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, your first checked bag free for you and 8 additional passengers in the same reservation, an annual 15% promo code each anniversary year (excludes Basic fares), a complimentary Standard or Preferred seat within 48 hours prior to departure, when available, plus 25% back on inflight purchases.

You can also earn 2,000 tier qualifying points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent in purchases annually accelerating your way to A-List status. (Note that on the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card you earn these quicker, at 2,500 per $5,000 in spend.)

In addition to the bonus points earned after account opening, cardholders earn points at a rate of 3x Rapid Rewards points on Southwest purchases plus 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants on your first $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year.

When you earn points through the Southwest Premier Business Credit Card, they count toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass.

You can boost your point earnings by adding employee cards at no additional cost and, of course, there are no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.

When you go to redeem points, Southwest offers a simple rewards structure which values the points around 1.25 cents each. The actual redemption varies a bit, with redemptions closer to the date of travel tending to get a bit more value per point. 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 $299 annual fee, you’ll earn 4x bonus points on Southwest purchases, plus you’ll be able to upgrade to Extra Legroom seat for free within 48 hours prior to departure when available. That’s after you can select a complimentary Preferred seat at booking at no additional charge, when available.

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.