Who Is the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card For?

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The ideal cardholder for the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card fits a specific profile:

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Business Owners Who Frequently Fly Southwest

This card provides maximum value for business travelers who fly Southwest multiple times per year. The 4X earnings on Southwest purchases, anniversary bonus, and travel perks like upgraded boarding and Wi-Fi credits directly benefit those regularly on Southwest flights.

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Businesses Seeking the Companion Pass

The Companion Pass, which allows a designated person to fly with you for just taxes and fees, requires earning 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. This card's welcome bonus and accelerated earning rates provide a significant boost toward this valuable benefit, essentially offering buy-one-get-one flights for up to two years (depending on when you qualify).

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Companies With Multiple Travelers

Free employee cards with customizable spending limits make this an attractive option for businesses with multiple travelers, all contributing to the same points pool while enjoying card benefits.

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Businesses That Value Early Boarding and Inflight Productivity

The four upgraded boardings per year and 365 Wi-Fi credits directly appeal to business travelers who value early boarding for cabin position and need to remain productive during flights.

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Entrepreneurs Who Want Premium Travel Benefits Without Premium Price

At $199 annually, this card offers several premium travel benefits (Global Entry/TSA PreCheck®/NEXUS credit, upgraded boarding, Wi-Fi) at a lower price point than many premium travel cards.

Comparing the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card With Other Credit Cards

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When considering the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the business credit card category:

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Capital One Venture X Business (rates & fees):

• Annual fee: $395
• Sign-up bonus: Substantial miles bonus after meeting spending requirements
• Key rewards: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars, and 5X on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Standout feature: 10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary

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Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card:

• Annual fee: $95
• Sign-up bonus: Large points bonus after meeting spending requirements
• Key rewards: 3X points on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines on the first $150,000 spent
• Standout feature: Cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card

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The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (rates & fees):

• Annual fee: $695
• Welcome offer: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
• Key rewards: 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, 1.5X points on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million per calendar year
• Standout feature: Access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, access is limited to eligible Card Members

_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.

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Key Takeaways:

• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card excels in maximizing business owners' earning potential and travel benefits
• Capital One Venture X Business offers high travel rewards
• Ink Business Preferred® provides strong points on business-related categories
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express features premium travel perks

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Consider Using Kudos

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While maximizing your Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card, consider adding Kudos to your credit card strategy for even greater rewards. Kudos is a free AI-powered browser extension that automatically recommends the best credit card to use for each online purchase.

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This smart wallet tool works seamlessly with your existing credit cards, including your Southwest Performance Business card, to ensure you're always earning the maximum possible rewards. Kudos integrates with over 15,000 stores and can multiply your rewards up to 5X during special "Flash Boost" events.

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For business owners juggling multiple credit cards with different bonus categories, Kudos eliminates the guesswork and ensures you never miss an opportunity to maximize points or cash back. This complementary tool enhances your Southwest Performance card strategy by optimizing all your other card usage as well.

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If you're looking to get more out of your credit cards, Kudos is the best free shopping app to use when you shop online. And, they're currently offering $20 back after your first eligible purchase — just sign-up for free with code "GET20" and make a purchase at a Boost merchant.

Our Expert Takeaway

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The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card delivers exceptional value for businesses that frequently fly Southwest Airlines. Its $199 annual fee is easily offset by the 9,000 anniversary points (worth approximately $135-$180 in Southwest flights), four upgraded boardings per year ($20-$50 each), and 365 inflight Wi-Fi credits ($8 each).

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For businesses spending significantly on Southwest flights, the accelerated 4X earning rate generates substantial rewards. The card also provides a faster path to coveted Southwest benefits like the Companion Pass and A-List status through bonus point earnings.

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However, businesses that don't regularly fly Southwest or prefer flexibility across multiple airlines might find better value in general travel business cards with transferable points. The card's value proposition is heavily tied to Southwest loyalty and utilization of its specific benefits.

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Our verdict: For Southwest-loyal businesses, the Performance Business card is a worthwhile investment that can deliver hundreds of dollars in annual value beyond its fee. For occasional Southwest travelers, consider the lower-fee Southwest Premier Business card instead.

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card FAQ

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What is the welcome offer for the Southwest Performance Business card?

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The current welcome offer is 80,000 Rapid Rewards points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months from account open date. This substantial bonus provides a significant boost toward earning the Companion Pass.

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How much are the anniversary bonus points worth?

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The 9,000 anniversary bonus points awarded each cardmember anniversary are worth approximately $135-$180 when redeemed for Southwest flights (at a typical valuation of 1.5-2 cents per point).

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Do points earned on the card count toward Companion Pass qualification?

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Yes, all points earned through spending on the card, including the welcome bonus, count as Companion Pass qualifying points. This makes the card an excellent tool for earning this valuable benefit faster.

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What is the Southwest Companion Pass?

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The Companion Pass allows you to designate one person to fly with you for just taxes and fees (typically $5.60 one-way) on both paid and award flights. Once earned, it's valid for the remainder of the current year plus the entire following calendar year.

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How do the upgraded boardings work?

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The card provides reimbursement as statement credits for four upgraded boarding purchases per year. This allows you to purchase A1-A15 boarding positions at the gate or ticket counter when available, typically costing $30-$50 per flight.

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Can I transfer my Rapid Rewards points to other loyalty programs?

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No, Southwest Rapid Rewards points cannot be transferred to other airline or hotel loyalty programs. They're primarily valuable for Southwest flights, though they can also be redeemed for hotels, car rentals, merchandise, and gift cards (typically at lower value).

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Does the card help earn A-List or A-List Preferred status?

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Yes, you can earn 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) for each $10,000 in purchases, up to 15,000 TQPs per calendar year. A-List status requires 35,000 TQPs, while A-List Preferred requires 70,000 TQPs.

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Are there any blackout dates when redeeming Rapid Rewards points?

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No, there are no blackout dates when redeeming Rapid Rewards points for flights. As long as a seat is available for purchase, you can book it with points. However, point prices fluctuate based on fare prices.

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How do the inflight Wi-Fi credits work?

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The card provides 365 statement credits per year (maximum of $8 each) for Southwest inflight Wi-Fi purchases, essentially giving you free Wi-Fi on every Southwest flight you take throughout the year.

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Is the card affected by Chase's 5/24 rule?

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Yes, like most Chase credit cards, the Southwest Performance Business card is subject to the 5/24 rule, meaning you'll likely be denied if you've opened 5 or more personal credit cards (across all issuers) in the past 24 months.