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best credit card signup bonus - types of credit cards

There are thousands of credit cards available on the market today from thousands of different companies and financial institutions. This can make the process of choosing the right card for you and your needs to be a difficult one to say the least. One thing many companies offering credit cards can do to make this decision a little easier is to give you a signup bonus. However, some are better than others depending on what you are planning to use the card for. Here are some of the best credit card signup bonus offers we could find.

Quick Navigation
Product FAQ’s
How We Reviewed The Best Credit Card Signup Bonuses
Overall Price Range Of This Product
What We Reviewed
The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card
The Verdict

Product FAQ’s

What A Credit Card Signup Bonus?

Credit card companies often offer a signup bonus as an added incentive to getting a card through them. These bonuses give you free things up front or after you meet certain requirements in order for you to want to apply for their card and continue to make purchases through them. If you think you can meet the requirements or plan to spend the funds on the card in a certain way that would make the bonus worth it to you then, you're usually getting a good deal.

What Does it Do?

These bonuses are given to card holders as a way of saying thank you for applying for and getting a card through them. They can make all the difference in choosing one card over another. This is often a way of weeding out the cards that aren't worth the fees for a particular card holder. The bigger or better the signup bonus, the more likely you're to take at least a look at their card and decide to get it.

How Does it Work?

When a company offers a signup bonus it is usually given in the form of rewards points. These points can be redeemed for such things like a free night at a hotel, cash back, airline tickets or miles, and more, depending on the card's redemption process.  However, for most of these bonuses, you will get the free rewards points or cash but only after to spend a certain amount of money with a certain amount of time. For example, they might offer you 50,000 points if you spend at least $3000 within the first three months.

How Can I Find Cards With Good Signup Bonuses?

As the process of getting a credit card is much different than buying most products, there are only certain places where you can get it. First of all, you have to apply for one like you would apply for a loan. Based on your credit history and your financial well being you may or may not get approved. You can only start this application process with the company you're getting the card from, be it a financial institution or a company where you frequently make purchases.

For example, the first card on our list is offered by American Express. Therefore, American Express is the only company that handles the application and processing of getting a card through them. This can be done either online through their website or through the mail or by phone. Some banking facilities will partner with a company such as American Express and offer their cards. In this case you could apply for a credit card at one of their banking locations.

Price Range

As with all credit cards, there is no fee for applying or receiving one. However, many of the cards require an annual fee to be paid. This is usually subtracted from the amount available for you to use shortly after or on your anniversary date with the card. For some cards, this fee is waived for the first month or even longer. There are other fees that can be charged for any card as well.

For instance, most cards will charge a fee if you pay your bill late, most will also charge a fee if the funds you pay your bill with are returned. Most cards will also charge fees or a percentage of the transaction if you make a cash advance as well. Some cards also charge fees per transaction for things like foreign transactions or certain types of purchases. 


How We Reviewed The Best Credit Card Signup Bonuses

The following credit cards and their signup bonuses were reviewed based on these parameters: Features, Pros & Cons, Annual Fees, Where to Buy, and Signup Bonus offered.

Overall Price Range Of This Product

As we mentioned before, there is no upfront cost involved in getting a credit card. However, there are annual fees for some cards and often several other types of fees may apply. For the list of cards we are reviewing, they all have annual fees These annual fees range from $89 to $550 per year. 

However, it is important to note, a few of these cards waive the fee for the first month and one of them waives the fee for the first whole year. Also, those cards with a higher annual fee tend to have several other perks to using their card to help compensate this cost, like not having to pay foreign transaction fees. For some card holders it may be very well worth it to pay the larger annual fee instead of paying for many fees year round that could add up to more than the annual fee is worth. It all depends on how you are going to use the card and how often.

What We Reviewed

  • The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card
  • Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®
  • Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
  • IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
  • Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business
  • Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
  • Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card

The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN

best credit card signup bonus - The-Business-American-Express-img

Features

This card will give you up to 100,000 membership rewards points as a signup bonus. You will get 50,000 points after you spend $10,000 and an additional 50,000 when you spend another $15,000 on qualifying purchases. You also receive unlimited access to over 1,000 travel lounges all over the globe with the option to bring guests.  American Express will also reward you with $200 in airline credits per year for such things as baggage fees, incidentals, as well as food and drinks in flight.

