The 7 Greatest Credit score Card Signal-Up Bonuses of November 2022

Rewards bank cards entice customers with journey factors, money again for swipes and distinctive perks like mobile phone safety and free baggage verify at airports. Whereas these longer-term rewards and advantages are necessary to contemplate when opening a bank card, you also needs to take note of the sign-up bonus, generally referred to as a welcome provide.

One of the best bank card sign-up bonuses can put severe money in your pocket only for utilizing the cardboard for on a regular basis bills. Every bonus may have its personal phrases, normally one thing like:

• Earn X amount of money, factors or miles for Y quantity of {dollars} spent in Z quantity of months.

How a lot are you able to earn? That is determined by the cardboard. Bank card sign-up bonuses can attain 100,000 factors or $800 money again — or extra. Typically, to get the perfect bank card sign-up bonuses on provide, you’ve acquired to be keen to pay the next annual charge or spend more cash with the cardboard in a brief period of time.

Selecting a bank card solely for the sign-up bonus might not be the perfect long-term plan, however when you’ve acquired a wholesome mixture of bank cards in your pockets already and need to open one other solely for the welcome perks, it may not be a nasty thought. Unsure the place to start out? We’ve assembled an inventory of the seven greatest bank cards with sign-up bonuses to information your search.

The Greatest Credit score Playing cards with Signal Up Bonuses

• Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card: Greatest General Credit score Card for Bonuses
• Uncover it Money Again: Greatest Money Again Credit score Card for Signal-Up Bonuses
• Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card: Greatest Journey Credit score Card for Signal-Up Bonuses
• United Quest Card: Greatest Airline Credit score Card for Signal-Up Bonuses
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card : Greatest Lodge Credit score Card for Signal-Up Bonuses
• The Platinum Card from American Categorical: Greatest Credit score Card Signal-Up Bonus
• Chase Freedom Flex: Best-to-Earn Credit score Card Signal-Up Bonus

Uncover it Money Again

Greatest Money Again Card for Signal-Up Bonuses

Key Options

• Limitless Cashback Match bonus program
• As much as 5% money again
• No annual charge or international transaction charges

In case you’re keen to attend a yr to get your arms in your bonus, the Uncover it Money Again can repay large time: No matter money again you earn in your first yr, Uncover will match. That’s double money again on each buy. Along with this distinctive sign-up bonus, the Uncover it Money Again card has no annual charge or international transaction charge and gives rotating 5% money again bonus classes.

Uncover it Money Again

Annual charge

$0

Rewards

1% to five% money again

Signal-up bonus

Limitless Cashback Match

Common APR

14.99% to 25.99%

International transaction charges

No international transaction charge

Stability switch charges

3% intro stability switch charge; 5% stability switch charge on future stability transfers

Minimal credit score rating requirement

Good to wonderful credit score (670 and better)

Extra Info About Uncover it Money Again

The Uncover it Money Again is among the prime money again rewards bank cards, not simply due to its nice bonus program but in addition due to its distinctive rotating money again rewards. For 2022, cardholders earn 5% money again in choose classes relying on the month:

 

• January to March: 5% money again at grocery shops, gyms and health golf equipment

• April to June: 5% money again at Goal and fuel stations

• July to September: 5% money again at eating places and when spending through PayPal
• October to December: 5% money again on Amazon and when spending through digital wallets

The 5% money again is capped at $1,500 in purchases within the related class per quarter. Customers earn 1% money again on all different eligible purchases, year-round.

Because the bonus program doubles your money again whole for all the first yr from account opening, you possibly can earn a big chunk of change — and all for no annual charge. But it surely’s not simply annual charges; you received’t pay any international transaction charges for swiping overseas both.

The Uncover it Money Again isn’t the one Uncover bank card to supply this distinctive sign-up bonus. Customers who open a Uncover it Scholar Money Again card and even the Uncover it Secured Credit score Card can entry the identical Cashback Match. That’s why we named the latter the greatest secured bank card for debtors with a bad credit score.

Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card

Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card

Key Options

• 75,000 bonus miles
• A number of journey perks
• No international transaction charges

The Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card is a prime journey card with a sign-up bonus. For a low annual charge, you’ll earn between 2x and 5x factors per greenback spent, and also you’ll get 75,000 bonus factors in addition. The dearth of international transaction charges, two lounge visits, and TSA Precheck or International Entry reimbursement make this a high-quality journey card with out the excessive charges of extra luxe journey playing cards.

Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card

Annual charge

$95

Rewards

2x to 5x miles per greenback

Signal-up bonus

75,000 bonus miles

Common APR

18.99% to 26.99%

International transaction charges

No international transaction charge

Stability switch charges

None for stability transfers at common APR; 3% per switch for any promotional APR

Minimal credit score rating requirement

Glorious credit score (740 and better)

Extra Info About Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card

You’ll discover journey bank cards providing extra perks and better rewards charges than the Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card — however they normally come at the next annual charge. We love how a lot this bank card gives for what’s thought of a low annual charge ($95) within the journey bank card area. You’ll get two free lounge visits yearly, computerized Hertz 5 Star Standing and as much as a $100 assertion credit score for International Entry or TSA PreCheck.

Extra importantly, you possibly can earn 75,000 bonus miles for spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Plus, you possibly can earn 5x factors when reserving motels and rental vehicles by way of Capital One Journey — and limitless 2x factors on all different eligible purchases.

With no international transaction charges, 24-hour journey help, rental automobile insurance coverage and journey accident insurance coverage, the Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card ought to be in each severe traveler’s pockets.

United Quest Card

Greatest Airline Card for Signal-Up Bonuses

Key Options

• $125 annual United buy credit score
• United anniversary award flight credit
• Referral bonuses

Airline bank cards serve a distinct segment viewers — you’ve acquired to be a loyalist to a particular airline for them to make sense. However when you’re comfortable to decide on an airline based mostly on the bank card you open, go for the United Quest Card. Palms down, it’s acquired among the finest bonus applications of any airline bank card but in addition gives an affordable annual charge, nice rewards and much more journey perks.

United Quest Card

Annual charge

$250

Rewards

1x to 3x miles

Signal-up bonus

70,000 bonus miles

Common APR

19.49% to 26.49%

International transaction charges

No international transaction charge

Stability switch charges

5% per stability switch ($5 minimal stability switch charge)

Minimal credit score rating requirement

Good to wonderful credit score (670 and better)

Extra Info About United Quest Card

With the United Quest Card, you possibly can earn 70,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months from account opening. You may as well earn 10,000 bonus miles for each referral — as much as 100,000 bonus miles a yr. However the United Quest Card gives worth far past welcome gives and referral bonuses.

For starters, you’ll earn a $125 assertion credit score annually for United purchases made on the Quest Card. Past that, you possibly can anticipate to earn:

• 3x miles for each greenback spent on United Airways purchases (after the $125 in assertion credit)
• 2x miles for each greenback spent on all different journey purchases, together with airfare, motels, rental vehicles, cruises, rideshare, tolls, trains, native transit and extra
• 2x miles for each greenback spent on eating, which incorporates eligible supply providers
• 2x miles for each greenback spent on choose streaming providers
• 1x mile for each greenback spent on all different eligible purchases

Cardholders additionally get 5,000 miles again after taking a United or United Categorical flight booked with miles — as much as two instances a yr. That’s as much as 10,000 further miles only for reserving the United flights you in all probability deliberate to buy anyway.

Lastly, you received’t be charged a international transaction charge for swiping your United Quest Card overseas, and also you’ll get two free checked baggage for each journey ($320 in financial savings for each spherical journey you e-book).

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card

Greatest Lodge Card for Signal-Up Bonuses

Key Options

• As much as 17x factors at Marriott
• Free Night time Award annually
• Referral bonuses

Like with airline playing cards, lodge bank cards are focused at vacationers who’re loyal to a particular lodge chain. Fortunately, Marriott has greater than 7,000 collaborating motels, making the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card straightforward to make use of for many vacationers. You’ll get pleasure from as much as 17x factors for each greenback spent at a Marriott — plus, you’ll begin off with 100,000 bonus factors when you meet the necessities.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card

Annual charge

$95

Rewards

1x to 17x factors

Signal-up bonus

100,000 bonus factors

Common APR

18.99% to 25.99%

International transaction charges

No international transaction charge

Stability switch charges

5% per stability switch ($5 minimal stability switch charge)

Minimal credit score rating requirement

Good to wonderful credit score (670 and better)

Extra Info About Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card

To earn the sign-up bonus from the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card, simply make $3,000 in purchases within the first three months from account opening. In case you do, you’ll obtain 100,000 bonus factors, good for roughly $900 in lodge stays with Marriott. You may as well rack up 40,000 bonus factors for every referral, as much as 200,000 bonus factors a yr.

