Rewards credit cards don’t just offer you valuable points, miles and cash back when you make new purchases — these cards can also give you hundreds of dollars in welcome bonuses.
Generally, you must open a new account and meet a minimum spending requirement to earn a one-time bonus.
Card issuers offer these attractive welcome bonuses as an incentive to get you to try their products, with the hope that you’ll decide to be a long-term customer.
RELATED: Clark Howard’s credit card philosophy
Top credit card sign-up bonuses: Team Clark’s picks
I’ve looked at all of the cards offered by the major card issuers and narrowed them down to the best sign-up bonus offers available now:
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Remember, rewards credit cards are for people who avoid interest charges by always paying their statement balance in full.
If you ever need to carry a balance, then you shouldn’t worry about earning rewards and should instead focus on finding a low-interest credit card. This aligns with Clark’s credit card philosophy.
You should also avoid using a credit card to make unnecessary purchases or incur debt, especially in pursuit of a bonus.
Some of the credit cards with the best welcome offers also have annual fees, which may be waived for the first year. I recommend giving these cards a fair chance to earn your business.
When the annual fee comes due, decide whether the card should be a long-term part of your wallet.
If you decide not to keep it, card issuers will always waive the annual fee if you close your account within 30 days of it being billed, and they may even offer to waive it if you agree to keep your account open.
Read on to compare our picks for best credit card welcome bonuses and let us know your favorite in the comments below…
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
A great card for those who spend enough on dining and entertainment to justify the annual fee. Welcome bonus $300 after spending $3,000 on purchases within three months of account opening Rewards- 4% cash back or dining and entertainment
- 2% at grocery stores
- 1% elsewhere
- Huge welcome bonus
- High rates of cash back on dining and at grocery stores
- High annual fee
- 1% cash back outside of bonus categories
Learn more: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards
Chase Sapphire Preferred
A popular travel rewards card that offers you valuable rewards that can be transferred to airline miles and hotel points.
Welcome bonus60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening; points are worth $750 in travel reservations
Rewards2x points for all travel and dining purchases, 1x elsewhere
Points can be redeemed for 1.25 cents each for travel booked through Chase, or transferred to airline and hotel partners
$95
Chase’s Ultimate Rewards points offers excellent value when used for travel and dining; great flexibility to realize plenty of value from airline and hotel partners
Drawbacks$95 annual fee
Learn more: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
This card makes sense for those who want travel statement credits, but also the option to transfer rewards to airline miles.Welcome bonus
50,000 bonus miles, worth $500 in travel statement credits, after spending $3,000 on new purchases within three months of account opening
RewardsDouble miles on all purchases
Miles can be redeemed for travel statement credits or transferred to airline partners
$95, waived the first year
AdvantagesCard now offers the chance to redeem rewards for travel statement credits or transfer them to miles with airline partners; $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
Drawbacks$95 annual fee and airline transfer partners are mostly smaller foreign carriers
Learn more: Capital One Venture
Citi Premier Card
A versatile travel rewards card with points that can be redeemed for airfare or transferred to airline miles. Welcome bonus 50,000 ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 within three months of account opening; points are worth $625 in airfare on any airline Rewards- Earn 3x on travel including gas
- Earn 2x on dining out and entertainment purchases
- 1x elsewhere
- Points can be redeemed for travel reservations or transferred to miles with airline partners
$95, waived the first year
Advantages- Valuable welcome bonus
- Strong rewards for spending on travel, gas, dining and entertainment
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