The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card offers significant value for business owners who frequently fly with Southwest Airlines. This card comes with a compelling welcome bonus, competitive rewards for Southwest loyalists, and several
airline-specific benefits. However, it does carry a $99 annual fee, so potential applicants should ensure they’ll derive sufficient value to offset this cost.
Cardholders can earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 within the first three months of account opening. This bonus is valued at approximately $600, easily surpassing the annual fee in the first year. To reach the spending threshold, users would need to charge about $1,000 per month to the card.
The rewards structure favors those who frequently fly Southwest. Cardholders earn 3X points per dollar on Southwest purchases, 2X points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, and 2X points on local transit and commuting expenses, including rideshares. All other eligible purchases earn 1X point per dollar.
Redemption options are primarily focused on Southwest flights, which may be limiting for those seeking more flexibility. Points can be used to book flights for the cardholder or a companion, with the option to combine points and cash if needed.
The card offers several Southwest-specific perks, including two complimentary EarlyBird Check-Ins per year and a 25% statement credit on in-flight drinks and Wi-Fi purchases. Cardholders also receive 6,000 bonus points annually on their account anniversary.
For those aiming for Southwest’s Companion Pass, points earned with this card count towards the 135,000 points or 100 eligible flights required to qualify. The Companion Pass allows a designated companion to fly for just the cost of taxes and fees on the cardholder’s Southwest flights.
The card can help accelerate progress towards elite status, offering 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) for every $5,000 spent annually. These TQPs contribute to achieving A-List or A-List Preferred status, which provide benefits like priority boarding and same-day flight changes.
Additional features include reimbursement for point transfer fees (up to $500 annually), no foreign transaction fees, and complimentary employee cards. Cardholders also receive one year of free DashPass membership, which includes benefits with DoorDash and Caviar.
This card is ideally suited for business owners who frequently choose Southwest for their travel needs. Its combination of a reasonable annual fee, generous welcome bonus, and Southwest-focused perks make it an attractive option for loyal customers of the airline. However, those who prefer more flexibility in their travel rewards or aren’t committed to Southwest may want to consider alternative business credit cards.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Card is part of the Visa network, ensuring wide acceptance both domestically and
internationally. Cardholders can manage their account and make payments through various channels, including online banking, mobile app, phone, mail, or in-person at Chase branches.
While the card offers substantial value for Southwest enthusiasts, it does have some limitations. The annual fee, lack of a 0% introductory APR offer, and restricted redemption options may be drawbacks for some potential applicants. Those seeking more versatile rewards or who aren’t loyal to Southwest might find better value with general travel cards or those affiliated with other airlines.