Best Credit Card Bonuses for New Cardholders of February 2023
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ALSO CONSIDER: Best credit cards of 2023 || Best rewards credit cards || Best travel credit cards || Best cash back credit cards
Credit card bonus offers are a quick way to earn hundreds of dollars' worth of rewards by using a new credit card, but the best deals don't always stick around. The largest bonuses typically come from travel credit cards. Bonuses on cash-back credit cards generally hover in the range of $200, but some cards go even higher. Cards are judged on the value of their bonuses, as well as their bonuses relative to their annual fees. Below are the best bonus offers currently available on NerdWallet.
» MORE: Are credit card rewards taxable?
ALSO CONSIDER: Best credit cards of 2023 || Best rewards credit cards || Best travel credit cards || Best cash back credit cards
Credit card bonus offers are a quick way to earn hundreds of dollars' worth of rewards by using a new credit card, but the best deals don't always stick around. The largest bonuses typically come from travel credit cards. Bonuses on cash-back credit cards generally hover in the range of $200, but some cards go even higher. Cards are judged on the value of their bonuses, as well as their bonuses relative to their annual fees. Below are the best bonus offers currently available on NerdWallet.
» MORE: Are credit card rewards taxable?
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Best Credit Card Bonuses for New Cardholders From Our Partners
Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Apply now on Chase's website | Best for Chase Ultimate Rewards® points | $95 | 1x- Points | 60,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for Capital One Miles | $95 | 2x- Miles | 75,000 Miles | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Apply now on Wells Fargo's website | Best for $200 cash rewards bonus | $0 | 2% Cashback | $200 | Apply now on Wells Fargo's website |
Chase Freedom Flex℠ Apply now on Chase's website | Best for $200 cash back | $0 | 1%- Cashback | $200 | Apply now on Chase's website |
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card Apply now on Citibank's application | Best for $200 cash back | $0 | 1%- Cashback | $200 | Apply now on Citibank's application |
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card Apply now on US Bank's website | Best for $200 cash back | $0 | 1%- Cashback | $200 | Apply now on US Bank's website |
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card Apply now on Wells Fargo's website | Best for No-annual-fee travel points | $0 | 1x- Points | 20,000 Points | Apply now on Wells Fargo's website |
American Express® Gold Card Apply now on American Express' website | Best for American Express Membership Rewards | $250 | 1x- Points | 60,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website |
Citi Premier® Card Apply now on Citibank's application | Best for General travel card | $95 | 1x- Points | 60,000 Points | Apply now on Citibank's application |
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Apply now on Bank of America's website, or call (877) 754-6706 | Best for $200 cash back | $0 | 1%- Cashback | $200 | Apply now on Bank of America's website, or call (877) 754-6706 |
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for $200 cash back | $0 | 1.5%- Cashback | $200 | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Discover it® Cash Back Apply now on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264 | Best for Cash back match | $0 | 1%- Cashback | Cashback Match™ | Apply now on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264 |
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Apply now on American Express' website | Best for $250 statement credit | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. | 1%- Cashback | $250 | Apply now on American Express' website |
IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | Best for IHG Hotels | $99 | 1x- Points | 175,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | Best for Southwest Airlines | $149 | 1x- Points | 30,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | Best for Marriott Bonvoy Hotels | $95 | 2x- Points | 100,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Apply now on American Express' website | Best for Delta Airlines | $550 | 1x- Miles | 90,000 Miles | Apply now on American Express' website |
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Apply now on American Express' website | Best for Hilton Hotels | $95 | 3x- Points | 150,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website |
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® Apply now on Citibank's application | Best for American Airlines | $0 intro for the first year, then $99 | 1x- Miles | 50,000 Miles | Apply now on Citibank's application |
World of Hyatt Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | Best for World of Hyatt | $95 | 1x- Points | 30,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
United Club℠ Infinite Card Apply now on Chase's website | Best for United Airlines | $525 | 1x- Miles | 80,000 Miles | Apply now on Chase's website |
Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card Apply now on Bank of America's website | Best for Alaska Airlines | $95 | 1x- Miles | 70,000 Miles | Apply now on Bank of America's website |
Our pick for
Chase Ultimate Rewards® points
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
$95
1x-5x
Points
60,000
Points
BONUS OFFER: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
BONUS OFFER: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Pros
New cardholder bonus offer
Bonus categories
Primary rental car coverage
Flexible rewards redemption
Transfer partners
Cons
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
Complicated rewards
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 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, 2024.
