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Erika's Picks for Best Travel Sign-Up Bonuses
- Best for beginners:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card - Best for flat-rate rewards:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card - Best for premium travel rewards:
American Express Platinum Card® - Best for business travelers:
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ - Best for hotel stays:
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card - Best for airline perks:
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Travel credit cards have some of the most enticing sign-up bonuses in the industry.
Even though most of them have an annual fee of at least $95, they come loaded with bonuses worth nearly 10x that in travel credit — a number that could make your dream vacation much more affordable.
Best for Beginners
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rewards Rate
- 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries
- 2x on all other travel purchases
- 1x on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$95
With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The card also has a solid list of transfer partners, points that are redeemable for cash or travel, and incredibly robust travel insurance, making it an easy pick for beginners seeking their first premium travel rewards card.
Here are just some of the perks that make the Sapphire Preferred our overall top pick:
- Up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
- Each account anniversary, earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year
- Up to 1.75x value on points redeemed through Chase Travel℠
- 14 transfer partners, including Air Canada, IHG, and Southwest
- Trip cancellation/interruption and trip delay insurance
- Lost luggage and baggage delay coverage
- Auto rental coverage
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card remains a top pick among travelers for its great benefits and general versatility.
The Chase Ultimate Rewards® points you earn are worth a penny each in cashback or up to 1.75 cents in travel (far more than rival currencies), and the card generates unlimited cashback on travel, dining, and more, so you’re always earning while on the go.
Factor in a highly generous sign-up bonus and an incredibly robust suite of travel insurance (including trip cancellation/interruption, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, auto rental coverage, and more), and you have a bona fide Swiss Army knife for the modern traveler.
Best for Flat-Rate Rewards
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Rewards Rate
- 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
Annual Fee
$395
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card may have a steep annual fee, but it pays for itself quickly with an offer of 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's equal to $750 in travel!
Plus, you get a $300 annual travel credit and up to 10x Miles on travel. It's also the cheapest card on the market that offers unlimited airport lounge access.
Here are some of its many attractive features, especially for frequent flyers:
- 10,000-Mile anniversary bonus
- $300 annual travel credit
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit
- Unlimited complimentary access to Priority Pass and Capital One Lounges
While the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card may have an intimidating sticker price (especially if this is your first rewards card with an annual fee), it quickly justifies itself with unlimited airport lounge access, a steep sign-up bonus, and $400+ in annual travel credits.
However, with transfer partners that are mostly international airlines — and Miles that are only worth 0.5 cents each — the Venture X Rewards isn’t quite as versatile as the rivaling Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. But if you’re a globetrotter who values lounge access, it’s definitely worth considering.
Best for Premium Travel Rewards
American Express Platinum Card®
Rewards Rate
- 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year; 1x thereafter
- 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®
- 1x points on all other spending
Welcome Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Annual Fee
$895 (rates and fees)
The legendary American Express Platinum Card® may charge an eye-watering annual fee, but it also comes packed with a welcome offer of as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in your first 6 months.
You can also access over $3,500 in value via hotel/airline/Uber credits, automatic hotel and rental car status, unlimited airport lounge access, and more.
Here’s just a taste of the card’s lengthy offerings:
- Up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for select prepaid hotel bookings
- $300 digital entertainment credit for participating partners (up to $25 in statement credits each month; enrollment required)
- $155 Walmart+ credit (up to a $12.95 statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership)
- $200 airline credit (in statement credits) per calendar year after incidental fees are charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your card
- $200 Uber Cash ($15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December, after you add your card to your Uber account)
- $209 CLEAR Plus statement credit per year
- Unlimited airport lounge access
- Status with Hilton, Marriott, Hertz, Avis, and National
Though widely considered a status symbol for the jetset elite, the legendary American Express Platinum Card® has a value of $3,500+ according to Amex, if you use it right.
Sure, the card charges a heart-palpitating annual fee, but you also get a massive welcome offer, tons of travel credits, unlimited airport lounge access, and more.
