This article only reviews select Southwest business card offers. We may get compensation if you visit partner links on our site. We may not cover every available offer. Our relationship with advertisers may impact how an offer is presented on our website. However, our selection of products is made independently of our relationship to advertisers.
Southwest business cards are currently offering their largest intro bonus yet. To get the full 120,000 Rapid Rewards Points, you'll need to spend $15,000 in purchases in your first nine months. That's a value of $1,800 when redeemed for travel; it's one of the best deals in the competitive world of rewards credit cards right now.
Plus, with the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card, you get 9,000 "anniversary points" each year (worth about $135). This yearly benefit softens the pain of a $199 annual fee, meaning you'll spend about $64 a year to own this card.
Southwest business card overview
- Sign-up bonus: Earn up to 120,000 points. Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening and an additional 40,000 points when you spend $15,000 in 9 months.
- Rewards rates:
- Annual benefits: Four upgraded boardings when available and 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
- Other benefits: Add employee cards at no cost. There's no limit to the amount of employee cards you can request, and their cards also earn points.
- Redemption: Points may be redeemed for travel on Southwest Airlines or through its Rapid Rewards program; points may also be redeemed for gift cards, merchandise, and entertainment.
- Interest rate: 20.74% to 27.74% variable APR for purchases and balance transfers.
- Annual fee: $199.
- Foreign transaction fee: None, so this is a good card to use abroad.
- Member FDIC
FAQs
Is the Rapid Rewards loyalty program free?
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Yes, joining Southwest's loyalty program, Rapid Rewards, is free.
Do the points expire?
No, Rapid Rewards points do not expire. If you close your account, however, you'll forfeit the points.
Are there blackout dates?
There are no blackout dates or seat restrictions on Rapid Rewards points.
How much is a Rapid Rewards point worth?
A recent Bankrate valuation shows that each point is worth 1.5 cents when redeemed for travel. That means that 1,000 points are worth up to $15.
Where does Southwest fly?
Southwest flies throughout the U.S. (including Hawaii, but not Alaska), Mexico, the Caribbean and most of Central America. Southwest does not partner with other airlines, so these aren't the points that will get you a European vacation.
How far can I fly with the 120,000-point bonus?
The points required for each flight will vary according to distance, time of day and other factors. When you book with points, you must also pay taxes, fees, and other government or airport-imposed charges of at least $5.60 per one-way trip.
How is the program improving in 2024?
Southwest recently modified the Rapid Rewards program to make it easier for members to achieve elite status. You can earn A-List status by flying one-way 20 times in a year (down from 25) and A-List Preferred status by flying one-way 40 in a year (down from 50).
Is the Rapid Rewards travel app any good?
The Southwest Mobile App won the second-best airline travel app ranking in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Manufacturer Website Evaluation Study.
Other cards to consider
The intro offer on the Capital One Venture X Business card is 150,000 bonus miles, worth between $1,500 and $2,775 when redeemed for travel. To qualify for the offer, you'll need to spend $30,000 on the card in the first three months. Although Southwest is not one of Capital One's travel partners, the Capital One Miles are very flexible. You may get reimbursed for travel on any airline for up to 90 days after you have traveled.
If you want a co-branded Southwest card but don’t feel comfortable paying $199 per year for an airline credit card for your business, consider the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card. This card will cost you just $99 per year, yet you’ll earn the same sign-up bonus and a similar rewards rate.
Rewards cards dos and don'ts
As with any rewards credit card, be sure to weigh these benefits against fees — a $199 annual fee in this case — and make sure you understand how to use the card effectively. That said, $199 should be mostly offset if you travel enough to use the anniversary bonus points.
Reward credit cards are great if you use them wisely. However, always pay them off in full each month to avoid interest, which can dwarf the gain. And don't spend any more than usual to hit any trigger. The last thing you want to do is chase credit card rewards when you're in debt.
Read More
-
I'm want to give my 3 grandkids $5K each for Christmas.You're comfortably retired and want to give your grandkids a big Christmas check, but their parents are worried they might spend it all. We ask the pros for help.
-
If You're Not Doing Roth Conversions, You Need to Read ThisRoth conversions and other Roth strategies can be complex, but don't dismiss these tax planning tools outright. They could really work for you and your heirs.
-
Could Traditional Retirement Expectations Be Killing Us?A retirement psychologist makes the case: A fulfilling retirement begins with a blueprint for living, rather than simply the accumulation of a large nest egg.
-
My Teen Crashed His Car and Now Our Insurance Has Tripled. What Now?Dealing with the costly aftermath of a teen car accident is stressful. Here are your options for navigating it.
-
My First $1 Million: Retired In-House Corporate Lawyer, 74, MidwestEver wonder how someone who's made a million dollars or more did it? Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series uncovers the answers.
-
I'm an Insurance Pro: Going Without Life Insurance Is Like Driving Without a Seat Belt Because You Don't Plan to CrashLife insurance is that boring-but-crucial thing you really need to get now so that your family doesn't have to launch a GoFundMe when you're gone.
-
The Top 22 Gifts for Grandkids from Walmart in 2025From PlayStation to Labubu, you'll find the hottest gifts of 2025 for your grandkids at Walmart this year. Some of them are up to 78% off.
-
CD vs. Money Market: Where to Put Your Year-End Bonus NowFalling interest rates have savers wondering where to park cash. Here's how much $10,000 earns in today's best CDs versus leading money market accounts.
-
Meet the World's Unluckiest — Not to Mention Entitled — Porch PirateThis teen swiped a booby-trapped package that showered him with glitter, and then he hurt his wrist while fleeing. This is why no lawyer will represent him.
-
Smart Business: How Community Engagement Can Help Fuel GrowthAs a financial professional, you can strengthen your brand while making a difference in your community. See how these pros turned community spirit into growth.
-
Smart Money Moves Savers Should Make in 2026These steps will get you on the road to achieving your 2026 savings goals.
