2021
Best Credit Card Signup Bonus Offers of August 2021
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The signup bonus — one of the most valuable and coveted credit card features, with the potential to put a huge dent in your spending or help you score free flights and hotel stays. Many rewards cards come with signup bonuses, also known as introductory bonuses or welcome bonuses. These bonus offers can provide a surprising amount of value, with returns on spending ranging from around 20% on average to more than 50% in some cases.
- Cash Back Rewards: Chase Freedom Flex℠ (Review)
- No Annual Fee: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card (Review)
- General Travel: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Review)
- Premium Travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review)
- Premium Lounge Access: The Platinum Card® from American Express (Review)
- Gas and Groceries: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Review)
- Point Rewards: American Express® Gold Card (Review)
- Hotel Rewards: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card (Review)
- Airline Rewards: AAdvantage® Aviator™ Red World Elite Mastercard®
- Business Rewards: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Review)
- Bad Credit: Discover it® Secured (Review)
Credit Card Insider receives compensation from advertisers whose products may be mentioned on this page. Advertiser relationships do not affect card evaluations. Advertising partners do not edit or endorse our editorial content. Content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when it's published. Learn more in our Editorial Guidelines.
The information related to Chase Freedom Flex℠, Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, World of Hyatt Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card, Capital One Spark Miles for Business, Capital One Spark Cash for Business, and The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card have been collected by Credit Card Insider and have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of these products.
- Cash Back Rewards: Chase Freedom Flex℠ (Review)
- No Annual Fee: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card (Review)
- General Travel: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Review)
- Premium Travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review)
- Premium Lounge Access: The Platinum Card® from American Express (Review)
- Gas and Groceries: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Review)
- Point Rewards: American Express® Gold Card (Review)
- Hotel Rewards: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card (Review)
- Airline Rewards: AAdvantage® Aviator™ Red World Elite Mastercard®
- Business Rewards: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Review)
- Bad Credit: Discover it® Secured (Review)
How We Picked These Cards
Signup bonuses are pretty easy to evaluate. Spend some money, get some rewards. But not all bonuses are created equal.
- What kind of rewards are being offered? The most common bonus reward types are cash back, points, and statement credits:
- Cash back is usually just what it seems to be, although there may be several redemption options like statement credits, direct bank deposits, gift cards, etc.
- Points may have different values depending on how you redeem them, and they can be the most valuable reward type if you’re willing to put in the effort to find good deals.
- Statement credits are the easiest to grok, because their values are simply deducted from your card balance.
- Can I make good use of the rewards? Cash back and statement credit bonuses are simple, basically like big discounts on your spending, and these may be perfect for some people. But if you care more about maximizing rewards, particularly for travel, you may want bonus points that you can transfer for frequent flyer miles or hotel points (look at Chase, Amex, Capital One, and Citi for that).
- What’s the return on spend? Calculate how much value you get for the required spending (we’ve done this for you in many cases). Is the spending requirement reasonable? 75,000 points may sound like a lot, for example, but if they take $7,500 in purchases to get, you might not be getting a lot for your spending.
- Will I have enough time to meet the spending requirement? Most card issuers give you three months or 90 days to reach a spending requirement (“three months” translates to about 90 days in most cases, too). You may see 4-, 6-, or even 12-month offers. Some rare cards might only give two months. Be sure to keep track of how much time you have, starting as soon as your card account was approved and opened.
- Does it make sense for me to have this credit card? Consider all the card features except the intro bonus. Would you use the card without the bonus? Does it fit into your spending habits, or have benefits you’ll find useful over time? Don’t let a great bonus blind you to an otherwise lackluster credit card.
Signup bonuses can make any card offer look more attractive, but there’s more to credit cards than bonuses. See our favorite cards for a variety of categories in the Best Credit Cards.
Is a Signup Bonus Card Right for You?
Do you like money for free? If so, a signup bonus credit card might be right for you.
It’s not really free money, because you need to spend with credit cards in the first place, and if you’re not responsible you could wind up with fees. But it’s about as close to free money (or travel) as you can get.
A signup bonus is a reward that usually takes the form of bonus points or cash back, which you receive for reaching a certain spending threshold in a certain amount of time — think 40,000 bonus points for spending $3,000 in 3 months, for example.
You should never spend money just to get a signup bonus, of course. You should only use credit cards to buy things you would normally buy. Pay off the statement balance by the due date or you’ll be charged interest, cutting into your rewards (unless you have a 0% intro APR). And we don’t recommend opening new cards purely for the bonuses.
But if a card fits in with your spending habits and offers a great bonus too, why not go for it? Follow the simple rules above and credit card bonuses can be effectively free. You won’t need excellent credit scores to nab a sweet bonus, but cards for better credit tend to have better bonuses.
Here are some situations where welcome bonuses can make big differences.
- Everyday spending: Many cards with bonus categories for everyday purchases, like groceries and gas, have intro bonus offers; you may be able to hit spending requirements with nothing more than a few months of your usual errands.
- Travel: If you’re going on a trip you could use a bonus to get a flight or two for free, or stay an extra night at a nice hotel. Planning ahead will be crucial here to make sure you have the card you need in time.
