Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business card review: Full details

*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

Airline-specific credit cards aren’t often the first picks for travel credit cards since they tend to feature limited benefits that only apply to a specific airline.

However, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card can be a good choice for small-business owners who occasionally fly Southwest.

The card was recently refreshed, featuring new day-of-travel benefits and modified earnings. However, these changes increased the annual fee by 50% to $149.

Southwest is currently in the middle of sweeping changes, including implementing bag fees, updating its boarding process and adding assigned seating, making now a great time to hold a Southwest credit card.

Approved applicants typically have credit scores above 670, but it’s not unheard of to be approved with a lower score.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering the Southwest Premier Business card for your company.

Southwest Premier Business pros and cons

• Two Early Bird Check-Ins: Cardholders receive two Early Bird Check-Ins each year. (For flights operating in 2025, ends Dec. 31)
• 6,000 anniversary bonus points: On your account anniversary, Southwest will automatically award you 6,000 anniversary bonus points (worth up to $84, according to TPG’s July 2025 valuations). This alone effectively covers more than half of the card’s annual fee.
• Free first checked bag: Receive a free first checked bag for you and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation. (A standard first checked bag costs $35, which would save a family of four $280 on a round-trip itinerary.)
• Priority boarding: Receive group 5 priority boarding for you and up to eight passengers traveling 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: When available, you and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation can select preferred seating within 48 hours of departure (for flights operating in 2026 and beyond). This is a valuable perk considering Southwest will begin charging for seat selection on flights operating next year.

• Flight discount code: Cardholders receive one promotional 15% flight discount code each anniversary year (excluding Basic fares)
• Status Boost: You will earn 2,000 Tier Qualifying Points for every $5,000 spent on the Premier card in a year (with no cap on the number of TQPs you can earn). This can help you earn A-List or A-List Preferred status faster.
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually: Cardholders receive 10,000 points toward a Companion Pass each year. This, combined with the points earned from the welcome offer, will put you well over halfway toward earning a companion pass.
• Free employee cards: There are no fees for additional employee cards, and the original cardholder will earn points on employee spending. Business owners can contact cardmember services to put a spending limit on employee cards.
• $500 fee credit for point transfers: Southwest will cover up to $500 in fees associated with point transfers each year, although this benefit will end Dec. 31. Transferring Rapid Rewards points to another member typically costs $10 per 1,000 points transferred, so you can transfer up to 50,000 points every year without paying additional fees after Southwest’s reimbursement.
• No foreign transaction fee: This card is a viable option to use for business travel abroad.

In the midst of all the changes at Southwest, these perks afforded by the Southwest Premier Business card can help you save some money every time you fly.

Earning points on the Southwest Premier Business

• 3 points per dollar spent on Southwest Airlines purchases (4.2% return based on TPG’s July 2025 valuations)
• New: 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per year. (2.8% return)
• 2 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners (2.8% return; ends Dec. 31)
• 2 points per dollar spent on local transit and commuting, including ride-hailing (2.8% return; ends Dec. 31)
• 1 point per dollar for all other eligible purchases (1.4% return)

It’s important to note that current cardholders will have access to both the new and expiring bonus categories.

The addition of the gas stations and restaurants bonus category is welcomed, but having two other bonus categories removed at the end of the year, including the local transit and commuting category, stings.

Unless you need to earn Southwest points, you’re better suited putting your everyday business spending on a card like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) or the American Express® Business Gold Card.

Related: How to choose the best credit card for your business expenses

Redeeming points on the Southwest Premier Business