A welcome bonus is offered by many different credit card companies as an incentive to get their card. With most credit cards, a welcome bonus is a point bonus to help get you started with a large number of points, so you begin redeeming travel or other rewards.
The bonus is usually a one-time payment that is put into your account, but some companies offer it as a smaller release of points over time. You usually have to spend a certain amount of money during the first 90 days in order to get the welcome bonus.
What to Focus When Shopping Around?
Before choosing a credit card, it’s important to look at all the sign-up bonus options and choose the best one for you. Here are some tips to follow to help you choose:
- Make sure you can pay the money required to earn the welcome bonus. For example, the company might require you to spend $1,000 during the first 90 days. Make sure this is financially doable for you so that you do not become overwhelmed or stressed.
- Get a welcome bonus on a card that gives you the right perks. If you like to travel, make sure you are earning a welcome bonus for a travel card to help you redeem free flights.
- Consider the annual fee. Even though you are getting a free welcome bonus, you will have to pay the annual fee. Make sure you can afford the annual fee and consider ways you can make the fee up with statement credits and other perks.
- Wait for the right time (if possible). Some card companies offer more bonuses around the holidays. Try to wait for the maximum welcome bonus so you can get the most amount of points and rewards possible.
Issuer's Restrictions on Welcome Bonuses
Each issuer has its own rules when it comes to sign up bonuses. Here are the main things you should know before apply:
There is only one welcome bonus per card per person. You also have to make sure you reach the spending requirement before the first 90 days are up so you can get the welcome bonus.
You cannot receive more than one bonus on the same credit card every 24 months. You also cannot cancel the card and then receive the same one with a bonus.
You can only receive the welcome bonus every 48 months.
You cannot receive more than one welcome bonus every 15 months.
They do now allow you to have the same card within a 24-month period. So, you will only be able to get welcome bonuses every 2 years.
Like most credit cards, you cannot earn the same welcome bonus on the same credit card within a 2-year period.
They are one of the only card companies that do not impose restrictions on the welcome bonuses. There is no set time period between bonuses. As long as you are approved, you will get the bonus.
Best Cards With Large Sign up Bonus
Here are the main cards you should consider if you're looking to get large welcome bonus. In most of them the bonus will be given at the first 3 months, but there are cards you'll need to wait up to 12 months to get your bonus.
Here are our picks for 2022:
Card | Rewards | Bonus | Annual Fee | Best For |
| 1-5%
5% cashback on up to $1,500 in rotating category purchases each quarter when you activate the bonus category (then 1%), as well 1% percent cash back on all other purchases
| Match Bonus
unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically
| $0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-6%
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit
and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
|
$250
$250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
| $95 ($0 intro for the first year) (Rates & Fees) | ||
| 1% – 4%
unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.
| $300
$300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
| $95 | ||
| 1.5% – 5%
5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 3% on drugstore purchases and 1.5% cash back on all purchases
| Up to $300
additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year)- worth up to $300 cash back
| $0 | ||
| 1x – 17X
up to 17X total Bonvoy points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card, 3X on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining and 2X Bonvoy points for every $1 spent on all other purchases
| 5 Free Nights
5 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases
| $95 |
Should You Apply For a Credit Card with a High Sign-up Bonus?
Determining which credit card offers the best sign-up bonus will depend on your needs and preferences. For example, if your main goal with a credit card is to travel, you might want to consider getting the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. They offer the most perks and rewards for flight and hotel options.
If you are looking for a card with the best welcome bonus and no annual fee, consider getting the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards. You can enjoy the welcome bonus without needing to pay a large annual fee.
If you are most concerned with getting cashback rewards and statement credits, you can choose the Capital One Savor One Cash Rewards. They offer a much higher percentage for cashback than many of the other credit card companies.
A large welcome bonus offer comes with higher spending requirements within the first 90 days. If you can afford this, signing up for a welcome bonus can be a good option.
How Do You Evaluate the Worth of a Sign-up Bonus?
The best way to evaluate the worth of a sign-up bonus is to try and determine your average monthly spending. You can do this by looking at your past credit card or bank statements. If your credit card wants you to spend $3,000 in the first three months to get the welcome bonus, you need to make sure you are spending at least $1,000 a month on average. If you’re not, the welcome bonus might not be worth it.
If you have a large purchase coming up, you can also consider getting the credit card because the large purchase combined with your monthly spending will ensure you spend enough to get the welcome bonus.
You also need to make sure you are considering the annual fee. Make sure the card’s other perks and rewards will make up for the annual fee and make the cost worth it.
Discover It Cash Back
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating
Annual Fee
0% Intro
APR
The Discover it® Cash Back is one of our favorites and a good option for those who are looking for cash back with large sign up bonus. In terms of sign up bonus, Discover match bonus for the first 12 months for new applicants - depends on your spending, it can be a couple of hundreds - but you'll get the bonus only in the end of the first year.
The Discover it® Cash Back also offers 15 months on purchases and balance transfers and a great sign up bonus. This card is best for individuals who understand their spending habits and want to leverage the high reward rate the card offers, or those who plan a big purchase in the next couple of months.
