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Side-by-side

The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business

Both are travel travel cards. The The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab comes from American Express at $695/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 ($78,560 more in estimated value) than the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab's. Get the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business first; revisit the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureThe Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles SchwabSouthwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business
Annual fee$695$299
Sign-up bonusUp to 80,000 Membership Rewards points80,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$1,440$80,000
Min spend to unlock bonus$8,000 in 6 mo$5,000 in 3 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressChase
Card categorytraveltravel
Best earning category (Flights_direct_or_amextravel)5x1x
Transfer partnersamex-mrNone
Headline benefits
  • Invest with Rewards 1.1c/pt into Schwab
  • Centurion + Priority Pass + Delta Sky Club
  • 5X flights, 5X prepaid hotels
  • $1,500+ in annual credits
    Read the full review
    The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab
    $695/yr · Up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points
    Read the full review
    Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business
    $299/yr · 80,000 points

    Editorial take: The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab

    The premium Platinum for Schwab brokerage customers. Same lounge access, FHR, and credit suite as the Personal Platinum, but the killer feature is Invest with Rewards at 1.1 cents per point cash-into-brokerage — the highest fixed-value MR redemption in the program. Best for cardholders who don't max out airline transfer partners.

    Editorial take: Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab or Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business?
    The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business has the bigger bonus, 80,000 points, worth roughly $80,000, versus Up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points (~$1,440) on the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab.
    Is the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab's $695 annual fee worth it compared to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business?
    Premium cards like the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab ($695/yr) earn their fee through credits, travel, dining, lounge access, statement reimbursements. If you'd actively use $695+ of those credits, the math works. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business at $299/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
    Can I have both the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab 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 The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab: $8,000 spend in 6 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.