Pros

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    Up to 100,000 points earned as a signup bonus
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    $200 airline credit to pay for incidentals and baggage fees
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    Get access to over 1000 lounge memberships

Cons

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    $450 annual fee
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    Current offer expires 8/8/18
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    Have to spend a lot of money very quickly

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Price

The annual fee for this card is $450 and is not waived.

 

Where to Buy?

This offer can be found online at the link provided.

Warranty

As with all credit cards there isn't a warranty system in place, however, if you lose your card or it is damaged, it can be replaced. There may be a fee for card replacement depending on the circumstances.

 

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Features

best credit card signup bonus - American-Express-image

Features

American Express offers you 60,000 membership rewards points when you spend at least $5000 within your first three months of owning the card. You will also earn five times the rewards points on purchases for flights booked directly through the airline or with American Express Travel. This card is best used for its travel rewards.

Pros

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    Offers 60,000 rewards points
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    $200 airline credit to pay for incidentals and baggage fees
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    Earn 5x the points for directly booked flights

Cons

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    $550 annual fee
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    Annual fee is not waived
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    Should pay your bill off completely every month

Price

The annual fee is $550 and is not waived.

 

Where to Buy?

This offer can be found online at the following link.

 

Warranty

As with all credit cards there isn't a warranty system in place, however, if you happen to lose your card or it is damaged, it can be replaced. There may be a fee for card replacement depending on the circumstances.

 

Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card

best credit card signup bonus - Ink-Business-Preferred-img

Features

Chase backs this card by offering 80,000 rewards points when you spend at least $5000 in the first three months of card ownership. This value is estimated to be about $1000 in travel rewards. This is the best card for businesses with travel rewards.

Pros

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    80,000 rewards points given
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    No foreign transaction fees
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    Earn 3x the points on select purchases that add up to the first $150,000 spent

Cons

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    $95 annual fee
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    Annual fee is not waived
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    Business card only

Price

The annual fee is $95 and is not waived.

 

Where to Buy?

This offer can be found online at the following link.

Warranty

As with all credit cards there isn't a warranty system in place, however, if you happen to lose your card or it is damaged, it can be replaced. There may be a fee for card replacement depending on the circumstances.

 

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®

best credit card signup bonus - Citi-AAdvantage-Platinum-Select-World-Elite-Mastercard

Features

This card offers bonus miles instead of just points. You can earn up to 60,000 bonus miles when you spend at least $3000 in your first three months.  This card is best if used for travel its rewards and miles.

Pros

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    60,000 earned in bonus miles
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    Annual fee is waived for the first 12 months
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    Earn 2x the miles when you make purchases at gas stations, restaurants, and American Airline flights

Cons

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    $99 annual fee
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    Limited time offer

Price

The annual fee is $99 and is waived for the first 12 months of ownership.

 

Where to Buy?

This offer can be found online at the following link.

Warranty

As with all credit cards there isn't a warranty system in place, however, if you happen to lose your card or it is damaged, it can be replaced. There may be a fee for card replacement depending on the circumstances.

 

Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card

best credit card signup bonus - Capital-One-Venture-Rewards-Credit-Card-img

Features

Capital One will give you 50,000 bonus miles after you spend at least  $3000 within the first three month of card ownership. You will also earn two times the miles on every purchase, every day. This card may have the best credit card signup bonus when used for general travel practices and only has a medium spending requirement.

Pros

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    Earn 50,000 bonus miles
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    nnual fee is waived for the first year
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    Earn 2x the miles on every purchase

Cons

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    $95 annual fee

Price

The annual fee is $95 and is waived for the first year.

 

Where to Buy?

This offer can be found online at the following link.

 

Warranty

As with all credit cards there isn't a warranty system in place, however, if you happen to lose your card or it is damaged, it can be replaced. There may be a fee for card replacement depending on the circumstances.

 

IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card

best credit card signup bonus - IHG-Rewards-Club-Premier-Credit-Card

Features

IHG offers 80,000 bonus points when you spend at least $2000 in the first three months. You can earn another 5,000 points if you add an additional authorized signer to your account. They also give you a free night at any of their locations per card holder per year.

Pros

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    80,000 bonus points earned
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    Free night given to card holder every year
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    5,000 more points given when you add an authorized signer

Cons

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    $89 annual fee
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    Annual fee is not waived

 Price

The annual fee is $89 and is not waived.

 

Where to Buy?

This offer can be found online at the following link.

