- Solid sign-up bonus.
- Transfer points through Chase Ultimate Rewards to hotel and airline partners for extra value.
- Great perks for a mid-tier annual fee.
This content is created by AP Buyline in accordance with AP’s editorial guidelines and supervised and edited by AP staff. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about AP Buyline here.
Updated September 3, 2024
Credit card welcome bonuses are the fastest (and easiest) way to rack up travel rewards and bonus cash. Most rewards credit cards offer a one-time lump sum of cash or points after opening the account and meeting a spending requirement. Depending on how you use your rewards, it’s possible to get over $1,000 in value from the bonuses offered by the best credit cards.
Best credit card sign-up bonuses
card_name: Best for Travel rewards beginners
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Why we like it
Often touted as the perfect beginner travel credit card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card comes with all the necessities that a traveler needs. It’s got a large welcome bonus, it earns points quickly and it confers excellent travel insurance to protect you against flight delays and rental car dings.
The biggest selling point of the card is its flexible rewards. You can travel for pennies on the dollar by transferring the points you earn to airline and hotel loyalty programs such as Hyatt, United Airlines, British Airways and many more. You can also redeem your points for flights, rental cars and cruises through Chase Travel at a rate of 1.25 cents each.
Pros:
Cons:
- annual_fees annual fee.
- No intro APR deal.
The card_name earns flexible rewards that you can instantly convert into airline miles or hotel points for free flights and accommodation. With its current bonus, you bonus_miles_full.
The card also offers some of the best travel protections on a credit card, including trip delay insurance, baggage delay insurance and primary rental car insurance. Travelers will extract the most value from this card, but those who are less interested in travel can redeem its rewards for things like cash back and merchandise.
card_name: Best for cash back
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Why we like it
The no annual fee card_name earns between 1.5% and 5% cash back on all purchases, making it a perfect option for those that don’t want to juggle multiple rewards credit cards. It also offers a generous 0% intro APR window on purchases and balance transfers.
A high return rate on everyday purchases is great, but this card ups the ante in a big way: You can turn the cash back you earn into airline miles and hotel points for nearly free travel — skyrocketing the potential value of your rewards. You’ll need to hold an annual fee-incurring Chase Ultimate Rewards card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, to do it; but it’s a nice redemption option to have if travel is a goal of yours.
Pros:
- Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to airline and hotel partners with annual fee companion card.
- Redeem rewards for gift cards, cash and Apple purchases.
- Up to 5% cash back on gas and grocery store purchases.
Cons:
- Penalty APR for late payments.
- Bonuses aren't as generous as some other cards in this category.
- Foreign transaction fee.
You’ll find the value of the card_name to be in its return rate. The card earns 5% on travel reserved through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores and 1.5% back on all other purchases. The card’s current bonus sharply increases the rewards you’ll earn during the first year, as well: bonus_miles_full
The Chase Ultimate Rewards points this card earns can be redeemed toward things like gift cards, cash and Apple purchases. However, holding an annual fee-incurring Ultimate Rewards card unlocks the ability to transfer those rewards to airline and hotel partners. You’ll earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points which can be redeemed for cash at a rate of 1 cent each.
card_name: Best for everyday expenses
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Pros:
- Excellent return rate for common purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Annual $100 discount when reserving a hotel stay of $500 or more through Citi.
Cons:
- annual_fees annual fee.
- Lacks any sort of travel insurance.
The card_name is a travel credit card that earns points that you can transfer to airline and hotel partners to reserve flights and hotel stays for pennies on the dollar. Citi says with its current bonus you can bonus_miles_full.
Of all rewards credit cards on the market, the card_name offers what are perhaps the most practical bonus categories to match your everyday spending. You’ll earn 3 points per dollar for restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, hotels and air travel.
card_name: Best for small business owners
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Why we like it
The card_name from Chase is a premium travel rewards card for small businesses. It offers 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
Cardholders earn 3x points per dollar on up to $150,000 in combined purchases for shipping company, social media and search engine advertising, travel, and eligible telecommunications purchases. You’ll get 1x per dollar everywhere else.
Reward points are worth 1.25 cents each when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards, or you can transfer to airline and hotel partners for potentially more value. In addition to no foreign transaction fees, the card offers cell phone protection and valuable purchase and travel coverages. While there’s a $95 annual fee, it’s easy to see how you can earn much more in rewards and benefits.
Pros:
- The business version of the card_name.
- Bonus categories include items businesses spend on.
- Flexibility in earning and redeeming rewards.
Cons:
- There is a annual_fees annual fee.
- Only available to business owners.
The card_name is effectively the small business version of the card_name. It’s a travel credit card that earns flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points which can be converted into airline miles and hotel points. The card even offers similar travel insurance — as long as you’re traveling for business purposes.
This card offers an absolute monster of a welcome offer, bonus_miles_full. If you’ve got a small business (even a side hustle like driving for Uber), this card is worth a look.
card_name: Best for flat return rate
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Pros:
- Solid sign-up bonus.
