Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business
The welcome offer, the bag and seat benefits, the anniversary points, the protection, and whether the $149 fee pays for itself.
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Business airline cards · Chase
Welcome offer
80,000 points
Annual fee
$149
80,000 bonus points after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. Not available to current cardholders of this card or anyone who received its bonus in the past 24 months.
Employee cards: No feeForeign transaction fees: NoneRewards: Southwest Rapid Rewards points
The Atelier Take
For a business that flies Southwest a few times a year, the free bag and 6,000 anniversary points cover most of the $149.
Who it suits
Business owners who fly Southwest a few times a year and check bags, often with others on the same reservation. The $3,000 spending requirement is modest for a business card.
Who should skip it
Anyone who wants a Preferred seat at booking or Extra Legroom upgrades: those come with the Performance Business. Businesses with large everyday spending will find 1x on most categories weak.
Annual benefits, and the catch
Anniversary points
6,000 points a year
About $75 at TPG’s 1.25¢ valuation.
15% flight discount
One promo code a year
Applies to the base fare only; Basic fares are excluded and the code is valid for one year.
Standard or Preferred seat
Within 48 hours of departure
Chosen in the 48 hours before departure only, subject to availability; employee cards don’t get it.
What it earns
Rewards: Southwest Rapid Rewards points, which book Southwest flights with no blackout dates and unlimited reward seats.
3x
Southwest purchases
Flights, inflight, gift cards and Getaways by Southwest packages
2x
Gas stations and restaurants
On the first $8,000 of combined purchases each anniversary year; 1x after
1x
Everything else
TPG values Rapid Rewards points at 1.25¢ each. Southwest award prices move with cash fares, so a point is worth roughly the same on most flights.
Southwest benefits
Free first checked bag
For the cardholder and up to 8 passengers on the same reservation. Chase puts the saving at $45 per bag per trip.
Group 5 boarding
For the cardholder and up to 8 passengers on the same reservation.
A-List progress
2,000 tier qualifying points for every $5,000 spent each year.
Companion Pass boost
10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each calendar year.
25% back in flight
On inflight drinks and Wi-Fi paid with the card.
Will the $149 fee pay off?
Enter what would go on this card. The result values points at TPG’s valuation, adds the credits that would actually be used and, in year one, the welcome offer, then sets the total against a no-fee card that pays 2% back on everything.
1 · Spending on this card
Example figures are filled in; replace them with real ones.
Advertising
1x
Shipping
1x
Internet, cable and phone
1x
Office supplies
1x
Software and cloud services
1x
Southwest flights and other Southwest purchases
3x
Other flights
1x
Hotels
1x
RestaurantsShares the $8,000 limit with gas
2x
Gas stations2x on the first $8,000 of gas and restaurants combined each year, then 1x
2x
Everything else
1x
2 · Credits that would be used
Tick only what would be used anyway, at full value.
3 · Assumptions
The result
Not counted: the 15% flight discount, seat selection within 48 hours, A-List progress and the Companion Pass boost.
Insurance and protections
Chase lists only these on the card’s page, with no trip cancellation, trip delay or car rental cover. Pay for the trip or purchase with the card to be covered.
Lost luggage
Up to $3,000 per traveler for lost, damaged or stolen bags.
Baggage delay
Up to $100 a day for 3 days for essentials when bags are delayed more than 6 hours.
Purchase protection
Damage or theft within 120 days of purchase, up to $10,000 per item.
Extended warranty
Adds one year to U.S. manufacturer warranties of three years or less.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free first bag for up to 9 on one reservation
- 6,000 anniversary points offset part of the fee
- 80,000 points for $3,000 of spending
- Purchase protection up to $10,000 per item
Cons
- 1x on advertising, shipping, software and most business spending
- 2x on gas and restaurants stops after $8,000 a year
- Seats are chosen only within 48 hours of departure
- No trip cancellation, trip delay or car rental cover listed
Card terms change often and some offers are personalized; the issuer’s page is the final word.