- Large expenses on the horizon: When you know there’s a big purchase or two coming up, like furniture, a TV, or even a car, you could use a credit card bonus to help lighten the load on your bank account. Or you could use that as an opportunity to bank points for a vacation.
- Rent: Rent is a fairly large monthly expense, making it a good target for intro bonus spending — if you can pay with a credit card, that is. If your landlord doesn’t accept credit card payments, you can look into a payment service like Plastiq or RadPad.
- Tax season: Depending on how much you owe, you may be able to reach spending requirements by paying your taxes. There’s a fee to pay by credit card, but the bonus should offset that by far.
Jump to section
What Credit Card Has the Best Signup Bonus?
Best Pick For...
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Target® or Walmart® purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
- Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- Earn 5% on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 14.99 – 23.74%.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ (Review) pairs a great intro bonus with even greater rewards. You’ll get a surprising number of high-value cash back categories, including a set of rotating 5% categories that covers a lot of ground each year.
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- DoorDash membership: A free membership (DashPass) for three months, and a 50% discount for the next nine months; a DashPass provides free delivery and reduced service fees on orders over $12.
- Shop through Chase/Chase Offers: Earn extra cash back or find discounts with the Shop through Chase and Chase Offers programs.
- ShopRunner membership: Get free two-day shipping at a wide selection of retailers.
- Lyft credits: Once per month you can earn a $10 Lyft credit for every five rides you take.
- Boxed rewards: 5% cash back rewards on Boxed Wholesale orders to be used for future purchases
- Fandango discount: $5 off every two tickets you buy
- Shopping and travel protections: Cell Phone Insurance, Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty, Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance, and more
- Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months, then 14.99% - 23.74% Variable
- Annual fee: $0
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- $200 bonus for spending $500 in the first 3 months
- 5% cash back on:
- Travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Lyft rides (through March 2022)
- 3% cash back at:
- Restaurants
- Drugstores
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
- Perks: DoorDash membership; Shop through Chase/Chase Offers; ShopRunner membership; Lyft credits; Boxed rewards
- Shopping and travel protections: Cell Phone Insurance; Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance
- Purchase APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months, then 14.99% - 23.74% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Card
- $200 cash rewards bonus for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
- 3% cash back in one category of your choice: Gas, Online shopping, Dining, Travel, Drugstores, Home improvement/furnishings stores
- 2% cash back at:
- Grocery stores
- Wholesale clubs
- 1% cash back for all other purchases
- Spending limit: 3% and 2% rewards limited to the first $2,500 spent per quarter
- Perks: Free FICO credit score; Preferred Rewards cash back bonus
- Purchase APR: 0% for 15 billing cycles, then 13.99%–23.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 billing cycles, then 13.99%–23.99% Variable
- Annual fee: $0
See our comparison: 2021 Comparison: The Chase Freedom Flex℠ vs. the Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
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- Shopping and travel protections: Price Protection; Extended Warranty; MasterRental Insurance; Baggage Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
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- Perks: Premium Access with OpenTable; Mastercard Concierge (Mastercard World Elite only)
- Shopping and travel protections: Cell Phone Protection, Extended Warranty, Price Protection, MasterRental Coverage, Master RoadAssist Service
- Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months, then 15.49% - 25.49% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
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- Perks: World Elite Concierge
- Shopping and travel protections: Cell Phone Protection, Price Protection, Extended Warranty, MasterRental Coverage, Master RoadAssist Service
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Discover it® Cash Back
| Spending Rewards |
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| Introductory Bonus |
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- Perks: SSN alerts; New account alerts; Free credit score
- Purchase APR: See Terms for See Terms, then See Terms
- Balance Transfer APR: See Terms for See Terms, then See Terms
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
The information related to Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected by Credit Card Insider and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product.
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases. Plus, earn 8% cash back on tickets at Vivid Seats through January 2023
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; 15.49% – 25.49% variable APR after that
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card (Review) is a solid choice if you eat out or order in from restaurants often, and don’t want to pay an annual fee. You’ll get a good rate at restaurants, along with a bit extra at grocery stores.
There aren’t many other big features, but you’ll have a pretty long 0% introductory rate for purchases.
| Spending Rewards |
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- Premium Access with OpenTable: Get exclusive OpenTable reservations to hot restaurants, in a limited selection of cities.
- Mastercard Concierge (Mastercard World Elite only): Call any time to talk to a personal assistant, who can help you in all sorts of non-emergency tasks.
