Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier
VS
Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
The short answer: The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card delivers a bit more value for most spenders.

Side-by-side comparison

Southwest Rapid Rewards® PremierHilton Honors American Express Business Card
Annual fee$149$195
Welcome offer50,000 85,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points (limited-time)130,000 points
Advertising1%3%
Shipping1%5%
Office supplies1%3%
Phone & internet1%5%
Travel1%5%
Everything else1%3%
Est. yearly rewards*$474$1,638
Points typeLocked to Southwest Rapid RewardsLocked to Hilton Honors
NetworkVisaAmex

*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 Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier earns about $474 a year in rewards and the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card about $1,638, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier charges $149, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card charges $195, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card delivers more total value, about $1,118 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on everything else and travel. Neither leans on transferable points, so the deciding factors are the welcome offer, the card network, and which everyday perks you will actually use. On the sign-up bonus, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card currently has the larger welcome offer. Note that Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier 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 Hilton Honors American Express Business Card if your spending leans toward advertising, shipping, office supplies.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier or the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card better?
On typical business spending, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $1,118 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier can be the better fit if your spending lines up with its stronger categories. Run both through the Cardocrat calculator to see your own numbers.
Can I have both the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier and the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card?
In most cases yes, as long as you meet each issuer's approval rules (for example Chase's 5/24 rule). Many people hold complementary cards to cover more bonus categories, then pool or redeem the rewards together where the program allows.
Which has the better welcome bonus, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier or the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card?
As of June 2026, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier offers 85,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points and the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card offers 130,000 points. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.