Past the sign-up bonus, the Boundless card gives an incredible rewards charge — when you spend at Marriott motels. Once more, lodge playing cards actually solely make sense for frequent vacationers loyal to lodge chains. In case you commonly keep at a Marriott, nevertheless, this card can repay large time. You’ll earn:

• As much as 17x factors for spending on Marriott motels
  • 6x factors for reserving motels with the cardboard
  • 10x factors from being a Marriott Bonvoy member
  • 1x level from Marriott with Silver Elite Standing (you get this perk for being a cardmember)
• 3x factors for each greenback spent on groceries, fuel and eating (as much as $6,000 spent)
• 2x factors for each greenback on all different eligible purchases

One other perk of this card: You get one Free Night time Award annually in your account anniversary, legitimate for one evening at any lodge with a redemption degree as much as 35,000 factors.

 

The Platinum Card from American Categorical

Greatest Card Signal-Up Bonus

Key Options

• Abundance of assertion credit
• Excessive rewards factors on journey purchases
• Entry to journey counselors

By a big margin, the Platinum Card from American Categorical gives the perfect bank card sign-up bonus, the perfect assertion credit and the perfect perks for cardholders. The one downside? It prices practically $700 a yr to maintain in your pockets. However when you’re a bank card energy person who will take advantage of out of this Amex, it might be price your whereas: 125,000 bonus factors are able to be claimed.

The Platinum Card from American Categorical

Annual charge

$695

Rewards

1x to 5x factors

Signal-up bonus

125,000 bonus factors

Common APR

18.99% to 25.99%

International transaction charges

No international transaction charge

Stability switch charges

Stability transfers not permitted

Minimal credit score rating requirement

Good to wonderful credit score (670 and better)

Extra Info About The Platinum Card from American Categorical

Let’s handle the elephant within the room: At $695 a yr, the Platinum Card from American Categorical is the most costly bank card on our checklist. However you’ll get much more perks and bonus factors with this card than you’d with every other card that we ranked.

For starters, you’ll get 125,000 bonus factors after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months from account opening. Factors are good for purchases with greater than 500 main manufacturers in eating, journey, leisure and purchasing.

You’ll earn extra than simply the bonus factors, too. Right here’s how the Platinum Card’s rewards charge breaks down:

• 5x factors for each greenback spent on flights (as much as $500,000 spent annually)
• 5x factors on pay as you go motels (booked by way of AmexTravel.com)
• 1x factors on all different eligible purchases

However this card is about a lot greater than bonus factors and rewards factors. Listed below are simply a few of the perks you’ll get from the Platinum Card:

• As much as $100 reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or International Entry
• $200 annual airline charge credit score for bills reminiscent of flight adjustments and checked baggage
• $200 annual lodge credit score on pay as you go High-quality Accommodations and Resorts
• $15 month-to-month Uber Money (plus an additional $20 in December) for rideshare and Uber Eats
• $20 month-to-month digital leisure credit score (The New York Occasions, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Audible, Peacock and SiriusXM)
• $25 month-to-month credit score for eligible Equinox membership memberships
• $155 annual Walmart+ credit score
• $100 annual assertion credit for purchases made at Saks Fifth Avenue
• $189 again annually for CLEAR membership

Altogether, that’s practically $1,700, greater than double the annual charge. Plus, with the Platinum Card, you received’t ever pay a international transaction charge, you’ll get particular standing with a number of lodge chains, and also you’ll get entry to the International Lounge Assortment (greater than 1,400 world wide).

Chase Freedom Flex

Best-to-Earn Signal-Up Bonus

Key Options

• As much as $800 welcome bonus
• Revolving 5% money again classes
• No annual charge

Monitoring Marriott factors or United miles can get difficult; the Chase Freedom Flex makes it a lot easier. Simply earn money again with each swipe — and it solely takes $500 in purchases over three months to earn the $200 bonus. And for the primary yr, you’ll earn 5% money again on groceries as an added bonus, as much as $600 in more money again.

