Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Worth the $149 Annual Fee?
Likely yes. On a typical business budget the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business earns about $588 a year in rewards, which already clears the $149 fee with $439 to spare, before counting any perks. Heavier spenders come out further ahead.
Credits and benefits
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business does not lean on statement credits to justify its $149 fee, so the case for it rests on rewards, the welcome bonus, and any perks like transfer partners or travel protections. That makes the math simpler: the rewards have to clear the fee.
What you earn on spending
Credits are only half the story; the card also earns rewards every time you swipe. On $45,000 of annual business spending, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business earns about $588 a year at a flat 1 cent per point. Because this is a business card, the rate below reflects a representative small-business budget. See the full category breakdown in our Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business review, or run your own numbers in the rewards calculator.
The break-even
Add it up. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business costs $149 a year. It leans on rewards, and everyday rewards add about $588. That is a net of $439 in your favor every year you hold it, before any welcome bonus. First-year holders also collect a welcome bonus worth about $600, pushing the first-year total to roughly $1,039.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business worth the annual fee?
- Likely yes. On a typical business budget the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business earns about $588 a year in rewards, which already clears the $149 fee with $439 to spare, before counting any perks. Heavier spenders come out further ahead.
- How do you offset the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business annual fee?
- Through rewards and the welcome bonus. On a typical budget the card earns about $588 a year, clearing the fee on its own.
- Is there a no-annual-fee alternative to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business?
- Yes. If you cannot clear the $149 fee, a no-fee card keeps every dollar of rewards as profit. See our ranked no-fee picks to compare.
