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The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) currently offers an incredible 120,000 bonus Southwest points after spending $10,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
We’ve never seen a higher offer for this card. It’s not unrealistic to be able to book $1,500 in Southwest flights with this bonus, and you can double that value if you earn a Southwest Companion Pass (more details on that below).
Here’s what you need to know about one of the best welcome bonuses on the market.
How to get a companion pass for two years
How to earn the Southwest Companion Pass
To earn the Companion Pass, you must accrue a whopping 135,000 qualifying Southwest points in a calendar year. That’s typically a challenge—but with the current Southwest Performance Business Card bonus, you’ll earn it automatically after earning the card’s intro offer. Here’s why:
- The 120,000 bonus points qualify for the Companion Pass.
- The points you earn from the $10,000 you’ll spend to earn the bonus qualify for the Companion Pass.
- The card comes with an annual 10,000-point boost toward the Companion Pass (though note that these points are not redeemable for flights).
You’ll have at least 140,000 Southwest-qualifying points by the time you achieve the bonus. Keep in mind, you need 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year.
How to time the Southwest Companion Pass for maximum value
The Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the year you earn it, as well as the following calendar year. In other words, the earlier in the year you earn it, the longer you can use it.
For example, if you open the Southwest Performance Business Card in October, you can strategically finish meeting your minimum spending requirement in January (near the end of your three-month window). This will ensure that your 120,000-point bonus posts to your account in 2026—giving you nearly two full years to use the Companion Pass.
One caveat with this tactic: Any minimum spending that posts in 2025 will not count toward the Companion Pass in 2026. Depending on how much you’ve spent toward the spending requirement in 2025, you may have to earn more points before receiving the Companion Pass in 2026.
Make the most of your next trip with one of these top travel credit cards
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How to qualify for this card
Before submitting an application, make sure you meet the following requirements:
- Chase 5/24 rule: If you’ve opened five or more credit cards from any bank (excluding most small business credit cards), you aren’t eligible to open the Southwest Performance Business Card.
- Southwest credit card offer rules: You’re not eligible for this welcome bonus if you currently hold the Southwest Performance Business Card or have received its welcome bonus within the last 24 months.
- Small business owner: This card is only for business owners. That said, if you drive for Uber, own an Etsy shop, or deliver with DoorDash, you may qualify for a business card.
Offsetting Southwest’s negative changes
Southwest’s entire operations are under the knife as the airline performs some elective surgery on its policies and popular Rapid Rewards program—the outcome of which has received mixed reviews (to put things delicately). But with the Southwest Performance Business Card, you can offset many of the negative changes.
For example, Southwest eliminated its policy of two free checked bags per person. Fortunately, this card offers the first checked bag free for you and up to eight passengers on the same reservation.
Also, beginning January 27, 2026, Southwest will no longer offer open seating. Cardholders will get group 5 boarding, meaning you’ll still have plenty of overhead bin space to choose from. You’ll also get the ability to select a Preferred or Standard seat at the time of booking—and it even lets you upgrade to an Extra Legroom seat 48 hours prior to departure (if available) for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation.
Again, this softens the blow of Southwest’s transformation, giving you a taste of how things once were.
The card also comes with valuable perks like 9,000 Southwest points after each account anniversary, 25% back on inflight purchases, and up to $120 in Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS fee credit (great for speeding through airport security).
All to say, the Southwest Priority Card is worth much, much more than its current 120,000-point bonus.
Other cards that earn Southwest points (indirectly)
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase’s travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Long list of travel and shopping protections
- $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit
- Has an annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase TravelSM
- 10% anniversary points boost – each account anniversary you’ll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business brings over $2,500 in value to business owners who value travel and premium experiences
- $400 in annual statement credits on purchases made directly with ZipRecruiter.
- $300 annual travel credit each anniversary year
- $120 Global Entry, TSA Precheck or Nexus fee credit every four years
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with your complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, including Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations with two complimentary guests
- Can transfer rewards to all of Chase’s 14 travel partners
- IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status through 12/31/27
- Comprehensive suite of travel and purchase protections
- High annual fee
- Significant value tied to statement credits
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening and with more than $2,500 in annual value, there’s no competition.
- Earn 8x points on Chase TravelSM for airline tickets, hotels, including The EditSM, car rentals, cruises, activities and tours.
- Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
- Earn 4x points on flights & hotels booked direct.
- Earn 3x points on social media & search engine advertising.
- Get the most flexible travel credit compared to any other card, with up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year on travel purchases.
- Enjoy complimentary access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club network and Priority PassTM Select membership. Two guests may accompany the Primary Cardmember to the lounges free of charge.
- Member FDIC
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