Southwest Airlines business cards offer up to 120K points plus companion pass

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Southwest Airlines business cards offer up to 120K points plus companion pass

Research

Gary Leff Chief Financial Officer | View from the Wing

By Sky Industry News

Jul 4, 2024

Chase is offering significant incentives for its Southwest Airlines small business credit cards, with the potential to earn up to 120,000 points. The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card both feature these offers.

The bonus points are substantial enough to qualify cardholders for a Companion Pass, which allows them to bring a companion on flights for just the cost of taxes. This can effectively double the value of the earned points, translating into approximately $3,000 in travel value.

A Southwest Airlines Companion Pass requires 135,000 eligible points within a year. However, co-brand credit card customers receive a 10,000-point boost towards this requirement. Thus, earning 120,000 bonus points after meeting spending requirements will result in at least 145,000 points—more than sufficient for a Companion Pass. The pass remains valid for the rest of the calendar year it is earned and through the entire following year.

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The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card offers an initial 80,000 points after spending $5,000 within three months from account opening and an additional 40,000 points after spending $15,000 within nine months. Ongoing rewards include 4X points on Southwest purchases; 3X points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car partners; 2X points on rideshare; and various other categories. Additional benefits include annual bonus points, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credits every four years, upgraded boarding reimbursements when available, and inflight WiFi credits. The card has an annual fee of $199.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card provides an initial 60,000 points after spending $3,000 within three months from account opening and another 60,000 points after spending $15,000 within nine months. Ongoing rewards include 3X points on Southwest purchases; 2X points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners; and other categories. Benefits include annual bonus points and EarlyBird Check-In each year. This card has a $99 annual fee.

Both cards are subject to Chase’s "5/24" rule—approval may be limited if applicants have opened five or more new credit accounts in the past two years. Eligibility also depends on not currently holding the card or having received its initial bonus in the past two years.

The author disclosed that they do not currently hold a Southwest business card but find these offers particularly appealing given their previous experience with similar cards.