- Earn valuable Capital One Miles.
- Travel perks like $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
Cons:
- Lacks many ongoing benefits that justify its annual_fees annual fee.
- Sign-up bonus requires hefty initial spending requirement.
The card_name is an excellent pick for those who don’t want the bother of paying attention to bonus categories and strategizing about which credit cards to use for what purchases. It earns 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and a flat 2 miles per dollar on all purchases. In other words, you can swipe this card for any expense and know that you’re getting a respectable return. also you can bonus_miles_full
The card_name’s rewards can be transferred to airline and hotel partners for free travel. By redeeming your rewards in this way, it’s not difficult to get over $1,300 in value from its bonus.
card_name: Best for luxury travel
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full . Terms apply.
Pros:
- Offers substantial value in statement credits annually.
- Earn American Express Membership Rewards® points.
- Best lounge access around.
Cons:
- Some statement credits are difficult to make use of organically.
- annual_fees annual fee.
The card_name is the ultimate feature-filled rewards credit card. It’s chock full of lifestyle perks such as monthly Uber credits, Walmart+ membership credits, digital entertainment credits, but it’s a travel card at heart. You’ll get unparalleled airport lounge access*; hundreds of dollars in credits to offset prepaid hotel stays and airline incidental fees*; and hotel and rental car elite status*.
The card also lets you bonus_miles_full, which transfer to airline and hotel programs for free travel. Its current welcome bonus is sizable enough to achieve more than $1,500 in travel.
*Enrollment required.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Best for hotel perks
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Credit score
690
Annual fees
$550
Welcome bonus
Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within six months of account opening.
Pros:
- Generous welcome bonus.
- Hilton loyalists earn Hilton Honors points toward rewards.
- Extra benefits include up to $200 in free airfare per year and $189 credit for CLEAR Plus membership.
Cons:
- $550 annual fee.
- No bonus for spending on groceries or gas.
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is one of the best bang-for-your-buck credit cards — and it has been for years. The card provides over $700 per year in travel statement credits toward things like airfare and resort credits, top-tier Diamond elite status and a Free Night Award that can be used at nearly any Hilton property in the world. This could amount to thousands of dollars in value, depending on where you use it.
The card’s current bonus (Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within six months of account opening.)is worth an average of $900 in free Hilton stays. But you can receive exponentially more value than that if you know the best ways to use them.
*Enrollment required.
card_name: Best for flight perks
United Club℠ Infinite Card
United Club℠ Infinite Card
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Why we like it
The United Club Infinite Card is packed with benefits for United fliers that want a little luxury in their travels, from free checked bags to a United Club lounge membership. It also earns a solid rate on both United and outside travel purchases, plus dining and eligible food delivery.
Though the Club Infinite Card’s $525 fee is certainly high, cardholders can save hundreds per year on lounge visits, baggage fees, in-flight purchases and more with its perks. Plus, the card’s generous sign-up bonus can cover a couple of round-trip domestic flights, if redeemed strategically.
Pros:
- Valuable upgrades on United flights including lounge access and free checked bags on United-operated flights.
- Earn United MileagePlus miles.
- Global Entry and TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement.
Cons:
- annual_fees annual fee.
- If you’re not a United flyer, the card does little for you.
The card_name is a luxury airline credit card with a welcome bonus bonus_miles_full valued at over $1,300. The card offers day-of-travel benefits that are sharply above average, such as free United Club airport lounge membership (worth $650 per year) where you’ll often find free food and alcohol, comfy chairs and speedy Wi-Fi.
You’ll also get Premier Access travel services (priority check-in, security screening, boarding and baggage handling) and the first and second checked bags free for you and a companion when you use the card to pay the cash portion of your flight.
card_name: Best for a valuable welcome bonus
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full . Terms apply.
Pros:
- Earn American Express Membership Rewards® points.
- Travel benefits can translate into over $1,000 in value per year.
- Airport lounge membership and other perks make business travel better.
Cons:
- annual_fees annual fee.
- Only available to small business owners.
The card_name is the business version of the card_name. Many details are the same, including a $200 airline fee credit, top-tier airport lounge access and elite status with various hotel and rental car brands. But it also offers business-focused benefits, such as up to $400 in annual Dell statement credits and up to $120 in wireless statement credits.
Importantly, this card currently offers what is widely considered to be the most valuable welcome bonus available: bonus_miles_full worth an average of $2,400 when you transfer your points to airlines or hotels for (nearly) free travel.
*Enrollment required.
Best sign up bonus credit cards 2024: Compare the options
| Card name | Annual fees | Welcome bonus | Credit score |
|---|---|---|---|
card_name | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
card_name | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
card_name | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
card_name | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
card_name | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
card_name | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | $550 | Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points. | 690 |
card_name | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
card_name | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
How we chose the best sign-up bonus credit cards
We compared card offers based on the following criteria: Welcome offers; rewards flexibility; variable APRs; annual fees; consumer protections included; travel benefits and perks; travel insurance benefits; credit rating required.
