Updated April 2019. That space in your wallet or purse is more valuable than you think. Credit card companies are fighting it out, 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 apply for right now, if I didn’t already most of them. Notable changes:
- United Explorer – limited-time 60k offer.
- Gold Delta SkyMiles – replaced with referral offer.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred – improved 60k offer.
- Hawaiian Airlines – improved 75k offer.
- IHG Rewards Club Premier – improved 120k offer.
- Barclaycard Arrival Plus – bonus offer up to 70k.
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.
- 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, $450 annual fee, $300 annual travel credit.
- 70,000 points (worth $700 towards travel) after $5,000 in purchases in the first 90 days. See link for details.
- Unlimited 2X miles on every purchase.
- $0 annual fee for the first year, then $89.
- Up to 60,000 bonus United miles. 40,000 miles after $2,000 in purchases within 3 months, plus an additional 20,000 miles after $8,000 total in purchases within the first 6 months. See link for details.
- Free first checked bag for both you and a companion (a savings of up to $120 per roundtrip) when you use your Card to purchase your United ticket.
- Expanded award availability. Having this card makes it easier to find that saver award economy ticket.
- $0 annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Subject to 5/24 rule.
- Up to 75,000 bonus miles. 50,000 miles after $2,000 in purchases within 3 months, plus an additional 25,000 miles after $6,000 total in purchases within the first 12 months. 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.
- Up to 120,000 IHG Rewards club points: 80,000 points after $2,000 in purchases within the first 3 months, plus an additional 40,000 points after $5,000 in total purchases within 6 months of account opening. 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.
- 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. Limited-time offer. See link for details.
- Free Night after each account anniversary year (valued up to 35,000 Marriott points).
- $95 annual fee.
- Subject to 5/24 rule.
- 60,000 American Airlines miles. 60,000 miles after first purchase (any amount) in first 90 days. See link for details.
- First checked bag free on domestic AA flights ($60 value per roundtrip, per person).
- $95 annual fee.
- 50,000 ThankYou points (worth $625 towards travel) after $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. See link for details.
- 3X points on Travel, including Gas Stations
- $0 annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- 60,000 Delta Skymiles after $2,000 in purchases within the first 3 months + $50 statement credit after a Delta purchase within your first 3 months. Special referral offer expires 5/1/19. See link for details.
- 60,000 Skymiles are worth at least $600 in Delta airfare with “Pay with Miles” option.
- First checked bag free on Delta flights ($60 value per roundtrip, per person).
- $0 annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- 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.
- $500 cash bonus after $3000 in purchases within the first 3 months. See link for details.
- 4% cash back on dining and entertainment.
- $0 annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- 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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