Southwest Performance vs. Premier: Which Rapid Rewards business credit card is right for you?
Editor's Note
Quick summary
How do you decide which of Southwest Airlines' fantastic business credit cards to apply for — the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) or the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card (see rates and fees)?
With Southwest in the midst of sweeping changes, including adding assigned seating, changing its boarding process and implementing bag fees, holding a Southwest credit card is now more beneficial than ever.
We'll look at how these two cards stack up and help you answer an important question: Which Southwest business credit card is right for you?
Southwest Performance Business vs. Premier Business overview
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $299 | $149 |
| Welcome bonus | Earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | Earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
| Earning rates |
|
|
| Anniversary bonus points | 9,000 | 6,000 |
| Elite qualifying benefits | Earn 2,500 tier qualifying points for every $5,000 in purchases annually | Earn 2,000 tier qualifying points for every $5,000 in purchases annually |
| Perks and statement credits |
|
|
*Benefits or earning rates ending Dec. 31, 2025
**Benefits apply to flights operating in 2026 and beyond
Related: Comparing the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier and Plus credit cards
Southwest Performance Business vs. Premier Business welcome bonus
With the Southwest Performance Business, new cardholders earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months from account opening.
Based on TPG's August 2025 valuations, this offer is worth $1,080.
Meanwhile, new cardholders earn 60,000 points with the Southwest Premier Business after spending $3,000 in the first three months after account opening.
Based on our valuations, this offer is worth $810.
The current offers on both cards are far from the best offers we have seen, so if you're after a larger stash of Rapid Reward points, it might be worth waiting for a better offer.
With both cards, you'll be subject to Chase's 5/24 rule. That means that you may not be approved if you've opened at least five personal cards in the past 24 months.
Additionally, you won't be eligible to receive a welcome bonus if you have received one in the past 24 months on the respective card you are applying for.
Winner: Southwest Performance Business. The larger welcome offer makes this card an easy pick over its sibling.
Related: Here's how to calculate your 5/24 status
Southwest Performance Business vs. Premier Business benefits
When comparing an entry-level card to its premium competition, the key question to ask yourself is: "Do the increased benefits outweigh the additional cost of the annual fee?"
In this case, the Southwest Performance Business costs $150 more each year than the Southwest Premier Business, so that's the threshold for added benefits. It needs to be worth it.
Both cards share:
- Free checked bags
- Priority boarding for flights in 2026 and beyond
- 25% back on inflight purchases
- $500 fee credit for points transfers per year*
- 10,000 annual Companion Qualifying points, which get you closer to earning a companion pass
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free employee cards
With the Premier Business, you'll receive:
- Two Early Bird Check-Ins on flights operating in 2025*
- 6,000 anniversary bonus points
- Preferred seat selection within 48 hours of departure on flights operating in 2026 and beyond
- 15% flight discount code each anniversary year (excluding Basic fares)
- 2,000 Tier Qualifying Points for every $5,000 spent on the Premier Business card in a year (with no cap on the number of TQPs you can earn). This helps you reach A-List elite status faster
Meanwhile, the Performance Business receives:
- 9,000 anniversary bonus points
- Four Upgraded Boardings on flights operating in 2025*
- 365 $8 inflight Wi-Fi purchases as a statement credit. In other words, you could purchase an all-day inflight Wi-Fi pass every day of the year, and your card will cover it*
- Priority boarding for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation for flights operating in 2026 and beyond. If you have A-list status, you can board with an earlier group
- Preferred seat selection at booking for flights operating in 2026 and beyond
- Unlimited extra-legroom upgrades within 48 hours of departures on flights operating in 2026 and beyond
- 2,500 tier-qualifying points per $5,000 you spend on purchases in a calendar year (with no cap on the number of TQP's you can earn)
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee credit
*Benefits ending December 31.
The Performance Business starts strong by offering 9,000 bonus points on your account anniversary versus 6,000 with the Premier Business.
As of August 2025, TPG values Southwest points at 1.35 cents each; since Southwest uses a revenue-based award pricing model, you should be able to score this exact redemption value without any real work.
The Premier Business anniversary bonus is worth $81, while the Performance Business anniversary bonus is worth $122.
The other standout benefits of the Performance Business card are geared toward the day-of travel experience. Since Southwest is shifting to assigned seating for a fee for flights next year, the Performance Business will allow customers to select preferred seating for free at booking and access unlimited extra legroom upgrades within 48 hours of departure.
The Performance Business also allows you to reach A-list status quicker through card spending and offers a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus, whereas the Premier Business doesn't.
