Imagine booking your next dream trip or upgrading to Business Class – without paying full price.

That is the power of a great credit card sign up bonus.

If you are looking to boost your points balance quickly, signing up for a new card at the right time can be one of the smartest moves you make.

Credit card companies are competing harder than ever to win your business.

That means there are some incredible offers available right now, giving you the chance to earn thousands of points, miles, or even hundreds of dollars in cash back just for meeting a minimum spend requirement.

The key is knowing which bonuses are truly worth it – and how to use them to unlock maximum value.

In this guide, we will walk through the very best credit card sign-up bonuses available today.

You will learn which cards offer the most valuable rewards, how to meet the bonus requirements without overspending, and insider tips to stretch those points even further.

Whether you are a seasoned points pro or just starting to explore the world of travel rewards, this guide will help you make a confident, informed decision.

Let’s dive into the top offers you should not miss.

Before You Apply: Know Your Credit Score

If you are new to travel rewards and credit in general, it is a good idea to check your credit score before applying for a credit or charge card. That way, you will be able to apply for travel rewards cards which align with both your credit score and your travel goals.

Credit Scores are shown numerically and range from 300 (Poor) to 850 (Excellent / Perfect). While there are a number of credit agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and credit scores (FICO and VantageScore), generally, scores above 750 are considered excellent*.

While some agencies charge for a credit report, there are a number of “free” options as well:

• Personal Bank
• Credit Karma
• Annual Credit Report

The Best Credit Card Sign Up Bonuses – Personal

Here is a quick overview of the best credit card sign up bonuses, which includes a summary of card details, reward rates, benefits, and more.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards on the market and has long been the standard as one of the best travel rewards cards for beginners. The value of the card comes from the ability to earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, a relatively low annual fee, and a host of benefits. In addition, cardholders can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 1.25 cents when booking travel through Chase Travel℠ or transfer the points to one of the many airline and hotel transfer partners.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Annual Fee: $95
• APR: 20.49% – 27.49% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 5x on Travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 5x on Lyft purchases (through March 31st, 2025)
• 3x on Dining, select Streaming Services, and Online Groceries
• 2x on All Other Travel purchases
• 1x on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠
• Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance, and lost luggage insurance
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024

All information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has been collected independently by The Points Analyst. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is no longer available through The Points Analyst.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

In the complex world of award travel, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card stands out due its simplicity. Cardholders will earn 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, which eliminates the need to memorize various bonus categories. Outside the simple earning structure, the card comes with a relatively low annual fee, and multiple benefits (including a Global Entry credit). In addition, cardholders have the option to get reimbursed for travel purchases with Capital One Miles or utilize one of the many transfer partner options.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year
• Annual Fee: $95
• APR: 19.99% – 29.24% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 5x Miles on Hotels, Vacation Rentals, and Rental Cars (booked through Capital One Travel)
• 2x Miles on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more.

The Best Credit Card Sign Up Bonuses – Business

Here is a quick overview of the best credit card sign up bonuses, which includes a summary of card details, reward rates, benefits, and more.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the most popular and valuable business travel rewards cards. Despite the high annual fee of $695, the Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers incredible overall value through various benefits (i.e. hotel status and lounge access), extensive credits up to $1,000 (i.e. hotel, airline, technology, and others), and a high earning opportunity on flight and large purchases. In addition, cardholders, can redeem American Express Membership Rewards points through the American Express Travel portal or transfer the points to one of the many American Express transfer partners.

Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of card membership. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after you spend $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel with your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of card membership.
• Annual Fee: $695
• APR: 18.49% – 27.49% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*
• See Rates And Fees

Reward Rates

• 5x on Flights booked through American Express Travel
• 5x on Prepaid Hotels booked with American Express Travel
• 1.5x on each eligible purchase at US Construction Material, Hardware Suppliers, Electronic Goods Retailers, Software & Cloud System Providers, and Shipping Providers
• 1.5x on purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year)
• 1x on All Other Purchases

Other Benefits

• Up to $200 Hotel credit (prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel) – requires a minimum two night stay
• Up to $400 Dell credit ($200 semi-annually) – enrollment required
• Up to $360 Indeed credit ($90 per quarter) – enrollment required
• Up To $150 Adobe credit – enrollment required
• Up To $120 Wireless credit ($10 per month) – enrollment required
• Up to $200 Airline Fee credit (select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees)
• Up to $199 CLEAR® Plus credit
• Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit
• Complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott
• Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Airspace lounges, Escape lounges, Plaza Premium lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when traveling on same-day Delta flights; Eligible Platinum Card Members will receive 10 Visits per Eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight)

American Express® Business Gold Card

The American Express® Business Gold Card is a solid choice for businesses with high spend, but want to maintain flexibility. The card offers a 4x earning in the two highest spend categories each month (up to $150,000 in combined purchases per calendar year) and is ideal for businesses who value simplicity. However, this flexibility comes at the cost of a relatively high annual fee. In addition, card holders can redeem American Express Membership Rewards points through the American Express Travel portal or transfer the points to one of the many American Express transfer partners.

Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first 3 months of card membership
• Annual Fee: $375
• APR: 18.49% – 27.49% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*
• See Rates And Fees

Reward Rates

• 4x on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories (up to $150,000 in combined purchases per calendar year)
• 3x on Flights and Prepaid Hotels booked with American Express Travel
• 1x on All Other Purchases

Other Benefits

• Up to $240 in statement credits ($20 per month) after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores in the United States
• Up to $155 in statement credits ($12.95 per month) when you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal)
• Choose the color that suits your style: Gold, Rose Gold, or White Gold (new)

Capital One Venture X Business

Even though the Capital One Venture X Business is one of the newest business travel rewards cards, it quickly became one of the most popular. The popularity stems from the easy earning structure of 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, an easy to use $300 annual credit (when booking through the Capital One travel booking site), generous intro offer, and numerous other benefits (including access to the extremely popular Capital One Lounges). In addition, cardholders have the option to get reimbursed for travel purchases with Capital One Miles or utilize one of the many transfer partner options.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn up to 350,000 bonus miles: 150,000 miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months, and an additional 200,000 miles once you spend $200,000 in the first 6 months
• Annual Fee: $395
• APR: N/A
• Recommended Credit: 740-850 (Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 10x Miles on Hotels and Rental Cars booked through the Capital One travel booking site
• 5x Miles on Flights and Vacation Rentals booked through the Capital One travel booking site
• 2x Miles on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• $300 back in credit annually (only applicable for bookings made through the Capital One travel booking site)
• 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Add employee cards for free

Final Thoughts

Earning a strong sign-up bonus is one of the fastest ways to jumpstart your journey to unforgettable travel experiences.

Whether you are planning a luxury getaway, a business trip, or your next family vacation, choosing the right credit card can open the door to valuable rewards, exclusive perks, and major savings.

The cards highlighted in this guide offer some of the best opportunities available today – each designed to fit different spending habits, travel styles, and financial goals.

By aligning your choice with how you spend and where you want to go, you can turn every dollar into a new adventure.

Before you apply, remember to check your credit score, review the card’s earning and redemption structure, and make sure you can meet the minimum spend requirement comfortably.

When used wisely, these sign-up bonuses can be a powerful tool to maximize your points, minimize your costs, and upgrade your travel life.

Ready to find the perfect card for your next big trip? Explore the offers above and take the first step toward making your dream travel plans a reality – and if you have any questions or want first-look access to the best deals, join our free community today.

Not only is it full of travel enthusiasts like yourself, but we also post the best deals and hidden gems on a daily basis. Join For Free Now.

Kevin Zanes