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Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business vs Citi Diamond Preferred Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business comes from Chase at $299/yr; the Citi Diamond Preferred Card from Citi at $0/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 ($80,000 more in estimated value) than the Citi Diamond Preferred Card's. Get the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business first; revisit the Citi Diamond Preferred Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business | Citi Diamond Preferred Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $299 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 80,000 points | No welcome bonus; product is a 0% intro APR balance-transfer card with no rewards program |
| Bonus value (est.) | $80,000 | - |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $5,000 in 3 mo | - |
| Issuer | Chase | Citi |
| Card category | travel | |
| Best earning category (Travel) | 4x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
Read the full review
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business
$299/yr · 80,000 points
Read the full review
Citi Diamond Preferred Card
$0/yr · No welcome bonus; product is a 0% intro APR balance-transfer card with no rewards program
Editorial take: Citi Diamond Preferred Card
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business or Citi Diamond Preferred Card?
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business has a public bonus (80,000 points, worth roughly $80,000), while the Citi Diamond Preferred Card doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business's $299 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Diamond Preferred Card?
- At $299/yr, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Citi Diamond Preferred Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business and Citi Diamond Preferred Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase and Citi) 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business or the Citi Diamond Preferred Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business: $5,000 spend in 3 months. Citi Diamond Preferred Card: no published min spend. 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.