I love credit cards and how aggressively they compete with one another for our business. If you aren't carrying any credit card debt and have a pretty good credit score, you can be taking advantage of the cut-throat competition and researching a credit card that will reward you for your business.
Your mix of optimal credit cards will vary from ours. If you routinely fly a certain airline, that airline's card should be higher on your list because you are more likely to use those points or miles. We don't list every loyalty program's credit card, but we tried to list the most generous offers with the broadest appeal.
If you always fly with an airline or have status with a hotel, you should always check those first and compare it with a card that offers a broader rewards structure, like Chase Travel℠, to see which is best.
Finally, remember Chase has a 5/24 rule. If you've been approved for 5 cards in the last 24 months, they will decline you automatically.
Below is a list of the best credit card bonus offers, updated for May 2024:
| Card | Bonus offer | Learn more | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card | 50,000 points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening | Learn more |
 | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership | Learn more |
 | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months | Learn more |
 | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months | Learn more |
 | Chase Sapphire Reserve | 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months | Learn more |
 | Chase Freedom Unlimited | Additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spend in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back . | Learn more |
 | Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months | Learn more |
 | Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | $200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening | Learn more |
 | Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of opening the account | Learn more |
 | Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card | $300 after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening and earn an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening | Learn more |
 | Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card | 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening in the | Learn more |
 | Capital One Spark Cash Select | $750 after you spend $6,000 in the first 3 months from account opening | Learn more |
 | Capital One Spark Miles Business Card | 50,000 miles after you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months from account opening | Learn more |
1. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card – 50,000 points
Best For: Fans of Southwest
Bonus: 50,000 points | Bonus requirements: Spend $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening | Annual fee: $69
➕ 3,000 points every anniversary
➕ 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year
➕ Low annual fee
➕ Lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay insurance
➖ 2X categories are not in areas you likely have high spending
➖ Limited travel perks
➖ Not as valuable if you aren't a Southwest loyalist
If you fly a lot of Southwest Airlines, you should look at this card. You can get 50,000 points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
You also earn 2X points on select streaming, internet, cable, phone, local transit and commuting, Southwest purchases, and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners; and 1X points on everything else.
There is a $69 annual fee and you get 3,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary, which helps defray the cost.
The Southwest Companion Pass is a coveted perk that allows you to bring a companion on any Southwest flight for only taxes and fees. You can earn this by flying on 100 one-way Southwest flights or by earning 135,000 Rapid Rewards points per calendar year.
Why We Love It: This one is tops for us because we live near Baltimore Washington International airport, a major airport for Southwest, so we fly them a lot.
👉 Learn more about Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card
2. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Best For: Fans of Marriott
Bonus: 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points | Bonus requirements: after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership | Annual fee: $650
➕ Free annual award night
➕ Generous rewards program
➕ Secondary rental car insurance
➕ Trip delay insurance
➖ High annual fee
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card tops our list because of the massive welcome offer – 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. If you stay at Marriott properties often, it's a great added “secondary” welcome bonus. Terms Apply.
You'll also earn 6X points for each dollar spent at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy(TM) program, 3X points for each dollar spent at Worldwide Restaurants and on flights booked directly from an airline, and 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
It does have a $650 annual fee, but you'll get a free award night every anniversary (up to 85,000 points), which more than makes up the cost.
Why We Love It: The bonus offer is simply astounding – if you can meet the conditions then you are setting yourself up for a nice little vacation!
👉 Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
3. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card – 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points 💰
Best For: Casual travelers
Bonus: 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points | Bonus requirements: Spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months | Annual fee: $95
➕ Low annual fee
➕ Earns Chase Ultimate Rewards
➕ Solid transfer program for rewards
➖ No 0% intro offer on purchases or balance transfers
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a good bonus right now – get 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months.
This is for a card where you also earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on everything else (plus a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit) and with a very reasonable annual fee of $95.
The points are Chase Travel℠ points, which is one of the best reward programs out there with a ton of transfer partners, and that versatility makes it a more valuable point to have.
Why We Love It: Chase Sapphire Preferred has a solid welcome bonus offer that is hard to pass up, plus the annual fee is low for a bonus of this size.
4. Capital One Venture X Rewards Card – 75,000 miles
Best For: Frequent travelers
Bonus: 75,000 miles | Bonus Requirements: Spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months | Annual Fee: $395
➕ Good rewards rate
➕ $300 annual travel credit
➕ 10,000 mile bonus on anniversary
➕ Lounge access
➖ Large annual fee
➖ Travel partners aren't as valuable as other cards
If you don't want to be tied to an airline or a hotel chain, but you want a strong general travel card – consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Card offering a 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.
As for cashback, you earn 2X miles per dollar on all other purchases plus 10X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel.
This is a premium travel credit card because you also get up to a $300 annual travel credit when booking through Capital One Travel. This card also offers up to a $100 credit towards TSA PreCheck and Global Entry's application fee. These perks offset the $395 annual fee.
