Chase
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
Key Features
| Annual Fee | $149.00 |
| Sign-up Bonus | Earn 60,000 points |
| Rewards Rate | 1x-3x Points |
| Regular APR | 19.24%–27.74% variable APR. |
About this card
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card earns a strong 'Good' rating of 3.8 out of 5.0. This card excels in its core purpose, delivering significant value for small business owners who are loyal to Southwest Airlines. Its reward program is a major highlight, offering competitive earning rates (3x on Southwest, 2x on gas and dining for the first $8,000) and a very generous sign-up bonus, further amplified by valuable travel perks like free checked bags, anniversary bonus points, and a path to elite status. The fee structure is also quite favorable; while there's a $149 annual fee, it is largely offset by these tangible benefits, and the absence of foreign transaction fees is a strong advantage for a travel card. The card also benefits from a very strong reputation, being well-regarded in financial publications and among users, particularly for its contribution to earning the coveted Southwest Companion Pass. However, a significant drawback is the very high regular APR (19.24%–27.74% variable) with no introductory offer. This makes carrying a balance exceptionally expensive and significantly dampens the overall appeal for cardholders who cannot consistently pay their statement in full. Despite this critical APR weakness, the card's outstanding rewards, excellent target audience fit, and favorable fee structure for its niche elevate its overall standing. For the business owner who flies Southwest frequently and manages to avoid interest charges, this card represents an excellent value proposition. The 3.8 rating reflects a powerful tool for specific users, but one with a notable financial vulnerability if not managed responsibly.
Pros & Cons
What's great
- Generous sign-up bonus
- High rewards rate on travel and select business categories
- No foreign transaction fees
- Valuable travel perks like free checked bags and flight discounts
- Anniversary bonus points and a path to elite status
Things to consider
- Annual fee applies
- No introductory APR period
- High regular APR
- Rewards primarily focused on one airline
What this card offers
Sign-up bonuses
- Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines® purchases.
- Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year.
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Other features
- First Checked Bag Free - Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost. For a group of 4 this would be a savings of up to $360 roundtrip ($45 per bag per trip).
- Complimentary Preferred seat - Select a Standard or Preferred seat within 48 hours prior to departure, when available. For flights operating in 2026 and beyond.
- Boarding benefit - Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins. For flights operating with assigned seating in 2026 and beyond.
- 15% Flight Discount - Receive a 15% promo code each year on your cardmember anniversary (excludes basic fare).
- 25% back on inflight purchases.
- Receive 6,000 bonus points each year after your Cardmember anniversary.
- Spend your way to A-List - Earn 2,000 tier qualifying points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent in purchases annually.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Travel & purchase coverage
- Contactless - Just Tap To Pay
- Chase Pay Over Time®
- Employee cards at no additional cost