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Southwest Performance Business Card Review: Complete Details

Overview of Southwest Quick Reward Performance Business Credit Cards

this Southwest® RapidRewards® Performance Business Credit Card (See interest rates and fees) is Southwest Airlines’ top commercial credit card. It has a stable income rate in every category. Southwest Airlines’ most common commercial flyer will enjoy a useful allowance on this card while flying. Card rating*: ⭐⭐

*Card ratings are based on the opinions of TPG editors and are not affected by the card issuer.

Southwest performance business card is from Southwest® RapidRewards® Premier Commercial Credit Card (See rates and fees) as the best quality business card product. It offers impressive welcome rewards, better reward structure and a range of nice travel days.

All credit cards in the Southwest portfolio have been refreshed recently, and the performance business is no exception. With this refresh, new travel benefits days and revised income structures.

Unfortunately, most credit card refreshes today increase annual fees. Southwest Performance Business increased its annual fee from $199 to $299.

The recommended credit score for this product is 670 or higher.

Please note that Southwest is in full swing, including a new boarding process, adding bag fees and allocated seats. Now, holding a Southwest Credit Card is more beneficial than ever.

Let’s dig into the pros and cons of this updated business card.

Pros and cons of Southwest Performance Business Card

advantage shortcoming
  • Reward points for each cardholder’s anniversary
  • Global Entrance/TSA Precheck/Nexus Credit
  • Upgraded boarding (finally December 31)
  • In-flight Wi-Fi points (as of December 31)
  • The annual fee of $299 means only those loyal to the Southwest can truly benefit
  • No business earning category after December 31

Southwest Performance Business Card Welcome Discount

Now, Southwest Performance Business After spending $5,000 in purchases within the first three months of opening, the card will provide 80,000 points for new applicants.

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TPG’s August 2025 valuation is 1.35 cents Southwest Mile, which means this bonus is worth $1,080. This is the standard welcome quote we usually see on this card.

Holding a credit card in one hand
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Remember to check your eligibility before applying for this card. It is subject to the chasing 5/24 rule and has restrictions on how often you can earn Southwest welcome bonuses, including welcome bonuses that have not been awarded for this card in the past 24 months.

Related: How to earn Southwest Companion Pass quickly

Southwest Performance Business Card Benefits

this Southwest performance business card Comes with an annual fee of $299, but you can make the most of the card even after the first year of a card member, and the allowances for the accompanying card make up for the expenses.

  • 9,000th Anniversary Reward Points: Every year on your account anniversary, you will automatically receive 9,000 bonus points. This means that, based on TPG’s August 2025 valuation, after the first year, you essentially earn $122 points worth every year. This helps offset more than 40% of the annual fee.
  • Free first check bag: Southwest Airlines began charging fees for bags on May 28. Fortunately, Performance Commercial Cardholders receive a free first inspection bag for the chief cardholder, up to eight passengers who can travel on the same booking. (A standard first check bag costs $35, which will save a family of four on a round trip itinerary.)
  • Four upgraded boarding (finally December 31): For flights operating in 2025, you will be able to upgrade your boarding location up to four times.
  • In-flight Wi-Fi points (as of December 31): Southwest will reimburse you for up to $365 in-flight Wi-Fi purchases as a statement credit. In other words, you can purchase an in-flight Wi-Fi pass every day every day and your card will cover it.
  • Priority boarding: Cardholders and up to 8 passengers who book the same trip will receive 5 sets of priority boarding (for flights in 2026 and beyond). If you have A-list status, you can board with an earlier group.
  • Preferred seating options for booking: If available, you and up to eight passengers can choose your preferred seat when booking when traveling on the same booking (for flights operating in 2026 and beyond).
  • Unlimited long-term upgrades: You and up to eight passengers can choose Super Indoor Seats (for flights running in 2026 and beyond) within 48 hours before departure. Such revitalization is usually only applicable to elite airline members.
From the rear of the plane to the back of the central aisle, looking to the front of the plane, with passengers everywhere
Jessica Puckett/Spot guy

