The British Airways Visa and Southwest Performance Business are closely matched. British Airways Visa wins on 2 categories (90,000 pts signup bonus); Southwest Performance Business wins on 2 (80,000 pts signup bonus). The better pick depends on your spending patterns.
British Airways Visa vs Southwest Performance Business
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.
Comparison Method
CardCurator compares measurable differences first: annual fee, current welcome offer, top-end earning, and recurring credits. If the cards are close, the right answer depends on spending pattern and perk usage rather than headline prestige.
- British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia 3x
- hotel accommodations when booked directly with the hotel 2x
- All Other Purchases 1x
- Southwest Airlines 4x
- Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partners 3x
- Social Media and Search Engine Advertising, Internet, Cable and Phone Services 2x
- WiFi Credit $8
- Global Entry / TSA PreCheck $100
- Four Upgraded Boardings Per Year
- In-Flight WiFi Credits
- 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points
- +1 more
- Travel Together Ticket every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways credit card. Valid for two years when you redeem Avios for a flight on British Airways for a companion traveling on the same flight, or use it for a 50% discount on the Avios price you pay when booking a solo reward flightAfter $30,000 spend
- 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List statusAfter $10,000 spend
Quick summary
A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.
The British Airways Visa and Southwest Performance Business are closely matched. British Airways Visa wins on 2 categories (90,000 pts signup bonus); Southwest Performance Business wins on 2 (80,000 pts signup bonus). The better pick depends on your spending patterns. On raw upside, British Airways Visa tops out at 3x versus 4x for Southwest Performance Business. Current signup bonus values are roughly $1360 for British Airways Visa and $1120 for Southwest Performance Business. Updated May 30, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/british-airways-visa-vs-southwest-performance-business
- British Airways Visa wins 2 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
- Top earn rate: British Airways Visa reaches 3x; Southwest Performance Business reaches 4x.
- Annual fee: British Airways Visa is $95/yr; Southwest Performance Business is $299/yr.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $1360 and $1120.
Common Questions: British Airways Visa vs Southwest Performance Business
Is the British Airways Visa or Southwest Performance Business better for dining?
Neither card offers a specific dining bonus — both earn their base rate on restaurant purchases.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
British Airways Visa currently offers 90,000 pts signup bonus (spend $5,000 in 3 months). Southwest Performance Business offers 80,000 pts signup bonus (spend $5,000 in 3 months). British Airways Visa has the larger bonus.
Which card is better for international travel?
Both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international travel.
Can I hold both the British Airways Visa and the Southwest Performance Business?
In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Both cards are from Chase, so check their specific application rules.