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 complied this exhaustive list of the best credit card signup bonuses, deals, and promotions of 2021.
Most Valuable Credit Card Signup Bonuses
While we don’t know how long they will last, two credit cards are offering signup bonuses worth $1,000 or more.
- Earn 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases with the card in the first 3 months. These points are worth $1,250 in travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants
- 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
- Get 25% point bonus when you redeem points for travel through Chase
- $0 foreign transaction fees
- 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs at full value
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get up to $60 back on an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership through 12/31/2021.
- $95 Annual Fee
- One-time Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within your first 3 months.
- Earn 2X miles on every purchase
- Receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- Miles aren’t specific to any airline or hotel, so they can be used anywhere
- Travel when you want with no blackout dates
- Miles won’t expire for the life of the account
- No foreign transaction fees
- Transfer miles to more than 10 travel programs.
- $95 annual fee
Table of contents
- Most Valuable Credit Card Signup Bonuses
- Summary of the Best Credit Card Signup Bonuses
- Credit Card Signup Bonus Details
- 1. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card–Editor’s Pick
- 2. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- 3. Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
- 4. Hilton Honors American Express Card
- 5. Chase Freedom Unlimited
- 6. British Airways Visa Signature
- 7. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
- 8. Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
- 8. Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
- 8. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
- 9. Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
- How to Pick The Best Credit Card Signup Offers
Summary of the Best Credit Card Signup Bonuses
| Credit Card | Signup Bonus* | Potential Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | 100,000 points | $1,250 |  |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | $150 | $150 |  |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve Card | 60,000 points | $900 |  |
| Hilton Honors American Express Card | 80,000 points | $ |  |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | $200 | $200 |  |
| British Airways Visa Signature | 100,000 avios | $600 |  |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card | 40,000 points | $560 |  |
| Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card | 125,000 points | $ |  |
| Hilton Honors American Express Business Card | 130,000 points | $650 |  |
| Hilton Honors American Express Card | 80,000 points | $ | |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card | 60,000 points | $960 |  |
*Signup bonuses require new cardmembers to spend a specified amount on the card within a limited period of time to qualify, as detailed below.
Credit Card Signup Bonus Details
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card—Editor’s Pick
- Earn 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases with the card in the first 3 months. These points are worth $1,250 in travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants
- 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
- Get 25% point bonus when you redeem points for travel through Chase
- $0 foreign transaction fees
- 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs at full value
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get up to $60 back on an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership through 12/31/2021.
- $95 Annual Fee
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns our Editor’s Pick because the signup bonus is worth $1,250 when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Add to that excellent everyday rewards, a 25% bonus when rewards are redeemed for travel through Chase, and a reasonable annual fee, and this card one of the best credit cards available today.
2. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Limited Time Offer: $150 statement credit after you spend $3,000 on purchases with the card in the first 6 months.
- Earn 20% back on Amazon.com purchases on the Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $200 back.
- Earn Cash Back: 6% at U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), and 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions including Spotify, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, ShowTime, Pandora, Apple Music, Amazon Music or Video (Does not include Prime membership).
- Earn 3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more.
- 1% on all other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
- Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95
- 0% APR on purchases for 12 months, then an ongoing APR of 13.99% - 23.99% Variable].
- Terms Apply. (See Rates & Fees)
As the saying goes, cash is king. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express pays a cash bonus when you spend a set amount within a certain period of time. It’s also one of the best cash back cards you’ll find, paying as much as 6% cash back.
3. Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
- Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 within your first 3 months.That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit. Through December 31, 2021, gas station & grocery store purchases will count towards earning your Travel Credit.
- 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit.
- 3X points on dining at restaurants & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- $0 foreign transaction fees.
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™
- Select Up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®
4. Hilton Honors American Express Card
- 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.
- Plus, earn up to $100 in statement credits on eligible purchases made on the Card at any of the Hilton family of hotels in the first 12 months of Card Membership. Offer expires 8/25/2021.
- Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for every dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Honors portfolio of brands.
- Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for every dollar of eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your card.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status with your Card.
- No Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply. (See Rates & Fees)
5. Chase Freedom Unlimited
- Welcome Bonus: Earn $200 bonus after spending $500 within your first 3 months.
- Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Earn 3% cash back at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
- Earn 3% cash back at drugstores
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Intro APR: 0% for 15 months from account opening on purchases
- Free credit score, updated weekly with Credit Journey
- No annual fee
6. British Airways Visa Signature
- Signup Bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus Avios after spending $5,000 within your first 3 months.
- Welcome Offer #2: Earn a Travel Together Ticket after spending $20,000 within your first year of account opening.
- Each year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you’ll earn a Travel Together Ticket good for two years.
- Earn 5 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL within your first 12 months from account opening, thereafter earn 3 Avios.
- Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel within your first 12 months from account opening, thereafter earn 2 Avios.
- Earn 1 Avios for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.
7. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
- Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn 7,500 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
- $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
- Four Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
- 20% back on inflight drinks, WiFi, messaging, and movies.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services), for the first year.
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases.
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Annual Fee: $149
8. Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points and 2 bonus Free Night Awards after spending $5,000 within the first 3 months. Each bonus Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50K points. Certain hotels have resort fees. Offer ends 11/3/2021.
- Earn up to $150 back in the form of statement credits on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership.
- Earn 6x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- Earn 4x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, U.S. purchases on shipping, and wireless telephone services purchased from U.S. service providers
- Earn 2x points on all other eligible purchases
- Receive 1 Free Night Award each year after your Card account anniversary you can use at a participating hotel.
- Enjoy complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.
- Earn Gold Elite status after spending $35,000 on eligible purchases on your card in a calendar year.
- Annual fee is $125
- Terms Apply (See Rates & Fees)
8. Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
- Welcome Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, you can earn an additional 50,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend a total of $10,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months.
- Earn 12X at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio
- Earn 6X on Select Business & Travel Purchases
- Earn 3X Everywhere Else. Terms & Limitations Apply.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status with your Hilton Honors Business Card.
- Earn a Weekend Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year.
- Earn another Weekend Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend an additional $45,000 in purchases on your card in the same calendar year.
- Terms apply. (See Rates & Fees)
8. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
- Bonus Offer: Earn 3 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases + 10X total points on eligible purchases in select categories.
- Anniversary Bonus: Get 1 Free Night Award (up to 35,000 points) every years on your card anniversary.
- Earn 17X points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- Earn 2X Bonvoy points on all other purchasers
- Earn Silver Elite Status each account anniversary, path to Gold Status after users spend $35,000 each year
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits granted each calendar year.
- Unlimited Marriott Bonvoy Points
- No foreign transaction fees
- $95 Annual Fee
9. Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- Annual Bonus: Earn 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
- 2X Rewards: Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases and Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partner purchases.
- 1X Rewards: Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Earn points on employee spending
- No blackout dates when you redeem points, no seat restrictions, bags fly free®, and no change fees
- No foreign transaction fees
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. 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 spend requirement
Most signup bonuses require new cardmembers 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.
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.
