Key facts
Annual Fee:
$99Min. Credit Score for Approval:
670-739 * GoodOngoing APR:
21.49%-28.49% VariableBalance transfer fees
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.Foreign Transaction Fee:
0%Despite being Southwest’s intro small business credit card, the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card offers a solid earning rate on Southwest Airlines purchases, two EarlyBird Check-In passes per year, 25% back on inflight purchases, and 6,000 bonus points every cardmember anniversary. All for a reasonable $99 annual fee.
Reward multipliers
Southwest Premier Business cardholders earn 3 Rapid Rewards points per dollar on Southwest purchases; 2x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases (made at this link), local transit, commuting, and rideshare; and 1x Rapid Rewards points on all other eligible purchases.
Earns bonus points for spend in the following bonus categories:
Earn 3X on Southwest flights booked directly; otherwise earn 1X
Estimated Rewards Value: 4.2%
Estimated Rewards Value: 2.8%
Only when booked via the Rapid Rewards portal; Otherwise earn 1X.
Estimated Rewards Value: 2.8%
Only when booked via the Rapid Rewards portal; Otherwise earn 1X.
Estimated Rewards Value: 2.8%
Estimated Rewards Value: 1.4%
Key features
Unique Card Benefits
Two EarlyBird Check-In Passes Each Year
When you use these, you will get the best A1-A15 boarding position available.
6,000 Bonus Rapid Rewards Points Every Account Anniversary Year
These are worth about $64.
$500 Fee Credit for Points Transfers Between Southwest Rapid Rewards Member Accounts
When you use your Premier Business Card to transfer points to another Rapid Rewards Member, the fees associated with the transfer will be reimbursed to you as statement credits – up to $500 in total per anniversary year.
Primary Car Rental CDW Waiver
Provides primary coverage when renting for business purposes. Get reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the U.S. and abroad. This protection is available for all rentals, not just with Rapid Rewards car rental partners.
Annual Statement Credits
Transfer points to employees, partners, or any Southwest Rapid Rewards member and get up to $500 statement credit each account anniversary year to reimburse fees on points transfers.
Extended Warranty
Get an extra year of extended warranty protection on eligible warranties of three years or less on purchases made with your Southwest Business Card.
Purchase Protection
Covers new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Trip Protections
Get lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, and travel accident insurance protections through the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Card.
Roadside Assistance
Get 24/7 roadside assistance by calling 1-800-847-2869. Operators will dispatch help to provide anything from a tow or jumpstart to a tire change, lockout service, winching, or gas delivery. Roadside service fees will be provided when you call and will be billed to your card.
Free Checked Bags
Southwest doesn’t charge checked bag fees for up to two standard-size and standard-weight bags. That’s true whether or not you have a Southwest Business Card.
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
The Chase Benefit Administrator can refer you to legal and medical services or provide other travel and emergency assistance.
Does Not Report Credit Line to Personal Credit Profile
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card won’t impact your personal credit profile, other than the “hard pull” used to determine your eligibility. Your credit line and utilization will not be reported to the credit bureaus.
No Fees for Authorized Users
Add employee cards at no additional cost to earn points on employee spending.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card waives foreign transaction fees.
Earn more rewards by combining credit cards
Pros & cons
- 6,000 bonus points on every cardmember anniversary
- Southwest-specific perks like 25% back on inflight purchases and two EarlyBird Check-Ins
- Ability to spend toward A-List status and the Southwest Companion Pass
- Lack of business spending rewards categories
- Better perks and earning rates on the Southwest Performance Business Card
Our review
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Southwest business credit card should I get?
The Southwest Premier Business Credit Card charges a lower $99 annual fee.
However, it can be worth paying the $199 annual fee on the Southwest Performance Business Card to get additional points earned on Southwest purchases, Rapid Rewards hotel and car partners, social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services, plus perks like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit. The Performance Business card also comes with a larger signup bonus.
Does the Southwest Premier Business Card earn bonus points on search engine advertising and phone services?
The Southwest Premier Business Credit Card doesn’t offer bonus points on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services. To earn bonus points on these purchases, you’ll want to get the Southwest Performance Business Card instead.
Can you earn Southwest A-List Status through the Southwest Premier Business Card?
Cardholders will earn 1,500 Tier-Qualifying Points for every $10,000 spent on the card in a calendar year, including on employee spending. There’s no limit to how many Tier-Qualifying Points you can earn through credit card spending. That means you can earn A-List or even A-List Preferred status just from eligible purchases on the Southwest Premier Business Credit Card.
Does the Southwest Premier Business Credit Card have a cardmember anniversary bonus?
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier cardholders get a cardmember anniversary bonus of 6,000 points. Rapid Rewards points have a fixed value of around 1.4 cents per point, meaning this card benefit is worth around $84. That’s almost enough to offset the card’s annual fee.
Do you get Upgraded Boarding passes on the Southwest Premier Business Credit Card?
The Southwest Premier Business Credit Card includes two EarlyBird Check-In per account anniversary year. However, it doesn’t offer cardholders Upgraded Boarding passes. To get four Upgraded Boardings per year, get the Southwest Performance Business Credit Card instead.
Can you add employee cards to the Southwest Premier Business Credit Card?
Cardholders can add employee cards at additional cost to earn points from employee spending.
Does the Southwest Business Card offer Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?
The Southwest Premier Business Card doesn’t offer a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit. However, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card includes an application fee statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
What are Southwest's car rental partners?
Southwest’s current car rental partners are Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty.
