Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business
Side-by-side comparison
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $149 |
| Welcome offer | 60,000 points | |
| Advertising | 2% | 1% |
| Shipping | 2% | 1% |
| Office supplies | 2% | 1% |
| Phone & internet | 2% | 1% |
| Travel | 3% | 3% |
| Everything else | 2% | 1% |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $954 | $588 |
| 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 business spending, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® earns about $954 a year in rewards and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business about $588, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® charges $650, but carries about $300 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business charges $149, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The two are close on value, but the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® edges ahead by about $15 a year, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on everything else and advertising. 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 advertising, shipping, office supplies.