So while it’s objectively expensive, it’s also packed with tons of value that can save frequent fliers tons of time, energy, and stress.
Best for Business Travelers
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
Rewards Rate
- 8x points on Chase Travel℠ for airline tickets, hotels, including The Edit℠, car rentals, cruises, activities, and tours
- 5x total points on Lyft rides (through 9/30/27)
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct
- 3x points on social media and search engine advertising
- 1x points on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Offer Ending Soon! Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$795
The Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ has one of the largest welcome offers we've ever seen: 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months.
Now, granted, that looks like a big spending requirement at first glance, but it works out to just $5,000 per month — which likely isn't much for business owners who have a lot of overhead expenses. And while the annual fee is also very, very high, you can get over $2,500 in annual value via partner and travel credits.
Here are some of its most noteworthy features:
- $300 annual travel credit
- $500 credit for prepaid stays with The Edit℠
- Access to Chase Sapphire Lounge® and Priority Pass lounges for you and two guests
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS Fee Credit
- IHG® One Rewards Platinum Elite Status
- Car rental discounts and privileges with Avis, Hertz, and National
- Partner credits for DoorDash, Google Workspace, Lyft, and ZipRecruiter
- No foreign transaction fees
- Full suite of travel insurance, including trip delay/cancellation, lost/delayed baggage, travel accident insurance, emergency medical/dental, and emergency evacuation
The Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ is admittedly one of the priciest business credit cards on the market, but with its massive welcome offer and long list of travel and partner credits, you can easily recoup the annual fee.
Since Chase Ultimate Rewards® can be redeemed through Chase Travel℠ for up to 2x value, that means your 200,000-point welcome offer could be worth up to $4,000 — or possibly even more with the right airline transfer.
Best for Hotel Rewards
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
All information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has been collected independently by Erika.com. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is no longer available through Erika.com.
Rewards Rate
- Up to 17x points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
- 3x points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
- 2x points on everything else
Welcome Offer
Earn 3 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Annual Fee
$95
With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, you can currently get 3 free nights after just a moderate spend of $3,000 in 3 months. Each free night is valued at up to 50,000 points — which means this card's welcome offer has a total value of up to 150,000 points!
The card has a low annual fee, but still comes with several benefits that can help you make the most of your Marriott stays and travels overall:
- One free night award every year on your card anniversary (redemption level up to 35,000 points)
- Automatic Silver Elite status
- Annual 15 Elite Night Credits towards the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Elite status
- Priority late checkout
- Insurance coverage for baggage delay, lost luggage, and trip delay
- No foreign transaction fees
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card not only has a high welcome offer, but it also has lower a much lower annual fee than Marriott's more premium card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, making the Boundless the best welcome bang for your buck.
Plus, the Boundless still earns a hefty number of points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels, and it has boosted earning rates on common purchases like restaurants, groceries, and gas.
Add to that perks like baggage and trip delay insurance and no foreign transaction fees, and you get a pretty decent all-around travel card for Marriott fans.
Best for Airline Perks
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Rewards Rate
- 3x miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels
- 2x miles at restaurants worldwide, and on U.S. takeout, delivery, and supermarkets
- 1x on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual Fee
$350 (rates and fees)
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is currently promoting a welcome offer of 60,000 miles after you spend $3,000 in your first 6 months.
It's a mid-tier Delta card that still scores you elite-style perks and discounts, but without the hefty annual fee of Delta's more premium card, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
The biggest feature of the Platinum is that it comes with an annual companion certificate, good for round-trip domestic, Caribbean, and Central American flights (main cabin; taxes and fees extra). So you can bring along a friend or family member on your next vacation!
