Editorial take: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex
The Platinum status is legitimately valuable (lounge access, suite upgrades), but the $650 fee is steep. Justify it only if you stay at Marriotts 8+ times a year.
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Side-by-side
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier from Chase at $149/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,050 more in estimated value) than the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex first; revisit the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $149 |
| Sign-up bonus | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | 55,000 bonus points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,050 | - |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $1,500 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Chase |
| Card category | hotel | travel |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex
$650/yr · up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
Read the full review
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
$149/yr · 55,000 bonus points
Editorial take: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
The middle tier of the Southwest portfolio after the 2025 refresh. Doubles the anniversary points and bumps the promo code from 10% to 15% vs Plus. Sweet spot for occasional Southwest flyers who don't need the Priority card's $75 travel credit or upgraded boardings.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex has a public bonus (up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, worth roughly $1,050), while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's $650 annual fee worth it compared to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier?
- Premium cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex ($650/yr) earn their fee through credits, travel, dining, lounge access, statement reimbursements. If you'd actively use $650+ of those credits, the math works. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier at $149/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex and Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: $1,500 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.