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American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited comes from American Express at $295/yr; the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus from Chase at $99/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,500 more in estimated value) than the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus's. Get the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited first; revisit the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited | Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $295 | $99 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,500 cash back | 50,000 bonus points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,500 | - |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $50,000 in 6 mo | $1,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Chase |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (Amex_travel_flights_prepaid_hotels) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited
$295/yr · $1,500 cash back
Read the full review
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
$99/yr · 50,000 bonus points
Editorial take: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
The entry-level Southwest card after the 2025 refresh raised the fee to $99. Worth it primarily if you're chasing the Companion Pass; the Priority card delivers more value if you fly Southwest 2+ times per year.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?
- The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited has a public bonus ($1,500 cash back, worth roughly $1,500), while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited's $295 annual fee worth it compared to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?
- At $295/yr, the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited and Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?
- 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 American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited: $50,000 spend in 6 months. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: $1,000 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.