Selecting the right southwest business credit cards can be a game-changer for your company's financial strategy, especially if you frequently travel with Southwest Airlines. Southwest offers two business credit cards: the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card. Each card has its unique set of benefits and fees designed to cater to different business needs. This article compares the annual fees and benefits of these two cards to help you determine which one best suits your business requirements.
Overview of Southwest Business Credit Cards
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
Annual Fee: $99
Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 60,000 Rapid Rewards points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
Earning Rates: 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Key Benefits:
No foreign transaction fees
6,000-point anniversary bonus
Free employee cards
Access to A-List status benefits
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
Annual Fee: $199
Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 80,000 Rapid Rewards points after spending $5,000 in the first three months.
Earning Rates: 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases; 2 points per dollar on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services; 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Key Benefits:
No foreign transaction fees
9,000-point anniversary bonus
Up to four upgraded boardings per year
Inflight Wi-Fi credits
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit
1,500 tier-qualifying points for every $10,000 spent
Comparing Annual Fees and Benefits
Annual Fees
Premier Business Card: $99 per year
Performance Business Card: $199 per year
The Performance Business Card has a higher annual fee, but it also offers more robust benefits that may justify the additional cost depending on your business’s needs.
Sign-Up Bonuses
Premier Business Card: 60,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
Performance Business Card: 80,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months.
Both cards offer substantial sign-up bonuses, with the Performance Card providing a higher bonus for a slightly higher spending requirement.
Earning Rates
Premier Business Card: 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Performance Business Card: 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases; 2 points per dollar on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services; and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
The Performance Business Card offers higher earning rates on Southwest purchases and additional categories, making it more rewarding for businesses with substantial expenses in these areas.
Anniversary Bonuses
Premier Business Card: 6,000 points each year.
Performance Business Card: 9,000 points each year.
The Performance Card offers a larger anniversary bonus, which can help offset its higher annual fee.
Travel Benefits
Both cards offer valuable travel benefits, but the Performance Business Card provides more perks:
Premier Business Card: No foreign transaction fees, priority boarding, and free employee cards.
Performance Business Card: No foreign transaction fees, up to four upgraded boardings per year, inflight Wi-Fi credits, and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit.
Tier-Qualifying Points
Premier Business Card: Does not offer tier-qualifying points.
Performance Business Card: Earn 1,500 tier-qualifying points for every $10,000 spent, which can help achieve A-List or A-List Preferred status faster.
Which Card Is Right for Your Business?
Consider the Premier Business Card if:
You prefer a lower annual fee.
Your business spends less on Southwest flights and related expenses.
You still want to earn rewards and enjoy travel benefits without a high annual cost.
Consider the Performance Business Card if:
Your business has substantial travel expenses, particularly with Southwest Airlines.
You can take advantage of the higher earning rates in specific categories like advertising and communication services.
You value additional travel perks such as upgraded boardings, Wi-Fi credits, and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credits.
You aim to achieve A-List or A-List Preferred status faster through tier-qualifying points.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Southwest Business Credit Card depends on your business’s spending habits, travel frequency, and the value you place on the additional perks and benefits. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card is an excellent choice for businesses seeking a lower annual fee and solid rewards, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card offers more substantial benefits and rewards for a higher fee. Evaluate your business’s needs carefully to make an informed decision that maximizes your travel rewards and enhances your overall travel experience. Contact us 5starprocessing for more information.
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