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Best credit card sign-up bonuses

Welcome offers ranked by their estimated dollar value. Offers change often and many vary by applicant — always confirm the current offer with the issuer.

Based on $2,070/month spending: dining $300, groceries $500, hotels $80, flights $100, gas $150, streaming $40, everything else $900.

Rerun this ranking with your spending
  1. 1
    Chase Sapphire ReserveFrequent travelers who'll use the $300 travel credit
    Fee
    $795
    Bonus
    $1,500
    Year 1
    $2,008
    Yr 2+
    $508
  2. 2
    American Express Platinum CardLounge lovers — the widest airport lounge access
    Fee
    $895
    Bonus
    $1,200
    Year 1
    $1,720
    Yr 2+
    $520
  3. 3
    Chase Sapphire PreferredA first travel card that's easy to get value from
    Fee
    $95
    Bonus
    $1,125
    Year 1
    $1,686
    Yr 2+
    $561
  4. 4
    Capital One Venture XThe cheapest premium card with lounge access
    Fee
    $395
    Bonus
    $1,050
    Year 1
    $1,741
    Yr 2+
    $691
  5. 5
    Capital One Venture RewardsSimple 2x miles on every purchase
    Fee
    $95
    Bonus
    $1,050
    Year 1
    $1,651
    Yr 2+
    $601
  6. 6
    Citi AAdvantage Platinum SelectAmerican Airlines flyers — free first bag for you and up to 4 companions
    Fee
    $99
    Bonus
    $975
    Year 1
    $1,384
    Yr 2+
    $310
  7. 7
    American Express Gold CardBig grocery and restaurant spenders
    Fee
    $325
    Bonus
    $900
    Year 1
    $1,701
    Yr 2+
    $801
  8. 8
    Citi Strata Premier3x across five everyday categories for $95
    Fee
    $95
    Bonus
    $900
    Year 1
    $1,634
    Yr 2+
    $734
  9. 9
    World of HyattHyatt fans — Hyatt points are worth more than most hotel points
    Fee
    $95
    Bonus
    $900
    Year 1
    $1,418
    Yr 2+
    $518
  10. 10
    Delta SkyMiles GoldDelta flyers — a free checked bag saves $70+ per round trip
    Fee
    $150
    Bonus
    $880
    Year 1
    $1,322
    Yr 2+
    $292
  11. 11
    United ExplorerUnited flyers — free first bag for you and a companion
    Fee
    $150
    Bonus
    $720
    Year 1
    $1,137
    Yr 2+
    $267
  12. 12
    Marriott Bonvoy BoundlessMarriott regulars — the free night alone beats the $95 fee
    Fee
    $95
    Bonus
    $700
    Year 1
    $1,220
    Yr 2+
    $520
  13. 13
    IHG One Rewards PremierIHG regulars — 4th award night free and Platinum status
    Fee
    $150
    Bonus
    $700
    Year 1
    $1,172
    Yr 2+
    $472
  14. 14
    Hilton Honors SurpassHilton loyalists who want Gold status
    Fee
    $150
    Bonus
    $650
    Year 1
    $1,187
    Yr 2+
    $537
  15. 15
    Bank of America Premium Rewards1.5x on everything plus 2x travel and dining
    Fee
    $95
    Bonus
    $600
    Year 1
    $981
    Yr 2+
    $381
  16. 16
    Wells Fargo Autograph JourneyHigh rates on hotels and flights booked direct
    Fee
    $95
    Bonus
    $600
    Year 1
    $945
    Yr 2+
    $345
  17. 17
    Hilton Honors CardHilton points with no annual fee
    Fee
    $0
    Bonus
    $350
    Year 1
    $856
    Yr 2+
    $506
  18. 18
    Discover it Cash BackFirst-year Cashback Match doubles your rewards
    Fee
    $0
    Bonus
    $300
    Year 1
    $648
    Yr 2+
    $348
  19. 19
    Capital One VentureOne RewardsTravel miles with no annual fee
    Fee
    $0
    Bonus
    $280
    Year 1
    $715
    Yr 2+
    $435
  20. 20
    American Express Blue Cash PreferredFamilies spending $300+/month on groceries
    Fee
    $95
    Bonus
    $250
    Year 1
    $858
    Yr 2+
    $513
  21. 21
    Bank of America Travel RewardsSimple travel rewards with no annual fee
    Fee
    $0
    Bonus
    $250
    Year 1
    $623
    Yr 2+
    $373
  22. 22
    Chase Freedom UnlimitedA no-fee everyday card with an easy bonus
    Fee
    $0
    Bonus
    $200
    Year 1
    $627
    Yr 2+
    $427
  23. 23
    Wells Fargo Active CashFlat 2% back on everything — nothing to track
    Fee
    $0
    Bonus
    $200
    Year 1
    $697
    Yr 2+
    $497
  24. 24
    Citi Double CashFlat 2% back
    Fee
    $0
    Bonus
    $200
    Year 1
    $697
    Yr 2+
    $497
  25. 25
    Capital One Savor Cash RewardsFood and fun spending with no annual fee
    Fee
    $0
    Bonus
    $200
    Year 1
    $650
    Yr 2+
    $450
  26. 26
    Capital One QuicksilverSimple 1.5% back with no foreign fees
    Fee
    $0
    Bonus
    $200
    Year 1
    $573
    Yr 2+
    $373
  27. 27
    Wells Fargo AutographThe best no-fee card for travel and dining categories
    Fee
    $0
    Bonus
    $200
    Year 1
    $609
    Yr 2+
    $409
  28. 28
    Chase Freedom FlexPeople happy to activate 5% categories each quarter
    Fee
    $0
    Bonus
    $200
    Year 1
    $620
    Yr 2+
    $420
  29. 29
    American Express Blue Cash EverydayGrocery and gas rewards with no annual fee
    Fee
    $0
    Bonus
    $200
    Year 1
    $604
    Yr 2+
    $404
  30. 30
    Bank of America Customized Cash RewardsPicking your own 3% category — change it monthly
    Fee
    $0
    Bonus
    $200
    Year 1
    $560
    Yr 2+
    $360

How we rank

Ledger adds up each card's sign-up bonus, the rewards it earns on the spending above (respecting caps), and a realistic share of its credits, then subtracts the annual fee. Points are valued at our estimates — in the calculator you can switch to cash-out (≈1¢) or transfer-partner (≈2¢) values, add the cards you already have, and see which new card adds the most.

Updated Oct 30, 2026.