- Shopping and travel protections: Cell Phone Protection, Extended Warranty, Price Protection, MasterRental Coverage, Master RoadAssist Service
- Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months, then 15.49% - 25.49% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Chase Freedom Flex℠
- $200 bonus for spending $500 in the first 3 months
- 5% cash back on:
- Travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Lyft rides (through March 2022)
- 5% cash back in rotating categories, up to $1,500 in spending each quarter, then 1%
- 3% cash back at:
- Restaurants
- Drugstores
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Perks: DoorDash membership; Shop through Chase/Chase Offers; ShopRunner membership; Lyft credits; Boxed rewards
- Shopping and travel protections: Cell Phone Insurance; Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance
- Purchase APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months, then 14.99% - 23.74% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- $200 bonus for spending $500 in the first 3 months
- 5% cash back on:
- Travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Lyft rides (through March 2022)
- 3% cash back at:
- Restaurants
- Drugstores
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
- Perks: DoorDash membership; Shop through Chase/Chase Offers; ShopRunner membership; Lyft credits; Boxed rewards
- Shopping and travel protections: Cell Phone Insurance; Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance
- Purchase APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months, then 14.99% - 23.74% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Discover it® Cash Back
- Cashback Match: Get double cash back for the first year, provided at the end of the first year
- 5% cash back in rotating categories, up to $1,500 in spending per quarter, then 1% (activation required):
- January – March: Grocery Stores, Walgreens, CVS
- April – June: Gas Stations, Uber, Lyft, Wholesale Clubs
- July – September: Restaurants, PayPal
- October – December: Amazon.com, Target.com, Walmart.com
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Perks: SSN alerts; New account alerts; Free credit score
- Purchase APR: See Terms for See Terms, then See Terms
- Balance Transfer APR: See Terms for See Terms, then See Terms
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Card
- $200 cash rewards bonus for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
- 3% cash back in one category of your choice: Gas, Online shopping, Dining, Travel, Drugstores, Home improvement/furnishings stores
- 2% cash back at:
- Grocery stores
- Wholesale clubs
- 1% cash back for all other purchases
- Spending limit: 3% and 2% rewards limited to the first $2,500 spent per quarter
- Perks: Free FICO credit score; Preferred Rewards cash back bonus
- Purchase APR: 0% for 15 billing cycles, then 13.99%–23.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 billing cycles, then 13.99%–23.99% Variable
- Annual fee: $0
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
- One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Perks: World Elite Concierge
- Shopping and travel protections: Cell Phone Protection, Price Protection, Extended Warranty, MasterRental Coverage, Master RoadAssist Service
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
The information related to Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected by Credit Card Insider and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product.
- Our best offer ever! Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,250 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn 2X points on dining including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 100,000 points are worth $1,250 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash’s subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get up to $60 back on an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership through 12/31/2021, and get full access to their workout library through the Peloton app, including cardio, running, strength, yoga, and more. Take classes using a phone, tablet, or TV. No fitness equipment is required.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Review) comes with a great intro bonus for travelers. It’s made even better because you can transfer those Chase Ultimate Rewards points to a variety of partner programs, turning them into airline miles or hotel points that could be worth 2 cents each or more.
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- 25% point bonus: When redeeming for travel expenses through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Point transfer: Transfer points at a 1:1 rate to leading airline and hotel frequent travel programs, like Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus.
- $60 Peloton credit: Enroll to get up to $60 back for an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership (through 2021). No fitness equipment is required.
- DoorDash membership: A free membership (DashPass) for at least a year, which provides free delivery and reduced service fees on orders over $12
- Luxury Hotel Collection: Book eligible rooms to get perks like daily breakfast for two, complimentary WiFi, room upgrades, early check-in, late checkout, and unique gifts.
- Visa Signature Concierge: Call to speak with your personal concierge any time, day or night.
- Premium Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Get primary coverage on eligible car rentals so you don’t have to pay for insurance and your premiums won’t go up after an accident.
- Shop through Chase/Chase Offers: Earn more points by shopping at participating retailers in the Shop through Chase and Chase Offers marketplaces.
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Citi Premier® Card
- 80,000 ThankYou points for spending $4,000 in first 3 months (worth $800 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com)
- 3X ThankYou points on:
- Air travel
- Hotels
- Gas stations
- Supermarkets
- Restaurants
- 1X ThankYou point on all other purchases
- Perks: $100 annual hotel credit; Cell Phone Protection
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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- Perks: Mile transfer; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit; Visa Signature only: Luxury Hotel Collection, Visa Concierge, shopping discounts
- Shopping and travel protections: Lost Luggage Reimbursement, Auto Rental Insurance, Roadside Dispatch, Travel and Emergency Assistance Services, Warranty Manager Service, Purchase Security
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card
- 50,000 bonus points for spending $3,000 in the first 90 days
- 2X points on:
- Travel
- Dining
- 1.5X points for all other purchases
- Perks: Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit; $100 airline fee credit; Preferred Rewards cash back bonus; Luxury Hotel Collection; Concierge
- Shopping and travel protections: Trip Delay and Cancellation Insurance; Baggage Delay Insurance; Purchase Security; Return Protection
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. Through December 31, 2021, gas station & grocery store purchases will also count towards earning your Travel Credit
- 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 50% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
For a top-notch travel card, look no further than the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review). With solid rates for travel and dining to fuel your adventures, along with a comprehensive suite of travel perks, the Sapphire Reserve is a favorite among regular travelers.
| Introductory Bonus Offer |
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- Point transfer: Transfer your points at a 1:1 rate to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs, like United, JetBlue, and Marriott Bonvoy
- $300 annual travel credit: A $300 travel credit every year that will be automatically applied toward a broad range of travel-related expenses charged to the card
- $120 Peloton credit: Enroll to get up to $120 back for an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership (through 2021). No fitness equipment is required.
- Priority Pass Select membership: Enjoy access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide plus a selection of restaurants. The cardholder and two guests can enter for free; additional guests cost $27 each.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: Get a statement credit to offset the cost of applying for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85), once every four years.
