Updated May 2020. I’m still collecting points and miles and maximizing the value of my credit card spending. Things are quiet as credit card issuers get conservative, but that just means picking up some slightly lesser bonuses that I passed over previously.
That space in your wallet or purse is still valuable, and you should be the one to get that value. Selected banks are offering strong perks and $500+ value for a single card during the first year to encourage you to apply and try it out. These are the top 10 credit card offers that I would personally apply for right now, if I didn’t already have most of them. Notable changes:
- IHG Hotels 140k/75k – 140k still highest ever, new 75k traveler with no annual fee.
- JetBlue, American Air limited-time offers still here.
- Removed NavyFed, added US Bank Altitude card.
If you pay off your balances every month, then you can join me and many others in funding a huge chunk of your annual travel budget with cash credits, points, and miles. You don’t need to be a “I only fly business class” world traveler. I mostly use my rewards points on domestic economy flights, mid-class hotels, and cheap car rentals. If you have credit card debt, you should focus on paying that off first as the interest charges could offset most of the perks.
This is a companion post to my . Small business bonuses are on average even higher than those on consumer cards.
Note: Certain Chase cards have a “5/24 rule” which is an unofficial rule that they will automatically deny approval on new credit cards if you have 5 or more new credit cards from any issuer on your credit report within the past 2 years. This rule applies on a per-person basis, so if you are new, you might want to start with those Chase cards.
- 140,000 IHG Rewards club points after $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. See link for details.
- Free Night after each account anniversary year (valued up to 40,000 IHG points).
- $89 annual fee.
- Subject to 5/24 rule.
- Want something lower risk? The is now offering 75,000 IHG points.
- 60,000 TrueBlue points after $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days. Limited-time offer. See link for details.
- Free first checked bag for you and up to 3 companions when you use your JetBlue Plus Card.
- $99 annual fee.
- 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points (worth $750 towards travel) after $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. See link for details.
- 2X points on Travel and Dining at restaurants worldwide.
- $95 annual fee.
- Subject to 5/24 rule.
- Alternative: . 3X on Travel and Dining, Priority Pass airport lounge access, $550 annual fee, $300 annual travel credit, 1-year Lyft Pink membership.
- 60,000 American Airlines miles after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. See link for details.
- First checked bag free on domestic AA flights ($60 value per roundtrip, per person).
- $0 annual fee for the first year, then $99.
- 60,000 American Airlines miles after any purchase in the first 90 days and paying the $99 annual fee. See link for details.
- $99 Companion certificate offer. Earn a certificate good for 1 guest at $99 (plus taxes and fees) after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in the first 90 days.
- First checked bag free on domestic AA flights ($60 value per roundtrip, per person).
- $99 annual fee.
- 60,000 points (worth $750 towards travel booked at ThankYou.com) after $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. See link for details.
- 3X points for every $1 spent on travel including gas stations.
- Must not have gotten bonus from or closed a Citi Rewards+, ThankYou Preferred, Premier, or Prestige card in the past 24 months.
- $95 annual fee.
- 50,000 points (worth $500 towards travel) after $3,000 in purchases within the first 90 days. See link for details.
- 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- $100 annual Airline Incidental Statement Credit.
- Up to $100 credit towards TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee.
- $95 annual fee.
- 50,000 miles (worth $500 towards travel) after $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. See link for details.
- 2% cash back on ALL purchases. Plus earn 10X miles at Hotels.com through January 2020.
- Up to $100 credit towards TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee.
- $0 annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- 50,000 Hawaiian miles after $2,000 in purchases within 90 days. See link for details.
- Free first checked bag for primary cardmember when using your card to purchase eligible tickets directly from Hawaiian Airlines.
- Receive a one-time 50% off companion discount for roundtrip coach travel between Hawaii and The Mainland on Hawaiian Airlines.
- $99 annual fee.
- 50,000 bonus points ($750 value towards airfare) after $4,500 in purchases within 90 days. See link for details.
- $325 in annual statement credits towards travel per Cardmember year (based on account opening date)
- Up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access.
- $400 annual fee. (Bigger bonus, big annual fee.)
- Up to 50,000 Hyatt points. 25,000 Bonus Points after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. Plus an additional 25,000 Bonus Points after a total of $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months. See link for details and rough valuation of points.
- $95 annual fee, free night award upon card anniversary.
- Subject to 5/24 rule.
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