American Express® Business Gold vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Side-by-side comparison
| American Express® Business Gold | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $375 | $99 |
| Welcome offer | Up to 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points | |
| Advertising | 4% | 1% |
| Shipping | 4% | 1% |
| Office supplies | 1% | 1% |
| Phone & internet | 1% | 1% |
| Travel | 4% | 1% |
| Everything else | 1% | 1% |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $1,116 | $468 |
| Points type | Transfers to airlines & hotels | Locked to Southwest Rapid Rewards |
| Network | Amex | Visa |
*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.
The verdict
On a typical year of business spending, the American Express® Business Gold earns about $1,116 a year in rewards and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus about $468, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The American Express® Business Gold charges $375, but carries about $240 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus charges $99, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the American Express® Business Gold delivers more total value, about $492 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on advertising and travel. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the American Express® Business Gold earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus stays locked to a single airline or hotel program. Favor the American Express® Business Gold if you will use travel transfers, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the American Express® Business Gold currently has the larger welcome offer. Note that Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus is running a limited-time offer above the usual amount, so that edge may not last. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the American Express® Business Gold if your spending leans toward advertising, shipping, travel.