Amex Business Gold vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: Which Is Better In 2026?

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus.

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• It’s a strategic choice for travelers aiming to earn the valuable Southwest Companion Pass®.
• As an entry-level card, it provides essential travel protections and airline-specific perks for Southwest flyers.
• The card delivers consistent value through annual anniversary bonus points and complimentary check-in benefits.

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Pros

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• All points earned contribute toward qualifying for the valuable Southwest Companion Pass®.
• Delivers consistent value through annual anniversary bonus points and complimentary EarlyBird Check-In® benefits.
• Includes a suite of travel and purchase protections, covering things like delayed luggage and offering extended warranties on purchases.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access, which are often found on other travel cards.
• Does not include certain airline-specific perks, such as upgraded boarding, that are available with Southwest's higher-tier cards.
• Points are most valuable when redeemed for Southwest flights, offering less flexibility for other types of travel rewards.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs American Express® Business Gold Card

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Amex Business Gold or Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, depends entirely on your primary spending habits. One card is tailored for business expenses, while the other focuses on personal travel rewards.

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• American Express® Business Gold Card: This card is designed for business owners, offering a versatile tool for companies with variable expenses across different categories.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Best suited for frequent travelers, this card is an excellent entry point for those who regularly fly with Southwest Airlines and want to earn travel rewards.

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Redemption

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American Express® Business Gold Card: This card offers flexible redemption options, allowing you to use points for travel, gift cards, and merchandise, or transfer them to various airline and hotel loyalty programs.

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points earned are primarily redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines, with the point value directly corresponding to the fare price.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial platform designed to help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards and maximize your rewards based on your actual spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: The platform's "Test Drive" feature lets you simulate potential earnings with a new card using your real spending data, all without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized recommendations: Get matched with cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your transaction history.
• Approval odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, they will match it.
• Stack rewards: Earn extra "Kudos Boost" rewards when shopping at participating stores, which stack on top of your regular credit card rewards.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is best suited for established businesses with significant and fluctuating expenses, particularly those spending over $50,000 annually. Its primary appeal lies in automatically earning 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two spending categories each billing cycle—such as advertising, shipping, or technology—on up to $150,000 in combined purchases per year, then 1X. This structure makes it ideal for companies that can maximize these bonus categories to easily offset the annual fee while taking advantage of premium travel and purchase protections. Terms Apply.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers and occasional Southwest flyers who want to earn rewards without committing to a high annual fee. It serves as a perfect entry point for those new to travel rewards or for Southwest loyalists who want a straightforward way to accumulate points on everyday spending and flights. Ultimately, this card is particularly valuable for individuals aiming to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, as all points earned contribute toward this goal.

Alternatives to Consider

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If this head-to-head Amex Business Gold vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus comparison has left you undecided, it may be that neither card is the right fit for your business. Fortunately, there are several other compelling options to consider that might better align with your spending and travel goals.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score. - Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending. - Make sure you can meet the minimum spend for the Welcome Offer without overspending.
• Know the rewards. - Research the card’s benefits and partners to maximize your points from day one.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer’s rules. - Be aware of application restrictions, like once-per-lifetime Welcome Offer policies, before you apply.
• Consider unwritten rules. - Some issuers have unofficial application velocity limits, so be mindful of your recent card history.
• Time your application. - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spend requirement for the Welcome Offer.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which card is better for flexible travel rewards?

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For maximum flexibility, the American Express® Business Gold Card is the stronger choice, as its Membership Rewards® points can be transferred to a wide array of airline and hotel partners. In contrast, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card earns points that are specifically for use within the Southwest Airlines ecosystem. Terms apply.

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Can I transfer American Express points to Southwest Airlines?

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Southwest Airlines is not a direct transfer partner for the American Express Membership Rewards® program, so you cannot move points directly to your Rapid Rewards account. However, you can still book Southwest flights using your points by going through the AmexTravel.com portal. Terms apply.

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Which card offers better travel protections?

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Generally, the American Express® Business Gold Card comes with a more robust suite of travel protections, including benefits like trip delay insurance and baggage insurance. The Southwest card's protections are typically more basic, so it's crucial to compare the guide to benefits for each card to see what's covered. Terms apply.

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