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Side-by-side

American Express Schwab Investor Card vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business

Both are travel travel cards. The American Express Schwab Investor Card 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 ($79,890 more in estimated value) than the American Express Schwab Investor Card's. Get the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business first; revisit the American Express Schwab Investor Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureAmerican Express Schwab Investor CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business
Annual fee$0$299
Sign-up bonus10,000 Membership Rewards points80,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$110$80,000
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in 6 mo$5,000 in 3 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressChase
Card categorytraveltravel
Best earning category (All_purchases)1.5x1x
Transfer partnersamex-mrNone
Headline benefits
  • 1.5X MR on everything
  • $0 annual fee
  • 1.0c/pt Invest with Rewards
  • Full MR transfer partners
    Read the full review
    American Express Schwab Investor Card
    $0/yr · 10,000 Membership Rewards points
    Read the full review
    Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business
    $299/yr · 80,000 points

    Editorial take: American Express Schwab Investor Card

    The hidden gem of the Amex MR lineup for Schwab brokerage customers. Flat 1.5X MR with $0 annual fee, full transfer-partner access, AND a 1.0 cents-per-point cash-into-brokerage redemption guarantees you can always extract real cash. The catch: you need a Schwab brokerage account to apply.

    Editorial take: Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Schwab Investor Card or Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business?
    The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business has the bigger bonus, 80,000 points, worth roughly $80,000, versus 10,000 Membership Rewards points (~$110) on the American Express Schwab Investor Card.
    Is the American Express Schwab Investor Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business?
    The American Express Schwab Investor Card 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 American Express Schwab Investor Card.
    Can I have both the American Express Schwab Investor Card 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 American Express Schwab Investor Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Schwab Investor Card: $1,000 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.