The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

Both the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Business card offer up to 1,500 tier qualifying points when you spend $10,000 on purchases — which can help you achieve the A-list status. The reward points you earn with these cards can also help you get the Companion Pass.

While both cards offer great value for small business owners, their rewards structure and annual fees are somewhat different. MoneyGeek compared the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Business card to help you understand the difference between them.

Comparison Overview: Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card vs. Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

  • Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
    Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
  • Has Annual Fee
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  • Has Balance Transfer Offer
  • Has APR Offer
  • Cash Back Rewards
  • Travel Rewards
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Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card At a Glance

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card offers four points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases, three points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, two points per dollar spent on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), two points per dollar spent on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, phone service and one point per dollar spent on all other types of purchases. It also offers 9,000 points each year on your cardmember anniversary.


  • Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

    An excellent business card with Southwest and other travel benefits


    • 1–3 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
    • 21.49% – 28.49% VariableAPR
    • $199Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card At a Glance

With the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Business card, you earn three points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases, two points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, two points per dollar spent on local transit and commuting (including rideshare) and one point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. You also earn 6,000 points each year on your cardmember anniversary.


  • Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

    A great miles credit card for international purchases with multiple miles-earning and redeeming opportunities


    • 1–2 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
    • 21.49% – 28.49% VariableAPR
    • $99Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

Comparison Summary

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Business comparison below will help you make a better decision about choosing between both cards.

Card Detail
Comparison Summary

Travel Coverage and Purchase Protection

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card comes with travel accident insurance coverage in case of an accidental death or dismemberment of up to $500,000. It also offers purchase protection in case of theft or damage of up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account on new purchases for up to 120 days.

However, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Business card only offers purchase protection.

Winner: Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

Welcome Bonus

With the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Business card, you earn 60,000 points on spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening, while the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card offers 80,000 bonus points on spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months.

Winner: Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

Rewards

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card offers 4x points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases, 3x points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, 2x points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), 2x points per $1 spent on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, phone service and 1 point per $1 spent on all other types of purchases.

While the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Business card offers 3x points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases, 2x points per $1 spent on Rapid rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, 2x points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting (including rideshare) and 1 point per $1 spent on all other types of purchases.

Winner: Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

Annual Fee

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card comes with a hefty $199 annual fee, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Business card charges $99 in annual fees.

Winner: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Business

Which Card Should You Get?

While deciding about which type of credit card to get, it’s best to first consider your needs and the value offered by both cards.

Who Should Consider the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card?

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is best suited for small business owners who are frequent Southwest flyers and want a card which will help them gain great rewards on making business purchases and get closer to achieving the A-list status.

  • twoPointsPerDollar icon

    With this card, you’ll earn 2x points per $1 spent on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, phone service and 1 point per $1 spent on all other types of purchases.

  • teen icon

    This card offers up to 1,500 tier qualifying points on spending $10,000 on purchases, which can help you achieve the A-list status.

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Who Should Consider the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card?

Small business owners looking for a credit card with a low annual fee may find Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Business to be the best option.

  • annualFee icon

    This card has a $99 annual fee — which is lower compared to other cards of the same category.

  • noForeignTransactionFee icon

    This card doesn’t have a foreign transaction fee, which makes it a solid option for use while traveling internationally.

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EXPERT OPINION

If you fly more than three times per year on Southwest Airlines, it’s likely a better investment to go with the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card because of the larger welcome bonus and in-flight benefits for only an extra $100. However, if you rarely fly with the airline, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Business is a solid low annual fee business credit card.

Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs

MoneyGeek gathered the following frequently asked questions which may help you choose between Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Business card.

Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options

Both Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Business cards offer great rewards and a welcome bonus for small business owners. However, if you think that these cards do not fit your needs — you can look over the best rewards credit cards to find a better option.

Learn more about credit cards in general

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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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