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Blue Business Cash Card from American Express vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Blue Business Cash Card from American Express comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business from Chase at $299/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($79,750 more in estimated value) than the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express's. Get the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business first; revisit the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureBlue Business Cash Card from American ExpressSouthwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business
Annual fee$0$299
Sign-up bonus$250 statement credit80,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$250$80,000
Min spend to unlock bonus$3,000 in 3 mo$5,000 in 3 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressChase
Card categorybusinesstravel
Best earning category (All_purchases_first_50k_per_year)2x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • 2% cash back up to $50K/yr
  • $0 annual fee
  • 0% intro APR 12 months
  • Auto-credited to statement
    Read the full review
    Blue Business Cash Card from American Express
    $0/yr · $250 statement credit
    Read the full review
    Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business
    $299/yr · 80,000 points

    Editorial take: Blue Business Cash Card from American Express

    The cash-back twin of the Blue Business Plus. Same 2% catch-all up to $50K/year, but you get automatic statement credit instead of Membership Rewards points. Simpler for businesses that don't want to manage a points balance; less ceiling than the Plus for transfer-partner redemptions.

    Editorial take: Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Blue Business Cash Card from American Express or Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business?
    The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business has the bigger bonus, 80,000 points, worth roughly $80,000, versus $250 statement credit (~$250) on the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express.
    Is the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business?
    The Blue Business Cash Card from American Express has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business's $299 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business's benefits to clear $299 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express.
    Can I have both the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express and Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
    Should I get the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Blue Business Cash Card from American Express: $3,000 spend in 3 months. Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business: $5,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

    Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.