Chase Freedom Flex

Annual charge

$0

Rewards

1% to five% money again

Signal-up bonus

As much as $800

Common APR

17.99% to 26.74%

International transaction charges

3% per transaction

Stability switch charges

3% intro stability switch charge ($5 minimal charge); 5% stability switch charge on future stability transfers

Minimal credit score rating requirement

Good to wonderful credit score (670 and better)

Extra Info About Chase Freedom Flex

The Chase Freedom Flex is a good no-frills money again bank card. Incomes the usual $200 sign-up bonus is simple; simply spend $500 within the first three months. However what units this bonus provide aside from related gives (the Capital One Quicksilver’s $200 bonus is simply as straightforward to earn) is the extra 5% grocery money again bonus provided by way of the primary yr. With 5% money again on each grocery buy as much as $12,000, you possibly can add $600 to your full sign-up bonus provide inside the first yr.

Talking of 5% money again, the Chase Freedom Flex at all times has some form of 5% money again provide. For 2022, cardholders earn 5% money again per the next schedule:

• January to March: 5% money again at grocery shops (excludes Walmart and Goal) and on eBay purchases

• April to June: 5% money again on choose streaming providers and on Amazon purchases

• July to September: 5% money again at film theaters, automobile rental businesses and fuel stations, in addition to on choose dwell leisure
• October to December: 5% money again at Walmart and purchases through PayPal

Cardholders at all times earn 5% money again on journey bought by way of Chase Final Rewards, plus 3% money again on restaurant and drugstore purchases and 1% cashback on all different eligible purchases.

The Chase Freedom Flex doesn’t boast a bunch of particular journey perks, and also you’ll pay a international transaction charge when swiping overseas. However general, this card is a good money again possibility, and incomes the bonus requires little effort. Plus, you possibly can earn as much as $500 a yr in referral bonuses ($100 per referral).

What Is a Signal-Up Bonus?

An indication-up bonus on a bank card is a reward that customers can earn by assembly some fundamental standards inside a set variety of months from opening the cardboard. As soon as the patron has met the necessities, they’ll earn a bonus, normally within the type of money, factors or miles.

Bank card issuers use sign-up bonuses to entice new customers to use for a bank card. These bonuses are sometimes solely out there on rewards bank cards, like money again bank cards and journey bank cards, that means they’re geared toward debtors with good to wonderful credit score scores.

Bank card sign-up bonuses are principally formulaic: Earn X amount of money (or factors or miles) once you spend Y sum of money on the cardboard in Z quantity of months. A few of the greatest bank card sign-up bonuses embody further incentives, like further money again for the primary yr in sure spend classes and even money again matches for the primary yr.

Forms of Signal-Up Bonuses

Welcome gives are normally easy, however some bank card issuers get extra artistic with their sign-up bonus applications. Listed below are a few of the widespread sign-up bonuses chances are you’ll encounter when purchasing round for bank cards:

Commonplace Signal-Up Bonus

Essentially the most easy bank card welcome provide is the promise of a set amount of money, miles or factors for a set quantity of spending in a set quantity of months.

For instance, the Capital One Quicksilver card gives one of the vital easy bonus applications out there: Spend $500 within the first three months, and also you’ll earn a $200 bonus.

Matching Bonus

Uncover’s suite of rewards bank cards is known for Uncover’s distinctive bonus program. Somewhat than earn your reward after a number of months, you’ll have to carry out for an entire yr — but it surely’s completely price it.

In these matching bonus applications, bank card issuers like Uncover provide an infinite bonus match. No matter you earn in money again throughout your first yr, the credit score credit score issuer will double, dollar-for-dollar.

We named the Uncover it Money Again card to our checklist of the perfect bank cards with sign-up bonuses for its Limitless Cashback Match program, however different rewards playing cards within the Uncover household provide this program as nicely. For instance, college students ought to contemplate the Uncover it Scholar Money Again. In truth, we simply named it the general greatest scholar bank card out there.

Bonus Rewards

Some bank card issuers might provide a bonus on prime of the usual sign-up bonus. This sometimes appears like further money again or factors in particular spend classes for a set period of time.

For instance, the Chase Freedom Flex, which earned a spot on our checklist of the perfect bank cards for sign-up bonuses, is at the moment providing a $200 bonus for $500 in purchases inside the first three months and 5% money again at grocery shops for the primary yr (as much as $12,000 spent). The latter is price an extra $600.

Twin-Stage Bonus

Although it’s much less widespread, some bank card issuers might provide double bonuses. You’ll earn a set amount of money for assembly one degree of standards — after which a second bonus when you meet a second set of standards.

