Capital One Quicksilver 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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This section breaks down why we like the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card.

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• It's an excellent choice for business owners who frequently fly with Southwest Airlines.
• The card provides a clear path toward earning the highly coveted Southwest Companion Pass.
• It comes packed with valuable travel benefits, like upgraded boardings and inflight Wi-Fi credits, that enhance the travel experience.

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Pros

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• Points earned from spending help you qualify for the coveted Southwest Companion Pass.
• Valuable travel perks like upgraded boardings and inflight Wi-Fi credits enhance your travel experience.
• Employee cards are available at no extra cost, helping you consolidate spending and earn rewards faster.

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Cons

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• Carries a significant annual fee that may not be justifiable for infrequent travelers.
• The card’s value is heavily tied to Southwest, offering limited benefits for those who aren't loyal to the airline.
• Lacks some premium travel perks, such as airport lounge access, found on other top-tier business travel cards.

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

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver or Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel preferences. One card is built for simple, everyday rewards, while the other is tailored for frequent flyers of a specific airline.

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• Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card - This card is best for everyday spenders who value simplicity and want to earn flat-rate cash back on every purchase without tracking categories.
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card - This card is ideal for business owners who frequently fly with Southwest Airlines and want to maximize travel-specific perks and rewards.

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Redemption

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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Rewards are earned as straightforward cash back that can be redeemed at any time with no minimums. You can receive your cash back as a statement credit or a check, offering simple and flexible options.

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Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: Points are redeemed through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights on the airline. Cardholders can also use points for other travel-related options like international flights, hotel stays, and rental cars through the airline's partners.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the decision even easier, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards using your own spending data to find the perfect match.

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• Test Drive Cards: The platform’s Test Drive feature lets you simulate your potential earnings with any card using your actual spending history to see which one offers the most value before you apply.
• Personalized Recommendations: Get data-driven suggestions for new cards based on your unique spending patterns, not generic advice.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Sign-Up and Shopping Rewards: Earn rewards for joining, including a $20 bonus after your first eligible purchase of $30 or more, and get extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at partner stores.
• Automated Rewards Maximization: At online checkout, Kudos can automatically select the best card from your digital wallet to maximize your points or cash back on that specific purchase.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who prioritize simplicity and consistent rewards over complex bonus categories. It's particularly well-suited for individuals who prefer a straightforward, flat-rate cash back on all purchases without having to track spending or rotating categories. Additionally, travelers will appreciate the absence of foreign transaction fees, making it a practical option for use both at home and abroad.

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 small to medium-sized businesses whose operations rely heavily on frequent domestic travel with Southwest Airlines. It's particularly valuable for companies aiming to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, as the card's welcome bonus and accelerated earning rates provide a significant boost toward the required qualifying points. Business owners who value inflight productivity and convenience will also appreciate the annual Wi-Fi credits and four upgraded boardings per year.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card vs. Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card comparison didn't produce a clear winner for you, there are other cards to consider. Let's explore a few alternatives that might be a better fit for your wallet.

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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 for approval.
• Know your spending style: Decide if you prefer simple flat-rate rewards or a card tailored to specific travel partners.
• Review issuer rules: Be aware of application restrictions, like Chase’s 5/24 rule, which could affect your eligibility.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements naturally.
• Heed issuer restrictions: Be mindful of rules like Chase's 5/24 rule, which can impact your approval for certain cards.
• Apply for the right card type: Ensure you meet specific requirements, such as having a business for business-focused 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 are the annual fees for these cards?

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The Capital One Quicksilver card typically has no annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card, however, has an annual fee that supports its extensive travel-related benefits.

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Which card is better for a new business?

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New businesses often prefer the Capital One Quicksilver card for its simplicity and no annual fee. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card is generally a better fit for established businesses that can maximize its travel rewards and benefits.

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How do the rewards programs work?

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The Capital One Quicksilver offers unlimited flat-rate cash back on every purchase, which provides straightforward value. In contrast, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card earns Rapid Rewards points, specifically designed to be redeemed for flights and other perks with Southwest Airlines.

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