How do you resolve which of Southwest Airways’ improbable enterprise bank cards to use for — the Southwest Fast Rewards® Efficiency Enterprise Credit score Card or the Southwest Fast Rewards® Premier Enterprise Credit score Card?
At the moment, we’ll take a look at how these two playing cards stack up and allow you to reply an necessary query: Which Southwest enterprise bank card is best for you?
Associated: Evaluating the Southwest Fast Rewards Precedence, Premier and Plus bank cards
Efficiency Enterprise vs. Premier Enterprise overview
| Southwest Fast Rewards Efficiency Enterprise Credit score Card | Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Enterprise Credit score Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual payment | $199 | $99 |
| Signal-up bonus | Earn 80,000 factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. | Earn 60,000 factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
| Incomes charges | 4 factors per greenback spent on Southwest purchases
3 factors per greenback spent on Fast Rewards resort and automotive rental associate purchases 2 factors per greenback spent on native transit and commuting (together with ride-hailing providers); on social media and search engine promoting; and on web, cable and telephone providers 1 level per greenback spent in every single place else |
3 factors per greenback spent on Southwest purchases
2 factors per greenback spent on Fast Rewards resort and automotive rental associate purchases, and on native transit and commuting (together with ride-hailing providers) 1 level per greenback spent in every single place else |
| Anniversary bonus factors | 9,000 | 6,000 |
| Elite qualifying advantages | Earn 1,500 tier qualifying factors for each $5,000 in purchases | Earn 1,500 tier qualifying factors for each $5,000 in purchases |
| Perks and assertion credit | Reimbursement for as much as 4 A1-A15 boarding passes per anniversary 12 months when out there
As much as 365 $8 inflight Wi-Fi credit per 12 months (covers all-day passes) As much as $120 each 4 years to cowl enrollment charges for International Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus |
Two EarlyBird Test-Ins every anniversary 12 months
25% again on inflight purchases |
Efficiency Enterprise vs. Premier Enterprise welcome bonus
With the Southwest Efficiency Enterprise, new cardholders earn 80,000 factors after spending $5,000 within the first three months from account opening. In the meantime, new cardholders earn 60,000 factors with the Southwest Premier Enterprise after spending $3,000 within the first three months from account opening. These bonuses are value $1,080 and $810, respectively, per TPG’s March 2025 valuations.
The present presents on each playing cards are removed from the greatest presents now we have seen, so for those who’re after a bigger stash of Fast Reward factors, it may be value ready for a greater supply.
Winner: Southwest Efficiency Enterprise. The bigger welcome supply makes this card a straightforward decide over its sibling.
Efficiency Enterprise vs. Premier Enterprise advantages
When evaluating an entry-level card to its premium competitors, the important thing query to ask your self is, “Do the elevated advantages outweigh the extra price of the annual payment?” On this case, the Southwest Efficiency Enterprise prices $100 extra annually than the Southwest Premier Enterprise, in order that’s the edge for added advantages it must be value it.
The Efficiency Enterprise begins sturdy by providing 9,000 bonus factors in your account anniversary versus 6,000 with the Premier Enterprise. As of March 2025, TPG values Southwest factors at 1.35 cents every, and since Southwest makes use of a revenue-based award pricing mannequin, you must be capable to rating this precise redemption worth with none actual work. The Premier Enterprise anniversary bonus is value $81, whereas the Efficiency Enterprise anniversary bonus is value $122.
The following standout advantage of the Efficiency Enterprise card is the Wi-Fi credit score. Primarily, you should buy an $ 8 day move every single day of the 12 months, or not less than as many days as you really fly Southwest. For enterprise vacationers who worth their time, it is a nice perk that may be extremely helpful. When you fly Southwest simply eight occasions per 12 months, your Wi-Fi credit would come out to $64 and nearly cowl the distinction within the annual payment for the Efficiency Enterprise card.
Every day Publication
Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day e-newsletter
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
When you fly greater than that, the selection turns into even clearer. The Efficiency Enterprise card additionally comes with 4 space-available A1-A15 precedence boarding passes. As a cardholder, you buy the upgraded boardings utilizing your Efficiency Enterprise card and are reimbursed for as much as 4 purchases. Southwest costs between $30 and $80 per round-trip flight for these, so even on the low finish, this represents $120 a 12 months in further financial savings.
Winner: Southwest Efficiency Enterprise. Larger annual charges typically carry higher advantages, and the Efficiency Enterprise does not disappoint.
