Updated January 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. Recent changes:
- Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards – new Companion Pass offer.
- Chase United Explorer – limited-offer expired.
- Chase World of Hyatt – limited-offer expired.
- Barclaycard Arrival Plus – new 70,000 mile limited-time offer.
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.
- 70,000 points (worth $700 towards travel) after $5,000 in purchases in the first 90 days and paying the annual fee. See link for details.
- Unlimited 2X miles on every purchase.
- $0 annual fee for the first year, then $89.
- 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points (worth $625 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.
- $0 annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Subject to 5/24 rule.
- Alternative: . More rewards, more perks including lounge access, $450 annual fee, $300 annual travel credit.
- Bonus Companion Pass + 30,000 Southwest points. Earn the Companion Pass and 30,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months. Offer ends 2/11/19. Companion Pass is promotional and will end 12/31/19. See link for details.
- $69 annual fee.
- Subject to 5/24 rule.
- 40,000 Membership Rewards points (flexible, worth 50,000 miles at various airlines) after $2,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. See link for details.
- $120 in Grubhub and Seamless credit. $10 in statement credits each month when you pay with this card at participating partners – Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and participating Shake Shack locations.
- $100 airline fee credit. Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $100 per calendar year in statement credits towards checked baggage fees and inflight meals.
- $250 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.
- Up to 50,000 American Airlines miles. 40,000 miles after $2,000 in purchases in first 3 months, plus another 10,000 after making a total of $6,000 in purchases in first 12 months of account opening. See link for details.
- First checked bag free on domestic flights perk ($60 value per roundtrip, per person).
- $0 annual fee for the first year, then $99.
- Up to 100,000 Avios points. 50,000 Avios after $3,000 in purchases within first 3 months. Additional 25,000 Avios for $10,000 in purchases within first year. Additional 25,000 Avios for $20,000 in purchases within first year. See link for details and redemption tips.
- Free Travel Together companion ticket when you spend $30,000 in calendar year.
- $95 annual fee.
- NOT subject to 5/24 rule.
- 125,000 Hilton Honors points after $2,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.. See link for details and rough valuation of points.
- Free Weekend Night Reward certificate after you spend $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year.
- $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.
- $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.
- 40,000 United miles. 40,000 bonus United miles after spending $2,000 within the first 3 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.
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