- Rewards Plan: 5% cashback on up to $1,500 in rotating category purchases each quarter when you activate the bonus category (then 1%), as well 1% percent cash back on all other purchases
- APR: 16.74% - 27.74% variable
- Annual fee: $0
- Balance Transfer Fee: 5%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
- Sign Up bonus: unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically
- 0% APR Introductory Rate period: 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
- 0% Intro APR Period
- High Cash Back for Select Spending Categories
- Matches Cash Back in the First 12 Months
- No Annual Fee
- Limit on Cash Back Spending Per Quarter
- Keeping Track of Bonus Categories
- Balance Transfer Fee
- What are the cash-back rewards limit? There is a $1,500 cap on purchases each quarter that allows you to get the bonus cashback rates. Otherwise, no cap.
- Does Discover it Cash Back ask for proof of income? No out and out request for proof of income and no transparent income requirements.
- Does card rewards points expire? No expiry date for these points.
- Can I get pre-approved on card Discover it Cash Back? Yes, you can get pre-approval.
- What is the initial credit limit of card Discover it Cash Back Card? The minimum credit limit will be $300.
- How do I redeem cash back? You can get the rewards in the form of cash, statement credit, or gift cards.
- What purchases don't earn cash back ? All purchases will earn cashback.
- Should You Move to Discover it Cash Back Card? If you want to get good rewards from bonus categories and want access to a good signup offer.
- Why did Discover deny me? What to Do Next? You might not have met all of the requirements. You can enquire as to where your application fell short. If you cannot proceed, you can look at some of the other available options.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating
Annual Fee
0% Intro
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Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers a decent welcome bonus as well as high rewards rate. New applicants can earn up to $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.
However, warehouse clubs and superstores are not included. The American Blue Cash Preferred Card charges an annual fee of $95 ($0 intro for the first year), but you can justify this if you reach the higher cashback threshold in U.S. supermarkets. This makes the card suitable for individuals that buy or purchase their groceries at traditional supermarkets.
- Rewards Plan: 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
- APR: 19.24% - 29.99% Variable
- Annual Fee: $95 ($0 intro for the first year)
- Balance Transfer Fee: $5 or 3%, whichever is greater
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.70%
- Welcome bonus: $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
- 0% APR Introductory Rate Months: 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
* Terms Apply
- Welcome Bonus
- Cash Back Rewards
- 0% APR Intro
- Redeeming Options
- Extended Warranty on Purchases
- $95 Annual Fee
- Short Introductory Rates
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Foreign Transaction Fee
- Minimum Redemption Amounts
- Is there a limit to rewards/cash back? You can get the premium cashback rate on groceries until you have annual purchases in this area of $6,000. The rate then goes to 1%.
- Can I get car rental insurance? how? Yes, you will get this insurance if you refuse the car rental company’s insurance coverage and you pay for the entire cost of the rental with this card.
- Does it have a cash-back/point rewards limit? You can get the premium cashback rate on groceries until you have annual purchases in this area of $6,000. The rate then goes to 1%. Otherwise, there are no restrictions.
- Do you need a proof of income? No transparent income requirements or proof of income requests.
- Does the rewards points expire? They do not expire once you keep your account open and meet a few basic conditions.
- Can I get pre-approved? Yes, you can get pre-approval.
- What is the initial credit limit? It will be at least $1,000 and usually greater.
- How do I redeem cash back? The rewards will be credited to you in the form of a statement credit.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Reward Details
Current Offer
Credit Rating
Annual Fee
0% Intro
APR
The Capital One credit card is the Savor card, which offers a significant sign up bonus of $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, as well as no foreign transaction fee and decent rewards rate.
When it comes to rewards, cardholders earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.. However, if you don’t spend enough on these types of activities then you won’t get ahead much on the rewards due to the $95 annual fee.
- Rewards Plan: unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.
- APR: 20.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
- Annual fee: $95
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Sign Up bonus: $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- 0% APR Introductory Rate period: None
- Sign Up Bonus
- High Cash Back
- No Rotating Categories
- $95 Annual Fee
- Approval Can Be Strict
- No 0% Intro APR
- Can I get car rental insurance with Capital One Savor? Yes, once you refuse the insurance offered by the rental company you will automatically get coverage if you fund the entire purchase through this card.
- Does it have a cash-back rewards limit? There is no limit.
- Does Capital One ask for proof of income? No out and out request for proof of income and no transparent income requirements.
- Does Capital One Savor Card offer pre approval? Yes, you can get pre-approval.
- What is the initial credit limit? The minimum credit limit is set at $5,000.
- How do I redeem cash back? You can get them sent to you in the form of a check, as a statement credit, or get them given to you through gift cards.
- What purchases don't earn cash back? All types of purchases are eligible for cashback with this card.
- Should You Move to Capital One Savor Card? If you spend enough on the premium cashback categories to justify the annual fee.