- Elite hotel benefits at Relais & Châteaux: Accelerated progress towards Club 5C member status with Relais & Châteaux luxury hotel and resort properties
- Visa Infinite Concierge: Call for non-emergency help of all kinds, like making dinner reservations or finding good tickets to a show.
- Special car rental privileges: Rental upgrades, discounts, and promotional offers at Avis, Silvercar, and National Car Rental
- Lyft Pink membership: One free year of Lyft Pink, which includes 15% off rides, relaxed cancellations, surprise offers, and priority airport pickup
- DoorDash membership: A free membership (DashPass) for a year, which provides free delivery and reduced service fees on orders over $12
- $60 annual DoorDash credit: Get $60 in DoorDash credits in 2020, and $60 in credits in 2021.
- Shopping and Travel protections: Purchase Protection, a Primary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Trip Delay Reimbursement, and more
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $550
The Platinum Card® from American Express
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- Perks: Global Lounge Collection; Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit; Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash; Uber Eats Pass; Uber VIP status; Up to $100 in annual Saks credits; Point transfer; The Hotel Collection; Fine Hotels and Resorts
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $695
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
Citi Prestige® Card
- 50,000 ThankYou points for spending $4,000 within 3 months of account opening
- 5X ThankYou points on:
- Air travel
- Restaurants
- 3X ThankYou points on:
- Hotels
- Cruise lines
- 1X ThankYou point on everything else
- Perks: $250 travel credit; Fourth hotel night free, up to twice per year; Priority Pass Select membership; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit; Concierge; Cell Phone Protection
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $495
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
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- Perks: Hilton Honors Diamond status; Annual free Weekend Night Award; Annual $250 Hilton resort statement credit; Annual $250 airline fee statement credit; $100 Hilton on-property credit; Priority Pass Select membership; American Express Concierge
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $450
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (Rates & Fees)
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
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- Perks: $300 annual Marriott Bonvoy hotel credit; Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status; Free Night Award; Priority Pass Select membership; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit; 15 Elite Night Credits annually; Bonus points for airline transfers
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $450
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card (Rates & Fees)
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
- 50,000 bonus points for spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of membership
- 3X points on:
- Travel
- Mobile Wallet purchases
- 1X point on all other purchases
- Perks: $325 annual travel credit; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit; 12-month Priority Pass Select membership; Gogo in-flight WiFi; Relais & Châteaux luxury hotel benefits
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $400
- Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Plus, earn 10x points on eligible purchases on the Card at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S., on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- New! American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status available to Basic Card Member only.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $25 back each month on select Equinox memberships. Enrollment required.
- $179 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $179 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express (Review) is one of the best premium travel cards, currently boasting the largest intro bonus (but not by too much). This card stands out for its best-in-class airport lounge access, which gets you into not only the typical Priority Pass lounges but also Amex’s high-end Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Plaza Premium lounges, and more.
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- Global Lounge Collection: Enroll for complimentary access to Priority Pass, Centurion, American Express International, Delta Sky Club, Escape, Airspace, Lufthansa, and Plaza Premium Lounges.
- Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash: Add your Platinum card to the Uber App to get up to $15 in Uber Cash per month, plus a bonus $20 in December; U.S. Eats orders and rides only.
- $200 hotel credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits each year for prepaid hotels booked through The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts; must pay with the Platinum card.
- $300 Equinox credit: Pay with your Platinum card to get up to $300 in statement credits annually with Equinox (up to $25 per month), for Equinox All Access, Destination, E by Equinox, or Equinox+ membership fees.
- $240 digital entertainment credit: Pay with your Platinum card to get up to $240 in statement credits annually for digital entertainment (up to $20 per month), only for eligible purchases from Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times.
- CLEAR credit: Up to $179 in statement credits annually for CLEAR biometric security, enough for a membership.
- Uber Eats Pass: Get unlimited $0 delivery fees and 5% off orders at eligible restaurants for 12 months; must enroll by 12/31/21. Taxes and service fees may apply and do not count toward the order minimum. Eats Pass will start auto-billing 12 months from enrollment, at then-current monthly rate. Learn more.
- Uber VIP status: Add your Platinum card to the Uber App to get Uber VIP status where available.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: A statement credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100 every four years) or TSA PreCheck ($85 once every four and a half years)
- Complimentary elite hotel statuses: Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- The Hotel Collection: A $100 hotel credit and room upgrades when available for every eligible two-night stay
- Fine Hotels & Resorts Program: Daily breakfast for two, room upgrades when available, amenities valued at $100, and more at eligible properties
- $100 annual Saks credit: Up to $100 in statement credits each year for Saks Fifth Avenue: $50 from January through June, and $50 from July through December
- Global Dining Access by Resy: Resy provides access to exclusive reservations and dining experiences.
- Point transfer: To a selection of airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $695
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months after account opening
- 10X Ultimate Rewards point on Lyft rides (through 3/31/22)
- 3X Ultimate Rewards points for:
- Travel (after the full travel credit is used)
- Dining
- 1X Ultimate Rewards point for every other purchase
- Perks: $300 travel credit; Priority Pass Select membership; Point transfer; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit; Lyft Pink membership; Two-year DoorDash membership, $60 annual DoorDash credit for two years
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Primary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver; Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance; Baggage Delay Insurance; Trip Delay Reimbursement
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $550
Citi Prestige® Card
- 50,000 ThankYou points for spending $4,000 within 3 months of account opening
- 5X ThankYou points on:
- Air travel
- Restaurants
- 3X ThankYou points on:
- Hotels
- Cruise lines
- 1X ThankYou point on everything else
- Perks: $250 travel credit; Fourth hotel night free, up to twice per year; Priority Pass Select membership; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit; Concierge; Cell Phone Protection
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $495
American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95
- Regular APR13.99% - 23.99% Variable
- Earn 20% back on Amazon.com purchases on the Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $200 back.
