Best Credit Card Sign-up Bonuses of September 2023 (Up to $1000)

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Credit card companies roll out the red carpet to get new card members. From cash to points to miles, signup bonuses abound from top card issuers. It's for that reason that I compiled this exhaustive list of the best credit card sign-up bonuses, deals, and promotions.

Best Credit Card Signup Bonuses

The following credit cards offer cash or statement credit bonuses for new card members.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers an easy-to-earn welcome bonus and up to 6% cash back. The annual fee is $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. Its most popular feature is its cash back at grocery stores and streaming services.

Rewards:

• Welcome Offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
• 0% Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 19.24% - 29.99%
• Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

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Capital One Savor Rewards Credit Card

With the Capital One Savor Rewards Credit Card, you can earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining, select streaming, and entertainment, plus 3% cash back at grocery stores plus 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats. There are many ways to redeem your rewards, and you don't have to do it in $25 increments, as some cards require.

Rewards:

• Welcome Bonus: Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
• Annual Fee: $95

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). This represents a potential $300 in extra cash back. On top of the bonus cash back, the card offers up to 5% cash back and charges no annual fee. Its most popular feature is its cash back on travel. Rewards can be converted to Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Rewards:

• Signup Bonus: Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
• 0% Intro APR: Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
• Annual Fee: $0

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Citi Custom Cash® Card

The Citi Custom Cash® Card offers one of the easier-to-earn welcome bonuses available. The card offers up to 5% cash back and charges no annual fee. Its most popular feature is its 5% cash back on the top eligible spend category each billing cycle on up to $500 spent.

Rewards:

• Signup Bonus: Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• 0% Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months and for balance transfers for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Annual Fee: $0

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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a great bonus for the little amount you have to spend to get it. The card offers 1.5% cash back on purchases and charges no annual fee. It charges no foreign transaction fees and offers a 0% intro rate.

Rewards:

• Signup Bonus: One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• 0% Intro APR: 0% APR on purchases for 15 months and for balance transfers for 15 months, then 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR
• Annual Fee: $0

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Chase Freedom Flex(SM)

The Chase Freedom Flex(SM) also offers a great bonus for the required spend amount. The card offers up to 5% cash back and charges no annual fee. It offers 5% cash back rotating categories with spending caps, but it also offers elevated rewards on a number of other purchase categories.

Rewards:

• Signup Bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 0% Intro APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%–29.24%
• Annual Fee: $0

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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite offers a generous welcome bonus, as well as decent points per purchase. It also comes with a list of credits worth about $550. As with all Bank of America cards, if you are a preferred member (i.e. you have at least $20,000 in an account with either Bank of America or Merrill) you earn better rewards. You also get priority pass airport lounge access for up to four guests.

Rewards:

• Signup Bonus: Get 75,000 online bonus points — a $750 value — after you make at least $5,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
• 0% Intro APR: None
• Annual Fee: $550

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card—Editor's Pick

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers one of the best welcome bonuses. If used to purchase travel through Chase, these points are worth 25% more. The card offers up to 5x points and a 25% bonus when points are redeemed for travel through Chase.

Rewards:

• Signup Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Annual Fee: $95

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers an excellent welcome bonus. If used to purchase travel through Chase, these points are worth $900. The card offers up to 10x points and a 50% bonus when points are redeemed for travel through Chase.

Rewards:

• Signup Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• Annual Fee: $550

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a high welcome bonus. You get 10,000 miles on your cardmember anniversary, too. Earn up to 10x miles per $1 spent on select purchases. The card also offers an annual $300 credit on travel booked through Capital One Travel.

Rewards:

• Signup Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Annual Fee: $395

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card also offers a high welcome bonus. This card doesn't offer as many travel perks as the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card we mentioned above, but it does pack a great punch for the annual fee. You can earn 2x miles on every purchase and 5x miles on hotels and car rentals.

Rewards:

• Signup Bonus: Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• Annual Fee: $95

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The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers an excellent welcome bonus and some great travel perks.

The card also comes with a host of travel-related credits that offset the annual fee of the card.

