Capital One Quicksilver Secured vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business: Which Is Better In 2026?

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2163", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Top Travel Pick" } ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a closer look at why we think the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business card is a top choice for brand-loyal businesses.

‍

• It provides a clear pathway to earning the coveted Southwest Companion Pass and A-List status through everyday spending.
• The card comes loaded with valuable travel perks like upgraded boarding and inflight Wi-Fi credits that significantly enhance the travel experience on Southwest.

‍

‍

Pros

‍

• Generous rewards on Southwest flights and popular business spending categories.
• A strong set of travel benefits, including a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® and no foreign transaction fees.
• Business-friendly features like free employee cards to help consolidate spending and pool rewards.

‍

Cons

‍

• Carries a significant annual fee without offering premium benefits like airport lounge access, a drawback noted in a recent card review.
• The card’s value is heavily tied to Southwest, as its points lack the flexibility to be transferred to other airline or hotel partners.

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business vs Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards

‍

Categories

‍

When deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver Secured or Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business, it's essential to understand that these cards serve fundamentally different purposes. Each is designed for a distinct type of cardholder with unique financial goals.

‍

• Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is best for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit history while earning rewards. It provides a clear path toward graduating to an unsecured card with responsible use.
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: This business card is tailored for frequent Southwest Airlines flyers who want to maximize their travel benefits. It offers numerous airline-specific perks and helps users earn elite status and companion travel benefits.

‍

Redemption

‍

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: Cardholders earn cash back on every purchase, which can be redeemed in a variety of flexible ways, such as a statement credit or a check.

‍

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed primarily for flights on Southwest Airlines, as well as for other travel purchases through the airline's portal.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

‍

• Use the 'Test Drive' feature to simulate your potential earnings with any card using your real spending data, all before you apply.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
• Automatically use the best card at checkout with the autofill feature to ensure you're always maximizing rewards.
• Earn extra Kudos Boost rewards on top of your regular card rewards when you shop at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards?

‍

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for individuals with fair or poor credit who are focused on building or rebuilding their credit score. According to a Credit Karma review, it's particularly appealing because it allows you to earn a competitive 1.5% cash back on every purchase, a rare perk in the secured card market. The ideal cardholder is someone who pays their balance in full each month to avoid interest and values the opportunity to potentially upgrade to an unsecured card after demonstrating responsible use.

Who Should Choose the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business?

‍

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business card is tailor-made for business owners and entrepreneurs who are loyal to Southwest Airlines for their travel needs. It's an excellent fit for companies aiming to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass or those with multiple employees who travel, thanks to free employee cards that pool rewards into a single account. Ultimately, this card is for businesses that can fully leverage Southwest-specific benefits, turning regular travel expenses into significant rewards and premium perks.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If our Capital One Quicksilver Secured vs. Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business comparison didn't reveal the right card for you, don't fret. There are plenty of other excellent options available that might be a better match for your wallet.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

‍

_{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

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Know the issuer's rules - Be aware of application restrictions like Chase's 5/24 rule or other issuer-specific policies.
• Plan your spending - Ensure you can comfortably meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer without forcing purchases.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Timing your application strategically helps align with large purchases or maximize benefits like a companion pass.
• Using pre-approval tools lets you check your odds without a hard inquiry and allows you to decline a subpar offer.
• Considering business credit cards can unlock valuable perks if you have a side hustle, as they often follow different application rules.

Our Methodology

‍

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.

‍

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

‍

What kind of credit score do I need for these cards?

‍

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for individuals building or rebuilding their credit, making it accessible to those with lower scores. In contrast, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card typically requires a good to excellent credit score for approval.

‍

Is there an annual fee for either card?

‍

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee, though it does require a refundable security deposit. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card comes with an annual fee, reflecting its premium travel benefits.

‍

How do the rewards programs differ?

‍

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card offers straightforward cash back on all purchases. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card, on the other hand, earns Rapid Rewards points specifically for use with Southwest Airlines.

‍

‍