Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business vs PayPal Cashback Mastercard
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business comes from Chase at $299/yr; the PayPal Cashback Mastercard from Synchrony at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
For most people the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($79,800 more in estimated value) than the PayPal Cashback Mastercard's. Get the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business first; revisit the PayPal Cashback Mastercard after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business | PayPal Cashback Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $299 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 80,000 points | $200 cash back |
| Bonus value (est.) | $80,000 | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $5,000 in 3 mo | $500 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Chase | Synchrony |
| Card category | travel | cashback |
| Best earning category (Travel) | 4x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
Editorial take: PayPal Cashback Mastercard
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business or PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business has the bigger bonus, 80,000 points, worth roughly $80,000, versus $200 cash back (~$200) on the PayPal Cashback Mastercard.
- Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business's $299 annual fee worth it compared to the PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
- 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 PayPal Cashback Mastercard's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business and PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase and Synchrony) 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 PayPal Cashback Mastercard 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. PayPal Cashback Mastercard: $500 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.