Buy gold & silver bullion - Goldbroker.com

 

Warranty

As with all credit cards there isn't a warranty system in place, however, if you happen to lose your card or it is damaged, it can be replaced. There may be a fee for card replacement depending on the circumstances.

 

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

best credit card signup bonus - chase-sapphire-preferred-img

Features

Chase will reward you with up to 50,000 bonus points when you spend at least $4,000 in the first three months you have the card. They also waive the annual fee for the first year and will give another 5,000 points when you add another authorized signer to your account. This card gives the best credit card signup bonus for general spending practices but has a larger spending requirement than some.

Pros

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    Earn 50,000 bonus points
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    Annual fee is waived for the first year
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    Earn another 5,000 when you add another signer

Cons

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    $95 annual fee

Price

The annual fee is $95 and is waived for the first year.

 

Where to Buy?

This offer can be found online at the following link.

Warranty

As with all credit cards there isn't a warranty system in place, however, if you happen to lose your card or it is damaged, it can be replaced. There may be a fee for card replacement depending on the circumstances.

 

Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business

best credit card signup bonus - capital-one-spark-cash-image

Features

Earn up to $500 cash back when you spend $4500 in the first three months that you own the card. Capital one will also give you 2% cash back on every purchase every day with no limitations or restrictions. You can also add employee credit cards to your account at no additional fee. This card may have the best credit card signup bonus for business owners who like cash back.

Pros

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    $500 cash back
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    Annual fee is waived for the first year
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    Earn 2% cash back on every purchase

Cons

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    $95 annual fee
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    For business owners only

Pros

  • $500 cash back
  • Annual fee is waived for the first year.
  • Earn 2% cash back on every purchase

 

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • For business owners only

 

Price

The annual fee is $95 and is waived for the first year.

 

Where to Buy?

This offer can be found online at the following link.

​

Warranty

As with all credit cards there isn't a warranty system in place, however, if you happen to lose your card or it is damaged, it can be replaced. There may be a fee for card replacement depending on the circumstances.

 

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

best credit card signup bonus - blue-cash-preferred-image

Features

American Express will reward with a $200 statement credit if you spend at least $1000 in the first three months of having your new card. There is also a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first year of ownership. This card has best credit card signup bonus for cash back with a low spending requirement.

Pros

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    $200 statement credit earned
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    6% cash back from supermarket purchases
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    3% cash back on purchases at gas stations and select department stores

Cons

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    $95 annual fee
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    Annual fee is never waived
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    Foreign transaction fees do apply

Price

The annual fee is $95 and is not waived.

 

Where to Buy?

This offer can be found online at the following link.

 

Warranty

As with all credit cards there isn't a warranty system in place, however, if you happen to lose your card or it is damaged, it can be replaced. There may be a fee for card replacement depending on the circumstances.

 

Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card

best credit card signup bonus - hilton-honors-ascend-image

Features

The Hilton will give you 100,000 bonus points when you spend at least $2000 in eligible purchases made within the first three months. When you spend $15,000 in a calendar year you will earn a free weekend night. You also earn 12 times the points per dollar on purchases that are spent directly a Hilton hotel or resort. This card offers the best credit card signup bonus for those who use Hilton properties.

Pros

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    100,000 bonus points earned
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    Free weekend night stay can be earned
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    Diamond status can be earned for an entire calendar year

Cons

  • angle-double-right
    $95 annual fee
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    Annual fee is never waived

Price

The annual fee is $95 and is not waived.

 

Where to Buy?

This offer can be found online at the following link.

Warranty

As with all credit cards there isn't a warranty system in place, however, if you happen to lose your card or it is damaged, it can be replaced. There may be a fee for card replacement depending on the circumstances.

 

The Verdict

After reviewing all of these cards we have come to the conclusion that the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers the best credit card signup bonus for general spending. It will give you a lot of points and doesn't require you to spend nearly as much as some cards on this list within the first three months. However, it's important to note it's best for general spending.

If you own a business and plan to travel a lot your best choice would probably be the Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card from Chase. If you own a business and like to get cash back then the best credit card signup bonus will be with the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business. If you're looking to travel a lot you might want to go with either the Capital One Venture card or the Platinum from American Express, as these both offer a lot of travel related rewards 

Therefore, it's important for you  consider just how you plan on spending the funds on your card and where you will use it the most often before you apply for one of these cards. What is best for the business owner who travels a lot may not be best for someone who doesn't travel as often and doesn't own a business. Take a look over these cards and their features to decide which one will work best for you and your needs.

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