The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is our top pick for best credit card sign-up bonus because the miles you earn are so valuable and flexible. In fact, this bonus can be worth $1,350 or more when transferred to the right travel partner.
| Welcome Offer | Annual Fee | Estimated value minus annual fee* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | 150,000 points Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. | $695 (see rates & fees) | $2,305 |
| Capital One Spark Cash Plus | $2,000 cash back Earn $2,000 Cash Back once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months. Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year. | $150 (see rates & fees) | $1,850 |
| Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | 90,000 points Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | $95 | $1,705 |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 75,000 points Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | $95 | $1,405 |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | 5 Free Nights Earn 5 Free Nights after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | $99 | $1,401 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card | 250,000 points Earn 5 Free Night Awards worth up to 50,000 points each after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening. | $95 | $1,350 |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | 75,000 miles Earn 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. | $95 (see rates & fees) | $1,255 |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | 100,000 miles For a limited time, earn 100,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $10,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. | $595 | $1,205 |
| Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card | 60,000 miles Earn Buy one ticket, get one for just the taxes and fees ($0 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) and get 50,000 bonus miles with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account. | $95 | $1,051 |
| Citi Strata Premier® Card | 60,000 points Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com. | $95 | $985 |
| The New United Quest℠ Card | 100,000 miles Best Offer Ever: Earn 100,000 bonus miles and 3,000 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. | $350 | $950 |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® | 50,000 miles Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. | $99, waived for first 12 months | $900 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | 80,000 miles Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. (see rates & fees) | $880 |
| The New United℠ Explorer Card | 60,000 miles Limited-Time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. | $0 intro for the first year, then $150 | $780 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | 150,000 points Earn up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points. Earn 100,000 points after you spend $6,000 and an extra 50,000 points after you spend an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. | $650 (see rates & fees) | $700 |
| World of Hyatt Credit Card | 60,000 points Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent. | $95 | $670 |
| Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | 130,000 points Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 8/13/2025. | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 (see rates & fees) | $650 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | 90,000 miles Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | $350 (see rates & fees) | $640 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card | 50,000 points Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | $69 | $631 |
| Hilton Honors American Express Card | 100,000 points Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points and a $100 Statement Credit after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express® Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 8/13/2025. | $0 (see rates & fees) | $600 |
| IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card | 120,000 points Earn 120,000 Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | $0 | $500 |
| Discover it® Cash Back | Unlimited Cashback Match Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300. | $0 | $340 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card | 60,000 points Earn 60,000 Bonus Points + 1 Free Night Award after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. | $0 | $270 |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | $250 statement credit Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. (see rates & fees) | $250 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | $200 cash back Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening | $0 | $200 |
To select the best credit card bonuses, our experts reviewed over 200 credit cards from more than 50 issuers. Comparing them against the average credit card sign-up bonus in America, we used the following method to determine the most valuable welcome offers:
Other contributing factors include the spend amount required to earn the bonus, the card’s ongoing rewards and the variety of benefits offered, including travel perks and purchase protections.
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Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
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Sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 points
(worth around $1,500*)
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card lets new cardholders earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Depending on how you redeem this bonus, it could be worth $1,500 or more. You’ll also get a solid rewards program and some great travel protections, including primary car rental insurance.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 miles
(worth around $1,350*)
Earn 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
With the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you’ll earn 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. This is a great bonus because Capital One Miles are so flexible. You can redeem them for cash back, gift cards, travel and more — but you’ll get the most value when you transfer them to one of Capital One’s 15-plus travel partners.
“The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card was the perfect travel card for me. The sign-up bonus — and points-earning ability from the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited® on top of that — let me quickly pay for my holiday travel from Oregon to Florida shortly after I applied.”
– Kristen Grau, credit cards writer at LendingTree
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Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 points
(worth around $1,080*)
The Citi Strata Premier® Card lets you earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com. But this bonus becomes even more valuable when you transfer your Citi ThankYou® points to one of Citi’s many travel partners. Other notable features include an excellent rewards program and a $100 annual hotel credit, which essentially cancels out the card’s $95 annual fee.
