Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we recommend the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus card.

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• It offers a simple way to earn points on Southwest flights, as well as at gas stations and grocery stores.
• While it has an annual fee, the card provides useful travel benefits like two EarlyBird Check-In® credits annually.
• The 3,000-point anniversary bonus helps offset a large portion of the annual fee each year (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• All points earned—from the welcome bonus to everyday spending—count toward qualifying for the valuable Southwest Companion Pass®.
• The card includes useful travel benefits like EarlyBird Check-In® credits and an annual anniversary points bonus.
• Cardholders get access to complimentary DashPass membership for a limited time and are covered by several travel and purchase protections.

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Cons

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• It lacks premium travel perks common with other travel cards, such as airport lounge access or upgraded boarding.
• The rewards program is less flexible than some competitors, as points provide the most value when redeemed for Southwest flights.
• As an entry-level card, it doesn't offer the same level of benefits as Southwest's higher-tier cards.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®

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Categories

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When choosing a travel rewards card, it's important to align its benefits with your loyalty and spending habits. This breakdown will help you determine which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, for your specific needs.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card - This card is designed for travelers loyal to the Marriott brand who want to earn hotel-specific perks like elite status and free night awards.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card - Best for budget-conscious flyers and Southwest loyalists, this card helps users earn points toward flights and the coveted Southwest Companion Pass.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Points are primarily redeemed for free nights at hotels within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, but can also be transferred to various airline partners or used for unique travel experiences.

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points are used to book flights on Southwest Airlines, and their redemption value directly corresponds to the cash price of the fare, making it simple to understand your rewards.

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Travel Perks

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• Travel Portals: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card leverages the extensive Marriott Bonvoy portal for hotel redemptions and allows point transfers to numerous airline partners. In contrast, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus card's ecosystem is focused on the Southwest Airlines website, where points are redeemed directly for flights.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card does not have foreign transaction fees, making it suitable for international use. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus card does include a foreign transaction fee.
• Airport Lounge Access: Neither of these cards offers complimentary airport lounge access as a standard perk.
• Key Annual Perks: With the Marriott card, you receive an annual Free Night Award and automatic Silver Elite Status. The Southwest card provides anniversary bonus points and a pathway to earning the Southwest Companion Pass®.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your wallet, tools like Kudos can help you compare top-rated credit cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Test drive cards before you apply: The platform’s “Test Drive” feature uses your actual spending data to project your potential earnings with a new card, helping you make a decision without any commitment or impact on your credit score.
• Receive personalized recommendations: Instead of generic advice, Kudos analyzes your transaction history to suggest the best cards for you from its database of nearly 3,000 options.
• Benefit from rewards and guarantees: Creating an account gives you access to perks like a welcome offer guarantee and the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward for adding select cards to your digital wallet.
• Understand your approval odds: Before you apply, Kudos offers a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report, reducing the uncertainty of the application process.
• Stack rewards with Kudos Boost: You can earn extra rewards on top of your card’s regular earnings when shopping at participating stores through the Kudos platform.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent guests of Marriott properties who want to maximize their loyalty. It also appeals to value-conscious travelers and status seekers, as the annual free night award can easily offset the annual fee, while the automatic Silver Elite status and 15 elite night credits provide a shortcut to higher tiers. Furthermore, as detailed in this card review, it's a solid option for everyday spenders looking to accumulate points on groceries, gas, and dining for future hotel stays.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional Southwest flyers, budget-conscious travelers, and those new to travel rewards. It's particularly valuable for individuals working toward the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, as all points earned contribute to the requirement, all while carrying a modest annual fee. This card serves as a great entry point for travelers looking to dip their toes into the Southwest ecosystem without committing to a premium card, as detailed in this 2025 review.

Alternatives to Consider

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After a detailed Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus comparison, you might find that your travel style calls for a different kind of card. Let's explore a few other top-tier options that could be a better match for your wallet.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: You will generally need good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan for the welcome offer: Make sure you can meet the minimum spending requirement without overspending.
• Understand the loyalty program: Familiarize yourself with how to best use the card's points and benefits.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules: Be mindful of specific application guidelines that could impact your eligibility for a new card.
• Time your application wisely: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any minimum spending requirements naturally.
• Think long-term: Consider if the card helps you achieve a larger goal, like earning a companion pass or upgrading within a card family.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the annual fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus cards?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has a $95 annual fee, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card has a $69 annual fee.

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Can I transfer points between Marriott Bonvoy and Southwest Rapid Rewards?

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Yes, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Southwest Rapid Rewards, typically at a 3:1 ratio. However, you cannot transfer Southwest Rapid Rewards points to your Marriott Bonvoy account.

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Which card is better for achieving elite status?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is more direct for gaining hotel status, as it automatically grants you Silver Elite status. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card helps you earn points toward Southwest's A-List status and the coveted Companion Pass, but does not grant any status outright.

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