Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express

The Brilliant's case is Platinum Elite status from day one, with room upgrades, late checkout and lounge access, paired with an annual Free Night Award worth up to 85,000 points, which is enough for a genuinely expensive property. Amex raised the welcome offer to 150,000 points after $6,000 in purchases in six months, and the recurring credits do real work against the $650 annual fee: $25 a month in dining statement credits, $100 back on Marriott stays of two or more consecutive nights, Priority Pass lounge access, and up to $120 for Global Entry every four years. Earning is respectable rather than exceptional at 6 points per dollar at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3 on restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2 on everything else. The honest catch is that the math only clears if you actually use the credits, since the dining credit is monthly and the property credit requires a qualifying two-night Marriott stay. If you stay with Marriott often enough to value Platinum and the 25 elite night credits, it holds up; occasional guests will do better in the cheaper cards in the line.