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Welcome offer: Earn Unlimited Cashback Match
(worth around $340*)
The Discover it® Cash Back tops all other cash back cards with its unique welcome offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300. The card also comes with a great rewards program that lets you earn bonus cash back on quarterly rotating categories (activation required). Plus, you’ll get a long intro APR on purchases and balance transfers — all for a $0 annual fee.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: Earn $250 statement credit
With the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, you can earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. The six-month window is a notable benefit, as most cards only give you three months to meet the spend requirement for similar offers. Additionally, this card comes with an intro APR on purchases and a generous rewards program highlighted by a whopping 6% cash back* (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) on U.S. supermarket purchases.
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Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Sign-up bonus: Earn $200 cash back
With the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you’ll get an Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. You’ll also get an excellent rewards program, an intro APR on purchases and balance transfers and solid purchase and travel protections. Plus, you can transfer your rewards to a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards® card to boost your redemption value by 25% to 50%.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: Earn 100,000 miles
(worth around $1,800*)
Even with its $595 annual fee, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® provides exceptional value for American Airlines loyalists — thanks in part to its huge sign-up bonus: For a limited time, earn 100,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $10,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
In addition to elevated rewards on American Airlines purchases, the card offers a generous 10x miles on car rentals and hotels booked through AA.com. Combine this with premium travel perks and protections, and you’ve got the best American Airlines credit card.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 miles
(worth around $1,146*)
Earn Buy one ticket, get one for just the taxes and fees ($0 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) and get 50,000 bonus miles with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card offers tremendous savings through a pairing of valuable Alaska Airlines miles and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23). You’ll also get great perks from Alaska Airlines, including free checked bags and priority boarding. Plus, you’ll qualify for a companion fare each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 on the card in the prior year.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: Earn 90,000 miles
(worth around $990*)
Along with a boosted earning rate on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card comes with a solid welcome offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Note that you have a six-month window to earn the offer, which is twice as long as the three months offered by most other airline cards.
Although Delta SkyMiles aren’t as valuable as other airline miles, this offer is still worth around $990 – more than enough to cover a round-trip domestic flight. Plus, you’ll also score some great travel benefits, including an annual companion certificate each renewal year.
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Sign-up bonus: Earn 100,000 miles
(worth around $1,300*)
The New United Quest℠ Card boasts a generous welcome offer pairing bonus miles with Premier qualifying points (PQPs): Best Offer Ever: Earn 100,000 bonus miles and 3,000 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. The miles are an excellent value, but frequent United flyers may be even more excited about the PQP boost. This is a nice head start toward earning MileagePlus® Premier® status, which gives you access to even more United benefits.
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Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 miles
(worth around $900*)
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is a great choice for frequent flyers who prefer American Airlines. American Airlines miles are worth 29% more than the average mile, making this one of the best airline card sign-up bonuses available. Plus, the card’s annual fee is waived for the first year, so you won’t have to worry about that cutting into your rewards. It also comes with a solid rewards program, valuable travel benefits and the opportunity to earn a $125 American Airlines flight discount.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 miles
(worth around $880*)
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card lets you earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Although this is slightly smaller than the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card‘s welcome offer, the card’s spending requirement and annual fee are also lower. Plus, you’ll still get some solid credits and Delta benefits, like priority boarding and a free checked bag.
“Since my family frequently flies in to and out of the Atlanta airport (Delta’s largest hub), I wanted a card with a generous welcome offer that could be used toward free Delta flights. On top of that, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers elevated rewards on Delta purchases and good airline perks — all for a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.“
– Tracy Brackman, senior credit cards editor at LendingTree
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Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 miles
(worth around $780*)
The New United℠ Explorer Card lets you earn a Limited-Time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Since United Airline miles are valued at approximately 1.3 cents each, this bonus is worth around $780. Plus, the card’s annual fee is waived for the first year, meaning you’ll get to pocket that full amount. The card also boasts a solid rewards rate and bevy of travel perks, including one free checked bag per flight, priority boarding, two annual United Club passes and a credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS.
