✈ Choosing a Marriott Card for Elite Status, Japan's Cherry Blossom Forecast & More Daily News From TPG ✈

Also: Romantic Valentine's Day hotel packages to book in January or February January 18, 2024 [THE POINTS GUY]( [View in browser]( [TPG Daily NEWSLETTER]( [THE POINTS GUY]( Fast track to elite status by Katie Genter, Senior Writer [TPG | Hero Image] The [Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card]( and [Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card]( are two Amex cards you might be considering if you enjoy staying at Marriott hotels and are looking for a fast track to hotel elite status. If I were deciding between these two cards, I’d choose the Brilliant. Sure, it has a $650 annual fee (see [rates and fees]( but it offers three perks that would easily offer more value to offset the annual fee: - Up to [$25 per month in statement credits]( for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide - A free night award each year after your card renewal month that’s good for one night costing up to 85,000 points - Complimentary [Marriott Platinum Elite status]( plus 25 elite night credits each calendar year Meanwhile, the Bevy has a $250 annual fee (see [rates and fees]( and offers mid-tier perks like complimentary Marriott Gold Elite status, 15 elite night credits per calendar year and a free night award valid for a night worth up to 50,000 points each calendar year that you spend at least $15,000 on your card. Both cards earn 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy and at least 2 points per dollar on other purchases. And each card offers additional bonus categories that offer 3 or 4 points per dollar. So, depending on your travel style, one of these cards might be right for you. To learn more about the [Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant]( and the [Marriott Bonvoy Bevy]( check out the following stories: - [Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex card review]( - [Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex card review]( - [Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex worth the $650 annual fee?]( - [Who should (and shouldn’t) get the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card?]( Posts in this newsletter contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, [visit this page](. Photo Credit: Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur Chinatown. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY. Today’s top stories [2024 cherry blossom forecast announced for Japan]( The Japan Meteorological Corporation released its peak bloom prediction dates for 1,000 viewing locations throughout the country. [Read more]( [7 reasons you should splurge for a suite on your next cruise]( Suites on cruise ships can cost a lot more than regular cabins, but they come with a lot of great perks. [Read more]( [Our favorite romantic Valentine's Day hotel packages]( These are our top picks for Valentine's Day hotel packages to book in January or February. [Read more]( [How to tell if you’re booking on a Boeing 737 MAX]( Some might be worried about flying on the Boeing 737 MAX, so here's a guide to checking if you're booked on one. [Read more]( [Here's why I applied for business and personal credit cards on the same day]( It can sometimes make sense to get both the business and the personal version of some credit cards. Here's why one TPG staffer opened two Hawaiian Airlines credit cards on the same day. [Read more]( The latest 1. [Everything you need to know about packing for a ski trip]( 2. [Wave season cruise deals 2024: Book early and save big on your next sailing]( 3. 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