Discover cards are currently not available on CNBC Select and links have been redirected to our credit card marketplace where you can review offers from other issuers like American Express or Chase. You can also check out our list of best credit cards for alternative options.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Credit card welcome bonus offers are an easy way to earn extra rewards when you open an account. While these deals can be lucrative, you should consider your budget before signing up for a card and only take advantage if you can pay off your balance on time and in full. You typically need to meet a minimum spending requirement to earn the most valuable credit card welcome bonuses, and you'll want to do that without overspending to avoid potential interest charges if you carry a balance.
CNBC Select analyzed hundreds of cards that offer welcome bonuses and rounded up the best deals.
Best credit card sign-up bonuses of May 2025
- Best for 0% APR:Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Best for flexible rewards:Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (See rates and fees)
- Best for premium perks:The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best for cash back:Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for no annual fee:Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for everyday spending:Chase Freedom Unlimited® (See rates and fees)
- Best for rotating bonus categories:Discover it® Cash Back
- Best for booking travel:Chase Sapphire Reserve® (See rates and fees)
- Best for low annual fee:Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best for businesses:Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (See rates and fees)
- Best for travel rewards:Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
- Best for IHG points:IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (See rates and fees)
- Best for Marriott stays:Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Best for United miles:The New United Club℠ Card (See rates and fees)
- Best for Southwest flyers:Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
- Best for Hyatt loyalists:World of Hyatt Credit Card (See rates and fees)
- Best business card for Hyatt:World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (See rates and fees)
- Best for no spending required:Prime Visa (See rates and fees)
Best for 0% APR
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Rewards
Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
Regular APR
19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR
Balance transfer fee
Intro balance transfer fee of 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%, min: $5
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Pros
- High flat-rate return on purchases
- Intro-APR for purchases and qualifying balance transfers for a year
- No annual fee
- Cell phone protection
Cons
- Has a foreign transaction fee
- Limited redemption options unless you pair it with a Wells Fargo card that allows point transfers
Who's this for? TheWells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers the best of both worlds, with a generous introductory APR offer and one of the strongest welcome bonuses you can find with a no-annual-fee credit card.
Welcome bonus: Once approved, you can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening. That averages only about $167 in spending per month to earn the bonus.
Best for flexible rewards
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Long list of travel and shopping protections
- $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit
- Has an annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a loyal following among travelers looking for a travel-centric rewards program and a robust suite of perks.
Welcome bonus: You can earn Points are worth 25% more, so the 100,000-point welcome bonus (when you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening) is worth $1,250 towards travel when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠.
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
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With over 4,700 branches, Chase has the largest branch network in the U.S. plus access to more than 15,000 ATMs.
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Bank from anywhere with access to more than 15,000 Chase ATMs, more than 4,700 Chase branches, the Chase Mobile® app and Chase.com.
Best for premium perks
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium card loaded with annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and more. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Access to 1,400+ airport lounges, including Priority Pass™ Select lounges (enrollment required) and Amex Centurion lounges
- Statement credit offers worth up to twice what the annual fee costs
- Elite status perks for hotels and rental cars (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High annual fee
- Many statement credit offers are complicated and are earned in increments or limited to specific purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in 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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- With American Express Global Lounge Collection® you can enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including The Centurion® Lounge, Unlimited Delta Sky Club® Access when flying an eligible Delta flight, Escape Lounges, Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass™ Select Lounges, & Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges subject to visit limitations. Lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees, and for Priority Pass Select, you need to enroll and there are unlimited airport lounge visits for Card Members. With Delta Sky Club Access, Card Members will receive 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in a calendar year. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express® App or visit http://www.americanexpress.com/findalounge#/loungefinder.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Who's this for? The Platinum Card® from American Express is for those looking to travel in luxury and benefit from high rewards on eligible airfare and hotel expenses.
Welcome bonus: The Amex Platinum Card is currently offering a phenomenal welcome bonus of 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 within six months of card membership.
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
3.70% APY as of 2/21/2025
Min balance to open = $0
1.00% APY as of 06/24/2024
Min balance to open = $0
Best for cash back
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the most rewarding options for earning cash back in categories such as entertainment and dining without paying an annual fee.
