Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Side-by-side comparison
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $99 |
| Welcome offer | ||
| Dining | 3x | 1x |
| Groceries | 1x | 2x |
| Gas | 1x | 2x |
| Travel | 3x | 1x |
| Streaming | 1x | 1x |
| Everything else | 2x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $544 | $373 |
| Points type | Locked to Marriott Bonvoy | Locked to Southwest Rapid Rewards |
| Network | Amex | Visa |
*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.
The verdict
On a typical year of household spending, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® earns about $544 a year in rewards and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus about $373, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® charges $650, but carries about $335 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus charges $99, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus delivers more total value, about $213 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on groceries and gas. Neither leans on transferable points, so the deciding factors are the welcome offer, the card network, and which everyday perks you will actually use. On the sign-up bonus, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® currently has the larger welcome offer (a limited-time offer above its usual amount, so treat it as a one-time boost). A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® if your spending leans toward dining, travel, everything else. Pick the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus if your spending leans toward groceries, gas.