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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Southwest Performance vs. Premier: Which Rapid Rewards business credit card is right for you?
Featured image by STEPHEN M. KELLER/SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Ethan's been a frequent flier for as long as he can remember, from studying abroad in Paris to moving to Shanghai after graduating college, where he served as TPG's eyes and ears for all things travel in the Asia-Pacific region. If you asked him where he wants to travel next he'd quote Anthony Bourdain and tell you "anytime I'm eating spicy noodles in a bowl, I'm happy."
Stephanie Stevens is an associate writer with TPG's credit cards team. She focuses on creating timely credit cards content for TPG readers.
also contributed to this story
October 16, 2025 • 11 min read
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Quick summary
Two Southwest business cards are compared, each catering to different types of travelers: frequent flyers versus those seeking lower costs.
Both cards offer perks like free checked bags, priority boarding for flights in 2026 and beyond, and 25% back on inflight purchases.
The premium option provides enhanced benefits such as higher anniversary bonuses, preferred seat selection at booking, unlimited extra legroom upgrades and a travel application fee credit.
The lower-cost card stands out for its annual flight discount and simpler earning structure, making it appealing for occasional Southwest travelers.
What to consider
Eligibility for welcome bonuses is restricted if you have received one in the past 24 months on the respective card.
Key benefits like Wi-Fi passes and upgraded boarding (premium) or EarlyBird check-ins (lower-cost) will be discontinued at the end of the year.
Southwest points are valued at 1.25 cents each as of October 2025 per TPG's valuations.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed side-by-side comparison of perks, earning rates and redemption strategies to help you choose the best fit for your business travel needs.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Keep in mind, both cards fall under Chase's 5/24 rule, meaning you likely won't be approved if you've opened five or more personal cards in the past 24 months.
Additionally, you won't be eligible to receive a welcome bonus if you have received one in the past 24 months on the respective card you are applying for.
Winner: Southwest Premier Business. Its bonus and value are the same as the Southwest Performance, with a $2,000 lower spending requirement.
10,000 annual Companion Qualifying points, which get you closer to earning a companion pass.
No foreign transaction fees.
Free employee cards.
Premier Business Benefits:
6,000 anniversary bonus points.
Preferred seat selection within 48 hours of departure on flights operating in 2026 and beyond.
15% flight discount code each anniversary year (excluding Basic fares).
2,000 Tier Qualifying Points for every $5,000 spent on the Premier Business card in a year (with no cap on the number of TQPs you can earn). This helps you reach A-List elite status faster.
IAM ANUPONG/GETTY IMAGES
Performance Business Benefits:
9,000 anniversary bonus points.
Priority boarding for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation for flights operating in 2026 and beyond. If you have A-list status, you can board with an earlier group.
Preferred seat selection at booking for flights operating in 2026 and beyond.
Unlimited extra-legroom upgrades within 48 hours of departures on flights operating in 2026 and beyond.
2,500 tier-qualifying points per $5,000 you spend on purchases in a calendar year (with no cap on the number of TQP's you can earn).
The Performance Business starts strong by offering 9,000 bonus points on your account anniversary versus 6,000 with the Premier Business. As of October 2025, TPG values Southwest points at 1.25 cents each.
The Premier Business anniversary bonus is worth $74, while the Performance Business anniversary bonus is worth $113.
STEPHEN M. KELLER/SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
The other standout benefits of the Performance Business card are geared toward the day-of travel experience. Since Southwest is shifting to assigned seating for a fee for flights starting in 2026, the Performance Business will allow customers to select preferred seating for free at booking and access unlimited extra legroom upgrades within 48 hours of departure.
The Performance Business also allows you to reach A-list status quicker through card spending and offers a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus, whereas the Premier Business doesn't.
The Premier Business card still holds appeal, particularly with its 15% annual flight discount (excluding Basic fares) and lower annual fee. But if you fly Southwest often, the Performance Business's travel perks and elite-status boost make the $150 well worth it.
It's also worth mentioning that both cards will lose key benefits at the end of the year, like the Wi-Fi passes and upgraded boarding with the Performance Business and the EarlyBird check-ins with the Premier Business.
Winner: Southwest Performance Business. The higher annual fee comes with a meaningful upgrade in benefits that frequent Southwest travelers will actually use.
The Performance Business clearly outpaces its sibling in long-term earning potential. You'll earn more on Southwest purchases and won't face the $8,000 annual cap on gas and restaurant spending that applies to the Premier Business.
It's also better for frequent travelers or small-business owners who regularly spend on hotels, advertising or internet services — all categories where it earns double points.
Additionally, the Performance Business earns bonus points on local transit.
The Premier Business, however, still offers solid rewards for those who fly Southwest only occasionally and don't spend heavily in bonus categories.
Winner: Southwest Performance Business. The higher earning rates and uncapped bonus categories make it a stronger earner overall.
Redeeming points with the Southwest Performance Business vs. Premier Business
Both cards earn Rapid Rewards points that can be redeemed the same way — primarily for Southwest-operated flights.
Since Southwest uses a revenue-based pricing model, the number of points needed for a flight typically aligns with its cash fare. You won't find "sweet spots", but you'll enjoy consistent value for your redemptions.
Redeeming Southwest points is simple: when booking on the Southwest website, just select "Points" instead of "Dollars." The website will display the corresponding award pricing for your selected itinerary.
It's important to note that, like with any airline's award tickets, additional taxes and fees are still applicable, starting at $5.60 per way.
However, tickets booked with points are fully refundable, and there are no penalties for cancellations as long as you cancel at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
FRANCKREPORTER/GETTY IMAGES
Redeeming the points you earn on your Southwest business cards can unlock new opportunities for your family and your business.
TPG credit cards writer Chris Nelson likes to use Southwest points to book nonstop flights on routes where other airlines all have a layover, such as from Portland International Airport (PDX) to St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL).
While Southwest also offers international flights, hotels and car rentals through its travel portal, the rates for these options are generally not as favorable as when using your points for Southwest-operated flights.
Winner: Tie. Since both cards have the same redemption options, there's no clear winner here.
Should I get the Southwest Performance Business or Premier Business?
If you fly Southwest regularly, the Southwest Performance Business Card' is worth the higher annual fee. Between the 9,000-point anniversary bonus, unlimited Wi-Fi credits and priority boarding upgrades, it delivers a stronger set of travel perks and earning power.
If you're a casual Southwest flyer or simply want to keep your annual fee low, the Premier Business card offers solid value with its 15% annual flight discount (excluding Basic fares) and consistent earning structure.
How to switch from the Southwest Performance Business to the Premier Business
You can switch between the two cards by calling Chase customer service and requesting a product change — you can't do it online or through the app.
However, it's often smarter to open both cards separately to take advantage of each welcome bonus. Before making the switch, check if you're eligible for an upgrade offer from the Premier Business to the Performance Business.
No matter which Southwest card you decide to apply for, you'll enjoy valuable Southwest perks and a straightforward earning structure that makes it easy to rack up Rapid Rewards points.
The Performance Business is the clear choice for frequent Southwest travelers who'll make the most of its premium perks and bonus categories, while the Premier Business remains a solid pick for lower annual fee seekers who still want solid value on everyday business spending.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
