Ink Business Unlimited® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority
Side-by-side comparison
| Ink Business Unlimited® | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | $229 |
| Welcome offer | ||
| Advertising | 1.5% | 1% |
| Shipping | 1.5% | 1% |
| Office supplies | 1.5% | 1% |
| Phone & internet | 1.5% | 1% |
| Travel | 1.5% | 1% |
| Everything else | 1.5% | 1% |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $675 | $492 |
| Points type | Pools with Chase → transferable | Locked to Southwest Rapid Rewards |
| Network | Visa | Visa |
*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified July 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.
Welcome bonus and value over time
| Over time | Ink Business Unlimited® | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | $1,000 cash back | 60,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points |
| To earn it | $8,000 in 4 months | $2,000 in 3 months |
| Est. first-year value* | $1,675 | $938 |
| Est. ongoing value / yr* | $675 | $338 |
The Ink Business Unlimited® wins on both fronts: it comes out ahead in year one on the welcome offer and stays ahead every year after. Short term or long, it is the stronger pick on the numbers.
*First-year value counts the welcome bonus, estimated rewards, and annual credits, minus the annual fee; ongoing value is a typical year after. Every point at a flat 1 cent.
Perks, credits, and redemptions
| Perks | Ink Business Unlimited® | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | None | None |
| Annual credits | None | ~$75/yr (2 credits) |
| Points & redemptions | Transferable (paired with a premium card) | Locked to a single program |
On perks and redemptions, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority carries the heavier credit stack (about $75 a year); the Ink Business Unlimited® earns transferable points with a higher redemption ceiling, while the other is capped nearer a flat cent. Weigh those against the fee, since credits and lounge access only count if you will actually use them.
Transfer partners and point value
Only the Ink Business Unlimited® earns transferable points. Its Chase Ultimate Rewards move to World of Hyatt, United, Air Canada, Southwest, and British Airways Avios, where a point can be worth several cents on a premium-cabin redemption, far above its cash value. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority stays locked to a single airline or hotel program, so its ceiling is nearer a penny per point no matter how you redeem.
A free business earner versus an airline card, so it depends on whether you want simple business rewards or Southwest travel.
The Ink Unlimited pays a flat 1.5% on everything with no fee, and its points transfer when paired with a premium Chase card. The Southwest Priority rewards Southwest loyalty with a credit and Companion Pass progress. Free business cash vs Southwest perks.
Pros and cons
- Flat 1.5% on all business spend, uncapped
- No annual fee, and points transfer with a premium Chase card
- A large cash welcome bonus
- Simple to use
- Requires a business
- 1.5% base, no elevated categories
- Points cash-only without a premium Chase card
- $75 annual Southwest credit and anniversary points
- Counts toward the Companion Pass
- Free checked bags on Southwest
- A big Rapid Rewards bonus
- $229 fee, only for Southwest flyers
- Points locked to Southwest
- Modest everyday earning
Where each one wins
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Card type | Depends | Free business cash vs Southwest airline card. |
| Everyday rate | Ink Unlimited | Flat 1.5% (transferable-capable) vs the Priority’s airline focus. |
| Annual fee | Ink Unlimited | $0 vs $229. |
| Companion Pass | Southwest Priority | Its spend counts toward it. |
| Best for | Depends | Business owners vs Southwest flyers. |
The verdict
If you run a business and want simple free rewards, the Ink Unlimited is a great no-fee earner, flat 1.5% that becomes transferable in a Chase setup.
If you fly Southwest, the Priority’s Companion Pass progress can be worth far more than flat cash if you’ll use it. Different purposes: free business cash versus Southwest travel. Choose by which fits, and a Southwest-flying business owner could hold both.