Best in Class
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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 if you fly Southwest multiple times per year. For a $299 annual fee, you’ll get 9,000-anniversary points, a complimentary preferred seat at booking, priority boarding, 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:
- 9,000-anniversary points annually (worth ~$117)
- Complimentary Preferred seat at booking (worth $25-40/seat) for cardmember and up to 8 additional passengers
- Extra legroom seat upgrade 48 hours prior to departure
- First checked bag free (worth $35/bag) for cardmember and up to 8 passengers
- Group 5 boarding benefit
- 25% back on inflight purchases on Southwest
- Spending multipliers: 4x points on Southwest purchases, 3x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners, and 2x points on gas, dining, hotels, local transit, social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services
- Premium travel extras:
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit
- Unlimited opportunities to earn 2,500 TQPs toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent
- 10,000 Companion Pass Qualifying points each calendar year
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 — 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 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, which is worth roughly $117.
- Better travel perks: Complimentary Preferred seat at booking vs. 48 hours prior to departure, an extra legroom seat upgrade when available, and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS reimbursement.
- Expanded earning potential: More spending multipliers and unlimited 2,500 TQPs earned (vs. 2,000 on the Premier) for every $5,000 spent toward A-List status.
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
80,000
Minimum Spend
$5,000 / 3mo
Point Value
1.3 ¢
Annual Value
Annual Fee
$299
1st Year Value
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Differentiating Perks
Free Preferred Seat Upgrade at Booking
Anniversary 9,000 Bonus Points
4X on Southwest Airlines Purchases
Card Extras
Extra
Worth/Fit
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Card Benefits
No benefits are available for this card.
Historical Card Offers
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Estimated Next Offer
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Offer Length
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Minimum Spend
Spend Categories
5.2¢
Per Dollar
Spent
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2.6¢
Per Dollar
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2.6¢
Per Dollar
Spent
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2.6¢
Per Dollar
Spent
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2.6¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
1.3¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
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
Point Transfer Options
+5 Lower Value Transfers Show
Radisson Rewards
Value: 0.3¢
43% Value Retained
10:1
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
Rank
1st
Honorable Mention
Ranking of Cards Offering Southwest Rapid Rewards
Downgrade Options
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business
Southwest Rapid Rewards