Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority 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 the key features that make the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card a compelling option.

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• Despite its annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card automatically grants you valuable Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits each year.
• You can earn a Free Night Award worth up to 50,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year.
• Cardholders who make around 30 paid stays at participating Marriott properties annually could offset the annual fee with the 1,000 bonus points earned on each stay (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Earn accelerated rewards at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, plus bonus points on combined purchases at grocery stores and for dining.
• Travel with peace of mind thanks to a suite of protections that includes trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, and lost luggage reimbursement.
• The annual elite night credits can be stacked with those from a Marriott Bonvoy business card, offering a shortcut to higher status tiers.

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Cons

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• The annual Free Night Award isn't automatic and requires a significant spending commitment each year.
• Its benefits may not justify the annual fee for some cardholders, especially when compared to other, less expensive Marriott Bonvoy cards.
• Perks are limited, with no path to earning top-tier elite status through spending and some bonus point offers not applying to award stays.

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful, it's essential to compare where each card offers the most value for your spending habits.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is best for Southwest Airlines loyalists, offering the highest rewards on purchases made directly with the airline. It's designed for those who frequently fly with Southwest and want to maximize their earnings for future flights.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: This card is tailored for travelers who regularly stay at hotels within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. It provides the greatest return on hotel stays, with bonus rewards also available for spending at restaurants and grocery stores.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines. You can also use your points for other travel-related purchases like car rentals, hotels, and gift cards through the airline's portal.

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Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: The points you accumulate are best used for free nights and room upgrades across Marriott's extensive portfolio of hotels. Additionally, points can be transferred to numerous airline partners, offering flexible travel options beyond just hotel stays.

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Travel Perks

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• Both cards are well-suited for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card's ecosystem is centered on the airline's own portal for redeeming points on flights and other travel. In contrast, the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card offers more redemption flexibility by allowing point transfers to numerous airline partners in addition to booking hotel stays.
• For travel day perks, the Southwest card enhances the airport experience by providing several Upgraded Boardings annually. The Marriott card focuses on the hotel stay itself, granting automatic Gold Elite status, which can unlock benefits like room upgrades.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can be your ultimate financial companion, helping you compare thousands of cards to find the perfect match for your spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: Before you apply, you can test drive a credit card to simulate your potential earnings based on your actual spending data.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, they will match it.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Kudos Boost Rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points when you shop at your favorite stores.
• Bonus Tracking: Monitor your progress toward earning sign-up bonuses on your new cards for free.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is designed for loyal Southwest customers who fly the airline several times a year. It's particularly valuable for travelers aiming to earn the coveted Companion Pass® or achieve A-List elite status, as spending on the card contributes to both. Ultimately, this premium card delivers the most value to domestic flyers, including families, who can fully leverage its suite of airline-specific benefits like annual travel credits and upgraded boardings.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card is designed for Marriott loyalists who stay at the brand’s properties multiple times per year and can maximize its key benefits. This card is ideal for someone who will spend at least $15,000 annually to earn the free night award and values the complimentary Gold Elite status. It serves as a middle-ground option for travelers wanting more than an entry-level card without the high annual fee of a premium card, as a detailed analysis shows.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs. Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ comparison has you looking for other options, you're in luck. Several other travel cards offer more flexible rewards or different perks that might be a better fit for 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 - You will typically need good to excellent credit to qualify for a premium rewards card.
• Review bonus eligibility - Issuers often have restrictions on earning a welcome offer if you have or previously had the card.
• Plan your spending - Ensure you can meet any spending requirements for the welcome offer through your normal purchasing habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Check issuer-specific rules - some card families, like Marriott Bonvoy, have complex restrictions on earning a welcome bonus.
• Consider product changes - you may be able to upgrade an existing card from the same issuer instead of applying for a new one.
• Try different application channels - offers can sometimes vary between online, in-branch, or targeted mailers.

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 cannot directly transfer points between these two distinct loyalty programs. Southwest Rapid Rewards points and Marriott Bonvoy points must be earned and redeemed within their respective ecosystems.

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Does it make sense to carry both the Southwest Priority and Marriott Bountiful cards?

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Holding both cards can be a smart strategy if you are loyal to both brands, as it allows you to maximize earnings for both flights and hotel stays. However, you should ensure your travel frequency justifies paying two separate annual fees.

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What happens to my points if I cancel one of these credit cards?

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Your points are held in your loyalty program account, not with the bank, so they remain yours even if you cancel the card. Just be mindful of the loyalty program's point expiration policies, as you'll lose the card as a way to keep your account active through spending.

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