- 3% cash back on dining and entertainment purchases
- Ability to redeem rewards at any amount, unlike some other cards with $25 minimums
- Competitive special financing offer on both new purchases and balance transfers
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
- 3% balance transfer fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- 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 and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
Balance transfer fee
3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time
Who's this for? The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has one of the simplest welcome bonuses, providing a high return for a low spending requirement.
Welcome bonus: The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. That's like earning 40% cash back.
Best for no annual fee
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee, cash-back rewards and a generous intro-APR offer, which make it a great option for saving on interest while earning rewards.
- No annual fee
- Low spending requirement for the welcome bonus
- Redeem cash back for any amount at any time
- No foreign transaction fee
- 3% balance transfer fee during the first 15 months your account is open
- No bonus rewards categories
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- 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 and balance transfers for 15 months;19.24% - 29.24% ( variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Who's this for? The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great choice for those looking for a no-annual-fee credit card that has a generous welcome bonus.
Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Best for everyday spending
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-annual-fee card that earns generous cash-back on everyday purchases and a lucrative welcome bonus.
- Valuable welcome bonus and high rewards rates
- Long intro APR for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Has a foreign transaction fee
- Few rewarding ongoing benefits
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Limited Time Intro Offer: Earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Who's this for? The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers a welcome bonus with a low spending requirement.
Welcome bonus: Earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Best for rotating bonus categories
Information about Discover cards has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication.
Who's this for? The Discover it® Cash Back offers valuable rotating bonus categories and a uniquely generous welcome bonus.
Welcome bonus: Discover will match all the cash back new card members earn at the end of the first year. There is no limit to how much cash back you can earn with this offer, so it essentially doubles the value you receive from purchases for your first year.
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
From 2.00% to 4.00% APY
Discover Bank is a Member FDIC.
1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month. See website for details by clicking "Learn More".
Best for booking travel
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee.
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations
- Up to $300 in annual travel credit
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Top-tier travel and shopping protections
- High annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase TravelSM. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- 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 PassTM Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater
Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a great rewards rate for travel purchases and top-tier built-in travel protections.
Welcome bonus: You can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Best for low annual fee
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a reasonable annual fee and earns flexible travel rewards, which makes it a great travel card for beginners or heavy travelers.
- Valuable welcome offer worth at least $750 in travel
- You can transfer miles to over 15 Capital One partners, including Emirates Skywards, Choice Privileges and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- No foreign transaction fees
- Lacks ongoing travel benefits such as statement credits or lounge access
- Limited bonus spending category that only applies to certain Capital One Travel bookings
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that's equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Balance transfer fee
$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
None
Who's this for? The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is for people who want luxury benefits without paying the high annual fee of a premium credit card.
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first cardholder year – that's equal to $1,000 in travel
Best for businesses
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is an excellent business card with useful benefits, valuable rewards and a generous welcome bonus.
- Earns flexible travel rewards you can transfer to airline and hotel loyalty programs such as World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Valuable welcome bonus worth $1,125 in travel when redeemed through Chase Travel
- Strong travel and shopping protections
- No intro APR offer
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $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℠
- 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
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- 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 Travel℠
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Who's this for? TheInk Business Preferred® Credit Card is great for small business owners who want to earn loads of flexible travel rewards.
Welcome bonus: You can earn 90,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards® points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. You can transfer these Ultimate Rewards® points to all of Chase's travel partners at a 1:1 ratio or redeem through Chase Travel℠ for over $1,100 in travel.
Best for travel rewards
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card has competitive rewards rates and unlocks access to all of the Citi ThankYou® transfer partners, which boosts the value of your points.
- Unlocks point transfers to all of the Citi ThankYou® partners, including Emirates Skywards, Choice Privileges, Flying Blue and more
- Generous bonus spending categories include dining, supermarkets, hotels and flights
- Valuable welcome bonus
- Has an annual fee
- Car rental coverage is secondary, not primary
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- 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.
- Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Balance transfer fee
Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
Who's this for? TheCiti Strata Premier℠ Card is one of the most generous credit cards for earning flexible rewards for flight and hotel reservations.
