breakfast or a bagel. And many lounges are closed. I’m very disappointed in how Marriott treats its best customers.
The Hilton Aspire card is still the top Hotel card in my opinion
I live in Canada and only have CA bonvoys, worked super hard to get 50 nights platinum just last week.... US cardholders get it so easy
What I heard is CA card holders can global transfer and apply for US Marriott brilliant, not sure about the details though.
I disagree that the Brilliant is valuable to frequent Marriott travelers. If you're already Platinum or above as a Marriott loyalist then the complimentary status isn't worth anything. The only sweet spot I see is that if you stay around 30-35 days in Marriott per year, then 40 Elite nights (25 Brilliant + 15 Business) can get you to Titanium and the 40k certificate choice benefit. That leaves you paying $350 for the 85k cert whereas the Ritz Carlton offers the same cert for essentially $150
The ritz will be public again within next 12 mos and will be refreshed. Bank on it
This new amex still offer free lounge access via Priority Pass, right? Also is the $25 monthly dining credit working in Canada?
From the way I interpret the new terms and conditions, the answer is *yes* to both of your questions.😊
Reading the fine prints that $25 credit is very restricted. For example it will not apply if the merchant uses a mobile or wireless card reader!!! Are they trying to bring us back to the 70's???
Oh for US card holders...
Is there any changes in Marriott bonvoy amex in Canada?
Excellent information
Im wondering if any Canadian here trying to get the US Bonvoy card? Is that a good idea and is it easy to get.
Just wondering have you heard Marriott is thinking of downgrading platinum level, they may take away late checkout or club lounge use, the complaints are coming from the hotel owners.
I've heard rumours but Marriott has come out and said that it's misinformation. Doesn't mean it won't happen sometime down the line...
I live in Italy and in the beginning I was mad that in Europe we don't have those cards but as you said the results is having huge competitions on upgrades in America..
Recently I went in middle east and i was upgraded all the time with titanium.. the most far you go from US .. the better 😂
true, seems like i never get any upgrades in the US, but once i'm in Europe and sometimes in Mexico its pretty frequent.
Maybe Marriott will settle down with all the changes now. WIth the new Bevy and Bountiful it feels like they are trying to push customers into the Brilliant card.
I got mines Brilliant card with no annual fee.
"I'm only getting 25 extra EQN"
"I'm only getting 15!"
"You guys are getting paid?"
WHY hasn't AMEX Canada stepped up it play???????
Just seems you need to be the type that spends a lot of money on hotel stays to make these cards worthwhile. Imagine spending 100k points for a single night hotel stay! What do I do for the other 13 nights of my vacation lol?
Fairfield Inn and Suites.
That is why the Ritz is more exclusive than other Bonvoys properties. They value paying customers than cheap elites.
As a Brilliant cardholder , is it worth asking for that welcome bonus?
Worth asking but unlikely
Ricky - If I qualify for 25K Aeroplan status next month (for the first time), will it carry over to next year? Appreciate your insight.
I already got Bonvoyed (or Amexed?) by the Brilliant dining credit. One of my restaurant charges didn't code as dining so I have to use the Brilliant on dining again this month rather than a card that will earn more than 3x Marriott points on dining. I definitely prefer the $300 Marriott credit.
What was the restaurant charge that didn't code as dining?
@@yannchan4907 It was a Mexican restaurant in San Diego. Sometimes Amex gets the merchant codes wrong.
Does the Platinum Elite (or Gold Elite as it is here in the UK) status given by the Amex cards counted towards a member's lifetime nights? I.e. could you hold a Bonvoy Brilliant card for 10 years and effectively become Lifetime Platinum without staying 50 nights a year?
No, having the status doesn’t mean you stayed the nights. In Canada we get 15 night credits from the card, that does count toward lifetime
@@somethingsomething404 thanks!
hey sir, firstly I would lie to thank for immense knowledge I gained by watching your videos. Words are short to praise your work and intelligence. BIG ThankYOU. Secondly, please tell me if you may, how long does it take to convert RBC avion when transferring to British Airways loyalty partner.
If you may answer that would be great, if not I still respect and appreciate your knowledge and great work.
Personally Marriott Bonvoy appear to Not really give a squat about Customer loyalty. I’m finding breakfast looking skimpy and Lounges looking overcrowded. I travel a lot and Marriott has been sliding backwards in the Customer First Arena . Hyatt appears to be on the rise.
Does we have this card in europe?
Gee a dining credit for people most likely business travelers with per diems.
Bingo. Double dipping!
I miss those SPG days. F Bonvoy.
Makes reaching lifetime platinum way less worth it. They’ve completely removed the loyalty factor for the higher annual fee. After 10 years of loyalty there should be lifetime titanium if everyone with the card gets platinum. There is still ambassador above that. Titanium with a lower point multiplier is still good in my opinion as long as long as lifetime has priority over a cardholder for upgrades 🤷
Lifetime titanium was bonvoyed 😂
Mistakingly signed up for the Bevy and they won't let me change it to the Brilliant for a year. DOH!
What does Doha have to do with this?
@@PrinceofTravel ha it’s an old quote from The Simpson’s meaning I screwed up
@@happyron I know just messin with ya
Thank you for sharing your cool video..
I used to like the Marriott, but they have made some bad decisions with their rewards program! #Bonvoyed #Marriott
This card killed my loyalty to Marriott. Absolute GARBAGE tier rewards program. Marriott just finds ways to continually ruin its brand reputation and experience for high value customers. It is the new holiday inn.
Hey Ricky quick question: can you start with the Abion plutonium, accumulate the points then product switch to the incite card and transfer the points as well?
This is upsetting, I am a 9 year Platimum member going into my 10th year which will earn me platinum for life and all it takes now is for someone to spend 650 bucks to get platnium for that year when Ive spent over 6 figures over the 9 years. Now I have to compete with someone who gets a credit card for suite upgrades. Hope Marriott puts Platinum for life members over other Platinum members when giving upgrades or else why am I wasting 10 years of loyalty.
lol.
No thank you, I'll just stick to paid stays at real luxury hotel brands such as Four Seasons, Rosewood, Taj, Oberoi, Cheval Blanc, Dorchester Collection etc to name a few.
The Dorchester looks amazing
Are there any cards that support the brands above?
Love you bro, keep up the great info coming
When everyone is platinum NOBODY is platinum. Well said. I booked entirely Marriott hotels this year. Earned platinum. This announcement came a few days after. Such trash news. Are there better loyalty programs? I'll switch to something better if there is something better. I book roughly 50-60 nights per year and was enjoying the idea of achieving some perks for staying under the Marriott umbrella ☂️
Sorry for your hardship Dan! We recommend Hyatt if they have hotels where you wanna go 😄
If you’re booking 50 nights a year or more than adding the brilliant will give you that extra 25 and make you titanium….
No. I should be a free agent
Is the bonvoy brilliant a US or CAR card?
US
US!
Still in my neck of the woods, I see.
Just left! Had a great time :)
Titanium is the new platinum
Give it a year and see how much peeps like these new changes their paying for. I still say the "top off benefit" is no benefit at all. You're essentially paying more pts for a stay that should have cost less to begin with. 😂 But I have to give it to Marriott for BONVOYING their loyalists once again AND getting them to believe that it is actually a perk. 😂 Thanks for the really good info + video!
i JUST GOT PLATINUM THE HARD WAY 🙄
First
Nice!