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Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card

Written by: Lenny Pappano
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Apply Now

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card is a top-tier option for small business owners who fly Southwest frequently. Its generous sign-up bonus and extensive perks can give you great value year after year.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Apply Now

Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card Review

Key Takeaways

While many get this card primarily to use the 80,000-point sign-up bonus toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass, its long-term perks make it worth keeping — especially if you fly Southwest multiple times per year. For a $199 annual fee, you’ll get 9,000-anniversary points, four upgraded boarding credits, 365 in-flight WiFi credits, and a suite of bonus categories to accelerate your points earning. If you fly Southwest regularly, this card gives you high-value perks that easily justify the cost.

Why This Card Could Be Right For You

Most people apply for this card to fast-track their path to the Companion Pass, which lets you bring a travel companion for free on all Southwest flights for up to two calendar years. But the Performance Business Card stands out not just for its sign-up bonus — it’s also loaded with benefits that deliver ongoing value for frequent Southwest flyers.

  • Large sign-up bonus: Earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.
  • Valuable ongoing perks: Get 9,000-anniversary points annually (worth ~$117), 4 upgraded boardings (worth $120+), and 365 in-flight WiFi credits ($8 value each).
  • Premium travel extras: Includes Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit, a $500 transfer fee credit, and unlimited opportunities to earn 1,500 TQPs toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent.

When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply

This card might not be the best fit if you rarely fly Southwest or typically fly solo, which would make the upgraded boardings less useful. Or you prefer premium cabin options—Southwest does not offer business or first class.

Southwest Rapid Rewards

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’s boarding is polarizing (though it is updating to reserved seating in early 2026)
  • 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 co-branded business cards: the Performance Business and the Premier Business. If earning the Companion Pass is your priority, the Performance Business card is the stronger choice. Its 80,000-point sign-up bonus (after $5,000 spent in 3 months) gets you much closer to the 135,000-point requirement than the 60,000-point bonus on the Premier Business card.

Beyond the sign-up bonus, the Performance card offers more robust benefits that may justify its higher annual fee. Here's how it compares:

  • More anniversary points: 9,000 points annually vs. 6,000 on the Premier card — worth roughly $117.
  • Better travel perks: 4 upgraded boardings (worth at least $120), 365 in-flight WiFi credits, and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS reimbursement.
  • Expanded earning potential: More spending multipliers and unlimited 1,500 TQPs earned for every $5,000 spent toward A-List status.
If you fly Southwest frequently, the $199 annual fee is likely a worthwhile investment for the added value. If you travel less often or don’t need the premium perks, the $99 Premier Business card may be a better fit.

If your goal is earning the Companion Pass, be sure to pair this business card with one of Southwest’s three personal cards. All currently offer a 50,000-point sign-up bonus, but differ in annual fees and added benefits.

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

Bonus Points Minimum Spend Point Value Annual Value Annual Fee
1st Year Value
80,000 $5,000 1.3 ¢ $130 $199
$1036
Best Value Differentiating Perks Rules
Companion Pass, US & Caribbean Flights 9000 bonus points annually, 4 A-list boardings, WiFi credit, TSA Credit No CR , 5/24 , Chase 2/30 , Chase 4/6

AWARD SYSTEM

Southwest Rapid Rewards

BANK

JP Morgan Chase

Reconsideration Phone 800.453.9719

CURRENT OFFER

80,000 points for
$5,000 spend.

Spend Categories

Airfare = »

4X points
5.2¢ Per Dollar Spent

All Other = »

1X points
1.3¢ Per Dollar Spent

Hotels - »

3X points
3.9¢ Per Dollar Spent

Online Advertising + »

2X points
2.6¢ Per Dollar Spent

Cell Phone Carriers = »

2X points
2.6¢ Per Dollar Spent

Travel - »

3X points
3.9¢ Per Dollar Spent

Rideshare and Transit = »

2X points
2.6¢ Per Dollar Spent

Internet and Cable = »

2X points
2.6¢ Per Dollar Spent

Card Benefits

TSA Pre Check »
Get up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry, or an $85 fee credit for TSA PreCheck.
Anniversary Date Bonus Points »
You'll receive 9,000 points on the card anniversary.
Preferred Boarding »
Get 4 upgraded boardings per year when available.
Airline Incidentals »
Reimbursed up to $8 a day for Southwest inflight Wi-Fi
Car Rental Insurance »
Using this card gives you primary car rental insurance when using for business on collision and theft, up to the cost of the vehicle.
Travel Insurance »
Travel accident insurance up to $500,000; lost luggage insurance up to $3,000 per person; baggage delay insurance up to $100 per day for 3 days.
No Foreign Transaction Fees »
You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.
Free Checked Bag »
Travelers get two free checked bags, which they provide to everyone.
Purchase Protection »
Your new purchases are covered for 120 days against damage or theft, up to $500 per claim, and $50,000 per account.

Point Transfer Options

Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes - $$

Transfer To Friends Yes

Travel Partner Transfers

Outside Point System Southwest Rapid Rewards

Transfers In From
Point Transfer Options
Chase Ultimate Rewards

1:1 81% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Marriott Bonvoy

3:1 62% value retained

Point Transfer Options
World of Hyatt

5:2 33% value retained

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

Your application will be declined if 5 new cards are reported on 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:

Breaking Points

June 28, 2024
JP Morgan Chase
Southwest cards with huge Offers

Now that we need 135,000 for Southwest companion pass' these cards give us a hefty jump to reach that goal:

- Southwest Performance Chase Business Card - 120,000 POINTS - 80,000 points after spending $5000 in 3 months + 40,000 points after spending $15,000 in 9 months - $199/annual fee.

- Southwest Premier Chase Business Card - 120,000 POINTS - 60,000 points after spending $3000 in 3 months + 60,000 after spending $15,000 in 9 months - $99/annual fee.