Take the United Enterprise Card, for instance. This airline bank card is designed for enterprise vacationers who commonly fly United, so it has a restricted viewers — however the welcome bonus is attractive for many who match the invoice. You’ll get 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $5,000 within the first three months after which one other 75,000 bonus factors when you spend $20,000 whole in your first six months.

Approval Bonus

Much less generally, a bank card might include an on the spot bonus upon approval. Whilst you received’t discover gives like this from Chase, Capital One, Citi or American Categorical, retailers usually tend to incentivize card sign-ups with approval bonuses.

For instance, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card gives a $100 Amazon present card the second you’re authorised.

Signal-up bonuses aren’t the one sort of bank card bonus. For instance, along with the welcome provide, the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card gives referral bonuses (as much as 75,000 factors a yr) and an anniversary bonus (10% of your whole purchases for the yr).

Execs and Cons of Credit score Playing cards With Welcome Provides

Welcome gives on bank cards can put further money in your pocket, however they could additionally encourage elevated spending and add to your bank card debt. Weigh the professionals and cons of bank card sign-up bonuses earlier than making use of.

What to Look For in a Credit score Card Signal-Up Bonus

The precise bonus quantity — and the steps required to earn the bonus — are the primary factor you need to contemplate when selecting a bank card solely for its welcome bonus. However don’t cease there: You also needs to contemplate a card’s charges, rewards and rate of interest.

Bonus Quantity

Whenever you’re researching the perfect bank cards for sign-up bonuses, you’ll clearly need to discover a card with a beneficiant welcome provide. In case you’re contemplating journey playing cards that pay out factors or miles as a substitute of money again, be sure to perceive the worth of these factors and miles.

And don’t simply have a look at the bonus quantity. When contemplating related playing cards, assessment what every card requires so that you can earn the bonus. If one welcome provide is simpler to acquire than the opposite and the playing cards are in any other case related, go together with that possibility.

An indication-up bonus could be attractive, however you need to contemplate the long-term worth of a bank card earlier than opening. For instance, if the cardboard has a excessive annual charge and also you received’t use it sufficient to get continued worth after the bonus, it’s not a great match to your pockets.

Annual Charge

Some rewards bank cards haven’t any annual charge, however their money again or journey factors are usually decrease than what you’d get with a card charging a charge. That holds true with welcome bonuses as nicely. In case you’re keen to pay an annual charge, the bonus is prone to be bigger.

Simply keep in mind: The welcome bonus is a one-time factor, however you’ll need to pay that annual charge annually. Ensure that the bank card gives sufficient long-term perks to justify any charge.

Further Charges

It’s not simply the annual charge you need to contemplate. In case you journey overseas usually, discover a card that received’t cost a international transaction charge each time you swipe. And when you’re contemplating a stability switch to consolidate debt, you’ll desire a card with low stability switch charges.

In case you’re actually severe a few stability switch, nevertheless, don’t prioritize a sign-up bonus. As an alternative, take a look at our checklist of the perfect stability switch bank cards to seek out one with a 0% intro APR and low charges.

Rewards Fee

Bank card sign-up bonuses provide a one-time worth. Some bonuses are sufficiently big to make a severe (however short-term) influence in your funds, however after you’ve spent the cash, you’re again at sq. one.

To be sure to’ll proceed getting worth out of your bank card, search for one with a stellar rewards charge. In case you journey usually — particularly when you favor luxurious motels and first-class flight lodging — contemplate a journey card with factors or miles. In any other case, a money again bank card that rewards on a regular basis purchases could also be best for you.

Further Perks

Not all bank cards are created equal. Learn the nice print to see what further perks they provide. For instance, some bank cards on our checklist provide referral bonuses whereas others have wonderful assertion credit for bills like Disney+ and airfare. Select a card with an ideal sign-up bonus — however don’t neglect to check the opposite perks as nicely.

APR

Usually, rewards bank cards carry higher-than-average rates of interest. In case you assume you’ll battle to repay your card in full every month, don’t trouble with a rewards card. In any other case, that curiosity will rapidly outweigh any sign-up bonus you earn early on.

Regularly Requested Questions (FAQs) About Signal-up Bonus Credit score Playing cards

We’ve discovered the solutions to probably the most generally requested questions on sign-up bonus bank cards.

Contributor Timothy Moore is a author and editor in Cincinnati who covers banks, loans, insurance coverage, journey and automotive subjects for The Penny Hoarder.