Welcome bonus: You can earn 60,000 bonus Citi ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. With the Citi Strata Premier, you can transfer your points to all of Citi's partner travel programs, this includes ThankYou® Points you earn with other Citi credit cards.
Best for IHG points
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card's benefits are easy to maximize, which makes this card a solid option if you stay at IHG properties semi-regularly.
- Free night reward every year (after your first card anniversary)
- Automatic IHG One Platinum status
- Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck® statement credit worth up to $120 every four years
- Certain benefits have high spending requirements to unlock, like IHG One Diamond status and the annual statement credit and bonus points perk
- Has an annual fee
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 140,000 Bonus Points
- Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus, enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
- Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $120 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Who's this for? The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers a range of benefits that can enhance your hotel stays with the IHG umbrella of brands, including Holiday Inn, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo and more.
Welcome bonus: Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Best for Marriott stays
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is useful if you're working toward higher levels of Marriott status because of its bonus elite night credits and the elite credit you can earn from spending with the card.
- Annual free night award every year after your account anniversary
- 15 elite night credits each calendar year and you can earn additional elite night credits through spending
- Valuable welcome bonus
- Complicated application restrictions
- Bonus rewards on grocery, dining and gas purchases have an annual limit
Rewards
- Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
- 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 spent
- Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card
Balance transfer fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Who's this for? The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card can help Marriott loyalists earn status and boost their points balance.
Welcome bonus: 3 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. Plus, earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within 6 months of account opening with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card.
Best for United miles
The New United Club℠ Card is one of the best ways to get unlimited access to United Club airport lounges because the annual fee is less than paying for a lounge membership.
- Unlimited access to United Club and participating Star Alliance airport lounges
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fee credit
- Free enrollment for IHG One Rewards Platinum status; Premier Access perks, including priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling and security screening
- High annual fee
- Free checked bags benefit requires you to pay for the flight with the card
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Debut Offer: Earn 95,000 bonus miles
- 4x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining and all other travel
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- United ClubSM membership - at least a $750 value
- Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access® travel services
- Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after $20,000 in purchases - up to two times each calendar year
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Who's this for? The New United Club℠ Card can help you earn loads of United miles and unlock premium benefits like free checked bags and access to United Clubs.
Welcome bonus: You can earn 95,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Best for Southwest flyers
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is Southwest's mid-tier card and is valuable if you regularly travel to or from destinations Southwest serves.
- Valuable welcome bonus
- 6,000 bonus points every card member anniversary
- No foreign transaction fee
- Limited value when you're not traveling with Southwest
- No annual statement credits to offset the annual fee
Who's this for? The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card combines useful perks with a manageable annual fee, making it a great choice for those who fly Southwest.
Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Best for Hyatt loyalists
The World Of Hyatt Credit Card is surprisingly valuable because the rewards you earn can be redeemed at favored rates thanks to the World Of Hyatt's generous award chart.
- Receive a Category 1-4 free night award every card member year
- 5 elite night credits every year and additional elite night credits for spending
- Strong list of travel protections, including travel accident coverage and trip delay reimbursement
- High spending requirement to earn a second annual free night award
- High spending requirement to earn the full welcome bonus
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn up to 60,000 Bonus 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.
- Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
- Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
- Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
- Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
- Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
- Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
- Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater
Who's this for? The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers a free night award each card membership year (up to Category 4) and other valuable perks that will appeal to Hyatt enthusiasts.
Welcome bonus: Earn up to 60,000 Bonus 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.
Best business card for Hyatt
The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card turns business expenses into valuable Hyatt points with its flexible quarterly bonus categories.
- Flexible bonus categories automatically earn you more rewards where you spend the most each quarter
- Up to $100 in annual Hyatt credits
- Up to 15% off standard Hyatt rates through a complimentary Hyatt Leverage membership (enrollment required)
- High annual fee
- No free night awards
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- 60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Up to 9 points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4 Bonus Points per $1 on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
- 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter.
- 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent on fitness club and gym memberships
- 1 Bonus Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Up to $100 in Hyatt statement credits — spend $50 or more at any Hyatt property and earn $50 statement credits up to two times each anniversary year.
