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

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we think the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business card is a top choice for frequent flyers of the airline.

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• It provides a clear and accelerated path toward earning the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, one of the most valuable perks in domestic travel.
• The card is packed with valuable benefits that directly enhance the travel experience on Southwest flights, such as upgraded boarding and inflight Wi-Fi credits.
• Designed for business owners, it offers practical features like free employee cards that help consolidate company spending and maximize rewards.

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Pros

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• Flexible point redemptions for any available seat on Southwest flights, with no blackout dates.
• Free employee cards help businesses consolidate spending and maximize reward earnings across the company.
• Includes a fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS, plus other valuable travel perks like upgraded boardings.

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Cons

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• The card’s value is heavily concentrated on Southwest, making it less suitable for businesses that need the flexibility to fly with other airlines.
• It lacks some premium travel perks found on other business cards, such as airport lounge access, and points are not transferable to other loyalty programs.

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

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Categories

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When deciding which is better Capital One Quicksilver Student or Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business, it's crucial to recognize they are designed for entirely different users and financial goals.

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• Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is best for students who want to build their credit history while earning rewards, and is also a good option for those studying abroad.
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: This card is tailored for business owners and employees who are frequent travelers on Southwest Airlines and want to maximize airline-specific perks.

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Redemption

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Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers straightforward cash back rewards that can be redeemed in a variety of flexible ways, such as for a statement credit or a check.

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Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: With this card, you earn points that are redeemable primarily for Southwest Airlines flights, but can also be used for other travel-related purchases like hotels and car rentals.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision based on your actual spending, a tool like Kudos helps you compare top-rated cards and see which will earn you the most.

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• Test drive a credit card to see personalized calculations of your potential earnings based on your real spending data, all before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
• Unlock Kudos Boost to earn additional rewards on top of your credit card points when shopping at your favorite stores.
• Monitor your transactions, spending, and credit score all in one place.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards credit card is an excellent choice for college students looking to build their credit history while earning simple, flat-rate cash back on everyday purchases. It’s especially well-suited for international students or those who study abroad, as it carries no foreign transaction fees, and for student travelers who can earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel. Ultimately, this card is ideal for any student who wants a no-annual-fee option that makes earning rewards and establishing credit a straightforward process.

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

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The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is tailor-made for business owners who are loyal to Southwest Airlines and travel frequently for work. It's particularly valuable for companies aiming to earn the coveted Companion Pass or those with multiple employees, as free employee cards help pool points faster. Ultimately, this card suits entrepreneurs who want premium travel benefits like upgraded boardings and inflight Wi-Fi without paying the higher annual fees typical of other top-tier travel cards.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business comparison didn't surface the right card for you, don't worry. There are several other excellent cards on the market that might be a better match for your wallet.

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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.}

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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, though some student cards are more flexible.
• Review issuer rules: Be aware of application restrictions like Chase’s 5/24 rule or specific eligibility requirements for business and student cards.
• Have a plan for your points: Research the card’s transfer partners and redemption options to ensure you can maximize their value.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application with a large planned purchase to help meet any minimum spending requirements.
• Take advantage of soft-pull applications when available to see your offer before committing to a hard inquiry.
• Confirm unique eligibility, such as student status for student cards or business ownership for business cards.

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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What credit score do I need for these cards?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is generally aimed at applicants with fair to good credit, while the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card typically requires a good to excellent credit score for approval.

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How do the annual fees compare?

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There is no annual fee for the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card. The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card, however, has a $199 annual fee to support its extensive travel perks.

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Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card only for business owners?

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While it is a business credit card, eligibility isn't limited to traditional business owners. Freelancers, independent contractors, and individuals with a side hustle may also qualify for the card based on their business income.

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