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

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons why the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card stands out.

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• You can earn bonus points on everyday spending categories like gas stations, grocery stores, and dining.
• While the card has an annual fee (See Rates & Fees), it helps you save abroad by having no foreign transaction fees.
• The annual Free Night Award, valued at up to 35,000 points, can easily justify the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Cardholders receive automatic Silver Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program, unlocking immediate benefits.
• Receive annual elite night credits that provide a shortcut to achieving higher tiers of status within the loyalty program.
• Includes valuable travel protections like baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement for peace of mind on the road.

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Cons

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• The card has an annual fee that isn't waived in the first year.
• Redemption options for the annual Free Night Award are limited, excluding some of Marriott's more luxurious properties.
• Points have limited flexibility and lose value when transferred to most airline partners instead of being used for hotel stays.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier or the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®, depends entirely on your travel habits and brand loyalty. Each card is tailored to a different type of traveler, one focusing on airline perks and the other on hotel benefits.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: This card is best for semi-frequent or loyal Southwest Airlines flyers who want to earn points toward flights and enjoy valuable day-of-travel benefits.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card is ideal for frequent travelers who regularly stay at Marriott properties and are looking to earn free nights and achieve elite status perks.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Points are primarily redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines, offering a straightforward way to book award travel. While other redemption options like gift cards or merchandise exist, they typically offer less value.

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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Points are most valuable when redeemed for free nights at hotels within the extensive Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. They also offer great flexibility by allowing transfers to numerous airline loyalty programs.

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Travel Perks

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• Travel Network: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card provides access to a vast global network of hotels and allows point transfers to numerous airline partners, offering superior flexibility. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier card's ecosystem, in contrast, is focused exclusively on the Southwest Airlines network for flight redemptions.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent choices for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the United States.
• Airport Lounge Access: Travelers seeking an airport lounge experience will need to look at other card options, as neither the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® nor the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier offers complimentary lounge access as a benefit.
• Booking Portals: Cardholders redeem rewards directly through each brand’s respective platform—the Southwest Airlines website for flights and the Marriott Bonvoy portal for hotel stays.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To eliminate the guesswork, a card comparison tool like Kudos can help you analyze thousands of cards to find the best fit for your wallet.

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• Test drive credit cards: Based on your real spending data, you can test drive different cards to see your potential earnings before you apply, all without a hard credit pull.
• Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your chances of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Personalized recommendations: The platform provides data-driven recommendations to match you with the card that will earn you the most rewards based on your spending history.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through Kudos, they will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop at your favorite stores through the platform.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is a solid mid-tier option for semi-frequent flyers of the airline who are looking for a balance of useful perks and a moderate annual fee. This card is best suited for travelers who can take advantage of day-of-travel benefits like two annual EarlyBird Check-Ins and a free first checked bag, while also earning points on Southwest purchases. Ultimately, it's for those who fly Southwest often enough to make the perks worthwhile but don't need the premium benefits of the top-tier card, as detailed in a full card review.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent Marriott guests who want to maximize their loyalty to the brand. It particularly suits value-focused travelers who can leverage the annual free night award and earn points on everyday spending categories like groceries, gas, and dining. Additionally, as detailed in this card review, status seekers will find the automatic Silver Elite status and annual Elite Night Credits a significant boost toward reaching higher tiers in the Bonvoy program.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our comparison of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card vs. the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has you feeling like neither is the perfect match, don't worry. Several other excellent travel rewards cards might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.

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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 to ensure it meets the typical requirements for premium travel cards.
• Review issuer application rules, such as Chase's 5/24 rule, which can affect your approval odds.
• Plan your spending to meet the welcome offer requirements without overspending.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application with a large planned purchase to help meet the spending threshold.
• Know the issuer's rules, as some limit bonuses if you've recently had a similar card.
• Be patient if you don't see the best offer, as elevated bonuses can be targeted or time-sensitive.

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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No, you cannot directly transfer points between the Southwest Rapid Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programs. They are separate programs with their own distinct point currencies.

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Which card is better if I already have elite status with one of the brands?

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If you have elite status with one of the brands, it's often best to get the co-branded card for that program to maximize your existing benefits. For example, a loyal Marriott guest would likely benefit more from the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card.

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What are the anniversary bonuses for each card?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card offers 6,000 bonus points each year on your cardmember anniversary, while the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card provides a Free Night Award valid for a one-night stay at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points.

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Is it a good idea to have both the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless cards?

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For travelers who frequently fly with Southwest and stay at Marriott properties, holding both cards can be a powerful strategy to earn rewards across both programs. This allows you to cover both major aspects of your travel expenses with rewards.

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