Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business review: Valuable airline perks and an annual anniversary bonus

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card might be on your radar if you’re a frequent Southwest flier. This card’s airline-focused perks and valuable welcome bonus make it suitable for select travelers. Plus, it could make it much easier to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass.

Check out this card’s features, benefits, and drawbacks to make an informed decision about whether it’s right for your wallet.

Spending enough to earn the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card’s welcome bonus is one of the best ways to rack up points quickly. You can earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 during your first three months as a cardmember.

The 80,000-point bonus is estimated to be worth at least $800, though its value will vary depending on your redemption. While this card has a higher annual fee than its sister card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Card, spending enough to earn the welcome bonus will easily offset the cost in the first year.

You can also get impressive rewards when you spend with Southwest, earning 4x points. Any hotel and car reservations you make with a Southwest Rapid Rewards partner will earn you 3X points.

Select general business purchases also carry a higher earning rate. You’ll get 2x points on rideshare, internet, cable, phone service, and search engine and social media advertising. All other qualifying purchases will earn you 1x points.

There’s not much flexibility when it comes to redemptions, which is fairly common among airline credit cards. You can redeem your points for seats for yourself or a companion on Southwest-operated flights, but that’s it. Non-branded, general travel cards offer a lot more flexibility with redemptions.

As a Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business cardmember, you can get reimbursed annually for up to four upgraded boardings. This saves you time boarding and deplaning, and it could make your flight a lot more comfortable.

Besides better seats, you also get daily $8 credits for inflight Wi-Fi with your card, making it easier — and less expensive — to get some work done on the plane.

The points you earn with your card can also help you earn the valuable Southwest Companion Pass, which gives one travel companion on the same reservation a free fare (plus taxes and fees) for at least a full calendar year. You’ll need 135,000 points or 100 qualifying flights in a calendar year to get the Companion Fare benefit.

You’ll get a special 9,000-point bonus for every year of card membership. This bonus will appear in your account shortly after your cardholder anniversary.

If you use your card to purchase a TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS membership, you’ll get a credit of up to $120 every four years to offset that cost.

If you’re a Southwest loyalist working toward A-List or A-List Preferred elite status, this card can help you get there faster. For basic A-List status, you’ll need to earn 35,000 tier qualifying points (TQPs) or take 20 qualifying flights in a given year. For A-List Preferred, it’s 70,000 TQPs or 40 qualifying flights.

With the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card, you’ll earn 1,500 TQPs for each $5,000 you spend.

Some cards apply a percentage-based charge, often up to 3%, each time you make a purchase abroad, but not the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card. No matter where you travel, you don’t need to worry about foreign transaction fees when you buy things internationally.

Purchase and warranty protection

This card gives you an additional year of warranty coverage on eligible purchases. You also get 120 days of purchase protection for qualifying items, with up to $10,000 in coverage per claim or $50,000 total for your account.

If you typically fly Southwest for multiple business trips yearly, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card could be for you. Its Southwest-focused rewards and perks can help you save on future flights, though you’ll need to use your card often enough to offset the annual fee. Earning the welcome bonus can help you recoup this cost in the first year.

• Valuable welcome bonus

• Statement credits for up to four seat upgrades annually

• Can earn points toward A-List status and Companion Pass

• Up to 365 $8 Wi-Fi credits each year

• Up to $120 TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS membership fee credit

• Has a relatively high annual fee

• Doesn’t offer a 0% introductory APR

• Benefits are mostly Southwest-focused

• Limited redemption options

There are very few limitations on where you can use your Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card, as it’s part of the Visa network. Your card will be accepted in over 200 countries and territories.

• By logging into your your Chase account

• Via phone: 1-800-436-7958

• Through a local Chase branch

• Via the Chase mobile app

• By mail:

  • Regular:Cardmember ServicesP.O. Box 6294Carol Stream, IL 60197-6294

  • Overnight:Chase Card Services201 N. Walnut StreetDe1-0153Wilmington, DE 19801

Cardholders can reach Chase’s customer service team over the phone at 1-800-432-3117 or through their social media. You can also log into the Chase portal if you have questions or need help with your card.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card is an excellent option if you fly on Southwest-operated flights often. But if you don’t, one of these alternatives could be a better fit.

Why we like it: The American Express Business Gold Card has a high annual fee, but hear us out: It also gives you up to $240 in annual statement credits on qualifying U.S. purchases at office supply stores, FedEx, and GrubHub, plus you’ll get monthly Walmart+ membership credits valued at up to $155 annually (select benefits require enrollment.) If you can take advantage of these benefits, that’s a total of $395 in credits, completely offsetting the card’s annual cost.

Read our full Amex Business Gold review

Why we like it: If you’d prefer a card without an annual fee that offers flexible rewards, the Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express is worth a look. This card offers a valuable welcome bonus, and you’ll also get a 0% introductory APR offer on purchases.

The Blue Business Plus doesn’t offer the rewards-earning potential of some competitors, but it’s a great option if you’re planning a big business purchase and want some extra time to pay it off.

Read our full Amex Blue Business Plus review

Why we like it: Like the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card, the Ink Business Preferred Card comes with an impressive welcome bonus. But the Ink Business Preferred also offers much more flexible redemption options, making it a better choice for offsetting general travel costs or business purchases.

Read our full Ink Business Preferred review

This article was edited by Ben Walker (CEPF, CFEI®)

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