Is the Southwest Premier Business worth the annual fee?
Editor's Note
Small business owners who regularly fly Southwest might consider applying for one of the airline's two business cards.
If this sounds like you, now might be a good time to get the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card (see rates and fees). This card features a solid welcome bonus and decent perks for Southwest loyalists who run a business.
Here's what else you need to know if you want to add it to your wallet.
Welcome bonus
Currently, the Southwest Premier Business card is offering 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
TPG's August 2025 valuations peg these 60,000 bonus points at $810. This is the standard offer we typically see on this card.
Related: The best time to apply for these Chase cards based on offer history
Earning
The Southwest Premier Business card earns in multiple bonus categories, including:
- 3 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases
- 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
- 2 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners*
- 2 points per dollar spent on local transit and commuting, including ride-hailing*
- 1 point per dollar spent everywhere else
*These earning rates end on December 31.
Beyond Southwest purchases, this card is far from the most valuable earner available. Having the gas and restaurant bonus categories added is a nice touch, but having a spending cap seems unnecessary.
If you spend a large portion of your business budget on specific business expenses beyond travel, you'll likely benefit more from the earning structure on one of our other favorite business cards.
Plus, with some bonus categories being removed at the end of the year, you want to look at where you spend the most and see if this card makes sense for you.
Related: 10 considerations for your small-business credit card strategy
Other benefits
With the Southwest Premier Business card, you'll get these Southwest-specific perks:
- 6,000 points every year on cardmember anniversary
- Free checked bag
- Two Early Bird check-ins per year*
- $500 fee credit for points transfers*
- Priority boarding**
- Preferred seat selection within 48 hours of departure**
- Earn 2,000 tier qualifying points toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent in purchases annually
- 10,000 TQP points annually toward a Companion Pass
- 25% back on inflight purchases
- 15% flight discount code each anniversary year (excluding Basic fares)
TPG's August 2025 valuations the 6,000-anniversary points at $81, and the two Early Bird check-ins are worth at least $30 (and up to $198). These two benefits alone can make the $149 annual fee worth paying, even before you take advantage of any status-earning opportunities or inflight purchase discounts.
Plus, if you regularly transfer your points to other accounts, the $500 transfer fee credit will be especially valuable. Although many of these benefits are ending, you can still take advantage of them before the year ends
Additionally, on flights operating next year, you'll receive priority boarding and preferred seat selection within 48 hours of departure. Since Southwest has announced it's implementing seat assignments, this benefit can help you save some money.
Lastly, depending on how expensive the ticket you book is, the 15% flight discount promo code can also help you recoup some of your annual fee cost.
*Benefits ending Dec. 31, 2025.
**Benefits apply to flights operating on January 27, 2026, and beyond.
Additionally, you can get employee cards at no additional cost.
This card also doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, which is helpful if you find yourself abroad. Even so, given Southwest's limited international routes, you'll likely want to build loyalty with a different airline if you travel internationally often.
Related: Maximizing the Rapid Rewards program
Alternatives
Of course, no one card is right for everyone. If you want more Southwest perks or flexible rewards, a different card may better suit your business.
If you frequently fly Southwest and want a card that offers additional perks, the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) might be a better choice.
It has a higher $299 annual fee but also offers a stronger earning structure and perks like 9,000 anniversary points, 365 $8 inflight Wi-Fi credits (ending December 31), unlimited extra-legroom seat upgrades within 48 hours of departure (for flights operating after January 27, 2026) and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit every four years.
For more details, check out our full review of the Southwest Business Performance card.
If you want to earn bonus points on business expenses as well as travel, you may prefer the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees).
It carries a similar $95 annual fee and earns 3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000, then 1 point per dollar spent yearly on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising with social media and search engines. It earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which you can transfer to Southwest or any of Chase's other travel partners.
For more details, check out our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.
Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Ink Business Preferred
Bottom line
If you're a small-business owner who flies Southwest regularly, the Southwest Premier Business card's 6,000-anniversary points, free checked bag, and two Early Bird check-ins (ending December 31) provide enough value to offset the $149 annual fee.
For more details, please see our full review of the Southwest Premier Business credit card.
Apply here: Southwest Premier Business
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees