Compare the Features and Benefits of Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card and
Chase Slate Edge Credit Card

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.

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.

The Chase Slate Edge is specifically aimed at those people who have at least “good” credit but need some help with either existing credit card balances with high APRs or to finance new purchases using the 0% Introductory APR offer (detailed above in Key Facts).

Because it doesn’t earn rewards, it’s not our first choice of card if you are opening a new card for any other purpose. For instance, also with no annual fee, you could earn 1.5% cash back on the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card. Or, for just a $95 annual fee, you could reap the many benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

But if your reason for a new card is to lower existing debt or finance new debt, the Chase Slate Edge could be right for you.