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The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card might be on your radar if you’re a frequent Southwest flier. This card’s airline-focused perks and valuable welcome bonus make it suitable for select travelers. Plus, it could make it much easier to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass.
Check out this card's features, benefits, and drawbacks to make an informed decision about whether it's right for your wallet.
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
- Annual fee$199
- Welcome offerEarn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
- Card type(s)Travel, Airline, Business
- Ongoing Purchases APR20.49% - 27.49% Variable
- Recommended credit scoreExcellent/Good
- Rewards rate
- 4x on Southwest purchases
- 3x on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
- 2x on rideshare
- 2x on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services
- 1x on all other purchases
- Benefits
- 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary
- 4 upgraded boardings per year when available
How to earn rewards
Spending enough to earn the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card’s welcome bonus is one of the best ways to rack up points quickly. You can earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 during your first three months as a cardmember.
The 80,000-point bonus is estimated to be worth at least $800, though its value will vary depending on your redemption. While this card has a higher annual fee than its sister card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Card, spending enough to earn the welcome bonus will easily offset the cost in the first year.
You can also get impressive rewards when you spend with Southwest, earning 4x points. Any hotel and car reservations you make with a Southwest Rapid Rewards partner will earn you 3X points.
Select general business purchases also carry a higher earning rate. You’ll get 2x points on rideshare, internet, cable, phone service, and search engine and social media advertising. All other qualifying purchases will earn you 1x points.
How to redeem rewards
There’s not much flexibility when it comes to redemptions, which is fairly common among airline credit cards. You can redeem your points for seats for yourself or a companion on Southwest-operated flights, but that’s it. Non-branded, general travel cards offer a lot more flexibility with redemptions.
Additional benefits
Southwest perks
As a Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business cardmember, you can get reimbursed annually for up to four upgraded boardings. This saves you time boarding and deplaning, and it could make your flight a lot more comfortable.
Besides better seats, you also get daily $8 credits for inflight Wi-Fi with your card, making it easier — and less expensive — to get some work done on the plane.
The points you earn with your card can also help you earn the valuable Southwest Companion Pass, which gives one travel companion on the same reservation a free fare (plus taxes and fees) for at least a full calendar year. You’ll need 135,000 points or 100 qualifying flights in a calendar year to get the Companion Fare benefit.
Anniversary bonus
You’ll get a special 9,000-point bonus for every year of card membership. This bonus will appear in your account shortly after your cardholder anniversary.
Fee credit
If you use your card to purchase a TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS membership, you’ll get a credit of up to $120 every four years to offset that cost.
Accelerated elite status
If you’re a Southwest loyalist working toward A-List or A-List Preferred elite status, this card can help you get there faster. For basic A-List status, you’ll need to earn 35,000 tier qualifying points (TQPs) or take 20 qualifying flights in a given year. For A-List Preferred, it’s 70,000 TQPs or 40 qualifying flights.
With the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card, you’ll earn 1,500 TQPs for each $5,000 you spend.
No foreign transaction fees
Some cards apply a percentage-based charge, often up to 3%, each time you make a purchase abroad, but not the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card. No matter where you travel, you don’t need to worry about foreign transaction fees when you buy things internationally.
Purchase and warranty protection
This card gives you an additional year of warranty coverage on eligible purchases. You also get 120 days of purchase protection for qualifying items, with up to $10,000 in coverage per claim or $50,000 total for your account.
Who is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card best for?
If you typically fly Southwest for multiple business trips yearly, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card could be for you. Its Southwest-focused rewards and perks can help you save on future flights, though you’ll need to use your card often enough to offset the annual fee. Earning the welcome bonus can help you recoup this cost in the first year.
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card pros
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Valuable welcome bonus
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Statement credits for up to four seat upgrades annually
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Can earn points toward A-List status and Companion Pass
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Up to 365 $8 Wi-Fi credits each year
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Up to $120 TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS membership fee credit
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card cons
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Has a relatively high annual fee
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Doesn’t offer a 0% introductory APR
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Benefits are mostly Southwest-focused
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Limited redemption options
Where can you use Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card?