- 5 Tier-Qualifying night credits toward status and Milestone rewards for every $10,000 you spend in a calendar year.
- World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open. Plus, Discoverist status to up to five employees
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater.
Who's this for? Consider the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card if you're a small business owner who regularly stays at hotels in the Hyatt portfolio.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Best for no spending required
The Prime Visa is only available to Amazon Prime members ($139 for an annual membership and $14.99 for a monthly membership) but is very rewarding for Amazon purchases.
- High rate of return at Amazon and Whole Foods
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- Requires an Amazon Prime membership
- If you choose the promo APR you won't earn rewards on those purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
- Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
- No annual credit card fee
- No more waiting. Redeem daily rewards at Amazon.com as soon as the next day
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Who's this for? The Prime Visa, issued by Chase, is one of few cards that automatically award a welcome bonus after account approval.
Welcome bonus: If you get approved for this card, you'll get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval. This offer is exclusively for Prime members.
Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.
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More on our top credit card sign-up bonuses
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Rewards
- Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases
Annual fee
$0
Notableperks
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers cell phone insurance for damage, theft and loss of a cell phone. This coverage has a $25 deductible. You can be reimbursed up to $600 per claim (max of two claims every 12 months).
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rewards
- 5X points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 5X points per dollar on Lyft rides (Benefit valid through September 30, 2027)
- 5X total points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (earn a maximum of 25,000 through December 31, 2027)
- 3X points per dollar on dining
- 3X points per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).
- 3X points per dollar on select streaming services.
- 2X points per dollar on all other travel purchases
- 1X points per dollar on all other purchases
Annual fee
$95
Notable perks
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has many helpful benefits, such as a $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, no foreign transaction fees and a 10% points boost every account anniversary.
It also offers exceptional travel and purchase protections, including baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, rental car collision coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty protection.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Rewards
- 5X points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
- 5X points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Annual fee
$695 (see rates and fees)
Notable perks
The Platinum Card from American Express has a long list of annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access and elite status perks, including:
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the U.S. annually after adding your card to your Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. (Enrollment required). Terms Apply.
- Up to $200 annual airline fee credit (enrollment required)
- Up to $300 per calendar year Equinox credit (enrollment required)
- Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit (enrollment required)
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (Enrollment required. subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Up to $240 annual digital entertainment credit (enrollment required)
- Up to $155 annual Walmart+ credit. (Enrollment required. Plus Ups are not eligible. Subject to auto renewal. Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee
- Top-tier airport lounge access, which includes complimentary visits to American Express Centurion Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (Requires enrollment for Priority Pass™ Select), Delta Sky Clubs and Lufthansa Lounges.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
- 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars you book Capital One Travel
- 3% cash back at grocery stores
- 3% cash back on dining
- 3% cash back on entertainment
- 3% cash back on popular streaming services
- 1% cash back on every other purchase
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has no foreign transaction fees. You can also take advantage of benefits such as travel accident insurance* and extended warranty protection*.
*Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
- 1.5% cash back on every purchase
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card has no foreign transaction fee and may include travel accident insurance*, 24-hour travel assistance, extended warranty protection and access to premier culinary, entertainment and sports event experiences.
*Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Rewards
- 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3% back at drugstores
- 3% back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services)
- 1.5% on all other purchases.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® provides travel insurance benefits such as rental car collision coverage, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and travel and emergency assistance. It also offers purchase protection and extended warranty protection.
Discover it® Cash Back
Rewards
- 5% cash back for up to $1,500 in purchases in rotating quarterly bonus categories you activate (then 1% cash back)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
The Discover it® Cash Back has no foreign transaction fees, making it useful when traveling abroad.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Rewards
- 10X total points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠*
- 10X points on Chase Dining purchases
- 10X total points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (earn a maximum of 50,000 total points through December 31, 2027)
- 5X points on Lyft purchases plus a new $10 monthly in app Lyft credit through September 30, 2027
- 5X total points on flights purchased through Chase Travel℠*
- 3X points on other travel*
- 3X points on dining
- 1X points on all other purchases
*After the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
Annual fee
$550
Notable perks
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides access to statement credit offers, which can help to make the card's annual fee worth it. You can earn up to $300 in annual travel credits and up to $120 in application fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS (once every four years).