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Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 points
(worth around $700*)
Despite having a lower annual fee, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card boasts the same great sign-up bonus as the higher-tier Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates & fees). You’ll earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. While it does come with fewer perks than other Southwest credit cards, you’ll still get 3,000 annual anniversary points, 10,000 annual Companion Pass® points and 25% back on in-flight purchases.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: Earn 5 Free Nights
(worth around $1,500*)
A top choice for IHG loyalists, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card comes with an excellent sign-up bonus: Earn 5 Free Nights after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. While IHG points aren’t as valuable as the average rewards currency, this bonus is still worth around $1,500. The $99 annual fee will cut into that a bit, but you’ll also get some great perks, including a free anniversary night each year and automatic Platinum Elite status.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 points
(worth around $1,350*)
Despite its jaw-dropping $650 annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers great value for Marriott loyalists — thanks in part to its generous welcome offer. You’ll earn up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points. Earn 100,000 points after you spend $6,000 and an extra 50,000 points after you spend an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. We value Marriott points at about $0.009 each, making this offer worth around $1,350. To justify the hefty price tag, the card also comes with a generous rewards program, luxury travel perks and over $400 in annual credits.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: Earn 250,000 points
(worth around $1,350*)
With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, you can earn 5 Free Night Awards worth up to 50,000 points each after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening. This is a great value for Marriott fans, who can use the bonus for a long weekend getaway or to lessen the cost of a longer stay. This card also comes with an excellent rewards program, an annual free night award and automatic Silver Elite status — all for a reasonable $95 annual fee.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 points
(worth around $765*)
The World of Hyatt Credit Card comes with a valuable but complicated sign-up bonus: Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
While the card markets the highest bonus potential as 60,000 points (30,000 initial bonus points plus the chance to earn 30,000 more), the actual limit is 45,000 points. That’s because half of the additional bonus (15,000 points) is earned via the card’s regular rewards program. Still, we value Hyatt points at 1.7 cents each, making this bonus worth around $765.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: Earn 130,000 points
(worth around $650*)
A favorite among Hilton fans, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card boasts a large welcome offer with a relatively low spending requirement: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 8/13/2025.
The card also features a generous rewards program with a variety of bonus categories, including 12x points on Hilton purchases. Plus, you’ll get complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status and access to several other valuable travel benefits.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: Earn 120,000 points
(worth around $500*)
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card comes with some solid benefits and a valuable sign-up bonus, which is rare for a $0-annual-fee card. You’ll earn 120,000 Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth up to several nights at some IHG properties. Plus, you’ll get automatic Silver Elite status and the opportunity to earn 10,000 more bonus points after spending $10,000 in a year.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 points
(worth around $600*)
With the Hilton Honors American Express Card, you can earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points and a $100 Statement Credit after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express® Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 8/13/2025. Even though Hilton points are worth less than other hotel points, this is a great bonus for a no-annual-fee credit card. Plus, you’ll get a generous rewards program — highlighted by 7X points on eligible Hilton purchases — and complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 points
(worth around $270*)
For an entry-level hotel card with no annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card comes with an excellent sign-up bonus. You’ll earn 60,000 Bonus Points + 1 Free Night Award after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. While you won’t get many perks with this card, you will earn 3x points on Marriott stays and score some solid travel and purchase protections.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 points
(worth around $3,000*)
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium business card with a premium welcome offer. Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Depending on how you redeem these points, this bonus could be worth up to $3,000.
Some business owners may not be able to meet the high spending requirement or justify the card’s $695 annual fee. But those who can will enjoy some serious benefits, including airport lounge access, Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status (enrollment required) and over $2,000 in statement credits (after meeting qualifying spend thresholds).
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: Earn $2,000 cash back
Earn $2,000 Cash Back once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months. Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year.
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus lets you earn $2,000 Cash Back once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months. Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year. These spending requirements are high, so this card may be better for new business owners needing to make some large initial purchases while getting started. The Capital One Spark Cash Plus does have a $150 annual fee, but this will be refunded if you spend at least $150,000 during the year.
