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The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card has an offer for 80,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 within the first 3 months.
We value these 80k points to be worth around $1,200. Taking into account the card’s $199 annual fee, this is still a good bonus value.
This business card earns extra points on Southwest Airlines purchases, as well as on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable and phone services. All other purchases outside of those categories will earn the base 1 point per $1.
Airline related perks include 4 Upgraded Boardings per year (when available). And you’ll get a credit for your Global Entry or TSA Pre✓ application fee. Unlike with most other airlines, free first and second checked bags is a standard, not-card-specific feature.
While the annual fee is a decent amount, employee cards are at no additional cost. Also, you get 9,000 bonus points after each Cardmember anniversary. That’s worth about $135, cutting down the cost of the card quite a bit. For a lower annual fee, look into the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card.
Here’s a quick comparison of the Southwest Airlines consumer and business card options:
| Card Name | Bonus | Main Perks | Annual Fee |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card | Earn up to 100,000 bonus points. Earn 50,000 points after spending $2,000 on purchases in your first 3 months. Earn an additional 50,000 points after spending $12,000 on purchases in the first 12 months of accounting opening. 3,000 anniversary bonus points. | Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on Southwest Airline purchases. Also, earn 2 points for every $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, and on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming. You’ll get 1 point for every $1 on all other purchases. 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year Free 1st & 2nd checked bags. No change fee. *Has foreign transaction fees. All points earned count towards Companion Pass® | $69 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card | Earn up to 100,000 bonus points. Earn 50,000 points after spending $2,000 on purchases in your first 3 months. Earn an additional 50,000 points after spending $12,000 on purchases in the first 12 months of accounting opening. 6,000-anniversary bonus points. | Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on Southwest Airline purchases. Also, earn 2 points for every $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, and on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming. You’ll get 1 point for every $1 on all other purchases. 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year. Free 1st & 2nd checked bags. No change fee. No foreign transaction fees. All points earned count towards Companion Pass® | $99 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card | Earn up to 100,000 bonus points. Earn 50,000 points after spending $2,000 on purchases in your first 3 months. Earn an additional 50,000 points after spending $12,000 on purchases in the first 12 months of accounting opening. 7,500 anniversary bonus points. | Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on Southwest Airline purchases. Also, earn 2 points for every $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, and on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming. You’ll get 1 point for every $1 on all other purchases. Free 1st & 2nd checked bags. No change fee. No foreign transaction fees. $75 Southwest annual travel credit. Four Upgraded Boardings per year when available ($30-$50 value each). | $149 |
| Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card | 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in first 3 months. 6,000 anniversary bonus points. | 3 points for every $1 on Southwest Airlines purchases 2 points for every $1 at participating Rapid Rewards Hotel and Rental Car partners. 2 points for every $1 on rideshare. 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year. Free 1st & 2nd checked bags. No change fee. No foreign transaction fees. | $99 |
| Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card | Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. 9,000 anniversary bonus points. | 4 points for every $1 on Southwest Airlines. 3 points for every $1 on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car partners. 2 points for every $1 on rideshare, social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable and phone services. Four Upgraded Boardings per year when available ($30-$50 value each). Global Entry or TSA Pre✓ Fee credit. Free 1st & 2nd checked bags. No change fee. No foreign transaction fees. | $199 |
Remember, if you’re not keen on being loyal to Southwest or any other airline, general Business travel credit cards are an alternate option.
*The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is issued by Chase Bank. See promotions for their Checking and Savings accounts here.
AMERICAN EXPRESS® BUSINESS GOLD CARD
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.
For a limited time, the American Express Business Gold Card has an offer for 70,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. The offer expires 11/10/2021.
This card earns 4 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month. These 4X points are capped at the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these 2 categories each calendar year.
Other card benefits include an Airline Bonus, where you’ll get 25% points back after you redeem points for all or part of an eligible flight booked with Amex Travel. This is capped at up to 250,000 points back per calendar year.
The annual fee is $295 for this card. See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card 80,000 Bonus Points
Earn the 80,000 bonus points by spending $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. We value these total 80k points at around $1,200. More on that below.
Plus, you’ll get 9,000 bonus points after each Cardmember anniversary.
*Compare all top card bonuses here.
Here are some ideas on meeting the spending requirement.
What Are Southwest Rapid Rewards Points Worth?
As with many airline branded credit cards, the value of your points can vary greatly. You get the most value by redeeming for Southwest flights. Then, the value will depend on your flight details – flight time, destination, class of flight, etc. On average, we value each Rapid Rewards point at around $0.015. Using this valuation, 80k points would be worth around $1,200.
You can redeem your points for:
- Flights
- Hotel stays
- Car rentals
- Gift cards
- Access to events
- Merchandise
To maximize the value of your Rapid Rewards points, redeem them for Southwest flights. There are no blackout dates and no seat restrictions.
Using your Rapid Rewards points towards anything other than Southwest flights won’t get you the best value. These typically bring your points worth to below $0.01.
Bottom Line
The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is a good all-around option for those loyal to Southwest Airlines for their business needs. The annual fee is double that of the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card, but you’re getting a higher anniversary bonus and 4 Upgraded Boardings per year.
See below for other business card options that don’t tie you to Southwest Airlines.
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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are author's 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.
Disclaimer: These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. It is not the bank advertiser's or any other entity's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.