Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs Marriott Bonvoy Bevy: Which Is Better In 2025?

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card a compelling choice for Marriott loyalists.

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• You'll earn 6X points on eligible Marriott purchases and 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year.
• While the card comes with an annual fee (See Rates & Fees), it grants you automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.
• The annual Free Night Award, worth up to 50,000 points, can easily offset the card's annual fee when redeemed for a hotel stay (publisher-formulated estimate).

_{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.}

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Pros

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• Enjoy automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, unlocking perks like room upgrades and late checkout without meeting stay requirements.
• Accelerated points earning on eligible Marriott stays, plus bonus points on everyday purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
• Receive an annual Free Night Award after meeting a yearly spending requirement, plus valuable travel protections and no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• Carries an annual fee, and the annual Free Night Award is tied to a significant spending requirement rather than being an automatic perk.
• The card’s benefits are heavily skewed towards Marriott loyalists, offering limited value if you don't regularly stay with the hotel chain.
• Bonus rewards on some everyday spending categories are capped annually, limiting your total earning potential.

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier

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Categories

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Choosing between these two travel cards comes down to your loyalty and travel style, so let's determine which is better: the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier or the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is designed for semi-frequent Southwest Airlines flyers who want a balance of travel benefits and a moderate annual fee. It offers solid value for those who fly with the airline occasionally but don't need premium-tier perks.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card is best for frequent travelers loyal to the Marriott brand. This card is ideal for those who want to enjoy hotel elite status and can take advantage of benefits tied to staying at Marriott properties.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed through the airline's loyalty program for Southwest flights, and can also be used for other travel purchases like international flights, hotels, and car rentals.

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Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Rewards are redeemed as points within the Marriott Bonvoy program for free nights at participating hotels and resorts or can be transferred to various airline partners. Terms apply.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are well-suited for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Travel Ecosystem: The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card is built around the Marriott Bonvoy hotel program, where points can be redeemed for free nights or transferred to various airline partners. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card's ecosystem is the airline's Rapid Rewards program, with points primarily used for booking Southwest flights.
• Airport Lounge Access: Neither card includes complimentary airport lounge access as a standard benefit, focusing instead on perks directly tied to their respective brands.
• Elite Status and Airline Perks: The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card grants you complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. Terms apply. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card offers airline-specific benefits like EarlyBird Check-In vouchers and anniversary points.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards, including top-rated cards, to make data-backed decisions.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
• Receive personalized card recommendations based on your actual transaction history.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards.
• Unlock exclusive offers, including a welcome offer guarantee and sign-up bonuses.
• Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and stay on top of card perks.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is designed for the semifrequent to regular Southwest Airlines flyer who seeks a balance of valuable perks and a moderate annual fee. It's an excellent choice for travelers aiming to fast-track their way to A-List status or the coveted Companion Pass, as it offers boosts toward both. Cardholders who value Southwest-specific benefits like anniversary points and day-of-travel perks over transferable rewards will find this card to be a strong contender, as outlined in a comprehensive review.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card is tailored for frequent Marriott guests who want to accelerate their rewards and enjoy automatic Gold Elite status. It also appeals to everyday reward maximizers, offering 4X points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets on up to $15,000 in combined purchases annually (then 2X points). Additionally, the card is a strong choice for moderate-to-high spenders who can meet the $15,000 annual spending requirement to unlock an Annual Free Night Award.

_{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.}

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs. Marriott Bonvoy Bevy comparison didn't reveal a clear winner for your wallet, consider these other excellent travel rewards cards instead.

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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 successful applicants have good to excellent credit scores.
• Review application rules - Be aware of issuer-specific restrictions like Chase's 5/24 rule or welcome offer eligibility.
• Have a strategy for the benefits - Understand how you will use the card's perks to ensure it fits your spending habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules - Be aware of restrictions like Chase's 5/24 rule or bonus eligibility based on your card history.
• Plan for spending thresholds - Time your application before large purchases to help meet requirements for welcome offers or annual benefits.
• Link your loyalty accounts - Have your loyalty program number ready during application to ensure points and benefits are properly credited.

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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While both programs have extensive travel partners, you generally cannot directly transfer points from Southwest to Marriott or vice versa. However, Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to numerous airline partners, including Southwest Rapid Rewards, though the transfer ratio may vary.

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Which card is better for earning rewards on everyday spending?

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The better card for everyday spending depends on your primary purchase categories. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card typically rewards spending at hotels and restaurants, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card focuses on Southwest purchases and partner spending.

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Do these cards have foreign transaction fees?

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Both the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card are designed for travelers and typically do not charge foreign transaction fees. This makes either card a solid choice for purchases made outside the United States.

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