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Hilton Honors American Express Business Card vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card comes from American Express at $195/yr; the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority from Chase at $229/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureHilton Honors American Express Business CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority
Annual fee$195$229
Sign-up bonus130,000 points90,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$650$840
Min spend to unlock bonus$8,000 in 6 mo$3,000 in 3 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressChase
Card categoryhotelairline
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
  • 7,500 anniversary points each year
  • Group 5 boarding (you + up to 8 on the reservation)
  • Unlimited Extra Legroom upgrades within 48h of departure (when available)
  • 4x on Southwest; 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each year
Read the full review
Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
$195/yr · 130,000 points
Read the full review
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
$229/yr · 90,000 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 Priority

If Southwest is your airline, this is the card to have. The anniversary points and $75 travel credit help offset the annual fee, and the 4x earning on Southwest is class-leading among airline cards.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors American Express Business Card or Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority has the bigger bonus, 90,000 points, worth roughly $840, versus 130,000 points (~$650) on the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.
Is the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card's $195 annual fee worth it compared to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority?
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 Priority'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 Priority?
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 Priority first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: $8,000 spend in 6 months. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: $3,000 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.