Unlocking Maximum Value: Why I'm Choosing 50,000 Bonus Points Over the 85K Free Night on the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant Card

As a frequent traveler and points enthusiast, I've long been a fan of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. With its hefty $650 annual fee, it's not for everyone, but for those who maximize its perks, it can deliver outsized value. From complimentary Platinum Elite status and a $300 annual dining credit to priority pass lounge access and robust travel protections, the card packs a punch. But one benefit that often flies under the radar—and has recently gotten even better—is the Brilliant Earned Choice Award, unlocked after spending $60,000 in a calendar year.

In this article, I'll dive into the card's key benefits, with a special focus on this high-spend reward. Marriott recently added a new option to the mix: 50,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points. Previously, the standout choice for many was a Free Night Award worth up to 85,000 points. On the surface, that 85K night might seem like the no-brainer pick—after all, it's "worth" more points. But after crunching the numbers and considering real-world flexibility, I'm opting for the 50K points every time. Let me explain why this choice isn't just smarter for my travel style; it could supercharge your Bonvoy redemptions too.

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A Quick Overview of the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant Card

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's recap what makes this card shine. As a co-branded Marriott card from American Express, it earns:

- 6X Bonvoy points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.

- 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.

- 2X points on all other eligible purchases.

That's a solid earning structure, especially if you're loyal to Marriott's vast portfolio of over 8,000 properties worldwide. Other perks include:

- Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status (worth perks like late checkout, room upgrades, and lounge access).

- An annual Free Night Award (up to 85,000 points) after your card renewal month.

- $300 Brilliant Dining Credit (up to $25 per month at participating restaurants).

- Up to $100 property credit at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis hotels.

- Priority Pass Select membership (10 visits per year).

- Travel protections like trip delay insurance and baggage insurance.

Combined, these can easily offset the annual fee for heavy users. But the real game-changer for big spenders is the Brilliant Earned Choice Award.

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The Brilliant Earned Choice Award: A Reward for High Spenders

Hit $60,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year, and you unlock your choice of one premium reward. Options include:

- Five Suite Night Awards (for upgrading to suites on eligible stays).

- A Free Night Award worth up to 85,000 points.

- $1,000 off a bed from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques.

- And the new addition (as of 2025): 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points.

Not many cards offer such a lucrative annual spending bonus—especially one that's repeatable every year. While $60K is a high threshold, for business owners or those who consolidate spending, it's achievable. This benefit alone can boost your effective points return per dollar spent, layering on top of Amex's frequent targeted offers (like bonus points on categories via Amex Offers).

Historically, the 85K Free Night Award was the go-to for value chasers. But with the 50K points now in play, the decision isn't so straightforward. Let's break down why I'm team 50K.

Why 50,000 Points Beats the 85K Free Night (Most of the Time)

At first glance, an 85,000-point free night sounds superior to 50,000 loose points. After all, that's 35,000 more points of "value," right? Not necessarily. The key lies in flexibility, expiration, and how you actually redeem.

No Expiration Means Ultimate Flexibility

Marriott Bonvoy points don't expire as long as your account stays active (easy with the card's earning potential). In contrast, the Free Night Award expires after one year. If life gets in the way—work, family, or just no trips planned—you could lose that award entirely. With 50K points, they're yours to hoard or spend whenever, giving you the freedom to wait for the perfect redemption.

Avoiding Value Loss on Sub-50K Nights

The Free Night Award is capped at properties costing up to 85,000 points per night, but what if you book something cheaper? Say a hotel runs 40,000 points—you're essentially "overpaying" by using an 85K certificate, leaving no change. With 50K points, you'd cover that night and have 10,000 left over for future use. This makes the points ideal for piecing together multiple budget-friendly stays or topping off a bigger redemption.

Powering Up High-End Stays and Multi-Night Trips

High-end luxury properties often clock in at 85,000+ points per night, where the Free Night shines. But here's where the math gets interesting, especially with Marriott's 5th Night Free benefit (available on award stays of five consecutive nights or more at the same hotel). This perk lets you book five nights for the price of four when using points.

Let's run a scenario: Suppose you have 290,000 Bonvoy points saved up—enough for three nights at a aspirational property costing 85,000 points per night (3 x 85K = 255K, with 35K leftover, but not enough for a fourth).

- **With the 85K Free Night Award:** Add it in, and you can book a fourth night. Total: Four nights. Solid, but that's it.

- **With 50K Bonus Points:** Your total jumps to 340,000 points. That's exactly enough for four nights (4 x 85K = 340K). But trigger the 5th Night Free, and you get a fifth night at no extra cost. Boom—five nights total.

In this case, the 50K points net you *two* extra 85K-equivalent nights compared to starting from scratch (from three to five nights), while the Free Night only adds one (to four nights). The difference? That 5th Night Free amplifies the points' value, turning 50K into the equivalent of 85K+ in effective redemption power. To calculate it step by step:

1. Base points: 290,000.

2. Nights affordable without bonus: 290K / 85K ≈ 3.41 → Three full nights (255K used, 35K leftover).

3. Add 85K Free Night: Covers one more night → Four nights total.

4. Add 50K points instead: 290K + 50K = 340K.

5. For a five-night stay: Pay for four nights (340K), get the fifth free → Five nights total.

The choice is clear: More nights, more value. Scale this up for even longer trips, and the points pull ahead further.

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Why Bonvoy Points Are Undervalued (And How to Maximize Them)

Many credit card review sites peg Bonvoy points at around 0.8 cents per point (cpp) for average mid-tier redemptions—lower than Amex Membership Rewards (often 1.5-2.0 cpp) or Chase Ultimate Rewards (similar). But I think this undervalues Bonvoy. Those higher valuations for transferable currencies often rely on niche strategies: transferring to airline partners for rare sweet-spot deals or jumping through hoops like positioning flights.

Bonvoy points, on the other hand, deliver consistent value without the hassle. At 0.8 cpp, they're solid for everyday stays at brands like Courtyard or Fairfield. But factor in the 5th Night Free, and you easily hit 1.0 cpp or more (e.g., five nights at 0.8 cpp effective becomes 1.0 cpp per paid night). For luxury spots like The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis, redemptions often exceed 1.0 cpp—sometimes pushing 1.5 cpp or higher during peak seasons. Add the 5th Night Free, and you're looking at elite value with minimal effort.

In short, Bonvoy points shine for hotel loyalists who value simplicity over speculative transfers. Paired with the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant's earning power and Amex Offers (which can add 5-10X bonuses on select spends), your overall return per dollar skyrockets.

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Final Thoughts: The Amex Bonvoy Brilliant Is a Keeper for Smart Spenders

The addition of the 50,000-point option to the Brilliant Earned Choice Award elevates this card from good to great. It's not just about the raw points—it's the flexibility to unlock more nights, avoid expiration pitfalls, and leverage perks like 5th Night Free for maximum impact. If you're hitting that $60K spend anyway, this repeatable bonus makes the card a powerhouse for Bonvoy enthusiasts.

Of course, run your own numbers based on your travel patterns. But for me, the choice is obvious: 50K points all the way. If you're considering the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant, it's worth weighing against competitors like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum—but for Marriott fans, nothing beats it.

What do you think? Would you go for the points or the free night? Drop a comment below!

*Terms apply. See American Express for full details.*