Review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Card: Are the perks worth the $99 fee?

Overview of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card is the airline's introductory business credit card. It earns 3 points for every dollar spent on Southwest Airlines purchases and 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including ride-hailing services and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners. With a $99 annual fee, this Premier card is an excellent choice for budget-minded Southwest fans. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½

*Card rating is based on the insights of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

Airline-specific credit cards are rarely the preferred options for travel credit cards as they often offer limited benefits that only apply to a single airline.

Nevertheless, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card can be an excellent option for small business owners. Its lower annual fee and attractive bonus categories enable you to earn points on nearly all your expenses.

Typically, approved applicants have credit scores exceeding 740.

Here’s what to consider if you’re thinking about the Southwest Premier Business card for your business.

Pros and cons of the Southwest Premier Business card

Welcome offer for the Southwest Premier Business card

Currently, new cardholders can earn 60,000 points after making $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. According to TPG's October 2024 valuations, this offer is valued at $840.

In addition to the points, keep in mind that sign-up bonuses from Southwest cards contribute towards Companion Pass eligibility.

Once obtained, the Companion Pass remains valid for the rest of the year and the following year, so earning it as early as possible in the calendar year maximizes your benefits from the pass.

Benefits of the Southwest Premier Business card

The Southwest Premier Business card comes with a $99 annual fee and offers a variety of perks that make it a valuable choice for occasional Southwest travelers.

Two Early Bird Check-Ins each year: Southwest's boarding system doesn’t assign seats, allowing passengers to check in 24 hours prior to their flight for optimal boarding position. The Early Bird feature automatically checks you in 36 hours before your flight—12 hours ahead of those without the perk—and you can enjoy this benefit twice annually with the card.

6,000 anniversary bonus points: On your account anniversary, you will receive 6,000 bonus points from Southwest (valued at up to $84 based on TPG's October 2024 valuations). This bonus almost entirely offsets the card’s annual fee.

Status Boost: For every $5,000 spent on the Premier card in a year, you will earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs). This can accelerate your path to achieving A-List or A-List Preferred status.

No-cost employee cards: There are no fees for additional employee cards, and the primary cardholder will earn points on their employees' purchases. Business owners can reach out to cardmember services to set spending limits for employee cards.

$500 fee reimbursement for point transfers: Southwest will reimburse up to $500 in fees for point transfers each year. Transferring Rapid Rewards points to another member usually incurs a fee of $10 for every 1,000 points, so you can transfer up to 50,000 points annually without extra charges (after reimbursement by Southwest).

Southwest also extends benefits to all passengers, regardless of whether they possess a credit card with the airline. These perks include two free checked bags for every flight, no change fees (though travelers will need to pay any fare difference between the old and new ticket), and free cancellations — although certain tickets may be nonrefundable and will instead provide flight credit.

Accumulating points with the Southwest Premier Business card

The Southwest Premier Business card provides the following earning structure:

• 3 points for every dollar spent on Southwest Airlines purchases
• 2 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
• 2 points per dollar for local transit and commuting, including ride-hailing services
• 1 point per dollar for all other qualifying purchases

For every $5,000 spent on the card in a calendar year, you'll earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs). There is no cap on the number of TQPs you can accumulate — meaning you could potentially achieve Southwest elite status solely through your spending without flying at all.

Using points with the Southwest Premier Business card

The main way to redeem Rapid Rewards points is through flights operated by Southwest. The redemption process is straightforward: the higher the cash price of a flight, the more points it will cost. While there isn't exceptional value to be found, this system provides a reliable return on your rewards.

Redeeming your Southwest points is easy; simply book your flights online. Select "Points" instead of "Dollars" when you choose your flight on the airline's website to view the award pricing for your journey.

As with any airline's award tickets, flights booked with Southwest points will still incur taxes and fees, starting at $5.60 each way. Nevertheless, tickets purchased with points are fully refundable, and cancellations come with no penalty if done at least 10 minutes prior to your flight's departure.

TPG credit cards editor Emily Thompson frequently travels with Southwest and holds multiple Southwest credit cards. She often enhances the points from her Southwest Premier Business by transferring extra points from her Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card for flight bookings.

The airline provides international flights, hotel bookings, and car rentals through its travel portal, but the rates tend to be inferior compared to redeeming points on Southwest-operated flights.

Which cards are alternatives to the Southwest Premier Business?

For those seeking greater benefits or more flexible rewards, one of the following cards may suit you better:

• For enhanced Southwest perks: The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is the top-tier Southwest business card. It offers better earning rates and perks like a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit, all for a higher $199 annual fee. Check out our full review of the Southwest Performance Business for more information.
• For more flexible rewards: The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which you can transfer to Southwest or any of Chase's 13 travel partners. For further details, see our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.
• If you're near a United hub: The United℠ Business Card offers similar benefits for United, with a $0 introductory fee for the first year, then $99 annually. Read our full review of the United Business Card for more.

For more options, check out our complete list of the best business and airline credit cards.

Final thoughts

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card is an appealing choice for dedicated Southwest travelers, particularly with the chance to earn a Companion Pass through the current welcome bonus.

Nonetheless, its rewards structure and ongoing perks are not particularly outstanding, meaning many business owners might find a more suitable option elsewhere.