Our pick for
Capital One Miles
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$95
2x-5x
Miles
75,000
Miles
BONUS OFFER: Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
BONUS OFFER: Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
Pros
High rewards rate
Flexible rewards redemption
Cons
High annual fee
Rewards have limited flexibility
Requires good/excellent credit
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
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 $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Our pick for
$200 cash rewards bonus
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
$0
2%
Cashback
$200
BONUS OFFER: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.
BONUS OFFER: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Pros
High rewards rate
No annual fee
Intro APR period
Cons
No bonus categories
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable APR; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5
$0 annual fee
No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open
Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world's most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge
Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
$200 cash back
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
$0
1%-5%
Cashback
$200
BONUS OFFER: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
BONUS OFFER: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Pros
No annual fee
New cardholder bonus offer
Bonus categories
Cash rewards
Intro APR period
Cons
Requires good/excellent credit
Complicated rewards
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 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 unlimited 1% cash back 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!
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.24% - 27.99%.
No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
$0
1%-5%
Cashback
$200
BONUS OFFER: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
BONUS OFFER: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Pros
No annual fee
5% bonus categories
Intro APR Period
Cons
Low rate outside bonus categories
Requires good/excellent credit
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.49% - 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
No Annual Fee
Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash℠ Card account per person.
on US Bank's website
on US Bank's website
$0
1%-5%
Cashback
$200
BONUS OFFER: $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
BONUS OFFER: $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
Pros
No annual fee
Bonus categories
High rewards rate
Cons
Complicated rewards
$200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose
5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center
2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 18.99 - 28.99%
No Annual Fee
Terms and conditions apply.
- View Rates & Fees
on Bank of America's website, or call (877) 754-6706
on Bank of America's website, or call (877) 754-6706
$0
1%-3%
Cashback
$200
BONUS OFFER: $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
BONUS OFFER: $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Pros
No annual fee
New cardholder bonus offer
Rotating bonus categories
Relationship rewards for customers
Intro APR period
Cons
Requires good/excellent credit
Complicated rewards
Spending caps on bonus rewards
Best rewards limited to certain customers
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
No annual fee and no expiration on rewards.
New longer intro period! 0% Introductory APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$0
1.5%-5%
Cashback
$200
BONUS OFFER: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
BONUS OFFER: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Pros
No annual fee
High rewards rate
Intro APR period
No foreign transaction fees
Cons
Requires good/excellent credit
No bonus categories
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
Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
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; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
Our pick for
No-annual-fee travel points
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
$0
1x-3x
Points
20,000
Points
BONUS OFFER: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
BONUS OFFER: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
Pros
No annual fee
Bonus categories
No reward caps
Cell phone insurance
New cardholder bonus offer
Cons
No free checked bags
No free anniversary night
No luxury perks
Requires good/excellent credit
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value
Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases
$0 annual fee
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable APR thereafter
Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world's most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge.
Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
American Express Membership Rewards
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$250
1x-4x
Points
60,000
Points
BONUS OFFER: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
BONUS OFFER: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
Pros
Bonus categories
Transfer partners
Flexible rewards redemption
Cons
Has annual fee
Complicated rewards
Requires good/excellent credit
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 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: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $250.
Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
General travel card
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
$95
1x-3x
Points
60,000
Points
Pros
BONUS OFFER: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Cons
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
Pros
BONUS OFFER: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Cons
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels
Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com
No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Our pick for
Cash back match
on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264
on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264
$0
1%-5%
Cashback
Cashback Match™
BONUS OFFER: INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
BONUS OFFER: INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Pros
No annual fee
Intro APR period
Bonus categories
Cash rewards
Cons
Complicated rewards
Spending caps on bonus rewards
Lower acceptance abroad
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free.
Every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem.
Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 16.24% to 27.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
No annual fee.
