The Southwest Performance Business edges out the Southwest Plus for most cardholders — it wins on 3 of 4 comparison categories and offers 80,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 4x vs 2x). The Southwest Plus is the better choice if you want no or lower annual fee.
Southwest Performance Business vs Southwest Plus
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.
- Southwest Airlines 4x
- Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partners 3x
- Social Media and Search Engine Advertising, Internet, Cable and Phone Services 2x
- Southwest Purchases 2x
- Gas Stations and Grocery Stores 2x
- All Other Purchases 1x
- WiFi Credit $8
- Global Entry / TSA PreCheck $100
- Four Upgraded Boardings Per Year
- In-Flight WiFi Credits
- 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points
- +1 more
- 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 Southwest Performance Business edges out the Southwest Plus for most cardholders — it wins on 3 of 4 comparison categories and offers 80,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 4x vs 2x). The Southwest Plus is the better choice if you want no or lower annual fee. On raw upside, Southwest Performance Business tops out at 4x versus 2x for Southwest Plus. Current signup bonus values are roughly $1120 for Southwest Performance Business and $800 for Southwest Plus. Updated May 30, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/southwest-performance-business-vs-southwest-plus
- Southwest Performance Business wins 3 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
- Top earn rate: Southwest Performance Business reaches 4x; Southwest Plus reaches 2x.
- Annual fee: Southwest Performance Business is $299/yr; Southwest Plus is $99/yr.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $1120 and $800.
Common Questions: Southwest Performance Business vs Southwest Plus
Is the Southwest Performance Business or Southwest Plus 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?
Southwest Performance Business currently offers 80,000 pts signup bonus (spend $5,000 in 3 months). Southwest Plus offers 80,000 pts signup bonus (spend $1,000 in 3 months). Southwest Performance Business 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 Southwest Performance Business and the Southwest Plus?
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.