Jessica Puckett/Spot guy

  • $500 fee for annual transfer point transfer (as of December 31): Transfer to another transfer point for quick rewards members, with the maximum $500 associated with the transfer being reimbursed during each account anniversary year.
  • Status improvement: You will earn 2,500 tiers of eligibility points for every $5,000 spent in one calendar year to help you reach A-List Elite status faster. There is no limit to the number of TQPs you can earn.
  • 10,000 companions are promoted every year through qualifying: Cardholders receive 10,000 points per year. With points earned on this boost and popular quote, you only need to earn 45,000+ mates eligibility points to earn a coveted partner pass.
  • On-board discount: Cardholders receive 25% return on self-subsisting food and beverages or Wi-Fi purchases.
  • Global Entry, TSA Precheck or Nexus Credit: Every four years, you can receive a statement credit (up to $120) to get your global entry, TSA Precheck or Nexus application fee.
  • Free employee card: You do not need to pay for additional employee card and will earn employee expenditure points. You can set spending limits on employee cards by calling the CardMember service.
  • No foreign transaction fees

Related: Is Southwest Performance Business Card worth the annual fee?

Win points on the Southwest Show Business Card

As a better business card, Southwest performance business card Higher revenue rates than other Southwest greeting card options. You will earn:

  • 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest Airlines purchases (according to TPG’s August 2025 valuation of 5.4%)
  • 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest (return 5.4%; ends on December 31)
  • Spend 3 points per dollar on Quick Reward Hotel and Car Rental Partners (returns about 4.1%; ends on December 31)
  • Spend 2 points per dollar at gas stations and restaurants (return 2.7%)
  • Spend 2 points per dollar on hotel accommodation directly booked in hotels (return 2.7%)
  • Spend 2 points per dollar on local transportation and commuting, including ride service (return 2.7%)
  • Spend 2 points per dollar on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable and telephone services (return 2.7%; terminate; ending December 31)
  • Spend 1 cent per dollar to pay for all other eligible purchases (return about 1.4%)

It is important to note that current cardholders will access both new and expired bonus categories.

Southwest Boeing 737 in Atlanta
David Slotnick / Spot guys

It’s nice to add two new categories for daily expenses. But for the end of the year, seeing two key business-oriented categories is a big drawback to the top business cards in the Southwest portfolio.

Best to use Ink Business First Choice® Credit Card (See Rates and Fees) For general travel other than Southwest Airlines purchases, the total travel and selected business purchases for the annual account anniversary year are up to $150,000 per year.

Related: 10 Easy Ways to Earn More Quick Reward Points

Redemption points on the business card of the Southwest Performance

this Southwest performance business card Cards can earn fast reward points, so you will get the most value when you redeem Southwest rewards trips.

The redemption point for Southwest reward flights is simple. Log in to your account, enter your search parameters on the Southwest website, select the available flights you want, and follow the steps on the screen to check.

You may have to pay extra taxes and fees on international routes, but Southwest is transparent about taxes throughout the search process.

Restaurant owner using laptop
Southworks/Getty Images

Southwest has a travel portal for international flights from other airlines, but you usually don’t get a huge reward when you redeem points this way.

Additionally, you can redeem points on hotels, car rentals or merchandise. However, we recommend skipping these options and using your points to earn Southwest Reward Flights to get the most value from them.

TPG senior writer Tarah Chiefi used Southwest points to pay a portion of the travel to Orlando, redeemed 37,000 points to supplement the out-of-pocket expenses for two round-trip tickets. While it is not always the best value, paying with a combination of cash and points can be a great way to effectively use a small amount of Southwest points.

Which cards compete with Southwest performance business cards?

Even if you are a Southwest Shipping business owner Southwest performance business card A card may not be the best choice for you.

For additional details, see our complete list of the best business credit cards and the best airline credit cards.

Related More: How to Get a Business Credit Card

Bottom line

If you are a business owner who often flies Southwest, a business card for Southwest performance is a great choice. You will get huge value from its Southwest-specific privileges and welcome bonuses.

However, if you only occasionally spend Southwest flights or spend most of your business budget outside of the card’s bonus category, you’ll need to choose another product.


Apply here: Southwest Performance Business Credit Card


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