Click "Apply Now" to see terms and conditions.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
$250 statement credit
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
1%-6%
Cashback
$250
BONUS OFFER: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.
BONUS OFFER: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.
Pros
High rewards rate
Bonus categories
Intro APR period
Cash rewards
Cons
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
Spending caps on bonus rewards
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
Low intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% to 29.49%
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.
Get $7 back each month after using your Blue Cash Preferred Card to spend $12.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Enrollment required.
Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
IHG Hotels
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
$99
1x-26x
Points
175,000
Points
BONUS OFFER: Earn 175,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
BONUS OFFER: Earn 175,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Pros
Anniversary perk
High rewards rate
Automatic elite status
Luxury perks
Cons
Has annual fee
Rewards have limited flexibility
Best Points Offer Ever - Earn 175,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Enjoy a Reward Night after each account anniversary year at eligible IHG hotels worldwide. Plus, enjoy a reward night when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
Earn up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier card member
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
IHG Rewards bonus points are redeemable at hotels such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
Our pick for
Southwest Airlines
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
$149
1x-3x
Points
30,000
Points
BONUS OFFER: Earn Companion Pass® good through 2/28/24 plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
BONUS OFFER: Earn Companion Pass® good through 2/28/24 plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Pros
Anniversary perk
No reward caps
Cons
High annual fee
Rewards have limited flexibility
Limited-time offer: earn Companion Pass® good through 2/28/24 plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
7,500 anniversary points each year.
Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming.
$75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
No foreign transaction fees.
Our pick for
Marriott Bonvoy Hotels
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
$95
2x-17x
Points
100,000
Points
BONUS OFFER: Earn 100,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
BONUS OFFER: Earn 100,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Pros
Anniversary perk
High rewards rate
Automatic elite status
Cons
Has annual fee
Rewards have limited flexibility
Limited Time Offer! Earn 100,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
2X points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite Status each account anniversary year, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
No foreign transaction fees.
Our pick for
Delta Airlines
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$550
1x-3x
Miles
90,000
Miles
BONUS OFFER: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply.
BONUS OFFER: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply.
Pros
High rewards rate
Free checked bag
Early boarding
Companion benefit
Cons
Has annual fee
Requires good/excellent credit
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® for you when travelling on a Delta flight.
Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
Earn up to 60,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) With Status Boost® per year. After you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 15,000 MQMs up to four times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights.
New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Receive a domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or domestic Main Cabin round trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
With your Card receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class.
Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
$550 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Hilton Hotels
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$95
3x-12x
Points
150,000
Points
BONUS OFFER: Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 04/05/2023. Terms Apply.
BONUS OFFER: Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 04/05/2023. Terms Apply.
Pros
High rewards rate
Automatic elite status
Luxury perks
Cons
Has annual fee
No free anniversary night
Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 04/05/2023.
Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 6X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year.
$95 annual fee.
Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
American Airlines
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
1x-2x
Miles
50,000
Miles
BONUS OFFER: Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after you spend $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
BONUS OFFER: Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after you spend $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Pros
Free checked bag
Early boarding
Bonus categories
Cons
Has annual fee
Rewards have limited flexibility
Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after you spend $20,000 or more in purchases during your card membership year and renew your card
No Foreign Transaction Fees
First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation
Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
Our pick for
World of Hyatt
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
$95
1x-9x
Points
30,000
Points
BONUS OFFER: 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.
BONUS OFFER: 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.
Pros
New cardholder bonus offer
Automatic free night annually
Bonus categories
Luxury perks
Cons
Has annual fee
Complicated rewards
Limited redemptions
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 at Hyatt hotels & 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
Our pick for
United Airlines
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
$525
1x-4x
Miles
80,000
Miles
BONUS OFFER: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
BONUS OFFER: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Pros
High rewards rate
Lounge membership
New cardholder bonus offer
Free checked bag
Cons
High annual fee
Rewards have limited flexibility
Requires excellent credit
Earn 80,000 bonus miles.
Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases including tickets, Economy Plus®, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and other United charges.
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining including eligible delivery services
Earn 500 Premier qualifying points for every $12K you spend on purchases, up to 8,000 PQP in a calendar year.
Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
Our pick for
Alaska Airlines
on Bank of America's website
on Bank of America's website
$95
1x-3x
Miles
70,000
Miles
BONUS OFFER: Get 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
BONUS OFFER: Get 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Pros
Companion benefit
Free checked bag
Cons
Requires good/excellent credit
Has annual fee
Rewards have limited flexibility
LIMITED TIME ONLINE OFFER – 70,000 Bonus Miles!
Get 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Get Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
Earn 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. NEW! Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, cable, streaming services and local transit including ride share purchases. Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
NEW! Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account.
Free checked bag and (NEW!) enjoy priority boarding for you and up to 6 guests on the same reservation, when you pay for your flight with your card — Also available for co-applicants and authorized users when they book a reservation too!
With oneworld® Alliance member airlines and Alaska’s Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem miles.
Plus, no foreign transaction fees and a low $95 annual fee.
This online only offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
How do credit card sign-up bonuses work?
Credit card issuers use sign-up bonuses to encourage people to apply for a card and then, once approved, get in the habit of using it. The term "sign-up bonus" is a bit of a misnomer because in most cases, you don't get a bonus simply for signing up. You earn it by putting a certain amount of spending on your card in the first few months. That's why some issuers use a term like "welcome offer" or "new cardholder offer" rather than "sign-up bonus."
With a typical sign-up bonus, the time frame for earning the bonus is usually three to six months. The clock starts when you're approved for the card. The more valuable the bonus, the more you'll usually have to spend during that time in order to earn it. For example, a cash back card might offer a bonus of $150 to $200; to earn it, you might have to spend $500 or $1,000. A travel or airline credit card might offer points or miles worth $750 or even $1,000 but will require spending of $3,000 or more. Sign-up bonuses are typically all or nothing — you either spend enough to earn the bonus, or you don't. You won't get half the bonus for spending half the required amount.
Discover cards are a notable exception to the "all or nothing" nature of credit card bonus offers. Instead of a set bonus amount, the size of your bonus depends on how much you use the card over the first 12 months your account is open. At the end of that period, the issuer matches all the rewards you've earned. For example, here's how Discover describes the bonus offer on the popular Discover it® Cash Back card: "INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300."
Once you hit the required spending amount, you'll get your bonus. With some cash-back cards, the bonus might immediately appear as a credit against purchases on your monthly statement. In most cases, though, the bonus shows up in your rewards balance, alongside the points, miles or cash back you earn from your spending. You can then redeem your bonus however and whenever you want.
Credit card companies usually set rules about what kind of spending counts toward earning the sign-up bonus. Purchases of goods and services will count. Balance transfers, cash advances and wire transfers will not, nor will purchases of cash equivalents like gift cards, money orders or casino chips. In other words, you can't earn a sign-up bonus by "buying money" and then paying off your balance with that money.
What credit card has the best sign-up bonus?
The "best" offer for new cardholders is a moving target for a couple of reasons.
First, bonuses are paid in different kinds of "currency" — cash, statement credits, frequent flyer miles, hotel points and more. That makes it hard to compare bonus values directly. Second, credit card issuers frequently roll out special offers. A card that usually dangles 50,000 points or miles as a bonus might kick that up to 75,000 or 100,000 for a limited time to try to entice people to apply. Targeted offers — that is, those sent out to select consumers rather than advertised to the public at large — can be even more lucrative.
That said, here are some things to keep in mind about bonus offers:
Travel credit cards tend to offer bigger bonuses than cash back credit cards. Bonus offers on most cash back cards top out at around $200. Travel cards can have bonuses worth $500 or more. However, travel card bonuses come as points or miles that might not be as easy to redeem as $200 in cash.
Cards with annual fees tend to offer bigger bonuses. When a card charges an annual fee, the issuer knows it needs to sweeten the offer to get you to choose that card over one that charges nothing. So annual-fee cards pay richer rewards, provide better perks — and carry bigger bonuses. For example, the popular Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card charges a $95 annual fee and has this offer: Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel. The $0-annual-fee version of the card, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, has a much more modest offer: Earn a bonus of 40,000 miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $400 in travel.