When you're flying, you can relax in style with airport lounge access. You are granted unlimited complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge visits, including Sapphire airport lounges. This card has no foreign transaction fees and an incredible amount of insurance protections, including:
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty protection
- Return protection
- Primary rental car collision coverage
- Trip delay protection
- Trip interruption/cancellation insurance
- Baggage delay protection
- Lost luggage reimbursement
- Travel accident insurance
- Emergency medical and dental insurance
- Emergency evacuation and transportation
You can also enroll to receive complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
- 5X miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase
Annual fee
$95
Notable perks
Benefits of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card include a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee credit every four years worth up to $120 and no foreign transaction fees.
The card also comes with extended warranty protection, travel accident insurance, and rental car collision coverage. You can get access to Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment, which grants you access to exclusive sports, music and culinary experiences.
**Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Rewards
- 5X points on Lyft rides (through September 30, 2027)
- 3X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases in these categories each account anniversary year: Shipping, advertising with select social media sites and search engines, travel, internet, cable and phone services
- 1X points on all other purchases
Annual fee
$95
Notable perks
The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card has no foreign transaction fees and a strong lineup of shopping and travel protections. You can take advantage of cell phone protection, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, roadside dispatch, rental car collision coverage, trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance, and more.
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Rewards
- 10X points on hotel, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com
- 3X points at restaurants
- 3X points at supermarkets
- 3X points at gas stations and EV charging stations
- 3X points on air travel
- 3X points on other hotel purchases
- 1X points on all other purchases
Annual fee
$95
Notable perks
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card offers a $100 annual discount on a CitiTravel.com hotel reservation that costs $500+. Eligible transactions are also covered by travel insurance perks that include coverages for trip cancellations and interruptions, trip delays, lost or damaged luggage and rental cars.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Rewards
- 10X points at IHG hotels and resorts
- 5X points on travel
- 5X points at gas stations
- 5X points at restaurants
- 3X points on all other purchases
Annual fee
$99
Notable perks
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card provides automatic IHG Platinum status and rewards big spenders. You can earn Diamond Elite status after spending $40,000 on the card in a calendar year. Along the way to earn Diamond status, you can earn a $100 statement credit and 10,000 IHG points after spending $20,000 on your card in a calendar year. Every year you'll also receive a free night award that's valid at IHG hotels costing 40,000 points or less.
If you also travel with United Airlines, you'll appreciate the up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash you get each year ($25 deposited twice per year). Plus, you can breeze through airport security or customs after signing up for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS and having your application fee reimbursed (up to $120, once every four years).
Your IHG points become more valuable just by having the card because of its fourth-night free benefit. With this feature, if you use points to book a stay of at least four consecutive nights, the fourth night is free.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Rewards
- Up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
- 3X Marriott points on the first $6,000 spent each year on grocery stores, dining and gas stations
Annual fee
$95
Notable perks
With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, every year after the account anniversary, you'll receive a Free Night Award valid at properties costing up to 35,000 points per night. A useful feature of Marriott's Free Night Awards is that you can top them off with up to 15,000 points. This allows you to use the annual award night for rooms that cost up to 50,000 points, which gives you more options.
You'll receive Marriott Bonvoy Silver status just for having the card and you receive Gold status after spending $35,000 on purchases in a calendar year. Each calendar year, you'll also receive 15 Elite Night Credits and one Elite Night Credit for every $5,000 you spend on the card.
United Club℠ Card
Rewards
- 4X miles on United® purchases
- 2X miles on all other travel
- 2X miles on dining
- 1X miles on all other purchases
Annual fee
$695
Notable perks
The biggest reason to get The New United Club℠ Card is for unlimited United Club airport lounge access. Depending on your elite status level, a United Club℠ membership would normally cost at least $750. Terms apply.
