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

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a look at why we like the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card.

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• This card offers a strong earning rate of 6 points per dollar at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and accelerated rewards on dining and grocery purchases.
• Cardholders automatically receive complimentary Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits each year, though the card does carry an annual fee.
• Spending $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year unlocks a free night award worth up to 50,000 points, which can provide significant value to offset the card's cost (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status each year, unlocking perks like potential room upgrades and late checkout.
• Earn a free night award valid at eligible properties after meeting a set spending requirement within a calendar year.
• Includes a suite of travel and purchase protections, such as trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, and baggage delay insurance.

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Cons

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• The annual free night award is not an automatic benefit and requires meeting a significant spending threshold each year.
• Complimentary Gold Elite status provides some perks but lacks premium benefits like suite upgrades or free breakfast available at higher tiers.
• Bonus points offered for stays are restricted to paid bookings and are not awarded on nights redeemed with points.

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus or the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful, depends on your primary spending habits and travel preferences. Each card is designed to maximize rewards in different key categories.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is ideal for earning rewards on purchases made directly with Southwest Airlines, as well as at gas stations and grocery stores.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: This card excels for those who spend frequently at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and also offers strong rewards on dining and at grocery stores.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines. Cardholders can also use their points for international flights, hotel stays, rental cars, and gift cards through the airline's portal.

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Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: Points are most valuable when redeemed for free nights at hotels and resorts within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Additionally, points can be transferred to numerous airline frequent flyer programs or used for unique travel packages.

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Travel Perks

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• The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card’s travel perks are centered on the Southwest flying experience. Cardholders receive bonus points on their cardmember anniversary and two EarlyBird Check-In® services each year. It is important to note that this card includes a foreign transaction fee.
• The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card is geared toward hotel loyalists, providing a Free Night Award (for a redemption level up to 50,000 points) each year after the card renewal month. It also grants complimentary Gold Elite status within the Marriott Bonvoy program. For those traveling abroad, a significant benefit is that it has no foreign transaction fees.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For those looking to simplify the decision-making process, a tool like Kudos can be invaluable, allowing you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards side-by-side.

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• Simulate potential earnings from a new card with the Test Drive feature, which uses your actual spending data to project rewards.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Benefit from a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months of approval.
• Earn extra rewards, called Kudos Boost, when you shop at participating stores.

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 and budget-conscious travelers who want access to the airline's benefits without a hefty annual fee. It's also a strategic tool for Southwest loyalists aiming to earn the coveted Companion Pass, as all points earned with the card count toward qualification. As detailed in a complete 2025 guide, this card serves as a great entry point for credit card beginners looking to dip their toes into travel rewards.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card is a strong contender for frequent Marriott guests who can leverage the card's bonus categories for dining and groceries to rack up points. Its automatic Gold Elite status and the ability to earn a free night award after meeting a $15,000 annual spending threshold make it particularly valuable for those who can easily hit that spending target. Additionally, travelers looking to fast-track their way to higher elite tiers will appreciate the 15 elite night credits, which can be stacked with those from a Marriott business card, as detailed in a full card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs. Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful decision comes down to whether your loyalty lies with a specific airline or hotel chain. If neither brand fits your travel style, there are plenty of other excellent travel cards to consider.

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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: Most rewards credit cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review issuer application rules: Many issuers have restrictions that may affect your eligibility for a welcome bonus if you've had similar cards.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome offer without forcing purchases.

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Application Strategy

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• Review co-branded card family rules - Issuers may restrict welcome offers if you have or have had similar cards, even from different banks.
• Time your application for specific goals - A large welcome offer early in the year can help you qualify for benefits like companion passes.
• Explore different application channels - You may find elevated offers through an issuer's partners or pre-qualification tools.

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

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You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Southwest, but not the other way around, and the value you get from the conversion may not be ideal. It's usually best to earn points in the program you plan to redeem with.

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Which card is better for someone who travels internationally?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ card is generally superior for international trips due to Marriott's global footprint and the card's lack of foreign transaction fees. Southwest's routes are more focused on North America and the Caribbean.

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Do the points I earn with these cards expire?

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Southwest Rapid Rewards points never expire, offering great flexibility. Marriott Bonvoy points can expire after 24 months of inactivity, but simply using your card is enough to keep your account active and your points safe.

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