Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
Many travelers get this card to help earn the Southwest Companion Pass through the 80,000 point signup bonus, but the long-term perks make it worth considering beyond the first year if you fly Southwest regularly. For a $299 annual fee, you’ll receive benefits like preferred seating at booking, priority boarding, anniversary bonus points, and strong bonus categories that help accelerate your Southwest points earning. Frequent Southwest flyers can easily justify the annual fee through the card’s ongoing travel perks and convenience benefits.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
Most people apply for this card to fast-track their path to the Southwest Companion Pass, which lets you bring a travel companion for free on Southwest flights for up to two calendar years. But the Performance Business Card stands out beyond the signup bonus thanks to its strong long-term perks for frequent Southwest flyers.
- Earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
- Valuable ongoing perks:
- Complimentary Preferred seat at booking (worth $25-$40 per seat) for the cardmember and up to 8 additional passengers
- Extra legroom seat upgrades within 48 hours of departure
- First checked bag free (worth $45 per bag) for the cardmember and up to 8 passengers
- Group 5 boarding
- 9,000 anniversary points annually (worth roughly $117)
- 25% back on inflight purchases
- 4x points on Southwest purchases, 3x on Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners, and 2x on gas, dining, transit, advertising, and phone/internet services
- Premium travel extras:
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit
- Earn 2,500 TQPs toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent
- 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points annually
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
This card might not be the best fit if:
- You rarely fly Southwest
- You typically fly solo, which lessens checked bag and seating perks
- You prefer premium cabin options, and Southwest does not offer business or first class.
What to Know About Southwest Rapid Rewards
Southwest airlines carries the most passengers in North America.
- Their points are among the easiest to earn, plus they have solid value.
- They’re partnered with Chase Ultimate Rewards, our favorite point partner ecosystem.
- Southwest moved to reserved seating and now charges for bags, two features that once made them unique.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards aren’t the most glamorous, but they’re the utility points that just work.
How The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card Fits In The Southwest Rapid Rewards Ecosystem
Chase offers two Southwest business cards: this card and the Southwest Premier Business. If your main goal is earning the Companion Pass, the Performance Business card is usually the better option because of its larger signup bonus and stronger long-term perks.
- Companion Pass strategy: The 80,000 point signup bonus after spending $5,000 in 3 months gets you closer to the 135,000-point Companion Pass requirement than the Premier Business card’s 60,000 point bonus.
- Though it is important to note that Southwest typically offers elevated bonuses on all its cards towards the end of the year, and you won't be able to earn the CP with the welcome offer from one card alone, even when elevated.
- Premium travel perks: The Performance card adds Preferred seating at booking, extra legroom seat upgrades, and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS reimbursement.
- Higher anniversary value: The card offers 9,000 anniversary points annually compared to 6,000 on the Premier Business card.
- Expanded earning potential: You’ll receive more spending multipliers and earn unlimited 2,500 TQPs toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent with the Performance card.
- Annual fee tradeoff: Frequent Southwest flyers can usually justify the $299 annual fee, while more occasional travelers may find the lower, $149 annual fee on the Premier Business card a better fit.
If your goal is earning the Companion Pass, pairing this card with one of Southwest’s personal cards is usually the fastest strategy.
My Experience, No Filter
I’ll be honest. I don’t love the Southwest flying experience. The open seating can feel chaotic, and I’d prefer a more traditional boarding process. But despite that, I keep this card because the value is just too good to pass up. The points are incredibly easy to use, there are no blackout dates, and flights can often be booked or changed last-minute without fees. I’ve used the Companion Pass to bring my spouse on trips for free, and I’ve even used points to fly out friends and family to visit us — something I couldn’t justify paying for with cash. Between the generous sign-up bonus, WiFi credits, and upgraded boardings, the perks more than make up for any quirks of the Southwest experience. For someone who values flexibility and convenience, this card earns its spot in my wallet year after year.
Card Information
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Historical Card Offers
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Application Rules
This business card will not show on your personal credit report, so it won't count against your 5/24 status
If you've received a bonus from this card within the last 24 month, you are not eligible for another bonus.
Chase applications will be declined if 5 new cards have been added to your personal credit report in the past 24 months.
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Chase card of any kind within 30 days
Chase will decline your application you apply for a 5th Chase card (personal or BUSINESS) in 6 months
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