Here are some other perks:
- 15% off Delta award travel when booking with miles
- First checked bag free on Delta flights
- Priority boarding
- MQD Headstart ($2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars boost annually)
- Up to $150 statement credit for Delta Stays prepaid hotel or vacation rental bookings
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® fee statement credit*
- $120 Resy dining credit ($10/month as statement credit; enrollment required)
- $120 rideshare credit ($10/month as statement credit; enrollment required)
- 20% back (as statement credit) on in-flight Delta purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Coverage for trip delays, lost/delayed baggage, and car rental loss/damage**
* Receive either up to a $120 statement credit for Global Entry or a credit of up to $85 for TSA PreCheck after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. Only one credit will be given in a 4 year period for Global Entry or in a 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck, depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible American Express® Card first.
** Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Of all Delta's consumer cards, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card maintains a high welcome offer (plus that coveted companion certificate!) while still only charging a mid-tier annual fee.
While you don't get lounge access and the companion certificate isn't available for first class or Delta Comfort+® like it is with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, you still get pretty substantial benefits.
And when you add in travel insurance coverage*, a fee credit for TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry**, no foreign transaction fees, and free checked bags, and you've got a robust airline loyalty card that covers (almost) all the bases.
* Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
** Receive either up to a $120 statement credit for Global Entry or a credit of up to $85 for TSA PreCheck after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. Only one credit will be given in a 4 year period for Global Entry or in a 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck, depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible American Express® Card first.
How To Compare Sign-Up Bonuses
It’s important to remember that Chase, Capital One, Amex, and others all use entirely different currencies.
In other words, one bank’s miles aren’t the same as another bank’s points.
So, how do you fairly compare sign-up bonuses to ensure you’re getting maximum value?
1. Understand cash value vs. travel value
If a card comes with a 75,000-point welcome bonus, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth $750 in travel or cash. Heck, sometimes 75,000 points could be worth $1,000+ in travel — and $0 in cash.
It entirely depends on the value of the points or miles that you’re getting. Check out our guides to each before committing to one:
- Your Complete Guide to Amex Membership Rewards®
- Your Ultimate Guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Your All-in-One Guide to Capital One Miles
2. Know which partners you can transfer points to
Different cards have different transfer partners. For example, Chase allows Sapphire Preferred cardholders to transfer points to 14 partners, including Air Canada, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt.
Meanwhile, Capital One has 15+ transfer partners, but they’re mostly international airlines, so not ideal for domestic travelers.
It’s something to keep in mind if you like transferring points for maximum value.
COMPARE: Best Travel Credit Cards
3. Factor in the annual fee
Barring a handful of exceptions, most premium travel rewards cards will charge you your first annual fee right away.
For example, a card may have a welcome bonus worth $1,000 in travel — but also a $95 annual fee charged on your first statement. So it’s best to think of your “net” sign-up bonus as $905 in travel.
4. Don’t forget about the spending requirement to earn the bonus
One oft-overlooked factor when it comes to comparing sign-up bonuses is the spending requirement.
The issuer won't just deposit miles in your account as soon as you sign up; you have to spend a certain amount within the first few months of account opening, and that’s on top of the card’s annual fee.
So, as enticing as they are, sign-up bonuses aren’t exactly free money — and you’ll want to consider your spending habits before committing to a card that encourages you to overspend over the next 90 days.
COMPARE: Best Airline Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
How To Maximize Your Sign-Up Bonus
It’s not enough to just sign up for a new card — you need to spend enough to get the welcome offer, but you also need to be strategic so you’re not going into debt.
Time your application before a big purchase
From the moment your application is accepted, the clock starts ticking on how long you have to earn your sign-up bonus.
To put it in perspective, say you have to spend $4,000 in 90 days. That means spending at least $1,333 per month for three straight months — no small figure if you’re living on a strict budget.
That’s why it’s best to time your credit card application roughly 10 to 60 days before a large purchase. I like to time my applications just before my auto insurance premiums are due; that way, I put a nice $1,000 dent in my spending requirement and don’t have to worry about overspending to earn my bonus.
Other examples might be a big electronics purchase, a planned auto repair like new tires, or flights and Airbnbs.
RELATED: Beginner’s Guide to Earning Miles & Travel Points
Give your physical card 10+ days to arrive
Another common mistake I see (and am personally guilty of) is waiting too late to apply for a card with a tasty sign-up bonus.