Rewards:

• Welcome Bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Annual Fee: $695

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American Express® Gold Card

American Express® Gold Card offers a great welcome bonus and excellent rewards on some everyday purchases like groceries and dining.

Welcome bonus points could be worth as much as $600 depending on how they are redeemed.

Rewards:

• Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Annual Fee: $250

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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card 

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a great option if you're partial to IHG-branded hotels such as Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and Candlewood Suites. There's a great welcome bonus, plus a lot of benefits and perks for those who frequent IHG hotels. You get one free night each year which more than justifies the annual fee.

Rewards:

• Signup Bonus: Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn up to $100 in IHG® statement credits on purchases at IHG® Hotels and Resorts during the first 12 months from account opening.
• Annual Fee: $99

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Hilton Honors American Express Card 

Hilton Honors American Express Card is a great card for those who want a few benefits when they stay at a Hilton and don't want to pay an annual fee. You won't get a free night, but you do get complimentary silver elite status, which comes with two free water bottles at check-in, 15% off spa services and a fifth night free when you book a four-night reward stay with points. Not to mention the points you earn at gas stations, restaurants and grocery stores.

Rewards:

• Signup Bonus: Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• Annual Fee: $0

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Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card is a solid choice if you enjoy staying at Marriott hotels, which encompass 31 brands in 8,500 properties around the world. There's a welcome bonus, and you'll earn rewards on Marriott hotel stays, in restaurants, and in grocery stores.

Rewards:

• Welcome Bonus: Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Annual Fee: $250

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card 

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is the premium Marriott card in the American Express lineup. It offers a great welcome bonus and generous ongoing rewards. You also get a $300 dining credit (up to $25 per month), a free night's stay on your cardmember anniversary, and complimentary elite status, which earns you more points on hotel stays, upgraded rooms when available, and a welcome gift. The annual fee is high, so make sure you'll make use of the rewards.

Rewards:

• Welcome Bonus:  Earn two 85K Free Night Awards after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card in your first 6 months. Each award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Card Members could enjoy a value of up to $1,200 when redeeming each reward. Certain hotels have resort fees. Offer ends 11/1/2023.
• Annual Fee: $650

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United℠ Explorer Card 

United℠ Explorer Card is a great card if you enjoy flying United Airlines. You get a nice welcome bonus, your first checked bag is free, and you get a $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every four years. And the annual fee is waived for the first year.

Rewards:

• Signup Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
• Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is offering a special bonus right now: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. The way it works is once you spend the required amount, you'll get a promo code in your Southwest account. It's good for 30% off a single-use one-way or round-trip ticket on Southwest. All three personal Southwest credit cards come with this bonus, but the Plus has the lowest annual fee.

Rewards:

• Signup Bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Annual Fee: $69

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Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card 

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a good choice if you regularly fly Delta Airlines. The welcome bonus alone is worth about $650, according to Delta, but it might be worth more, depending on the flight.  Your first checked bag is free, and the annual fee is waived for the first year.

Rewards:

• Welcome Bonus: Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
• Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.

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List of Credit Card Signup Bonuses

Listed below are all of the credit cards in our database that offer a signup or welcome bonus. Click on the card name for more details.

How to Pick The Best Credit Card Signup Offers

Credit card signup bonuses seem to get bigger each year. The top offers today can be worth $1,000 or more. As you review your options, keep several things in mind.

A signup bonus is just one factor to consider: The signup bonus, while certainly a nice perk, is only one factor to consider when comparing the cards. Other important factors include the annual fee, how you'll earn ongoing rewards, and how you'll redeem the rewards you earn.

A good credit score is required: Credit cards with rich signup promotions require good to excellent credit. If your credit falls below certain criteria, you may not get the bonus offer being promoted – or any of the other perks. While there's no set rule on the credit score needed to qualify for one of these cards, one should generally aim for a FICO score of 700 or higher.

Consider the spending requirement: Most signup bonuses require new card members to charge a certain amount of purchases to the card within a specified period of time to qualify for the bonus. While the amounts vary, it's generally between $500 to $3,000 within 3 months. Further, the bigger the bonus the higher the spend requirement. You’ll have to be careful that you aren’t persuaded by the spending requirements to buy items that you wouldn’t normally buy in order to meet the restriction. This can be a problem if you don’t normally shop with a credit card.