- Plus, earn $150 back after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. You will receive cash back in the form of statement credits.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Low intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.99% to 23.99%
- Plan It® gives the option to select purchases of $100 or more to split up into monthly payments with a fixed fee.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
- Terms Apply.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Review) is an excellent pick for grocery shopping and buying gas, and it has a great introductory bonus too. Most people should be able to earn it with two or three months of normal shopping.
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- Amex Offers: Find offers for extra cash back at a changing selection of merchants.
- $120 Equinox+ Credit: Get up to $10 per month for a stand-alone monthly membership to the Equinox+ app. Will not apply if you purchase the membership through the Equinox app or a third party.
- ShopRunner membership: ShopRunner provides free two-day shipping and returns at participating online retailers.
- Shopping protections: Return Protection, Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection
- Travel protections: Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Global Assist Hotline
- Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months, then 13.99% - 23.99% Variable
- Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees)
American Express® Gold Card
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- Perks: Up to $120 annual dining credit; Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash; Uber Eats Pass; The Hotel Collection; Amex Offers; ShopRunner membership; Point transfer
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $250
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
American Express® Gold Card (Rates & Fees)
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
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- Perks: Amex Offers; ShopRunner membership; Entertainment Access
- Travel protections: Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Global Assist Hotline
- Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months, then 13.99% - 23.99% Variable
- Annual fee: $0
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees)
Discover it® Cash Back
- Cashback Match: Get double cash back for the first year, provided at the end of the first year
- 5% cash back in rotating categories (up to $1,500 spent per quarter, then 1%; activation required)
- 1% cash back for all other purchases
- Purchase APR: See Terms for See Terms, then See Terms
- Balance Transfer APR: See Terms for See Terms, then See Terms
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Card
- $200 cash rewards bonus for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
- 3% cash back in one category of your choice: Gas, Online shopping, Dining, Travel, Drugstores, Home improvement/furnishings stores
- 2% cash back at:
- Grocery stores
- Wholesale clubs
- 1% cash back for all other purchases
- Spending limit: 3% and 2% rewards limited to the first $2,500 spent per quarter
- Perks: Free FICO credit score; Preferred Rewards cash back bonus
- Purchase APR: 0% for 15 billing cycles, then 13.99%–23.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 billing cycles, then 13.99%–23.99% Variable
- Annual fee: $0
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
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- Shopping and travel protections: Price Protection; Extended Warranty; MasterRental Insurance; Baggage Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
- Rose Gold is back. You can now choose between Gold or Rose Gold.
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- Get up to 12 complimentary months of an Uber Eats Pass subscription when you enroll with your Gold Card by 12/31/21.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
You can use the American Express® Gold Card (Review) to earn quite a few Amex Membership Rewards points quickly, with a fairly low spending requirement that most people should have no trouble reaching.
There’s a sizable annual fee with this card, however, so only get it if you’ll make good use of the rewards (focused on food and airfare) and benefits (focused on food and travel).
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- $120 annual dining credit: Earn up to $10 in statement credits per month for purchases at eligible restaurants and food delivery services.
- Point transfer: To airline and hotel loyalty programs, like JetBlue, Southwest, Marriott, and Hyatt
- Up to $120 in Uber Cash: Add the Gold Card to the Uber App to get up to $10 in Uber Cash per month; U.S. Eats orders and rides only.
- Uber Eats Pass: Get unlimited $0 delivery fees and 5% off orders at eligible restaurants for 12 months; must enroll by 12/31/21. Taxes and service fees may apply and do not count toward the order minimum. Eats Pass will start auto-billing 12 months from enrollment, at then-current monthly rate. Learn more.
- The Hotel Collection: Provides up to $100 in credits for every eligible hotel stay of two nights or more, along with other perks.
- Amex Offers: Find discounts and extra point opportunities at a changing selection of merchants (offers are limited; enrollment required).
- ShopRunner membership: ShopRunner provides free two-day shipping and returns at participating online retailers.