There are very few limitations on where you can use your Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card, as it’s part of the Visa network. Your card will be accepted in over 200 countries and territories.
How to make a Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card payment
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By logging into your your Chase account
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Via phone: 1-800-436-7958
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Through a local Chase branch
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Via the Chase mobile app
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By mail:
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Regular:Cardmember ServicesP.O. Box 6294Carol Stream, IL 60197-6294
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Overnight:Chase Card Services201 N. Walnut StreetDe1-0153Wilmington, DE 19801
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card customer service info
Cardholders can reach Chase’s customer service team over the phone at 1-800-432-3117 or through their social media. You can also log into the Chase portal if you have questions or need help with your card.
Alternative cards to consider
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card is an excellent option if you fly on Southwest-operated flights often. But if you don’t, one of these alternatives could be a better fit.
American Express® Business Gold Card
- Annual fee$375
- Welcome offerEarn 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $15,000 on purchases within the first 3 months
- Card type(s)Business, Rewards
- Introductory Purchases APR0% on purchases for 6 months from the date of account opening
- Ongoing Purchases APR18.49% - 27.49% Variable
- Recommended credit scoreExcellent/Good
- Rewards rate
- Earn 4x Membership Rewards points on the top two eligible categories (out of 6 total categories) where your business spends the most each month. Although your top 2 categories may change each month, you will earn 4x points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year, then 1x after that (only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap; terms apply).
- 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Benefits
- Earn up to $20 in monthly statement credits (up to $240 annually) for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores
- The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs — Gold, Rose Gold, and White Gold
- Your spending limit is flexible and adjusts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history
Why we like it: The American Express Business Gold Card has a high annual fee, but hear us out: It also gives you up to $240 in annual statement credits on qualifying U.S. purchases at office supply stores, FedEx, and GrubHub, plus you’ll get monthly Walmart+ membership credits valued at up to $155 annually (select benefits require enrollment.) If you can take advantage of these benefits, that’s a total of $395 in credits, completely offsetting the card’s annual cost.
Read our full Amex Business Gold review
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
- Annual fee$0
- Welcome offer15,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $3,000 in first 3 months
- Introductory Purchases APR0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
- Ongoing Purchases APR17.49% - 27.49% Variable
- Recommended credit scoreExcellent, Good
- Rewards rate2x points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners (applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1x after that). Terms and limitations apply.
- Benefits
- $0 annual fee
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months (then variable rate 17.49% - 27.49% based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening; APR will not exceed 29.99%)
Why we like it: If you’d prefer a card without an annual fee that offers flexible rewards, the Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express is worth a look. This card offers a valuable welcome bonus, and you’ll also get a 0% introductory APR offer on purchases.
The Blue Business Plus doesn’t offer the rewards-earning potential of some competitors, but it’s a great option if you’re planning a big business purchase and want some extra time to pay it off.
Read our full Amex Blue Business Plus review
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- Annual fee$95
- Welcome offerEarn 90,000 points after spending $8,000 in first 3 months (that's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠)
- Card type(s)Business, Travel
- Ongoing Purchases APR20.24% - 26.24% Variable
- Recommended credit scoreGood, Excellent
- Rewards rate
- 3x on the first $150,000 spent each account anniversary year in the following categories: shipping purchases; advertising purchases via social media sites and search engines; internet, cable, and phone services; and travel
- 1x on all other purchases with no earning cap
- Benefits
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel
- Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account
Why we like it: Like the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card, the Ink Business Preferred Card comes with an impressive welcome bonus. But the Ink Business Preferred also offers much more flexible redemption options, making it a better choice for offsetting general travel costs or business purchases.
Read our full Ink Business Preferred review
This article was edited by Ben Walker (CEPF, CFEI®)
Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