The value can depend on how you redeem the bonus: For those cards that pay the bonus in points or miles, the value can vary depending on how you redeem the rewards. In many cases, the rewards must be redeemed for travel through the credit card issuer.

Most cards offer other benefits: Virtually every card on this list offers significant benefits beyond bonus points or miles. Travel rewards, in particular, can be generous, depending on your typical spending patterns. Many of the cards also offer a zero-interest transfer deal that can run anywhere from 12 to 18 months.

APRs are high – A zero interest rate period is certainly attractive, but it will come to an end eventually. When it does, there are interest rates ranging from the low teens to the low 20s awaiting you.

How Do Rewards Credit Cards Work?

Credit card rewards are tied to how much you spend using a credit card. The more you spend, the more rewards you’ll earn.

Sign-up bonuses usually have a limit. A card may provide a $500 sign-up bonus after you spend, say, $3,000 within three months of opening the card account. Once you reach that spending limit, no more signup bonus rewards will be issued.

But with cash back rewards and points, you’ll continue to earn those rewards once you’ve met the criteria for the sign-up bonus (or even if you don’t). Some cards offer a flat rewards structure based on either all purchase activity or only in certain categories. Others may offer a tiered structure, where they’ll pay more rewards for certain purchase categories than for others.

You should also be aware that sign-up bonuses and rewards apply only to purchases. They don’t apply to balance transfers, cash advances, traveler's checks, and certain other restricted transactions.

What Can I do With Credit Card Rewards?

It all depends on how the rewards are structured with the issuing card. You’ll typically be able to redeem your rewards as a statement credit (applied to your outstanding balance) or applied toward certain purchases, like travel.

But some reward arrangements also allow you to receive cash. For example, if you accumulate $50 in cash back rewards, you can opt to have the funds transferred to a linked bank account, or even have a check mailed to your home.

Is Cash Back Better Than Rewards Points?

In most cases, cash back and reward points work out to be about the same. That’s because both are based on percentages. The main difference is that cash back is usually expressed as a percentage, like 2% of purchases, while points are based on earning a certain number for every dollar spent.

However, this is actually another type of percentage rewards basis. If you earn two points for every dollar spent, that’s the equivalent of 2% rewards. You can often redeem reward points in much the same way you can cash back.

How Do I know if a Rewards Card Will Be the Right Choice for Me?

The major factor to be aware of is your spending level. Or more specifically, how much of your spending activity is done using credit cards.

Whether you spend a lot or a little using credit cards, rewards will still work in your favor. But the more you spend, the more you’ll earn.

For example, if you have a rewards card offering 2% cash back (or points), and you spend $10,000 during the course of the year, you’ll earn $200 in rewards. But if you spend $100,000, you can earn $2,000.

How Can I Maximize the Benefit of Credit Card Sign-up Bonuses, and Rewards?

First, plan to pay off your entire credit card balance each and every month, and in full. That’ll avoid interest charges, making your bonuses and rewards a pure positive return.

Second, be sure to match rewards tiers with your spending. If one credit card offers 2% rewards across the board, and another offers 5% cash back for groceries, the second card should be used for all grocery purchases.

Third, make sure the sign-up bonus and rewards will easily exceed the annual fee. For example, if the card charges a $95 annual fee, you’ll need to spend at least $4,750 per year just to recover the cost of the annual fee.

If you don’t think you’ll be able to exceed that spending threshold, you’ll be better off choosing a card with a big sign-on bonus, a 0% introductory APR, or some other benefit that will offset the cost of the annual fee.

FAQs

The Bottom Line

One of the beautiful things about competition, especially when businesses vie for consumers is that everybody wins. Businesses end up getting what they want (which they may end up paying more for) and consumers can shop around for the best good or service that suits their needs. No one entity controls the market and in the end, the best business will usually prevail.

When looking at the full list of credit card deals above, it's easy to see just how profitable a few applications can be. All you need is the excellent credit these cards require, and you can walk away with thousands of dollars in savings.