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $250
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
American Express® Gold Card (Rates & Fees)
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card
- 20,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
- 3X points on:
- Dining
- Gas
- Travel
- Eligible streaming services
- 1X point on all other purchases
- Shopping and travel protections: Cell Phone Protection, Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Return Protection, Travel Accident Insurance, Travel Inconvenience Insurance
- Purchase APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening, then 14.49%-24.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months on qualifying balance transfers, then 14.49%-24.99% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card
- 15,000 points if you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months
- 3X Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent annually, then 1X)
- 2X Membership Rewards points at:
- U.S. gas stations
- American Express Travel
- 1X Membership Rewards point for every other purchase
- 50% point bonus: By making 30 or more purchases per billing period
- Point transfer: To a wide selection of airline and hotel partners
- Annual fee: $95
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
- 20,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
- 4X points per dollar at Restaurants
- 2X points per dollar for:
- Grocery stores
- Grocery delivery
- Streaming services
- Gas stations
- 1X point per dollar on all other purchases
- Perks: Annual $15 streaming credit;
- Purchase APR: 0%* for 12 billing cycles on purchases*, then 14.99% - 23.99%* Variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 12 Billing cycles, then 14.99% - 23.99%* Variable
- Annual fee: $0*
Citi Premier® Card
- 80,000 ThankYou points for spending $4,000 in first 3 months (worth $800 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com)
- 3X ThankYou points on:
- Air travel
- Hotels
- Gas stations
- Supermarkets
- Restaurants
- 1X ThankYou point on all other purchases
- Perks: $100 annual hotel credit; Cell Phone Protection
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
- Earn 3 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases + 10X total points on eligible purchases in select categories.
- 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
- Earn up to 17X total Bonvoy points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy™.
- 2X Bonvoy points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Automatic Silver Elite Status each account anniversary year. Path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year.
- 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Earn unlimited Marriott Bonvoy points and get Free Night Stays faster.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card (Review) provides a great bonus, with a very high potential return on spend. You’ll also receive a host of helpful benefits to enhance your time spent at Marriott Bonvoy properties.
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- Annual Free Night Award: Get one Free Night Award every year, beginning after your first account anniversary.
- Complimentary Silver Elite status: Includes a 10% point bonus, reservation guarantee, priority late checkout, and more
- Path to Gold Elite status: Spend $35,000 in an account year to earn Marriott Gold Elite status.
- 15 Elite Night Credits annually: Toward a higher member status
- Free in-room premium internet: At participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
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- Perks: $300 annual Marriott Bonvoy hotel credit; Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status; Free Night Award; Priority Pass Select membership; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit; 15 Elite Night Credits annually; Bonus points for airline transfers
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $450
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card (Rates & Fees)
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- 150,000 bonus points for spending $2,000 in the first 3 months; 50,000 bonus points for spending a total of $10,000 in the first 6 months
- 12X Hilton Honors Bonus points per dollar for eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio
- 6X points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations
- Annual fee: $95, $0 first year
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (Rates & Fees)
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
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- Perks: Hilton Honors Diamond status; Annual free Weekend Night Award; Annual $250 Hilton resort statement credit; Annual $250 airline fee statement credit; $100 Hilton on-property credit; Priority Pass Select membership; American Express Concierge
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $450
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (Rates & Fees)
World of Hyatt Credit Card
- 30,000 bonus points for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months; 2 bonus points per $1 on purchases that earn 1 bonus point, up to $15,000 spent in the first 6 months
- 9X points on eligible net purchases at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts:
- 4X Bonus points from the card
- 5X Base points from Discoverist member status
- 2X Bonus points on:
- Restaurants
- Airline tickets purchased directly from the airline
- Local transit/commuting
- Fitness clubs and gym memberships
- 1X Bonus point on all other purchases
- Perks: Free Night Stay; World of Hyatt Discoverist status; Visa Signature Concierge
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
- 150,000 bonus points for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
- 25X points per dollar at IHG hotels:
- 10X points from the IHG credit card
- 15X points for IHG Platinum Elite status
- 2X points per dollar at:
- Gas stations
- Grocery stoes
- Restaurants
- 1X point per dollar for all other purchases
- Annual fee: $89
Radisson Rewards™ Premier Visa Signature® Card
- 50,000 points after first purchase; 35,000 points after spending $2,500 in the first 90 days
- 10X points at participating Radisson Family of Hotels
- 5X points for every other purchase
- Perks: 40,000 anniversary bonus points; Earn up to 3 Free Night E-Certs per year; Gold Status Radisson Rewards; Concierge
- Foreign transaction fee: 2% of each foreign purchase or foreign ATM advance in USD; 3% of each foreign purchase or foreign ATM advance in a foreign currency
- Annual fee: $75
- 60,000 bonus miles after making a purchase in the first 90 days and paying the annual fee
- Introductory Companion Certificate good for 1 guest at $99 (plus taxes and fees) after your first card purchase in the first 90 days, and paying the annual fee
- Anniversary Companion Certificate for spending $20,000 on purchases in a year, and keeping your account open for 45 days after your anniversary date
- Double miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
- One mile per dollar spent elsewhere
- There is no limit to the amount of rewards you can earn
- First eligible checked bag free for you and up to 4 traveling companions on American Airlines
- 10% back on redeemed miles, up to 10,000 miles each year
- 25% savings on eligible in-flight purchases
- Preferred boarding lets you and up to 4 companions board after Priority boarding but before economy, in group 5 for American Airlines
- 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 15 months, then 18.24%, 22.24% or 27.24% variable
- $99 annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Chip-enabled technology to increase security and convenience
The AAdvantage® Aviator™ Red World Elite Mastercard® has (in our view) the best credit card intro offer for an airline, with bonus miles along with a companion fare credit — all for simply paying the annual fee and making a purchase, with no spending requirement.
That could cost you as little as $99.01! (But let’s call it $100 for simplicity here.) Most intro bonuses return a portion of what you spend, but in this case you can actually get many times more out of it than you put in.
