Amex Business Gold vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: Which Is Better In 2026?

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons why we're fans of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card.

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• Cardholders receive a yearly points bonus that helps make up for the card's annual cost.
• It offers a suite of travel benefits, including priority boarding and free checked bags for you and your travel companions.
• The card provides a way to earn elite status with the airline more quickly through your regular spending.

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Pros

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• Provides a shortcut to earning elite status and the coveted Companion Pass through spending and annual boosts.
• Enhances the travel experience with perks like priority boarding, early check-in opportunities, and discounts on in-flight purchases.
• Offers an annual points bonus to help offset the card's cost and charges no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access, which can make the annual fee feel high for the value provided.
• The card's earning structure is becoming less rewarding, with some bonus categories being removed and others having annual spending caps.
• Points lack flexibility as they can't be transferred to other travel partners, limiting their use primarily to Southwest's own network.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs American Express® Business Gold Card

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Amex Business Gold or Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier, depends on your specific needs as they are designed for very different users.

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• American Express® Business Gold Card is a versatile business tool designed for business owners with variable expenses across multiple categories.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier is a co-branded airline card best suited for semifrequent Southwest flyers who want a balance of perks and value.

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Redemption

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American Express® Business Gold Card: Points are part of a flexible rewards program, allowing you to redeem them for travel, transfer them to airline and hotel partners, or use them for statement credits and gift cards.

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier: As a co-branded airline card, points are primarily redeemed for flights with Southwest Airlines, though they can also be used for other travel-related purchases, merchandise, and gift cards.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For those looking to make a data-backed decision, Kudos offers a tool that compares nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.

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• Test Drive Feature: Simulate potential rewards from any credit card using your actual spending data—no application or hard credit pull required.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of getting a card through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for a card based on your credit report.
• Kudos Boost: Earn additional rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop with Kudos.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+ Reward: Unlock a $100 reward by adding select eligible cards to your Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is tailored for growing companies with variable expenses and annual business spending that exceeds $50,000. Its primary appeal is the automatic 4X Membership Rewards® points earned in your top two spending categories each billing cycle, on up to $150,000 in combined purchases annually, then 1X point per dollar. This structure makes it ideal for businesses that can maximize these flexible rewards to easily offset the $375 annual fee and take advantage of its travel and purchase protections. Terms Apply.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is built for the semifrequent Southwest flyer who wants a balance of useful perks and a moderate annual fee. It's an ideal choice for travelers who fly with the airline occasionally but still want to enjoy travel benefits without paying for a premium card. With benefits like 6,000 anniversary bonus points and two EarlyBird Check-Ins per year, the card's value can easily justify its $149 annual fee for those with some loyalty to the airline.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Amex Business Gold vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect match for your business, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent business credit cards on the market that might be a better fit.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score. Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review application rules. Issuers often have restrictions, like Chase's 5/24 rule or Amex's once-per-lifetime bonus policy.
• Have a plan for the points. Researching transfer partners before applying ensures you can maximize the value of your welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Review bonus eligibility rules, as issuers have unique restrictions like those for Southwest personal cards.
• Prepare your business information if applying for a business card like the American Express® Business Gold Card.
• Time your application to coincide with a large purchase, making it easier to meet a welcome offer's spending requirement.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I transfer points from the American Express Business Gold card to Southwest Airlines?

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No, you cannot directly transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to the Southwest Rapid Rewards program. However, Amex points can be transferred to other airline and hotel partners, offering flexible redemption options. Terms apply.

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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card has a $375 annual fee (See Rates & Fees). The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card has a $99 annual fee.

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Which card is better for earning rewards on business expenses?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card excels at rewarding a wide range of business spending by automatically awarding bonus points in your top two eligible categories each month (Terms apply). The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card focuses its rewards on Southwest Airlines purchases and specific business categories.

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