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The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card* is approaching its final boarding call for a limited-time welcome offer. New cardholders who apply by October 27 can earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
The major draw of this offer is that the points earned with this card—including those earned from its welcome bonus—are Companion Pass qualifying points. Southwest Rapid Rewards members earn a Companion Pass after flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or earning 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. The pass allows members to choose one companion to fly with them for only the cost of taxes and fees.
Combined with the card’s additional perks, its rewards potential and smooth path to earning a Companion Pass can help businesses that frequently fly Southwest unlock significant travel savings.
Southwest’s Business Card Offer Is Ready for Departure
For business owners, the right travel credit card can save money on travel and earn rewards on everyday expenses to offset future trips.
If you are a Southwest loyalist, the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card* comes with several compelling features in exchange for its $299 annual fee:
- New cardholders who apply by October 27 can earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- Cardholders earn 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases, 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants, local transit and commuting, including rideshare, hotel accommodations booked direct, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Through 12/31/2025, earn 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest cruises, 3 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, and 2 points per dollar on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services.
- The first checked bag is free for the cardholder and up to eight passengers on the same reservation. Southwest currently charges $35 for the first checked bag per person, per direction.
- Cardholders and up to eight passengers on the same reservation receive complimentary Preferred seat selection at booking, when available.
- When available, cardholders and up to eight passengers on the same reservation can also receive upgrades to Extra Legroom seats within 48 hours of departure at no additional cost.
Beyond earning points, additional travel benefits round out the card’s offerings. Cardholders earn 2,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) toward A-List elite status for every $5,000 spent and receive an annual boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points.
Cardholders also board with Group 5 for earlier access to overhead bins and receive 25% back on in-flight purchases. Other perks include no foreign transaction fees and up to a $120 statement credit every four years for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus.
Business owners can also issue employee cards at no additional cost to help consolidate expenses and earn more points on company spending.
In essence, if your business frequently flies Southwest and you intend to extract value from airline-specific perks and point redemptions within Southwest’s ecosystem, this card may be a worthwhile option.
Find The Best Business Credit Cards For Travel of 2025
How the Companion Pass Fits In
One of the biggest draws of the card’s limited-time welcome offer is its potential to help cardholders qualify for a Southwest Companion Pass.
The pass lets you bring a companion with you on any Southwest flight for only taxes and fees ($5.60 each way). To earn a Companion Pass, you must earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points within a calendar year.
New cardholders can get close to that threshold through this welcome offer. The 120,000-point welcome bonus counts toward Companion Pass qualification, and the $10,000 in spending required to earn it adds at least 10,000 points, leaving only a small gap to close through additional spending.
Given that this pass covers the cost of a one-way flight, it can do some heavy lifting in offsetting a portion of the card’s $299 annual fee.
For Business Owners Who Prefer Simplicity
If you and your business are not airline-loyal enough to commit to a Southwest credit card, Chase offers several options that have earned a spot on Forbes Advisor’s list of the best business credit cards for travel.
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is a smart choice if you want a simple, reliable rewards card for your business. It has no annual fee and earns 1.5% cash back rewards on every business purchase—Nothing complicated, just steady rewards that add up.
New cardholders can also earn $900 bonus cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
You can redeem your rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards or more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. You can also transfer your rewards to airline or hotel loyalty programs for additional value if you carry another Chase card that grants cardholders this feature.
Overall, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card doesn’t have the bells and whistles of a premium travel card, but it’s a straightforward option to use for everyday business spending.
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
The Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ is made for frequent business travelers who value comfort and flexibility. While its $795 annual fee is high, you can plenty of value to offset the cost if you use its perks strategically.
The card earns 8 points per dollar on Chase Travel℠ purchases, 5 total points per dollar spent on eligible Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027), 4 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked direct, 3 points per dollar on social media and search engine advertising, 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
In the welcome bonus department, it offers a sizeable 200,000 bonus points after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
Cardholders also receive perks such as Priority Pass lounge access, a $300 annual travel credit and multiple statement credits, including:
- Up to $100 in statement credits per year when you buy select gift cards.
- Up to $200 in statement credits annually for Google Workspace purchases through December 31, 2027.
- Up to $400 in statement credits each year for purchases from ZipRecruiter through December 31, 2027.
- DoorDash perks valued around $420, including one year of free DashPass membership and up to $300 in eligible order credits.
- Up to $120 in annual credits for qualifying Lyft rides through September 30, 2027.
Because it isn’t tied to a single airline or hotel chain, this card is well suited for businesses with varied travel itineraries. Frequent travelers may find its premium perks justify the cost, while occasional flyers might prefer a lower-fee option.
Bottom Line
The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card* presents an appealing offer for business owners who fly Southwest often and want airline-specific perks, while also helping new cardholders cruise toward earning a Companion Pass.
Nevertheless, alternatives such as the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card or the Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ may better serve businesses with different travel habits.