Associated: Are airline bank cards value it anymore?
Incomes factors with the Efficiency Enterprise vs. Premier Enterprise
The Southwest Efficiency Enterprise additionally has noticeably higher bonus classes, however these solely make sense for those who can reap the benefits of them.
The Efficiency Enterprise presents 4 Fast Rewards factors per greenback spent on Southwest purchases as an alternative of the three factors per greenback spent you may earn with the Premier Enterprise, plus 3 factors per greenback spent on Fast Rewards resort and automotive rental associate purchases as an alternative of the two factors per greenback spent with the Premier Enterprise. You will additionally take pleasure in 2 factors per greenback spent on native transit and commuting (together with ride-hailing providers) with each playing cards, although the Efficiency Enterprise additionally presents 2 factors per greenback spent on social media and search engine promoting and on web, cable and telephone providers.
After all, there’s nonetheless a compelling case to go for the Premier Enterprise as an alternative. When you fly Southwest solely sometimes — and do not spend tons on social media and search engine promoting or web, cable and telephone providers — you won’t be capable to get the complete worth out of the Efficiency Enterprise’ incomes charges.
Winner: Southwest Efficiency Enterprise. Its increased incomes charges and further bonus class make it a winner towards the Premier Enterprise.
Associated: Straightforward methods to earn Southwest Fast Rewards factors
Redeeming factors with the Efficiency Enterprise vs. Premier Enterprise
The first technique to redeem Fast Rewards factors is by utilizing them for Southwest-operated flights. Southwest has an easy redemption course of the place the price of a flight in factors aligns with its money value. Which means that no distinctive offers can be found, nevertheless it ensures that you simply constantly obtain worth to your rewards.
Redeeming Southwest factors is a straightforward on-line course of when reserving flights on the Southwest web site. As an alternative of paying with money, you select the “Factors” possibility, and the web site will show the corresponding award pricing to your chosen itinerary. You will need to observe that, like with any airline’s award tickets, further taxes and costs are nonetheless relevant, beginning at $5.60 per manner. Nevertheless, tickets booked with factors are absolutely refundable, and there are not any penalties for cancellations so long as you cancel not less than 10 minutes earlier than the scheduled departure time.
Redeeming the factors you earn in your Southwest enterprise playing cards can unlock new alternatives for your loved ones and your enterprise. Because of Southwest Fast Rewards factors, TPG Managing Editor Erica Silverstein was in a position to take her household on their first huge theme park journey.
Whereas Southwest additionally presents worldwide flights, accommodations and automotive leases by its journey portal, the charges for these choices are typically not as favorable as when utilizing your factors for Southwest-operated flights.
Winner: Tie. Since each playing cards have the identical redemption choices, there is no clear winner right here.
Associated: Southwest Fast Rewards is now providing Money + Factors redemption
Ought to I get the Efficiency Enterprise or Premier Enterprise?
With the Southwest Efficiency Enterprise’ 9,000 anniversary bonus factors, Wi-Fi credit and superior precedence boarding passes, the cardboard is definitely worth the elevated annual payment for those who fly Southwest often. Nevertheless, the Premier Enterprise is healthier in case you are a much less common flyer because it has a decrease annual payment.
Associated: How to decide on an airline bank card
The way to swap from the Efficiency Enterprise to the Premier Enterprise
Whereas it’s potential to change between these two playing cards, it is a greater concept to open each so that you simply aren’t lacking out on bonus factors from their welcome presents. That being stated, if you wish to swap between these two playing cards, you may have to name Chase’s customer support and request the product change. You will not be capable to do it on-line or by the app.
Earlier than switching, see for those who can safe a suggestion to improve your Premier Enterprise to a Efficiency Enterprise.
Associated: Full information to downgrading and product-changing to earn sign-up bonuses on Chase Sapphire playing cards
Backside line
Irrespective of which Southwest card you resolve to use for, you must be capable to earn appreciable worth. You will get nice Southwest perks and incomes potential with both card. The suitable one for you’ll merely boil all the way down to your enterprise wants and priorities.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluations of the Southwest Efficiency Enterprise and Southwest Premier Enterprise.
Apply right here: Southwest Fast Rewards Efficiency Enterprise Credit score Card
Apply right here: Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Enterprise Credit score Card
Associated: Airline bank cards vs. journey bank cards: That are greatest?