The Premier Business is no slouch either, offering an annual 15% flight discount promo code (excluding Basic fares) and many of the same-day-of travel benefits offered on the Performance Business.
Both cards are set to lose key benefits at the end of the year, like the Wi-Fi passes and upgraded boarding with the Performance Business and the EarlyBird check-ins with the Premier Business.
Winner: Southwest Performance Business. Higher annual fees often bring greater benefits, and the Performance Business doesn't disappoint.
Related: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?
Earning points with the Southwest Performance Business vs. Premier Business
The Southwest Performance Business also has noticeably better bonus categories, but those only make sense if you can take advantage of them.
With the Performance Business, you'll earn:
- 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases (5.4% return based on TPG's August 2025 valuations)
- 3 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners* (4.1%)
- 2 points per dollar spent on local transit and commuting (including ride-hailing services) (2.7%)
- 2 points per dollar spent on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel (2.7%)
- 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants (2.7%)
- 2 points per dollar spent on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable and phone services* (2.7%)
- 1 point per dollar spent everywhere else (1.4%)
Meanwhile, with the Premier Business you'll earn:
- 3 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases (4.1%)
- 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year (2.7%)
- 2 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners* (2.7%)
2 points per dollar spent on local transit and commuting, including ride-hailing* (2.7%) - 1 point per dollar spent everywhere else (1.4%)
*Earning rates ending December 31.
The Performance Business offers 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases instead of the 3 points per dollar spent you'll earn with the Premier Business. It's better suited for those who book hotels directly and for those who spend a lot on gas and restaurants, as it isn't capped at $8,000 in combined purchases per year like the Premier Business.
Additionally, the Performance Business will still earn bonus points on local transit, whereas the Premier Business is losing that category.
There's still a compelling case to opt for the Premier Business. If you fly Southwest only occasionally and don't spend tons on hotels booked directly or local transit, you might not be able to get the full value out of the Performance Business's earning rates.
Both cards are set to lose bonus categories at the end of the year in categories that most business owners spend in. This is unfortunate, considering both cards carry annual fees.
Winner: Southwest Performance Business. Its higher earning rates and extra bonus category make it a winner against the Premier Business.
Related: Easy ways to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points
Redeeming points with the Southwest Performance Business vs. Premier Business
The primary way to redeem Rapid Rewards points is by using them for Southwest-operated flights. Southwest has a straightforward redemption process where the cost of a flight in points aligns with its cash price. This means that no exceptional deals are available, but it ensures that you consistently receive value for your rewards.
Redeeming Southwest points is a simple online process when booking flights on the Southwest website. Instead of paying with cash, you choose the "Points" option, and the website will display the corresponding award pricing for your selected itinerary.
It's important to note that, like with any airline's award tickets, additional taxes and fees are still applicable, starting at $5.60 per way.
However, tickets booked with points are fully refundable, and there are no penalties for cancellations as long as you cancel at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Redeeming the points you earn on your Southwest business cards can unlock new opportunities for your family and your business.
TPG credit cards writer Chris Nelson likes to use Southwest points to book nonstop flights on routes where other airlines all have a layover, such as from Portland International Airport (PDX) to St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL).
While Southwest also offers international flights, hotels and car rentals through its travel portal, the rates for these options are generally not as favorable as when using your points for Southwest-operated flights.
Winner: Tie. Since both cards have the same redemption options, there's no clear winner here.
Related: Southwest Airlines cuts 30 routes in pivot to add more connecting flights
Should I get the Southwest Performance Business or Premier Business?
With the Southwest Performance Business' 9,000 anniversary bonus points, Wi-Fi credits and superior priority boarding passes, the card is worth the increased annual fee if you fly Southwest regularly. However, the Premier Business is better if you are a less regular flyer since it has a lower annual fee.
Related: How to choose an airline credit card
How to switch from the Southwest Performance Business to the Premier Business
While it is possible to switch between these two cards, it's a better idea to open both so that you aren't missing out on bonus points from their welcome offers. That being said, if you want to switch between these two cards, you'll need to call Chase's customer service and request the product change. You won't be able to do it online or through the app.
Before switching, see if you can secure an offer to upgrade your Premier Business to a Performance Business.
Related: Don't cancel: How to downgrade a Chase credit card
Bottom line
No matter which Southwest card you decide to apply for, you should be able to earn considerable value. You'll get great Southwest perks and earning potential with either card. The right one for you will simply boil down to your business needs and priorities.
To learn more, read our full reviews of the Southwest Performance Business and Southwest Premier Business.
Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card
Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card