American Express® Business Platinum vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business
Side-by-side comparison
| American Express® Business Platinum | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $895 | $299 |
| Welcome offer | Up to 300,000 Membership Rewards® Points | 80,000 points |
| Advertising | 1% | 1% |
| Shipping | 1% | 1% |
| Office supplies | 1% | 1% |
| Phone & internet | 1% | 1% |
| Travel | 5% | 4% |
| Everything else | 1% | 1% |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $642 | $636 |
| 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 Platinum earns about $642 a year in rewards and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business about $636, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The American Express® Business Platinum charges $895, but carries about $1,530 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business charges $299, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the American Express® Business Platinum delivers more total value, about $175 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on travel. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the American Express® Business Platinum earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business stays locked to a single airline or hotel program. Favor the American Express® Business Platinum if you will use travel transfers, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the American Express® Business Platinum currently has the larger welcome offer. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the American Express® Business Platinum if your spending leans toward travel.