Chase just announced a significantly enhanced welcome offer for the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card, and it's creating serious buzz in the business travel community. Starting September 18, 2025, new cardholders can earn a whopping 120,000 Rapid Rewards points after spending $10,000 in the first three months.

This represents a substantial upgrade from previous offers and could be a game-changer for business owners looking to maximize their Southwest travel strategy.

What Makes This Offer Special

The 120,000-point welcome bonus is among the highest we've seen for Southwest business cards. At an average value of 1.2 cents per point, you're looking at roughly $1,440 in travel value, which more than justifies the $299 annual fee for the first year alone.

But the real value lies in how these points accelerate your path to Southwest's coveted Companion Pass. With this single welcome bonus, you're already 120,000 points toward the 135,000 qualifying points needed for Companion Pass status, meaning you'd only need to earn an additional 15,000 points through spending or flying to unlock the pass that lets a designated companion fly free for the rest of the qualification year and all of the following year.

Card Benefits That Matter for Business Travel

Beyond the welcome bonus, the Southwest Performance Business card delivers substantial ongoing value for frequent Southwest flyers. The annual 9,000 bonus points mean you're essentially getting $108+ in travel value each year, significantly offsetting the annual fee.

The first checked bag benefit extends to you and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation, which can save hundreds on business trips with colleagues or clients. For companies that frequently send teams to conferences or client meetings, this benefit alone can justify the card's cost.

The 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year makes maintaining Companion Pass status much more achievable for business owners who may not fly personally as frequently but still want to maximize family travel benefits.

Strategic Spending Categories for Business Owners

The card's earning structure is thoughtfully designed for business expenses. You'll earn 4x points on Southwest purchases, 2x points on gas stations and restaurants, 2x on hotel accommodations booked directly with hotels, and 2x on local transit and rideshare services.

The temporary enhanced categories running through December 31, 2025, are particularly valuable for modern businesses. Earning 3x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners plus 2x points on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services means your digital marketing budget and essential business services are working harder for your travel goals.

Real-World Redemption Value

Those 120,000 points translate into serious travel opportunities. You could book round-trip flights to Costa Rica for just 14,000 points, leaving you with over 100,000 points for additional trips. A ski weekend in Colorado runs about 16,000 points, while that dream Hawaii business retreat costs only 20,500 points round-trip.

For business owners who regularly attend conferences, trade shows, or client meetings, this points balance could cover domestic travel for most of a year, depending on your travel frequency and destinations.

How This Fits Into Your Companion Pass Strategy

If you're already working toward Southwest's Companion Pass, this offer provides unprecedented acceleration. Combined with strategic spending on one of the personal Southwest cards like the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, you could potentially earn Companion Pass qualification in record time.

The key is timing your applications strategically. Since Companion Pass qualification resets each January, you'll want to ensure you can hit the spending requirement and earn your points in a calendar year when you can maximize the pass benefits.

Who Should Consider This Card

This enhanced offer makes sense for several specific profiles. Business owners who frequently fly Southwest for conferences, client meetings, or regular business travel will find immediate value in the baggage benefits and earning structure.

Entrepreneurs building toward Companion Pass who want to accelerate their qualification timeline should seriously consider this offer, especially if they can organically meet the $10,000 spending requirement through legitimate business expenses.

Companies that regularly send multiple employees on Southwest flights will see substantial savings from the group baggage benefits, potentially saving hundreds per trip compared to paying individual baggage fees.

The Competition Comparison

When compared to other business travel cards, the Southwest Performance Business holds its own in specific scenarios. While premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or American Express Business Platinum offer broader travel flexibility and luxury perks, the Southwest card excels for businesses with predictable Southwest travel patterns.

The Companion Pass potential sets it apart from other airline-specific business cards, offering unique value that extends beyond the primary cardholder to personal travel benefits.

Important Considerations Before Applying

The $10,000 spending requirement within three months is substantial and should only be attempted with legitimate business expenses you'd make anyway. Manufactured spending to hit this threshold isn't worth the risk to your credit profile or relationship with Chase.

Consider your business's Southwest travel patterns over the next two years. If your routes are well-served by Southwest and you appreciate the airline's policies and service, this card makes sense. If you primarily fly other carriers or need international travel flexibility, other business cards might serve you better.

The $299 annual fee is significant but justified if you use the card's benefits. Calculate whether the baggage savings, anniversary points, and earning potential offset this cost based on your actual travel patterns.

Bottom Line

This enhanced 120,000-point offer represents exceptional value for the right business traveler. The combination of substantial welcome bonus, practical business travel benefits, and Companion Pass acceleration potential creates a compelling package that's hard to match in the current market.

If you're a business owner with regular Southwest travel, working toward Companion Pass, or looking to optimize business travel expenses, this limited-time offer deserves serious consideration. The key is acting quickly while ensuring you can meet the spending requirement through legitimate business expenses.

For businesses already committed to the Southwest ecosystem, this could be the most valuable credit card offer of 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long is this 120,000-point offer available?A: Chase hasn't announced an end date, but enhanced welcome offers are typically limited-time promotions. The offer started September 18, 2025.

Q: Do the 120,000 welcome bonus points count toward Companion Pass qualification?A: Yes, welcome bonus points earned from Southwest credit cards count toward the 135,000 points needed for Companion Pass qualification.

Q: Can I get this card if I already have other Southwest credit cards?A: Yes, you can hold multiple Southwest cards simultaneously, but you're subject to Chase's 5/24 rule for new approvals.

Q: Is the $10,000 spending requirement realistic for small businesses?A: This depends on your business size and expenses. Only pursue this requirement with legitimate business spending you'd make regardless of the card offer