This card also has many travel perks that make it worthwhile, even after you've left the United airport lounge. It comes with:
- First and second checked bags for free on United flights (for you and a companion when you pay for the flight with the card)
- Priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling and security screening
- Up to $120 back for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS
- 25% back on inflight United purchases and premium United Club drink purchases
- Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after $20,000 in purchases - up to two times each calendar year
- Save 10% on economy Saver Awards within the continental U.S. or between the continental U.S. and Canada
- IHG One Rewards Platinum status
- Up to $75 in IHG statement credits each year
- Up to $100 in United travel credits on Avis or Budget purchases annually
- Car rental collision coverage
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Purchase protection
- No foreign transaction fees
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Rewards
- 3X points on every $1 spent on Southwest® purchases
- 2X points on every $1 spent on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partner purchases
- 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
- 2X points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming
- 1X points on all other purchases.
Annual fee
$99
Notable perks
One of the bigger draws of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is the ability to earn a Companion Pass, which allows a guest to fly with you for nearly free — they just have to cover the cost of the ticket's taxes and fees.
The card also offers a few other helpful perks and benefits directly through Southwest or other purchases:
- 6,000 bonus points on each account anniversary
- Two EarlyBird Check-Ins each year
- Bags fly free
- 25% back on inflight purchases
- Lost luggage reimbursement
- Extended warranty protection
- Purchase protection
- No foreign transaction fees
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Rewards
- 4X points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels
- 2X points on airfare purchased directly from an airline
- 2X points on dining
- 2X points on local transit and commuting
- 2X points on fitness and gym club memberships
- 1X points on all other purchases
Annual fee
$95
Notable perks
With the World of Hyatt Credit Card, you can earn up to two free-night awards per year. You'll automatically receive one free night per card member year (valid at Category 1 to 4 hotels) and can earn a second free night (also valid at Category 1 to 4 hotels) after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year.
Stays are more comfortable with automatic Hyatt Discoverist status, which gets you an early check-in, 2 p.m. check-out, a preferred room based on availability and more. You'll also receive five tier qualifying night credits toward the next status tier automatically each year, with the ability to earn another two elite night credits for every $5,000 you spend on the card in a calendar year.
Other perks include no foreign transaction fees, baggage delay insurance, purchase protection, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, rental car collision coverage and lost luggage reimbursement.
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
Rewards
- 4 Bonus Points per $1 on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
- 2X points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter. Eligible categories include: Dining, Shipping, Airline tickets when purchased directly with the airline, Local transit & Commuting, Social Media & Search Engine Advertising, Car Rental Agencies, Gas stations and Internet, Cable & Phone Services.
- 2X points on fitness club and gym memberships
- 1X points on all other purchases
Annual fee
$199
Notable perks
The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card helps you fast track elite status with automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status for you and up to five employees, plus five elite night credits for every $10,000 you spend on the card in a calendar year.
You'll also enjoy an up to $100 annual Hyatt Credit. Simply spend $50 or more at any Hyatt property on the card and earn $50 in statement credits, up to two times, each anniversary year. Once you've hit $50,000 in spending on the card in a calendar year, you'll receive a 10% rebate on points redemptions (on up to 200,000 points per year).
Prime Visa
Rewards
- 5% cash back at Amazon.com
- 5% cash back at Amazon Fresh
- 5% cash back at Whole Foods
- 5% cash back on Chase Travel purchases
- 2% cash back at gas stations
- 2% cash back at restaurants
- 2% cash back on local transit
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Annual fee
$0 (Amazon Prime membership is required)
Notable perks
The Prime Visa has no foreign transaction fees and insurance perks that matter, such as:
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty protection
- Baggage delay insurance
- Rental car collision coverage
- Lost luggage reimbursement
- Roadside dispatch
- Travel accident insurance
- Travel and emergency assistance
How to choose a credit card based on its intro bonus
A credit card's welcome bonus is often the most valuable benefit. However, it's only a one-time perk, so you'll want to carefully consider everything else the card offers before applying.
As you're analyzing intro bonus offers, it's important to consider two factors: Bonus value and requirements.
Bonus value
For certain types of cards, it's simple to estimate the bonus value. For example, a cash bonus of $500 is worth $500, but how much are 50,000 points or miles worth?
