Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The card offers a 60,000-point sign-up bonus after $3,000 in purchases within the first three months, along with useful perks for a modest $149 annual fee. The 6,000 anniversary points, free first checked bag, and Preferred seat benefits help offset the cost. However, if your goal is earning the Southwest Companion Pass, the Performance Business Card is the better option, with a higher 80,000-point bonus and stronger benefits. For infrequent Southwest flyers, the Premier Business strikes a good balance of value and simplicity.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
If you're not chasing the Southwest Companion Pass and only fly Southwest a few times a year, this card offers more than enough value to justify keeping it. The 60,000-point sign-up bonus can cover multiple one-way flights. And the card’s ongoing benefits can be worth more than the $149 annual fee. It’s a great fit for budget-minded travelers who want solid, reliable rewards.
- Earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
- Complimentary Preferred seat 48 hours prior to departure (worth $25-40/seat) for cardmember and up to 8 additional passengers
- First checked bag free (worth $45/bag) for cardmember and up to 8 passengers
- Group 5 boarding benefit
- 25% back on inflight purchases on Southwest
- 15% Promo code for flight discount on cardmember anniversary
- Spending multipliers: 3x points on Southwest purchases, gas stations, and restaurants on the first $8000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
- 2,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQP's) toward A-List Status for every $5,000 spent in purchases annually
- Receive 6,000-anniversary points each year (valued at ~$78)
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
This card might not be ideal if:
- You’re focused on earning the Companion Pass and want a higher sign-up bonus to help you get there faster.
- You prefer premium cabin options when flying as Southwest doesn’t 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 Premier Business Credit Card Fits In The Southwest Rapid Rewards Ecosystem
Chase offers two Southwest business cards: this card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business. The Performance Business card carries a higher annual fee but offers a larger signup bonus and more premium travel perks.
- Companion Pass strategy: The Performance Business card offers a larger 80,000 point signup bonus, though Southwest often releases elevated offers across all cards toward the end of the year.
- Even with elevated offers, you will typically need both a Southwest business and personal card to earn the Companion Pass through welcome bonuses alone.
- Premium travel perks: The Performance card adds Preferred seating at booking, extra legroom upgrades within 48 hours of departure, and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit.
- Higher anniversary value: The Performance card offers 9,000 anniversary points annually compared to 6,000 on the Premier Business card.
- Expanded earning potential: The Performance card includes broader bonus categories and stronger long-term earning opportunities.
- Annual fee tradeoff: The Premier Business card’s lower $149 annual fee makes more sense for occasional Southwest travelers, while frequent flyers may justify upgrading to the Performance card and its $299 annual fee for the added perks.
If your main goal is earning the Companion Pass, pairing either Southwest business card with one of Southwest’s personal cards is usually the fastest strategy.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
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Historical Card Offers
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier 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:
