American Express Business Green Rewards Card vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Side-by-side comparison
| American Express Business Green Rewards Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $99 |
| Welcome offer | 15,000 Membership Rewards points | |
| Advertising | 1% | 1% |
| Shipping | 1% | 1% |
| Office supplies | 1% | 1% |
| Phone & internet | 1% | 1% |
| Travel | 1% | 1% |
| Everything else | 1% | 1% |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $450 | $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 Green Rewards Card earns about $450 a year in rewards and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus about $468, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The American Express Business Green Rewards Card charges $95, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus charges $99, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The two are close on value, but the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus edges ahead by about $14 a year. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the American Express Business Green Rewards Card 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 Green Rewards Card if you will use travel transfers, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus currently has the larger welcome offer (a limited-time offer above its usual amount, so treat it as a one-time boost). A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.