Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier 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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This section breaks down the key reasons we like the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card.

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• Cardholders automatically receive complimentary Gold Elite status each year, enhancing their stays at Marriott properties.
• The card offers strong earning rates on everyday purchases like dining and at grocery stores, though it does come with an annual fee (See Rates & Fees).
• Frequent guests can help offset the annual fee by earning 1,000 bonus points on each paid stay at a Marriott Bonvoy property (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Includes a suite of travel and purchase protections, such as trip delay reimbursement and lost luggage reimbursement.
• Cardholders can earn a Free Night Award after meeting an annual spending requirement.
• Elite night credits can be stacked with those from a Marriott Bonvoy business card, helping cardholders reach higher status tiers faster.

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Cons

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• The annual fee can be difficult to justify, as some benefits require significant spending to unlock.
• A Free Night Award is not an automatic annual perk and must be earned through spending, unlike with some competing cards.
• There is no pathway to earn higher-tier elite status through card spending.

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier or Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful, it's essential to examine where each card excels in earning rewards.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is tailored for travelers who frequently fly with Southwest, as it offers the highest rewards on purchases made directly with the airline.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card is ideal for hotel loyalists, providing its best rewards for stays at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: The points you earn are primarily redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines. Cardholders can also use points for other travel like international flights, hotels, and car rentals through the airline's travel portal.

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Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: Points are most valuable when redeemed for free nights at hotels and resorts participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. You can also transfer points to dozens of airline partners for flight awards.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card are traveler-friendly, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
• Travel Portals and Partners: The Southwest card's ecosystem is built around the airline's travel portal, where points can be used for flights, car rentals, and hotels. The Marriott card offers a different type of flexibility, allowing points transfers to dozens of airline loyalty programs in addition to booking hotel stays.
• Core Travel Benefits: Each card offers perks tailored to its respective brand. The Southwest Premier card provides benefits like two EarlyBird Check-In® services each year, while the Marriott Bountiful card grants complimentary Gold Elite Status. Neither card typically includes airport lounge access as a standard benefit.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, which helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your own spending habits.

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• “Test drive” a credit card to see potential earnings based on your real spending data before you apply.
• Get personalized recommendations and see your approval odds for different cards.
• Unlock special offers, like a $100 Kickstart+ reward for adding select cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Track your spending and manage all your credit cards in one place.
• Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is designed for loyal Southwest customers who fly several times a year and want to enhance their travel without paying for a top-tier card. Its key benefits include two annual EarlyBird Check-Ins, a free first checked bag, and 6,000 anniversary bonus points that help justify the $149 annual fee. Furthermore, it offers a boost toward earning A-List status and the highly sought-after Companion Pass, making it a strategic tool for dedicated flyers, as detailed in this comprehensive review.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card is designed for frequent Marriott travelers who value mid-tier hotel benefits and can leverage perks like complimentary Gold Elite status to justify the $250 annual fee. This cardholder is someone who can take advantage of the 1,000 bonus points per paid stay and is likely to spend at least $15,000 annually to earn the free night award. It's also a strategic choice for those seeking to accelerate their path to higher Marriott Bonvoy status by stacking the 15 annual elite night credits with those from a business card.

Alternatives to Consider

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If this Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful comparison has shown that neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards that might better suit your needs.

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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 card's recommended range.
• Plan your spending to meet the welcome offer requirements without overextending your budget.
• Review issuer application rules, as many have restrictions based on recently opened accounts or previous bonuses.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement naturally.
• Know the issuer's rules, like Chase's 5/24 rule or Marriott's co-brand card restrictions.
• Don't be discouraged by a denial or a low offer, as you can often try again later.

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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Are these cards better for frequent flyers or hotel guests?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is designed for travelers who frequently fly with Southwest Airlines, while the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card is tailored for those who prefer staying at hotels within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio.

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How do the rewards programs differ?

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The Southwest card earns Rapid Rewards points, which are best used for flights on Southwest. The Marriott card earns Bonvoy points, which can be redeemed for hotel stays and experiences, and can also be transferred to numerous airline partners.

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What are the primary benefits of each card beyond points?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card typically offers anniversary points and upgraded boardings. The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card often includes automatic elite status and an annual free night award after meeting certain conditions.

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