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Sign-up bonus: Earn 90,000 points
(worth around $1,800*)
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card‘s huge sign-up bonus is one of many reasons why it tops our list of the best business credit cards. You’ll earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. This is a very reasonable spending requirement for a business card, as many others require you to spend more than three times that amount to earn the bonus.
The sign-up bonus and the rewards you earn with the card are paid out in flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. These can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, travel and more, but you’ll get even more value through a 1:1 transfer to one of Chase’s many travel partners.
A sign-up bonus, also called a welcome offer or welcome bonus, is an incentive offered by credit card issuers to encourage you to apply for a credit card and start using it right away. Sign-up bonuses usually come in the form of cash back, points or miles, but there are some exceptions. For example, some hotel credit cards offer free nights instead of points, which can often be a greater value.
LendingTree’s chief consumer finance analyst, Matt Schulz, notes that most Americans prefer cash back rewards to points and miles:
People like cash back cards for their simplicity. Points and miles valuations can be convoluted and tricky, while a dollar is a dollar. Most cash back bonuses are straightforward, too — spend a set amount during a given period and get back a specific dollar amount. Getting $200 for spending $1,000 on a card in 90 days is among the most common arrangements.
That being said, frequent travelers may get more value from a points or miles bonus. Some of the best travel credit cards offer sign-up bonuses worth more than $1,000.
Just keep in mind that most sign-up bonuses are earned, not given. Typically, you’ll need to spend a certain amount on the card within the first few months to earn your bonus. One notable exception to this is the Amazon Prime Visa (see rates & fees), which comes with an Amazon gift card upon approval.
“I already do most of my shopping on Amazon, so the Prime Visa was a no-brainer. I earn 5% cash back on every Amazon purchase, plus 2% back on gas. I noticed that the sign-up bonus — an Amazon gift card — was fluctuating between $100 and $200. I waited until it hit $200 before applying and then used that to purchase items I had saved on my Amazon wish list.”
– Will Collicott, credit cards writer at LendingTree
Despite the name, a sign-up bonus isn’t earned when you sign up for the card. Once approved, you’ll typically have around three to six months — depending on the card issuer — to meet the minimum spend threshold required to earn the bonus. Just note that not all purchases count toward that total. You’ll want to read the fine print on your card agreement to confirm, but the following transactions are generally excluded:
Once you’ve earned the bonus, it can take anywhere from a week to a few months to post to your account.
Credit card sign-up bonuses can increase or decrease at any time. However, Reddit users note that increases are more likely to occur during certain times of the year when people are doing more shopping:
Timing your application to get the highest sign-up bonus is ideal, but your financial situation may not allow that. If the bonus goes up right after you get your card, you can always ask the card issuer if they will match the higher bonus. This doesn’t always work, but it never hurts to ask.
With so many options, choosing the best sign-up bonus credit card can be challenging. There are several important factors to consider, including the bonus type (cash back, points or miles) and annual fee. Here are a few steps you’ll want to follow when making your decision:
First, look at the eligibility requirements of the cards you’re considering. Most sign-up bonus credit cards require a good credit score (a FICO Score of 670 or above) for approval. If your credit is lacking, you may want to consider a credit card to build credit to help you boost your score. While not as common, some of these cards offer sign-up bonuses as well.
The next step is deciding what type of rewards you want to earn. As you’ll see in the table below, there’s something for everyone:
| What do you want? | Choose … |
|---|---|
| Simple, straightforward rewards | Cash back (ex. Discover it® Cash Back) |
| Rewards you can use in a variety of ways to get the best value (including for travel) | Flexible points (ex. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card) |
| Rewards for a free flight | Airline miles (ex. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card) or flexible points |
| Rewards for a free hotel stay | Hotel points (ex. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card) or flexible points |
One of the most important things to consider when making your choice is the card’s annual fee. While some of our picks are free to carry, others come with annual fees that can take a huge chunk out of your bonus. For example, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®‘s bonus is worth around $1,260*, but its $595 annual fee brings the actual value down to $665 (which is still a great value). However, premium cards usually come with premium perks that can make up the difference. You just need to consider what’s more important in the long run.