- Why did Capital One Savor Card deny me? What to Do Next? You might not have met all of the requirements. You can enquire as to where your application fell short. If you cannot proceed, you can look at some of the other available options.
- How to maximize rewards on Capital One Savor Card? Make the most out of the signup offer and use this card for the premium cashback categories to get the best bang for your buck.
- Top reasons NOT to get the Capital One Savor Card? If you will not reap enough rewards to justify the $95 annual fee.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating
Annual Fee
0% Intro
APR
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card has recently changes its sign up bonus structure. In the new model, new applicants are eligible for additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year)- worth up to $300 cash back.
Another benefit worth mentioning is the long 0% intro APR - 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (20.24%–28.99% variable after that). Overall, Chase Freedom Unlimited is one of the best options in the market, especially for those who are looking to save the annual fee.
- APR: 20.24%–28.99% variable
- Annual fee: $0
- Balance Transfer Fee: $5 or 5%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
- Rewards Plan: 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 3% on drugstore purchases and 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Sign Up bonus: additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year)- worth up to $300 cash back
- 0% APR Introductory Rate period: 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
- Cash Back Rewards + Sign Up Bonus
- 0% APR on Balance Transfers & Purchases
- No Annual Fee
- Protection & Free Credit Score
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Foreign Transaction Fee
- Less Relevant For Frequent Travelers
- Is there a limit to cashback rewards? There is no cap.
- Can I get car rental insurance with a Chase Freedom Unlimited card? Yes, when you rent the car and pay for all of it with this card and do not accept coverage from the rental company.
- Should You Move to Chase Freedom Unlimited card? This is a good fit for people who are looking for no annual fee card including good cashback rates that do not change.
- Why did Chase Freedom Unlimited card deny me? You might not have met one of the requirements for this card. You can talk with a member of the customer support team to see what the issue is and how you might be able to rectify it.
- How hard is it to get a Chase Freedom Unlimited card? It is not very hard to get this type of card once you meet all of the straightforward requirements.
- How to maximize rewards on the Chase Freedom Unlimited card?
- You can choose between the options as to how you utilize the rewards. To maximize rewards, you should make the most of the signup bonus and also be aware of which of your credit cards have the best cashback for a particular type of purchase.
- Top reasons NOT to get the Chase Freedom Unlimited card? If you are looking for higher flat cashback rates. You may also travel a lot and not want to pay the 3% foreign exchange transaction charge that comes with this card.
- Does Chase ask for proof of income? There is no specific income requirements and it does not usually ask for proof of income requirements.
- Does the card offer pre-approval? Yes, you can get pre-approval.
- What is the initial credit limit? The initial credit limit varies, but can often be between $1,000 and $5,000.
- How do I redeem cashback? Go to the Ultimate Rewards section that Chase offers and you can choose between the options as to how you utilize the rewards.
- What purchases don't earn cashback with the Freedom Unlimited card? All purchases earn cashback with this card.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating
Annual Fee
0% Intro
APR
If you're using Marriot frequently or looking for a decent hotel card, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card may be a perfect match for your needs.
It offers up to 17X total Bonvoy points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card, 3X on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining and 2X Bonvoy points for every $1 spent on all other purchases and a very attractive sign up bonus of 5 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
However, the card charges $95 annual fee and doesn't offer 0% intro.
- Rewards Plan: up to 17X total Bonvoy points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card, 3X on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining and 2X Bonvoy points for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- APR: 20.99% - 27.99% Variable
- Annual fee: $95
- Balance Transfer Fee: $5 or 5%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
- Sign Up bonus: 5 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases
- 0% APR Introductory Rate period: None
- Sign-up bonus of points:
- Sign-Up Bonus
- Annual Reward
- Ongoing Points Rewards
- Transfer to Airline Points
- Automatic Silver Status
- Chase Restrictions
- Confusing Rewards
- Annual Fee
- No 0% Intro
How to Find The Right Card For You?
When Do You Know you've Earned the Sign-up Bonus?
You will usually get the welcome bonus email from the credit card company once you have earned it. It should also say when you can expect it to go into your account. It will usually go into your account once the next statement comes.
If you do not receive an email from the credit card company, you might just see it automatically go into your account once the next month rolls around. If you don’t see it, you might need to contact customer support from the company.
What is Considered a ‘Good' Welcome Bonus?
This really depends on the credit card you have and what you are trying to earn with the credit card. You also need to make sure the bonus points are in a good ratio with the points you are getting.
For example, if you have to spend $3000 during the first three months and you are only getting 10,000 points, this is not a good deal.
Most companies will offer 10,000 points for every $1,000 you spend at least. Some companies will even offer 20,000 points. Make sure you are getting enough points to match the cost you have to spend to get the points.
Can I Cancel the Card After Receiving the Bonus?
In most cases, you will lose the points if you cancel the card before using them. So, if you receive the welcome bonus and then cancel the card right away, the company usually has the right to take the points back. If you aren’t sure whether the card you have follows these guidelines, you will need to check the terms and conditions.
If you cancel the card, you might also not be able to get any welcome bonuses in the future from the same card company.