Points and miles are not all created equal. A bonus of 40,000 miles on a Delta Air Lines credit card has a different value from a bonus of 40,000 miles on a Southwest Airlines card. And 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are worth more (much more) than 50,000 Hilton Honors points. Apples-to-apples comparisons are difficult with points and miles because they aren't portable like cash — you can only use them in the ways allowed by the program that awarded them. See our page on point and mile values for more information.
At NerdWallet, we often say that there is no single "best" credit card — just the best card for you. It's the same with bonus offers. The best sign-up bonus is the one that is of greatest value to you.
How many credit card sign-up bonuses can I earn?
There's no overall limit to how many times you can earn credit card sign-up bonuses. However, individual card issuers may have rules in place to keep you from earning a bonus on a particular card or "family" of cards more than once. The idea behind such rules is to keep people from applying for the card, earning the bonus, canceling or downgrading the card, then applying anew and earning another bonus. Read the terms and conditions of any bonus offer to see what restrictions are in place.
What credit card sign-up bonuses are the easiest to get?
Generally speaking, cash back credit cards have lower spending requirements for earning their bonuses. Depending on the card, you might be able to snag a bonus of $150 or $200 by spending as little a $500.
Is a credit card bonus taxable income?
Legally speaking, credit card rewards — including bonuses — are not income. Instead, the IRS considers them a discount or rebate on purchases made with the card. Therefore, they're not taxable.
This tax treatment is an additional reason why credit card bonuses must be earned through spending, and why the required spending amount is larger than the bonus itself. If you spend $1,000 and get a bonus of $150 for doing so, you don't "come out ahead" — you've still made $850 in net purchases. You've saved some money, but you haven't made any money.
Contrast this with the bonuses you can sometimes earn for opening a checking or savings account at a particular bank. With these promotions, you do come out ahead. Follow the bank's rules (which usually involve depositing a certain amount and/or setting up direct deposit, among other things), and you get "free money." As such, it's usually taxable as interest.
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Last updated on February 22, 2023
Methodology
Frequently asked questions
A sign-up bonus is a promotion offered by a credit card issuer to entice you to apply for a card and begin using it regularly. The term "sign-up bonus" is a bit of a misnomer because in most cases you don't get the bonus just for signing up; you have to earn it by spending money. That's why some issuers use terms like bonus offers, welcome offers or new-cardholder offers.
Sign-up bonuses give you a lump sum of cash back or a large number of points or miles if you spend a certain amount using the card in a specified time period, usually the first few months after opening the account. After you complete the required spending, the bonus is applied to your account. Separate from that lump-sum bonus, or in addition to it, some credit card sign-up offers include a more valuable rewards structure for a limited time. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers new cardholders both a cash bonus and a higher rewards rate at grocery stores in the first year.
Typically, new cardholders must complete a certain amount of purchasing on their new card within a few months to earn a sign-up bonus, whether in cash-back, points or miles. For example, earn $150 in cash back by spending $500 on the card in the first three months of card ownership. When a card's bonus offer includes elevated rewards rates for a limited time, those higher rewards are typically in place immediately when you open the account.
The value of a sign-up bonus depends on the type of card. Travel credit cards and small-business credit cards tend to have the highest bonuses. Cards with annual fees typically offer higher sign-up bonuses. Cash-back bonuses are usually lower but easier to earn.
A competitive marketplace dictates the value of bonuses, but values differ widely based on the type of credit card offer and even the time of year. For cards with an annual fee, we think a good bonus will have a value exceeding three years of annual fees, unless the card includes especially valuable perks.
Bonuses on popular credit cards can range in value from $25 to more than $1,000. As a general rule, new cardholders are required to complete a certain amount of spending on the new card before earning the bonus. With cards that award bonuses in points or miles, the values can differ widely.
Not usually. Most bonuses have a spending requirement to earn the bonus, whether making a single purchase or spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the first few months of card ownership. The bonus is paid after the requirement is met.
As the name would suggest, cash-back credit cards usually pay their bonuses in cash, as opposed to points or miles. The “cash” might be in the form of a credit on your statement (which reduces the amount you owe), a deposit into a bank account, or even a mailed check.