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The Companion Certificate is good for one guest at $99, plus taxes and fees. That’s hard to beat; you’ll find a similar offer for Alaska Airlines, which has a spending requirement but is still a great deal.
- 25% in-flight discount: A 25% discount for in-flight purchases on AA-operated flights (awarded as statement credits)
- Annual $25 in-flight WiFi credit: For in-flight purchases on AA-operated flights
- Preferred boarding: Group 5 boarding for the cardholder and up to four companions, on AA-operated flights
- Anniversary Companion Certificate: Spend $20,000 in a calendar year to earn a Companion Certificate, good for one guest at $99 plus taxes and fees.
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 months, then 18.24%, 22.24% or 27.24% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $99
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card
- 40,000 bonus miles and a Companion Fare for spending $2,000 in the first 90 days
- 3X miles per dollar spent on Alaska Airlines & Virgin America purchases
- 1X mile per dollar spent on all other purchases
- Perks: Annual Companion Fare credit; First checked bag free on Alaska Airlines flights; 20% in-flight discount; Shopping portal; Alaska Lounge 50% discount on day passes
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $75
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
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- Perks: Annual Companion Certificate; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit; First checked bag free, Main Cabin 1 Priority boarding, and 20% in-flight discount on Delta flights; Delta Sky Club access for $39 per person; Status Boost
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $250
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
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- Perks: Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access; Annual Companion Certificate; First checked bag free, Priority Boarding, and 20% in-flight discount on Delta flights; Complimentary upgrades; Status Boost
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $550
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
- 40,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months; 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year
- 2X points at Southwest Airlines and Rapid Rewards partners
- 1X point on all other purchases
- Perks: 7,500 annual bonus points; $75 annual Southwest credit; Four annual Upgraded Boardings; 20% in-flight discount
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $149
JetBlue Plus Card
- 60,000 bonus points for paying the annual fee and spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
- 12X points for JetBlue purchases (6X from the card, 6X or more from flight status)
- 2X points at:
- Restaurants
- Grocery stores
- 1X point on all other purchases
- Perks: 10% point redemption bonus; 5,000 annual bonus points; First checked bag free; 50% in-flight discount
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 12 months (for balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening), then 18.24%, 22.24%, or 27.24% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $99
United℠ Explorer Card
- 60,000 bonus miles for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months; an additional 10,000 bonus miles for spending $6,000 in the first 6 months
- 2X United miles per dollar spent for:
- United Airlines
- Hotel accommodations made directly with the hotel
- Restaurants
- 1X United mile per dollar spent on other purchases
- Perks: Two United Club passes; Priority boarding; First checked bag free; 25% in-flight discount; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®
- 60,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 90 days
- 3X HawaianMiles per dollar spent at Hawaiian Airlines
- 2X HawaiianMiles per dollar spent on:
- Gas
- Dining
- Groceries
- 1X HawaiianMile per dollar spent on all other purchases
- Perks: $100 annual companion ticket discount; One-time 50% companion ticket discount; First checked bag free; Discounted award prices
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee first year, then $99
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring.
- With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more – your points don’t expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- $95 Annual Fee
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Review) has perhaps the best welcome bonus currently available when it comes to cards that aren’t co-branded with airlines and hotels. It’s made all the better because you can transfer those points to airline and hotel loyalty programs, where they could be worth 2 cents each or more.
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The downside is a fairly high spending requirement, but many businesses probably won’t have too much trouble reaching it.
You could also opt for a more modest redemption bonus of 25%, for 1.25 cents per point, by redeeming through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- 25% point bonus: When redeeming for travel expenses through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Point transfer: Transfer points at a 1:1 rate to leading airline and hotel frequent traveler programs, like World of Hyatt or JetBlue TrueBlue.
- Luxury Hotel Collection: Book eligible rooms to get perks like daily breakfast for two, complimentary WiFi, room upgrades, early check-in, late checkout, and unique gifts.
- Shop through Chase/Chase Offers: Earn more points by shopping at participating retailers with the Shop through Chase and Chase Offers marketplaces.
- Free employee cards: Get up to 70 free employee cards to help track spending and earn more rewards.
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
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- Perks: Free Night Award after account anniversary, and a second Free Night Award for spending $60,000 in a calendar year; Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, with a fast track to Gold Elite; Free premium in-room WiFi; 15 Elite Night Credits; $100 property credit at The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis
- Shopping and travel protections: Baggage Insurance Plan, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Global Assist Hotline, Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $125
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card (Rates & Fees)
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
For the two Chase Ink cards without annual fees, if you have another Chase card that allows point transfers (like the Ink Business Preferred) you can move your rewards to the card with the better redemption options to get more value. A $500 bonus could be worth $1,000 or more with a savvy point transfer.
