The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) currently offers 80,000 bonus Southwest points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Here's what you need to know about one of the best welcome bonuses on the market.
- Welcome bonus counts toward earning a Southwest Companion Pass
- Up to 365 in-flight Wi-Fi credits every year
- Four Upgraded Boardings per year (when available)
- Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck® credit every four years
- High annual fee
- Limited value when you're not traveling with Southwest
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
- Earn 4X pts on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants
- Earn 2X points on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation.
- Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
This bonus helps you earn a Southwest Companion Pass
To earn the Companion Pass, you must accrue a whopping 135,000 tier-qualifying Southwest points in a calendar year. That's typically a challenge — but with the current Southwest Performance Business Card bonus, you can get much closer to that requirement after earning the card's intro offer. Here's why:
- The 80,000 bonus points qualify for the Companion Pass.
- The points you earn from the $5,000 you'll spend to earn the bonus qualify for the Companion Pass.
- The card comes with an annual 10,000-point boost toward the Companion Pass. Note that these points are not redeemable for flights.
You'll have at least 95,000 Southwest-qualifying points by the time you achieve the bonus. Keep in mind, you need 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year, but you can have a personal and business Southwest card at the same time. That means you could open a consumer Southwest credit card, which would likely be enough to earn a Southwest Companion Pass just from limited-time credit card bonuses.
How to qualify for this card
Before submitting an application, make sure you meet the following requirements:
- Chase 5/24 rule: If you've opened five or more credit cards from any bank (excluding most small business credit cards), you typically won't be eligible to open the Southwest Performance Business Card.
- Southwest credit card offer rules: You're not eligible for this welcome bonus if you currently hold the Southwest Performance Business Card or have received its welcome bonus within the last 24 months.
- Small business owner: This card is only for business owners. That said, if you drive for Uber, own an Etsy shop or deliver with DoorDash, you may qualify for a business card.
Other Southwest Performance Business Card perks
Southwest has ended its policy of two free checked bags per person and has implemented assigned seats. But the Southwest Performance Business Card (and other Southwest credit cards) can take you back to the good old days.
You and up to eight companions on the same reservation get:
- Complimentary Preferred or Standard seat at booking
- First checked bag free
- Group 5 boarding
- Unlimited complimentary extra legroom seat upgrades within 48 hours of departure
The card also comes with valuable perks, like 9,000 Southwest points after each account anniversary, 25% back on in-flight purchases and up to $120 in Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credits (great for speeding through airport security).
Other cards that earn Southwest points (indirectly)
If you want to stock up on even more Southwest points, you can earn flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which transfer to Southwest at a 1:1 ratio. These points won't help you earn a Southwest Companion Pass, but if you already have one, you'll be able to travel with your companion even more.
The Sapphire Reserve for BusinessSM (see rates and fees) and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) both earn transferable rewards and offer generous welcome bonuses.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections, flexible rewards and more.
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Long list of travel and shopping protections
- Annual Chase Travel hotel credit
- Has an annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation and more
- Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $156.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for 12 months when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS application.
- Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business brings over $3,000 in value to business owners who value travel and premium experiences
- $400 in annual statement credits on purchases made directly with ZipRecruiter.
- $300 annual travel credit each anniversary year
- $120 Global Entry, TSA Precheck or Nexus fee credit every four years
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with your complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, including Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations with two complimentary guests
- Can transfer rewards to all of Chase’s 14 travel partners
- IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status through 12/31/27
- Comprehensive suite of travel and purchase protections
- High annual fee
- Significant value tied to statement credits
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening.
- $7,000+ in value your first year. 200K points, valued at $4,000 for select flights and hotels through Chase TravelSM, plus $3,000+ in annual value through travel and business benefits.
- Earn 8x points on Chase TravelSM for airline tickets, hotels, including The EditSM, car rentals, cruises, activities and tours.
- Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
- Earn 4x points on flights & hotels booked direct.
- Earn 3x points on social media & search engine advertising on up to $1 million in spend each anniversary year, starting 11/15/26.
- Get the most flexible travel credit compared to any other card, with up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year on travel purchases.
- Enjoy complimentary access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club network and Priority PassTM Select membership. Two guests may accompany the Primary Cardmember to the lounges free of charge.
- Member FDIC
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