Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: Which Is Better In 2025?

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1189", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "High-End Travel Option"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a breakdown of why we think the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a top-tier choice.

‍

• Cardholders receive automatic Platinum Elite status and airport lounge access through Priority Pass™ Select membership, immediately elevating their travel experience.
• While it carries a premium annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card’s rewards are excellent for spending at Marriott properties, restaurants, and on flights booked directly with airlines.
• The annual Free Night Award and up to $300 in dining credits can easily offset the annual fee for the right traveler (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• Comes with automatic Platinum Elite status, unlocking valuable hotel perks like room upgrades and guaranteed late checkout.
• Offers an annual Free Night Award and monthly statement credits for dining at restaurants worldwide.
• Includes a Priority Pass™ Select membership for airport lounge access and has no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for international travel.

‍

Cons

‍

• Carries a high annual fee that may not be justifiable for travelers who won't maximize all the benefits.
• The card’s value is heavily tied to the Marriott brand, offering limited appeal for those who prefer booking with a variety of hotel chains.
• Redeeming points can be complicated due to Marriott's dynamic pricing, and some benefits like the dining credit are distributed in monthly increments, which can be inconvenient.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant®, comes down to your specific travel habits and brand loyalties.

‍

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is best suited for frequent Southwest flyers and brand loyalists who want to maximize rewards and earn elite status perks within the airline's ecosystem.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This card is ideal for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Marriott brand and value premium hotel benefits, including automatic elite status and luxury perks.

‍

Redemption

‍

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points are redeemed through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights on Southwest Airlines. While points can also be used for other travel like car rentals and hotels, airfare typically provides the best value.

‍

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Points are redeemed through the Marriott Bonvoy program for free nights at participating hotels and resorts worldwide. For added flexibility, points can also be transferred to numerous airline frequent flyer programs.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Cardholders enjoy several airline-specific perks and pay no foreign transaction fees on international purchases. The card provides an annual travel credit for use on Southwest and offers several upgraded boardings per year. Cardmembers also receive bonus points on their account anniversary. This card does not offer complimentary access to a general airport lounge network.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This card is packed with premium travel benefits and carries no foreign transaction fees. Its standout features include complimentary Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access (enrollment required) and an annual Free Night Award. Cardmembers also receive statement credits for eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and for dining, plus a fee credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application. Terms apply.

_{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.}

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, which helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using your real spending data to project potential rewards.

‍

• You can “test drive” a card to see personalized earnings projections based on your actual spending history—all without a hard credit pull.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for a given card based on your credit report.
• Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, which ensures that if you find a better public offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points through Kudos Boost when shopping at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

‍

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for frequent Southwest flyers who can fully leverage its suite of benefits, such as the annual travel credit and upgraded boardings. It's also an excellent tool for brand loyalists aiming to fast-track their way to A-List status or the coveted Companion Pass® through credit card spending. Ultimately, domestic travelers and families who appreciate Southwest's extensive network and flexible policies will find the most value in this travel card.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®?

‍

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is best suited for frequent travelers who are loyal to Marriott properties. These cardholders are typically those who value luxury travel perks like automatic Platinum Elite status, an annual Free Night Award for a stay valued up to 85,000 points, and the $300 Brilliant Dining Credit. A comprehensive card review suggests the ideal user stays at Marriott at least 5-10 nights per year and dines out regularly, making it easy to maximize the card's benefits.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If this Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® comparison has you feeling like neither card is the perfect match, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards to explore that might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["118", "510"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Generous Travel Rewards", "$300 Annual Travel Credit"]} ]]

‍

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

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score - Most premium travel cards require good to excellent credit for the best approval odds.
• Review issuer application rules - Issuers like Chase and American Express have specific guidelines that may affect your eligibility for a welcome offer.
• Plan for the welcome offer - Ensure you can comfortably meet the minimum spending requirement to earn any available bonus points.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Time your application - Align your application with any large, planned purchases to more easily meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Research the rewards - Study the card’s rewards program to confirm it aligns with your typical travel and spending habits.
• Understand issuer rules - Be aware of unique application processes or eligibility rules that are specific to the card issuer.

Our Methodology

‍

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.

‍

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

‍

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

‍

You can transfer points from Marriott Bonvoy to Southwest Rapid Rewards, though it is wise to check the current transfer ratio to ensure you are getting good value. However, transfers from Southwest Rapid Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy are not permitted.

‍

Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card a good choice if I don't fly with Southwest?

‍

The value of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is centered on Marriott hotel benefits, such as statement credits and elite status, which are not tied to any specific airline. Therefore, it can be a valuable card for frequent Marriott guests regardless of which airline they prefer.

‍

What kind of benefits does the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card offer besides flights?

‍

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is heavily focused on enhancing the Southwest flying experience with perks like an annual travel credit and upgraded boardings. It offers limited value for non-flight travel expenses like hotel stays, making it most suitable for loyal Southwest flyers.

‍