The answer depends on the type of rewards and how you intend to use them:
- Hotel points or airline miles: Only redeemable within the specific program, limiting your options
- Transferrable points: These can typically be moved to many different airlines or hotels, which could provide you with more choices.
This added flexibility can increase the value of flexible rewards, so 50,000 transferrable points are generally worth more than 50,000 hotel points.
Bonus requirements
If you're approved for a card, you'll still need to meet the spending requirement before you're awarded any bonus points, miles or cash.
To ensure you can hit the spending threshold without overspending, look at your credit card statement for the past few months or the year. This should give you a good idea of how much you can expect to spend on your new card. If you usually spend $1,500 on your credit card(s) each month, then any card with a spending requirement of $4,500 or less within three months should be achievable.
You can also plan your credit card application around bigger, but less frequent expenses. If you're paying your annual insurance premiums or booking lodging for your yearly vacation, it might make sense to apply for a card beforehand.
Credit card welcome bonus pros and cons
Card credit intro bonuses can help you collect loads of miles, points or other rewards.
However, these are one-time bonuses, and you need to look at a card's benefits and perks to get the full picture of whether it's a worthy addition to your wallet. Welcome bonuses also typically have spending requirements that need to be met within a certain timeframe and these requirements aren't always easy to meet.
- Welcome bonuses can be exceptionally valuable, even when factoring in the spending requirement. The best offers may provide 10X to 20X points per dollar on the spending you need to make to earn the bonus.
- Intro bonuses allow you to quickly earn enough rewards to book more valuable redemptions, such as business-class flights or luxury hotels that typically have higher point or mile requirements.
- A card's welcome bonus could entice you to spend more than you otherwise would have. In this scenario, you may end up paying interest if you can't afford to pay off the balance.
- Intro bonuses are one-off card benefits, so you need to make sure the card's ongoing perks are worth it or offset the annual fee (if there is one).
FAQs
What is a credit card sign-up bonus?
A credit card sign-up bonus is an incentive to entice consumers to open a new credit card and make purchases with the card. You typically need to spend a certain amount within a specified period to earn the bonus.
How do credit card sign-up bonuses work?
Credit card sign-up bonuses are typically one-time offers you can qualify for when you open a new card. These rewards often come in the form of cashback, points or miles, and generally require spending a certain amount of money with that card within the first few months of account opening. The spending thresholds vary but generally range from $500 to $5,000.
Are credit card sign-up bonus offers worth it?
Credit card sign-up bonuses can be worth it as they can add hundreds of dollars (or sometimes even over a thousand dollars) back to your wallet and are generally non-taxable since you had to spend money to earn them. However, you should only pursue a welcome bonus if you can meet the spending requirement without overspending or stretching yourself too thin. You don't want to carry a balance just to earn a bonus since the interest charges could outweigh the value of any rewards you earn.
How many credit card sign-up bonuses can you earn?
Some card issuers like American Express limit the number of sign-up bonuses you can earn for a card to once per lifetime, while others may allow you to earn a sign-up bonus multiple times, but may make you wait a certain period of time before being eligible again.
What sign-up bonuses are the easiest to get?
Cashback cards generally have sign-up bonuses that are easier to earn.
What is the best credit card sign-up bonus?
While the best credit card sign-up bonus will depend on the individual, travel rewards cards like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express currently offer some of the largest welcome bonuses.
Are credit card sign-up bonuses taxed?
Credit card sign-up bonuses are typically not considered taxable income because they usually have a spending requirement, which makes them a form of rebate or discount.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best credit card sign-up bonuses.
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Our methodology
To determine which cardsoffer the best value, CNBC Select analyzed over 250 major credit cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions that are widely available in the U.S. and offer welcome bonuses.
We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards (e.g., cash back, points and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cash back).
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
For the cards that offered a rewards program, we considered consumer spending data forecasts from location intelligence firm Esri to determine where U.S. consumers are spending the most money, like on dining and travel. We used this to help determine what bonus categories are most useful for consumers. Since the value of a point or mile varies based on what they can be redeemed for, we also considered things like transferability and the ability to redeem for cash-back.
Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.
Read more
For rates and fees of the Discover it® Cash Back, click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
Information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
*For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
