Compare the Features and Benefits of Business Green Rewards Card from American Express and
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

The Business Green Rewards Card from American Express is clearly the “starter” card in the Amex ecosystem for small businesses looking for No Preset Spending Limit (which means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history) without the heftier annual fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

However, with this card earning just 1 point per eligible dollar spent (2 points per dollar only for Flights & Prepaid Hotels booked on AmexTravel.com) and lacking any annual statement credits or rich benefits, we struggle to see the value in paying a $95 annual fee.

Although it doesn’t have No Preset Spending Limit, if you truly can’t make the annual fee work on the American Express® Business Gold Card or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express cards, then we would recommend The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express which earns 2x bonus points on all eligible purchases up to a $50,000 annual limit (1x on all eligible purchases thereafter) and has no annual fee.

If you need a much higher credit limit, then we’d advise considering the American Express® Business Gold Card or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

Rates and Fees for the Business Green Rewards Card from American Express

Small business owners that occasionally fly Southwest should consider getting the Southwest Premier Business Credit Card. You’ll get a solid earning rate on Southwest Airlines purchases and select travel purchases, a statement credit for two EarlyBird Check-Ins each card membership year, plus 25% back on inflight purchases.

In addition to the bonus points earned after account opening, cardholders earn points at a rate of 3x Rapid Rewards points on Southwest purchases, 2x points on Southwest Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, local transit, commuting, and ride-hailing services, and 1x Rapid Rewards points on all other purchases.

When you earn points through the Southwest Premier Business Credit Card, they count toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass. Plus you’ll earn 1,500 Tier-Qualifying Points toward A-List status for every $10,000 spent on the card in a calendar year.

You can boost your point earnings by adding employee cards at no additional cost. If you want a unique way to reward your employees, the Southwest Premier Business Card reimburses up to $500 in fees for points transfers.

When you go to redeem points, Southwest offers a simple rewards structure. You’ll pay between 81 and 83 Rapid Rewards points per dollar of base fare on Southwest flights, valuing the points around 1.4 cents each. While there are no blackout dates, that also means there’s no way of getting more value from your Rapid Rewards points.

Although the Southwest Premier Business Card is a solid card, Southwest frequent travelers should strongly consider getting the Southwest Performance Business Credit Card instead. For a $199 annual fee, you’ll earn higher rewards in several rewards categories: 4x bonus points on Southwest purchases, 3x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, 2x points on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services, and 1x on other purchases. Plus, you’ll get four Upgraded Boardings each year and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit.

Lastly, this card is great for getting halfway to a Southwest Companion Pass with the bonus offer. Read our guide on earning a Southwest Companion Pass for up to two years via new account bonuses.