Compare the Features and Benefits of Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card and
Capital One Savor Rewards for Students

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card should be the go-to card for Southwest frequent travelers that own a small business. Don’t let the $299 annual fee scare you off. This card comes packed with perks that can easily justify that fee.

Southwest-specific perks include the ability to earn 2,500 TQPs toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent in purchases annually, the ability to choose a standard or preferred seat within 48 hours prior to departure when available and to choose a Preferred Seat right at booking when available. You will also be able to upgrade to Extra Legroom seat within 48 hours prior to departure when available – for you and up to 8 companions on the same reservation.

Don’t forget you get a free first checked bag for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional Passengers on the same reservation. For a group of 4 this would be a savings of up to $360 roundtrip ($45 per bag per trip).

Plus, cardholders get premium travel perks like a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit once every 4 years. This includes the option of the Canadian NEXUS program.

Cardholders earn 4x Rapid Rewards points on Southwest Airlines purchases. That’s a higher rewards earning rate on Southwest purchases than you’ll find on any other Southwest business credit card.

Cardholders will earn 2,500 tier qualifying points toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent on purchases annually. While you probably don’t want to put that much spending on the card, you can conceivably spend all the way to A-List Preferred status by spending alone.

The biggest downside to this card is the limited redemption options. The best way to redeem Rapid Rewards points is for Southwest flights. And since the Rapid Rewards structure is a fixed-value program, you won’t get more value from some flights than others. The good news is that means there are no blackout dates when you want to redeem points.

You can add employee cards for no additional cost, meaning you can be rewarded for employee spending.

Lastly, this card is great for getting more than 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.

As far as student credit cards go, the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a winner.

It’s got the most bonus categories of any student cash back rewards credit card, with 8% cash back for Entertainment booked through Capital One Entertainment, 5% cash back on travel booked via Capital One Travel, 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

You’ll also get a small cash bonus when you meet the terms of the Early Spend Bonus with your new card.

Most importantly, you’ll be building credit while also earning valuable rewards with no annual fee.

If you don’t spend a lot on dining, entertainment, streaming services and at grocery stores, you might prefer the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, which lacks bonus categories but earns 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases – 0.5% more than the Savor One Student credit card on non-bonused spend.

In short, it’s one of the best student credit cards around.