Compare the Features and Benefits of Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card and
Blue Cash Everyday® 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.

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a well-rounded card offering no annual fee and cash back on three key spending categories, including on online purchases. If your focus is on maximizing your earnings towards pure cash back (as opposed to travel rewards), the Everyday Card is a solid option worth considering.

If your spending aligns with purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, or U.S. online retail (who doesn’t shop at online retailers?) — and cash back is your main objective from a credit card — then this becomes an even easier decision. That’s because the Everyday Card earns 3% cash back on these three categories, up to $6,000 per calendar year in purchases in each (then 1%). In addition, the Everyday Card offers a statement credit with several merchants including select streaming services and Home Chef, a rarity for a card with no annual fee (enrollment required).

Of course, it pays to consider other options, including this card’s sister product, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and the no-annual-fee Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. Both of these cards may offer slightly more cash back depending on your monthly expenses.

Rates and fees for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express