Chase
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Large welcome offer worth an estimated $750
- Annual fee
- $149
- Welcome offer
- ~$750
- Annual benefits value
- -$74
- Est. 1st-year value
- $676
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Our review
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card brings Southwest's mid-tier co-branded benefits to business owners. It pairs a moderate annual fee with a batch of anniversary points, a yearly boost of Companion Pass qualifying points, and the core Southwest perks, giving small-business owners who fly Southwest a straightforward way to earn toward free flights and the Companion Pass on business spending.
It ranks where it does because, like the rest of Southwest's lineup, its value is tied to Southwest and the Companion Pass rather than to flexible rewards. For a business owner loyal to Southwest, the ability to funnel business spending toward the Companion Pass is the main draw, and applying for it as a business card can help keep personal-card eligibility separate.
The card earns elevated rewards on Southwest purchases along with bonus rewards on some business categories, and it delivers anniversary points and a Companion Pass qualifying-point boost each year. As with all Southwest cards, the airline reworked its boarding and seating during 2025 and 2026, so confirm the current benefit details shown above and in the card terms before applying.
We like this card for Southwest-loyal business owners who want to accelerate the Companion Pass using business spending while keeping the annual fee reasonable. The anniversary points recover part of the fee each year on their own.
This card is best suited for business owners who fly Southwest regularly and want to earn toward the Companion Pass through business spending. Owners who fly multiple airlines, or who want flexible rewards and premium perks, should consider a transferable-points business card instead.
Why we like it
- Business spending earns toward the Southwest Companion Pass, and the card adds a yearly boost of Companion Pass qualifying points.
- A batch of anniversary points posts each year with no spending requirement, offsetting part of the annual fee.
- Rapid Rewards points are easy to redeem for Southwest flights with no blackout dates and pricing that tracks the cash fare.
- Applying as a business card can help separate Southwest business-card eligibility from personal-card rules.
- No foreign transaction fees, which is useful for business travel abroad.
Who it's best for
- Business owners who fly Southwest regularly and want to earn toward the Companion Pass on business spending.
- Owners who want a moderate annual fee with the core Southwest perks.
- Cardholders who prefer to keep business and personal Southwest cards separate.
Welcome bonus
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card offers a welcome bonus of Rapid Rewards points after you meet a minimum spending requirement in the first few months. The exact terms change over time, so confirm the current offer and the estimated value shown above before applying.
The welcome bonus counts toward the Companion Pass, so a well-timed application paired with business spending can build toward the pass quickly.
Using your rewards
Points are redeemed for Southwest flights with no blackout dates, and award prices generally track the cash fare.
Points earned on this card, including welcome and anniversary bonuses, count toward the Southwest Companion Pass.
Rapid Rewards points cannot be transferred to other loyalty programs, so their value is tied to Southwest. Points moved in from Chase Ultimate Rewards do not count toward the Companion Pass.
Airport lounge access
None. This card does not include airport lounge access.
Foreign transaction fees
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card charges no foreign transaction fees, so it is a practical card for business purchases abroad.
Major credits & annual benefits
A batch of anniversary Rapid Rewards points each year, credited without a spending requirement.
A yearly boost of Companion Pass qualifying points, shown above, that shortens the path to the pass.
A free first checked bag for the cardholder and companions on the same reservation, plus boarding perks and a discount on in-flight purchases. Because Southwest changed its boarding and seating during 2025 and 2026, review the current terms to confirm how these perks apply today.
Employee cards are typically available, which can concentrate business spending toward rewards and the Companion Pass. Confirm current employee-card terms with the issuer.
Insurance & protections
As a Chase-issued Visa business card, it generally includes select travel and purchase protections such as baggage delay coverage and purchase protection.
Coverage requires paying with the card and meeting the benefit terms, and specific limits and exclusions apply. Review the current benefit guide before relying on any protection.
Fees & tradeoffs
The rewards are useful only for Southwest, so the card is best for owners who are genuinely loyal to the airline rather than those who want flexibility.
There is no lounge access, and the card's value depends heavily on flying Southwest and pursuing the Companion Pass.
Final verdict
For a Southwest-loyal business owner, this card offers a reasonable path to the Companion Pass on business spending, and the anniversary points plus the welcome bonus can outweigh the annual fee. The estimated value shown above helps illustrate that.
Owners who fly multiple airlines or want flexible rewards should consider a transferable-points business card that can still move points to Southwest.
Card details change often. Verify current rates, fees, welcome offers, credits, and benefit terms with the issuer before applying.
Is this card worth it for you?
Check the benefits you’d realistically use and see your personalized total value below. This is a personal estimate — actual value depends on your spending. Verify terms with the issuer.
- Selected benefits
- $135
- Welcome offer
- $750
- Annual fee
- −$149
- Estimated first-year net
- +$736
Welcome offer
Welcome offer value
Earn 60,000 points after $3,000 in spend within 3 months
$750
Spend requirements apply. Verify current offer with the issuer. How we calculate this
Benefits & credits
Total benefits & credits value
Estimated annual value of all tracked perks
$75
| Benefit | Frequency | Est. annual value |
|---|---|---|
6,000 Anniversary Points 6,000 Rapid Rewards points awarded each account anniversary. | Annual | $75 |
10,000 Companion Pass Qualifying Points 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each calendar year, counting toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass. | Annual | $0 |
First Checked Bag Free First checked bag free for the cardholder and up to 8 others on the same reservation. Estimated value ~$35 per checked bag (Southwest's published first-bag fee). | per_visit | $35 |
Complimentary Preferred Seat Select a Preferred or Standard seat within 48 hours of departure at no additional charge, when available, for the cardholder and up to 8 others on the same reservation. Estimated value ~$25 per segment (typical Southwest Preferred seat fee). | per_visit | $25 |
15% Flight Discount 15% promo code each cardmember anniversary toward Southwest flights (excludes Basic fare). | Annual | $0 |
Earning rates
Who it's for
Consider it if
- Large welcome offer worth an estimated $750
Maybe skip it if
- Ongoing benefits may not cover the annual fee on their own
Fees & details
- Annual fee
- $149
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- Card network
- Varies
- Recommended credit
- Good to Excellent (690+)
- Rewards currency
- Southwest Rapid Rewards
- Last updated
- 2026-07-25
Details are estimates and may be out of date. View issuer terms. Verify all rates, fees, and offers with the issuer before applying.
How it compares
| Annual fee | $149 | $895 | $895 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | ~$750 | ~$3,000 | ~$3,000 |
| Est. 1st-year value | $676 | $5,160.40 | $4,684 |
| Annual benefits value | -$74 | $2,160.40 | $1,684 |
| Editor rating | 3.7 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Points earning structure |
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| Transfer partners | |||
| Lounge access | |||
| No foreign txn fee | |||
| Recommended credit | Good to Excellent (690+) | Good to Excellent (690+) | Good to Excellent (690+) |