Aside from your credit score, many issuers have additional qualifying restrictions on sign-up bonuses. Major issuers typically put restrictions on earning sign-up bonuses to avoid credit card churning — the practice of repeatedly opening and closing credit cards with the intention of earning sign-up bonus rewards. Make sure that you always read the fine print of the offer before you apply.
| Issuer | Restrictions |
|---|---|
| American Express | American Express has a once-per-lifetime bonus policy, meaning you can only get a welcome offer for a specific card once in your lifetime. |
| Bank of America | Bank of America doesn’t note any restrictions specific to sign-up bonuses. However, you may not qualify for a card if you’ve had it within the past 24 months. |
| Chase | Chase has an unwritten 5/24 rule that prevents you from being approved for a new Chase card if you’ve opened five personal credit cards (from any issuer) within the past 24 months. In addition, if you’ve received a new cardmember bonus for a particular card within the past 24 months, you won’t be eligible to receive the current sign-up bonus for that card. |
| Citi | Citi sign-up bonuses are only available to new cardmembers who haven’t received a bonus for the same card within the past 48 months. |
| Wells Fargo | Wells Fargo doesn’t have any hard-and-fast rules when it comes to sign-up bonuses. However, you may not qualify for an additional Wells Fargo credit card if you’ve opened one in the past six months. |
It’s important to understand the value of a bonus offer before you apply. While cash back bonuses are fairly straightforward, the value of points and miles can vary greatly depending on how you redeem them. For example, with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, 75,000 points can be worth up to $1,312 when redeemed for travel through Chase’s portal but only $750 when redeemed for cash back or gift cards.
To determine point/mile value, you’ll first need to take the cash value of your target redemption option and divide it by the number of points or miles — be sure to subtract any taxes and fees that you have to pay in cash.
Then, take the point value and multiply it by the number of points in the sign-up bonus. That will give you an approximate cash value for that card’s welcome offer.
A sign-up bonus is worth it if the card’s rewards program aligns with your regular spending habits and you can earn the bonus without stretching yourself too thin. If you end up spending more than normal, you could find yourself carrying a balance and racking up interest charges. By choosing the right card, though, you can earn huge rewards right off the bat and for years to come.
In most cases, credit card sign-up bonuses are not taxable. Since most welcome offers require you to spend a certain amount to earn the bonus, the IRS considers this a rebate rather than taxable income. But if you receive a bonus without a spend requirement, it may be taxable. If this is the case, you’ll need to submit a Form 1099-MISC to the IRS.
The best cash back credit cards typically offer cash sign-up bonuses worth $200 or more. Just note that you’ll have to earn the bonus by meeting the offer’s spend requirement within the designated time frame (usually the first three months). For example, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card lets you earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Choosing the best credit card sign-up bonus depends on whether you want to earn cash back, points or miles. Travel credit cards typically offer the highest bonus values in points or miles, but they also come with heftier spend requirements and annual fees that cut into your rewards. Cash back credit cards often lack an annual fee and offer lower sign-up bonuses that are easier to earn.
Once you’ve earned your sign-up bonus, it can take anywhere from a week to a few months to get your sign-up bonus. The specific amount of time depends on the issuer. For example, American Express notes that your bonus will take eight to 12 weeks to post to your account after meeting the spending threshold. With Chase, though, you’ll get your bonus within six to eight weeks.
Yes, you should keep your credit card open after earning your sign-up bonus. Closing a credit card can have a negative impact on your credit score by reducing the overall age of your accounts and increasing your credit utilization ratio. Additionally, frequently opening and closing credit cards is a red flag for issuers and may decrease your approval odds in the future.
Policies vary by card issuer, but many have restrictions that limit how often you can earn a sign-up bonus for the same card or within a certain card family. Typically, you’ll need to wait a specific period after closing your account before reapplying to qualify for a new bonus. Always check the card’s terms and conditions for specific details.
To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The information related to the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, World of Hyatt Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
