Best credit card sign-up bonuses

Updated November 5, 2026 · Offer data last verified 2026-11-05 · Not financial or tax advice.

Credit card welcome bonuses are the fastest way to earn a few hundred to well over a thousand dollars in value from spending you already do. We track 14 current offers, each confirmed on the issuer's own page (last verified 2026-11-05). The full list lives on our credit card bonuses page.

All current offers

Card	Welcome bonus	Est. value	Spend requirement	Annual fee	Status
American Express Platinum Card American Express	175,000 Membership Rewards points	$1,750*	$12,000 in 6 mo	$895	✓ Verified
Chase Ink Business Preferred Chase · Business	100,000 Ultimate Rewards points	$1,000*	$8,000 in 3 mo	$95	✓ Verified
American Express Gold Card American Express	100,000 Membership Rewards points	$1,000*	$8,000 in 6 mo	$325	✓ Verified
Chase Sapphire Reserve Chase	100,000 Ultimate Rewards points	$1,000*	$6,000 in 3 mo	$795 ($195 per authorized user)	✓ Verified
Chase Sapphire Preferred Chase	75,000 Ultimate Rewards points	$750*	$5,000 in 3 mo	$95	✓ Verified
Capital One Venture Rewards Capital One	75,000 Capital One miles	$750*	$4,000 in 3 mo	$95	✓ Verified
Capital One Venture X Capital One	75,000 Capital One miles	$750*	$4,000 in 3 mo	$395	✓ Verified
Citi Strata Premier Citi	60,000 Citi ThankYou points	$600*	$4,000 in 3 mo	$95	✓ Verified
Chase Freedom Flex Chase	$250 cash back	$250	$500 in 3 mo	$0	✓ Verified
Amex Blue Cash Preferred American Express	$250 cash back	$250	$3,000 in 6 mo	$0 intro first year, then $95	✓ Verified
Bank of America Travel Rewards Bank of America	25,000 Bank of America points	$250	$1,000 in 3 mo	$0	✓ Verified
Chase Freedom Unlimited Chase	$200 cash back	$200	$500 in 3 mo	$0	✓ Verified
Capital One Savor Capital One	$200 cash back	$200	$500 in 3 mo	$0	✓ Verified
Citi Double Cash Citi	$200 cash back	$200	$1,500 in 6 mo	$0	✓ Verified

* Points and miles valued at a conservative 1¢ each so cards can be compared. Transfer partners can be worth more, cash-out options sometimes less. Bank of America states its 25,000 points = a $250 travel/dining statement credit. Cash-back bonuses are shown at face value.

Biggest bonus: American Express Platinum Card

Welcome offer AS HIGH AS 175,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $12,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Amex says offers vary: apply to find out your offer; you may be offered less or not be eligible. The catch is a $895 annual fee and a $12,000 spend requirement, so it only makes sense if the card's credits are worth it to you.

Best no-annual-fee bonus: Chase Freedom Flex

Earn a $250 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening (elevated from $200; Chase marks it 'offer ending soon'). No annual fee; 5% quarterly bonus categories.

Easiest spend requirements

Chase Freedom Flex: $250 cash back for $500 in 3 months ($0 fee)
Chase Freedom Unlimited: $200 cash back for $500 in 3 months ($0 fee)
Capital One Savor: $200 cash back for $500 in 3 months ($0 fee)
Bank of America Travel Rewards: 25,000 Bank of America points for $1,000 in 3 months ($0 fee)

Best value per dollar of required spend

First-year value minus the annual fee, divided by the spend requirement (points at 1¢). Higher means more return for the spending you have to put on the card:

Chase Freedom Flex: 50¢ per $1 of required spend
Chase Freedom Unlimited: 40¢ per $1 of required spend
Capital One Savor: 40¢ per $1 of required spend
Bank of America Travel Rewards: 25¢ per $1 of required spend
Capital One Venture Rewards: 16¢ per $1 of required spend

Amex Blue Cash Preferred has a $0 first-year fee, but it's counted at its regular $95 for consistency; cards with intro fees score slightly better in year one.

How to pick

Only spend what you'd spend anyway. Buying things to hit a threshold erases the value.
Pay in full every month. Card APRs run around 18–29%, so one month of interest can cost more than the bonus.
Check issuer rules. Chase generally won't approve you if you've opened 5+ cards in 24 months; Amex limits some bonuses to once per card; Citi limits Double Cash bonuses to once in 48 months.
Amex says "as high as." Amex shows your actual offer after you apply-and-find-out, and it may be lower.
Mind your credit. Each application is a hard pull. Avoid new cards before a mortgage or car loan.

FAQ

What is the best credit card sign-up bonus right now?

By estimated value, American Express Platinum Card (175,000 Membership Rewards points after $12,000 spend), but it carries a $895 annual fee. With no annual fee, Chase Freedom Flex is the strongest.

Are credit card sign-up bonuses taxable?

Bonuses earned by meeting a spending requirement are generally treated by the IRS as a rebate on purchases, not income. Bonuses paid without spending (like bank account bonuses) are usually taxable. Ask a tax professional about your situation.

How long do I have to meet the spend requirement?

Usually 3 months from account opening, and 6 months for the Amex cards and Citi Double Cash in our list. Each card page shows the window.

Do sign-up bonuses hurt my credit score?

Applying triggers a hard inquiry and a new account lowers your average account age, usually a small, temporary dip. Paying on time and keeping utilization low matters more.

Are these numbers verified?

Yes. Every bonus, spend requirement and annual fee on this page was read from the issuer's official card page, and our daily checker re-checks those pages for the key amounts.