Why We Love It: If you travel a lot, premium travel cards offer great perks and The Capital One® Venture® X Rewards Card delivers with its benefits.
5. Chase Sapphire Reserve – 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points
Best For: Flexible rewards
Bonus: 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points | Bonus Requirements: Spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months| Annual Fee: $550
➕ $300 annual travel credit
➕ Points can be transferred to 14 travel partners
➕ Airport lounge access
➕ Primary car rental coverage
➖ High annual fee
Chase often leads the pack because of their generous Chase Travel℠ program. With this card, you will get 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months. You also earn 5x points on air travel and 10x on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x points on other travel, 1x on everything else.
For reference, 50,000 Chase Travel℠ points are worth approximately $750 on the Chase Travel℠ platform.
This card is for travelers because you also get $300 in travel credit, 50% more value when you redeem points for travel through Chase Travel℠, and you get up to $100 application reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. There's a sizable $550 annual fee – offset by all the bonuses. It's a direct competitor to the Platinum Card from American Express.
You'll pay no foreign transaction fees and get a credit of up to $100 for PreCheck or Global Entry once every four years.
Why We Love It: Chase Sapphire Reserve has a great welcome bonus offer with a reasonable spend requirement plus a generous travel credit and the best rewards program in Chase Travel℠.
6. Chase Freedom Unlimited – Additional 1.5% cash back
Best For: Cash back on everyday purchases
Bonus: Additional 1.5% cash back | Bonus Requirements: The bonus is on on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spend in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back | Annual Fee: $0
➕ Between 1.5% and 3% cash back on every purchase
➕ Easy to earn bonus
➕ No annual fee
➖ There are other flat-rate cards that offer more cash back
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card will give you Additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spend in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back . You can also earn 5% on travel purchases through Chase Travel, 3% at drug stores and dining in restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, plus 1.5% on all other purchases.
It also offers 5% on travel purchases through Chase Travel, 3% at drug stores and dining in restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, plus 1.5% on all other purchases.
All this is available to you with $0 annual fee.
Why We Love It: A low spend required to get an Additional 1.5% cash back welcome bonus.
7. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express – $250 statement credit
Best For: Spending at U.S. supermarkets and gas stations
Bonus: $250 statement credit | Bonus Requirements: Spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months | Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
➕ Low annual fee
➕ High cash back at U.S. supermarkets and gas stations
➕ Solid intro offer
➖ Spending limits on bonus categories
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Terms Apply.
It's cashback rewards are solid – 6% on U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more). Finally, 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
It also has an intro offer of 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable 19.24% - 29.99% after that.
There is a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Why We Love It: If you want an American Express, this one offers one of the easiest welcome offers to get. When you consider that the cashback rates are good and that American Express has some solid credit card perks out there (especially for travelers), it makes this card very appealing.
👉 Learn more about the Blue Cash Preferred from American Express
8. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card – $200 Cash Back
Best For: Straightforward cash back
Bonus: $200 Cash Back | Bonus Requirement: Spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening | Annual Fee: $0
➕ No annual fee
➕ Easy to earn welcome bonus
➕ Simple rewards structure
➕ Generous intro offer
➖ No bonus cash-back categories
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card will give you a $200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
You'll also receive 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, 17.99 - 27.99% (Variable) after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months.
This is on top of an unlimited 1.5% cashback on every purchase, which are great perks for a cashback card with a $0 annual fee. There are no rotating categories to worry about, no juggling cards, just a simple high rate for everything.
Why We Love It: A low spend is required to get the welcome bonus of $200 Cash Back and a simple 1.5% cash reward on all purchases. For simplicity, you really can't beat it. Plus $0 annual fee!
9. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – 75,000 miles
Best For: Simple travel rewards structure
Bonus: 75,000 miles | Bonus Requirements: Spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of opening the account | Annual Fee: $95
➕ Low annual fee
➕ 2X miles on everyday purchases
➕ Credit for PreCheck or Global Entry
➕ Includes rental car insurance (secondary)
➖ Very limited bonus categories
➖ No intro offer
➖ No trip delay or cancelation insurance
The Capital One Venture Rewards card will give you 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of opening the account. You can transfer those miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs.
One of the nice perks about this card is that you can get a $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
It also has no foreign transaction fees and travel accident insurance.
The annual fee is $95.
Business Credit Cards
I listed these cards last because they're business credit cards and not everyone owns a business, but the rewards for these cards are incredible.
There are actually two Chase Ink cards I want to highlight – the Ink Business Cash and the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card. The big difference is that the Ink Business Cash Credit Card has no annual fee and a small bonus.
Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card – $300
Best For: Cash back with no annual fee
Bonus : $300 | Bonus Requirements: Get $300 after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening and earn an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening | Annual Fee: $0
➕ No annual fee
➕ Large welcome bonus
➕ Primary rental car insurance when renting for business purposes
➖ Caps on bonus categories
➖ Low earn rates outside of bonus categories
With the Ink Business Cash Card, you can get $300 after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening and earn an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
You also earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent at office supply stores, internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year; 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year; 1% cash back on all other purchases.
If you open an account between March and November 2024, you can get a one-time 10% cash-back bonus if you also have a Chase Business Checking on your account anniversary.
Best of all, the annual fee is $0.
👉 Learn more about Ink Business Cash
Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card – 100,000 bonus points
Best For: Business travel
Bonus: 100,000 bonus points | Bonus Requirements: Spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening in the | Annual Fee: $95
➕ Low annual fee
➕ 25% more value when points are redeemed though Chase Travel
➕ Primary rental car insurance when renting for business purposes
➕ No foreign transaction fee
➖ No luxury travel perks, such as lounge access
The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card gives you 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening in the .
You also earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories plus 1 point per $1 on all other purchases with no limit.
When you redeem your points through Chase Travel, you'll get a 25% bonus on travel purchases.
There's just a $95 annual fee.
👉 Learn more about Ink Business Preferred
Capital One Spark Cash Select – $750
Best For: Flat rate cash back
Bonus: $750 | Bonus Requirements: Spend $6,000 in the first 3 months from account opening | Annual Fee: $0
➕ No annual fee
➕ Simple earnings program
➕ No limits on earnings
➖ No bonus categories to maximize earnings
The Capital One Spark Cash Select card has a bonus of $750 after you spend $6,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. It's a business card with unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase and the welcome offer is solid.
This is on top of the great perks of the card which include free employee cards, convenient year-end summary reports, no foreign transaction fees and the ability to download transactions into Quicken, Quickbooks, and Excel.
The annual fee is $0.
👉 Learn more about the Capital One Spark Cash Select Card
Capital One Spark Miles Business Card – 50,000 miles
Best For: Simple travel rewards earning program
Bonus: 50,000 miles | Bonus Requirements: Spend $4,500 in the first 3 months from account opening | Annual Fee: $0 intro for the first year and then $95 after that
➕ Low annual fee
➕ Simple earnings program
➕ TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credits
➖ No intro APR
➖ High APR
The Capital One Spark Miles is the miles version of the Capital One Spark Cash card. For a limited time, you can get 50,000 miles after you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months from account opening.
This card also features a lot of useful options for business owners including free employee cards, summary reports, no foreign transaction fees, and the ability to download transactions into Quicken, Quickbooks, and Excel. You'll also get a credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, once every four years.
The annual fee is $0 intro for the first year and then $95 after that.
👉 Learn more about the Capital One Spark Miles Card
How do Credit Card Bonus Offers Work?
Credit card bonus offers typically have a “minimum spend” requirement. This means you'll have to spend a certain amount of money in a set period of time after you open the account. For example, you might have to spend $3,000 in the first three months of account ownership.
If you have a big purchase coming up, that's a great time to get a new credit card, as you'll easily be able to meet the minimum spend requirement.
Once you've met the requirements, the bonus will be added to your rewards account and available to you.
How Many Credit Card Bonus Offers Can You Earn?
While there are no rules about how many bonus offers you can earn, you'll be limited to how many credit cards you can get approved for and how many minimum spend requirements you can meet.
Each time you apply for a new credit card a hard inquiry will go on your credit. While one hard inquiry will only have minimal impact, the more you have, the worse your credit will look. Too many and credit card companies may stop approving you for credit.
Also, each bonus offer requires a certain amount of spending in a set amount of time, so you will be limited by how much spending you can do on a credit card.
What Bonus Offer Is the Easiest To Get?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited actually doesn't have a spending requirement to earn the bonus. You'll get Additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spend in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back .
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is also pretty easy to get. You'll get $200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
Are Credit Card Bonus Offers Worth It?
Yes, if you are signing up for a new credit card and can easily meet the minimum spend requirements, then credit card bonus offers are definitely worth it.
However, if you end up spending more than you would have otherwise in order to meet a spending requirement, then no, credit card bonuses will not be worth it. The bonus will not outweigh the additional spending you need to do to earn it.
How to Choose the Right Bonus Offer
First, you'll want to decide what type of rewards you want to earn — cash back or travel rewards. If you want travel rewards, do you want rewards to a certain program, like Marriott or Southwest, or would you prefer more flexible points, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Once you've determined the type of rewards you want, you'll need to look for a bonus offer where you can easily meet the requirements. If you have to spend money you wouldn't have otherwise spent, then the reward is not very valuable.
You'll also want to consider the credit card that you'll be signing up for. Ideally, it's a card that will benefit you long term with it's continued rewards programs and benefits.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Card, please visit See Rates and Fees.
