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Hilton Honors American Express Business Card vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card comes from American Express at $195/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 Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($650 more in estimated value) than the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus's. Get the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card first; revisit the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureHilton Honors American Express Business CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards Plus
Annual fee$195$99
Sign-up bonus130,000 points50,000 bonus points
Bonus value (est.)$650-
Min spend to unlock bonus$6,000 in 6 mo$1,000 in 3 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressChase
Card categoryhoteltravel
Best earning category (Hilton)12x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • 12x at Hilton
  • Free night cert after $15k spend
  • Second free night after $60k
  • Hilton Gold status
  • $99 fee (post-2025 refresh)
  • 3k anniversary points
  • Free first checked bag
  • Companion Pass qualifying
Read the full review
Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
$195/yr · 130,000 points
Read the full review
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
$99/yr · 50,000 bonus points

Editorial take: Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

If you stay at Hiltons, this is the underrated middle tier, the $60/quarter credit + the $15k-spend Free Night routinely cover the $195 fee, and Gold status is real value at any Hilton property.

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, Hilton Honors American Express Business Card or Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has a public bonus (130,000 points, worth roughly $650), while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus doesn't advertise one right now.
Is the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card's $195 annual fee worth it compared to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?
At $195/yr, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card 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 Hilton Honors American Express Business Card 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 Hilton Honors American Express Business Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: $6,000 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.