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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is ideal for frequent Southwest Airlines flyers looking to maximize rewards and enjoy premium travel perks specific to the airline.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card is a great fit for travelers loyal to Marriott who want to earn points on hotel stays and everyday spending at grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority card stands out.
- It comes loaded with valuable travel benefits like upgraded boardings and an annual travel credit, which help justify its annual fee.
- Cardholders can rack up points on Southwest purchases, as well as at grocery stores and restaurants, all of which count toward the coveted Companion Pass®.
- The combination of the annual $75 Southwest travel credit and 6,000 anniversary bonus points can offset a significant portion of the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- An annual Southwest travel credit and yearly anniversary bonus points provide significant recurring value.
- Valuable travel-day perks, including upgraded boardings and statement credits on inflight purchases, make flying with the airline more comfortable.
- The card provides a clear path to earning the Southwest Companion Pass®, one of the most valuable perks in domestic travel.
Cons
- The card’s value is highly dependent on brand loyalty, as its rewards and perks are almost exclusively tied to Southwest Airlines.
- It lacks certain premium travel benefits, such as airport lounge access, that are often included with competitor cards.
- It comes with a significant annual fee, and some of its benefits have notable restrictions or expiration dates.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at what makes the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card a compelling choice.
- While the card carries an annual fee, it has no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international travel.
- You will earn Marriott Bonvoy points on every purchase, with strong earning rates on stays at Marriott properties and on everyday spending at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.
- The Anniversary Free Night Award, valued for a stay of up to 35,000 points, can easily offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- An annual free night award after your account anniversary.
- Automatic Silver Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program, plus annual elite night credits to help you earn a higher status.
Cons
- The card has an annual fee that isn't waived for the first year.
- Points are most valuable when redeemed within the Marriott ecosystem, offering less flexibility for other travel rewards.
- The anniversary free night award is limited to standard properties, excluding many of Marriott's luxury and high-end hotels.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority
Categories
Deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, depends on whether your loyalty lies with a specific airline or hotel chain.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card - This card is designed for frequent Southwest flyers and those loyal to the airline, especially travelers aiming to earn the coveted Companion Pass®.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card - This card is ideal for travelers who regularly stay at Marriott properties and want to earn hotel elite status and rewards on everyday spending.
Redemption
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points are redeemed through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, primarily for booking flights on Southwest Airlines. You can also use your points for other options like international flights with global partners, gift cards, and merchandise.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Points are redeemed within the Marriott Bonvoy program, with the best value typically found in booking free night stays at participating hotels and resorts. Cardholders can also transfer points to numerous airline partner programs.
Travel Perks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is your ticket into the Southwest ecosystem. It comes with no foreign transaction fees, making international spending worry-free. While it doesn't provide airport lounge access, it does offer valuable perks like an annual travel credit and four Upgraded Boardings per year, when available. You'll also get a bonus of anniversary points each year, keeping your rewards balance healthy.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Centered on the expansive Marriott Bonvoy program, this card also charges no foreign transaction fees. It grants you automatic Silver Elite Status, putting you on the path to higher levels of recognition and benefits within the Marriott system. The standout feature is a Free Night Award every year after your account anniversary, which can provide significant value.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
For a data-driven approach, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare nearly 3,000 cards side-by-side based on your actual spending habits.
- Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, you can simulate how much you’d earn with a new card based on your real transaction history, all without a hard credit pull.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
- Approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your chances of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
- Stack rewards: Through Kudos Boost, you can earn extra rewards on top of your credit card’s existing rewards when shopping at participating stores.
- Automated card selection: The browser extension can automatically select the best card in your wallet at checkout to maximize rewards for each purchase.
Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for loyal Southwest customers who fly several times a year and can fully leverage its perks like the annual travel credit and upgraded boardings. It's also a strategic tool for travelers chasing elite status, as spending helps earn Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List status and the highly coveted Companion Pass®. Additionally, families and domestic travelers who appreciate Southwest's flexible policies and extensive U.S. network will find this card maximizes their rewards on vacation and frequent travel.
Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®?
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card is an excellent choice for travelers who frequently stay at Marriott properties, from business travelers to families on vacation. It particularly suits value-conscious individuals who can leverage the annual free night award and status seekers looking to fast-track their way to elite perks. As detailed in this card review, even everyday spenders can benefit by accumulating points on groceries, gas, and dining to fund future hotel stays.
Alternatives to Consider
If neither card feels like a clear winner for you in the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® comparison, there are plenty of other travel rewards cards that might be a better fit.
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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
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score – Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
- Plan your spending – Ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend requirement for any welcome offer.
- Have a redemption plan – Know how you will use your points or miles to maximize their value before you apply.
Application Strategy
- Know the rules – Be aware of issuer restrictions on welcome offers and new accounts.
- Time your application – Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the minimum spend requirement.
- Explore different paths – Look for targeted offers or pre-qualification tools to increase your approval odds.
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?
Yes, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Southwest Rapid Rewards, but the reverse is not possible. The transfer ratio is typically 3:1, meaning three Bonvoy points become one Rapid Rewards point.
Which card is better for international travel?
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card is generally more advantageous for international travel due to Marriott's extensive global portfolio of hotels. While Southwest flies to some international destinations, its network is more limited compared to Marriott's worldwide presence.
Can I use the Southwest Priority Card for Marriott stays, or the Bonvoy Boundless for Southwest flights?
Yes, you can use either card for any purchase, including with the competing brand, as they are both Visa cards. However, you will only earn bonus rewards on purchases made directly with the co-branded partner.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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