Ultimately, we looked for credit cards that offer the most lucrative rewards structures and welcome offers, as well as flexibility within their designated rewards programs. In all cases, benefits such as consumer protections and travel insurance perks were taken into account.
Choosing the best sign-up bonus credit card: Where to begin
The above welcome bonuses are, really, really good. But not all bonuses are equally valuable to each user. Before you impulse-apply, consider the following factors.
Financial goals
What is it that you'd like to get out of your new card? Are you primarily focused on earning cash back, or would you prefer to earn travel rewards? If your goal is travel, consider which airline or hotel brands you intend to use, and select a credit card based on the value you'll receive long after the welcome bonus is spent.
Eligibility
Credit card issuers publish unique requirements to earn a welcome bonus. For example:
- American Express (usually) won't allow you to earn a welcome bonus on the same credit card more than once per lifetime.
- Chase may not approve you for a credit card if you've opened five or more credit cards from any bank in the past 24 months (excluding most small business cards).
- You aren't eligible for certain Marriott credit cards if you already hold a Marriott credit card — even if it's different from the one you'd like to open.
All this to say, read each card's offer terms to ensure you qualify.
Beyond that, you should take note of your credit score to avoid applying for a card that requires a higher credit score. Don't apply for a card that's out of your league.
Spending requirement
Guarding most credit card welcome offers is a minimum spending requirement. These can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Be absolutely certain that you can achieve a card's bonus through your everyday spending before you apply, or you could forfeit literally thousands of dollars in value.
Size of the bonus
One of the most important aspects of choosing the best sign-up bonus credit card is, obviously, the size of the welcome bonus.
Remember, not all rewards currencies are created equal. A welcome offer of 150,000 hotel points could offer less value than a card offering 90,000 airline miles.
It's also wise to quickly research the card you're after to see if its bonus tends to increase intermittently. It could be worth waiting a couple of months to see if the card's bonus improves.
How does a credit card sign-up bonus work?
A credit card sign-up bonus is an incentive that credit card issuers use to persuade you to try out a credit card. It's often (but not always) a lump sum of cash or travel rewards deposited into your account after you meet a minimum spending requirement.
How to calculate the value of your sign-up bonus
Calculating the value of your sign-up bonus can be difficult depending on the currency you're earning. If it's cash back, the value is a no-brainer; but if you're earning airline miles, hotel points or transferable rewards, the waters get a bit muddy.
In fact, you won't know for certain the value of your bonus until you use it. That's because these types of rewards don't have an intrinsic value --- their value depends on the specific travel redemption you use them for.
In general, though, the magic formula for finding out the value of your rewards is as follows:
(Price of travel - taxes and fees) / number of rewards used.
For example, you could use 150,000 Hilton points for a night at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives, which routinely costs $2,000 per night. The formula would be $2,000 / 150,000, which equals 1.33 cents per point.
Is it worth getting a credit card for the sign-up bonus?
It's absolutely worth getting a credit card for the sign-up bonus. In fact, it's far and away the easiest route to racking up thousands of dollars in rewards with virtually no effort. However, you should not make a habit of opening and closing credit cards with regularity. Your credit score may suffer, and the card issuers don't like it either.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Are credit card bonuses taxable income?
Credit card bonuses are not considered taxable income.
Can you open multiple credit cards at the same time to earn more sign-up bonuses?
Yes. You can open multiple credit cards at the same time, as long as they are issued by different banks. Generally, an issuer will not let you open more than one of its credit cards at the same time.
Can I receive the sign-up bonus more than once?
It depends on the issuer. Some banks allow you to reopen a card and earn its bonus once every 24 to 48 months while others only allow you to earn a bonus once per lifetime. You also (usually) can't earn a welcome bonus on a card if you currently hold that specific card.
Can I cancel the credit card after receiving the sign-up bonus?
You can cancel a credit card at any time, but you should wait at least one year after opening a card before you close it. If you make a habit of closing cards soon after earning a welcome bonus, the banks will likely view you as abusing their rewards program and penalize you by clawing back the rewards you've earned (or worse).
Can I be matched to a higher welcome bonus offer?
It depends on the bank. If soon after you apply for a welcome offer a credit card issuer unveils a superior offer, it's possible that you can be matched to the better offer. It's certainly worth secure messaging or calling customer service to ask.
Are welcome bonuses paid upfront?
Welcome bonuses are only paid after you meet the card's minimum spending requirement. In some cases, a welcome bonus may simply improve your return rate on spending for a specific amount of time (e.g. your first year of card membership). In other words, welcome bonuses are not paid upfront.
Are there any restrictions on redeeming or using a welcome bonus?
Each rewards currency has restrictions as to how you can use them. For example, you typically cannot redeem airline miles or hotel points for cash.
For rates and fees of the card_name, please visit URL.
For rates and fees of the card_name, please visit URL.
AP Buyline has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. AP Buyline and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
This content is created by AP Buyline in accordance with AP’s editorial guidelines and supervised and edited by AP staff. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about AP Buyline here.