- $750 cash bonus for spending $7,500 in the first 3 months after account opening
- 5% cash back on Lyft rides
- 1.5% cash back for every other purchase
- Perks: Chase Offers; Shop through Chase
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver; Baggage Delay Insurance
- Annual fee: $0
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
- $750 cash bonus for spending $7,500 in the first 3 months after account opening
- 5% cash back on Lyft rides
- 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent each year at Office supply stores and on Internet, cable, and phone services
- 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent each year at Gas stations and Restaurants
- 1% cash back for every other purchase
- Perks: Chase Offers; Shop through Chase
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver; Baggage Delay Insurance
- Annual fee: $0
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
- 50,000 bonus miles for spending $4,500 in the first 3 months
- 5X miles for:
- Hotels booked through Capital One Travel
- Rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 2X miles for every other purchase
- Perks: Point transfer; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Security, Extended Warranty, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Roadside Assistance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0 intro for first year; $95 after that
Capital One Spark Cash for Business
- $500 cash bonus for spending $4,500 in the first 3 months
- 2% cash back for every purchase
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Security; Extended Warranty; Price Protection; Rental Insurance Coverage; Roadside Assistance
- Annual fee: $0 intro for first year; $95 after that
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
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- Perks: Hilton Honors Gold status, and fast track to Diamond; Priority Pass Select membership (10 free visits per year, then $32 per person); Annual Weekend Night Award for spending $15,000 in a calendar year, and a second for spending $60,000; Amex Offers
- Shopping and travel protections: Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Baggage Insurance Plan, Global Assist Hotline
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card (Rates & Fees)
United Club℠ Business Card
- 100,000 bonus miles for spending $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
- 2X miles per dollar spent on United Airlines purchases
- 1.5X miles per dollar spent on all other purchases
- Perks: United Club membership; Premier Access airport services; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit; Free first and second checked bags; Premier Upgrades; 25% in-flight discount
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $450
Rewards
Key Features
With bad credit you may have a tough time being approved for credit cards, but there’s actually one great intro bonus that’s still in your grasp.
The Discover it® Secured (Review), despite being a secured card made for poor credit, offers a solid rewards program that includes Discover’s unique Cashback Match, giving you access to up to 4% cash back in your first year. Build credit and earn rewards, too — not a bad deal.
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- Free credit score: Track your FICO Score 8 over time, based on your TransUnion credit report.
- Social Security number alerts: Get notified if your SSN is found on any thousands of risky websites.
- Inquiry and new account alerts: Alerts if any new credit inquiries or accounts show up on your Experian credit report
- Purchase APR: See Terms
- Balance Transfer APR: See Terms for See Terms, then See Terms
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
What Credit Card Has the Best Signup Bonus?
Most reward credit cards (including cash back cards) have an introductory bonus of some kind. The most valuable offers include:
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Review): 20% back for Amazon purchases in the first 6 months, up to $200 back; $150 back for spending $3,000 in the first 6 months (earned as a statement credit)
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Review): 100,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
- The Platinum Card® from American Express (Review): 100,000 bonus points for spending $6,000 in the first 6 months; 10X points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S., on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, during the first 6 months
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card (Review): 3 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases + 10X total points on eligible purchases in select categories
- AAdvantage® Aviator™ Red World Elite Mastercard®: 60,000 AAdvantage bonus miles and a Companion Certificate for 1 guest at $99 (plus taxes and fees) after making a purchase in the first 90 days and paying the annual fee
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Review): 100,000 bonus points for spending $15,000 in the first 3 months after account opening
What Is a Signup Bonus?
A signup bonus, often known as an introductory bonus, an intro bonus, or a welcome bonus, is a special offer created to spur credit card spending.
Signup bonuses are usually awarded in the form of points, cash back, or a statement credit after the cardholder spends a set amount of money within a given timeframe after the account is opened. The intro bonus for a given card may change quite frequently.
Here’s an example of a typical signup bonus: Spend $1,000 in the first three months to earn $250 in cash back.
Learn much more about signup bonuses here, including ideas for reaching spending requirements without spending more than you usually would.
To give you an idea of how these offers look, here’s the bonus that was available for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review) on November 16, 2020 (the current offer may be different):
Bonus offer for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, as of November 16, 2020
Less commonly, credit card issuers will change it up. Other types of signup bonuses include travel rewards like free hotel stays, or offers like Discover’s Cashback Match, which doubles the cash back earned during your first year as a cardholder.
All spending to secure your signup bonus must be done within the allotted time, and in most cases only purchases count — your annual fee won’t help you earn a welcome bonus, nor will balances transferred from another account.
How Long Do I Have to Earn the Signup Bonus?
In most cases, you’ll get either three months or 90 days to meet the spending requirement to earn the bonus. The countdown begins the moment you’re approved for your credit card and the account is opened — not when you get the card in the mail or activate it.
Some offers are different, however. You may only get two months in some cases, while other introductory bonuses give you six months or even a year.
Be sure to take note of your specific offer when you apply for a card — signup bonus offers change fairly often, so if you check the issuer’s website later on, you may see a different offer. If you lost track of your offer details, contact your card issuer to ask.
Intro bonuses aren’t too complicated, but there may be more to them than you realize; read all about signup bonus offers here.
What Are Public Bonus Offers and Private Bonus Offers?
There are both public signup bonuses and private signup bonuses. Public offers are open to anyone, and private offers are only available to select groups of targeted consumers.
Private offers are typically better than public, perhaps offering $250 or $300 cash back instead of $200. The spending requirement may remain the same or it could change.
You may get private credit card offers online, by email, or by postal mail. Consider checking if you’re pre-approved for any credit cards, which may show you private offers that you’re eligible for (although it won’t always show you every available private offer).
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here.
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