I once applied for a card three days before my auto insurance premium was due, totally forgetting that I couldn’t actually complete the transaction until my physical card arrived via snail mail 5 to 10 days later.
So if you’re timing your application around a big purchase, be sure to apply at least 10 days before the purchase so your card has time to arrive.
Meet the minimum spending requirement… without overspending
Here’s a quick litmus test: If you aren’t entirely sure how you’ll spend $4,000 in the next 90 days, now’s probably not the time to apply for a rewards card with a high spending requirement.
But if you’re keen on getting the card ASAP (maybe you need the sign-up bonus for your upcoming travel plans), there are still ways you can meet a spending threshold without overspending.
For example, you can cover large group meals and shared utilities for a few months, and simply have your friends/roomies pay you back via Venmo.
Set autopay to pay off your balance each month
Generally speaking, premium-tier rewards cards with attractive sign-up bonuses usually have a dangerously high APR (annual percentage rate).
That means if you miss a payment (or simply make the minimum payment), the interest can add up quickly, damaging your credit and chipping away at your sign-up bonus. Not good!
That’s why you’ll want to set up autopay on your account as soon as you open it, and make sure it’s set to fully pay off your balance each month.
If you’re concerned about your ability to fully pay off your balance each month, then now may not be the right time for a high-risk, high-interest travel rewards card. Here’s how to find one that’s a better fit.
Remember that sign-up bonuses can take months to arrive
Credit card sign-up bonuses can take a long, long time to land in your account, so it’s best not to count on them when you’re already “hungry” for points.
Let’s say you get the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It takes you 90 days to earn the bonus, then another six to eight weeks for the bonus to actually land in your account.
And since it’s best to book travel at least three months in advance, you may want to consider applying for the card at least 90 + 56 + 90 = 236 days (roughly eight months) before any actual travel plans you want to book using your sign-up bonus.
In other words, if you plan to fly somewhere for Christmas and use your sign-up bonus to cover the flights, the best time to apply for the card would be April!
Transfer points to partners for maximum value
Before you go redeeming points for cash or even travel, consider that many of these points can be transferred to select partner programs for even more value.
Transferring Amex Points to Air Canada Aeroplan is a classic example. Sure, you can always redeem 100,000 Amex Points for $600 cash or up to $1,000 via Amex Travel, but if you convert them 1:1 to Aeroplan points, you can squeeze $1,400+ in value out of them on select flights with Air Canada and its partners (including United Airlines).
READ MORE: The Smart Traveler’s Guide to Credit Card Rewards & Protections
Bottom Line: Are Travel Sign-Up Bonuses Worth It?
Choosing the right sign-up bonus can unlock free travel faster. But make sure you pick a card that fits your travel style, and plan ahead to ensure you’ll meet the spending requirement… without overspending.
It’s also smart to consider ways to maximize your points, whether that’s by booking through a travel portal or transferring points to a partner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to meet the minimum spending requirement?
It varies by card, but you typically have between three and six months to meet the spending threshold and earn your sign-up bonus.
Can I earn multiple sign-up bonuses from the same bank?
It depends. Sign-up bonuses are typically card-specific, meaning you can open multiple credit card accounts with the same bank and earn a sign-up bonus for each one.
However, issuers have put in certain limitations. Amex, for example, has a “one bonus per lifetime” rule that says if you cancel a card and reapply for it a few years later, you can’t receive the bonus again. This also applies to some Amex cards that are within the same “family.”
Chase has an unofficial 5/24 rule that disallows you from earning a sign-up bonus if you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards from any bank in the past two years.
Should I downgrade or cancel a card after earning the bonus?
There are pros and cons to each option. When you cancel a credit card, some banks allow you to reapply for the same card 24 to 48 months later and earn another sign-up bonus. However, canceling a credit card can have a negative impact on your credit score.
When you downgrade a credit card to a no-fee version, it won’t impact your credit score, but you typically won’t qualify for the new card’s sign-up bonus.
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Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
