Let’s look at some of the best credit card welcome bonuses that are available this month. Here’s what I consider the 10 best to be:
1. Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card
Current offer: 80,000 Ultimate Rewards points after
spending $5,000 within three months from account opening
Annual fee: $95
Why it’s a great offer: The Ink cards have extremely generous category bonuses that help sole proprietorships and small businesses maximize points on everyday credit card spend. This card offers 3x points on the first $150,000 spent annually in combined purchases on travel, shipping, internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year.
This is a card that’s good for both for the welcome bonus and for everyday spend. I value Ultimate Rewards points at ~1.7 cents each, so to me, the welcome bonus is worth $1,265 after subtracting the annual fee.
2. CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®
Current offer: Earn 70,000 AAdvantage miles after
spending $4,000 within four months
Annual fee: $99, waived for the first 12 months
Why you should consider applying: I value American miles at 1.4 cents each, so to me the welcome bonus is worth $980. The card comes with several perks that could make it worth holding onto, including free checked bags, priority boarding, etc.
3. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Current offer: 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after
spending $4,000 within three months
Annual fee: $95
Why it’s a great offer: This card’s bonus was just increased by 10,000 Ultimate Rewards points, which is exciting. Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to Singapore, United, Hyatt, and many other programs. The card is also great for everyday spend given that it offers double points on dining and travel. I value the welcome bonus on this card at $925.
4. Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card
Current offer: 50,000 points after spending $3,000
within three months
Annual fee: no annual fee
Why it’s a great offer: Not only is the welcome bonus great, but the card also offers 5x points in useful categories (on the first $25,000 spent per cardmember year on office supply stores, internet, cable TV, mobile phones, and landlines), and points can be pooled with the Ultimate Rewards points earned on cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, and Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card. Assuming you have this card in conjunction with one accruing premium Ultimate Rewards points, I value the welcome bonus on this card at $850.
5. Ink Business UnlimitedSM Credit Card
Current offer: 50,000 points after spending $3,000
within three months
Annual fee: no annual fee
Why it’s a great offer: This card was introduced last summer, and offers a fantastic return on everyday spend and a great welcome bonus. Points earned on this card can be pooled with the Ultimate Rewards points earned on cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, and Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card. Assuming you have this card in conjunction with one accruing premium Ultimate Rewards points, I value the welcome bonus on this card at $850.
6. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®
Current offer: Earn 60,000 AAdvantage miles after
spending $3,000 within three months
Annual fee: $99, waived for the first 12 months
Why you should consider applying: I value American miles at 1.4 cents each, so to me the welcome bonus is worth $840. The card comes with several perks that could make it worth holding onto, including free checked bags, priority boarding, etc.
7. Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card
Current offer: Earn 40,000 Alaska miles plus a $121+
Alaska companion fare when you spend $2,000 within 90 days
Annual fee: $75
Why you should consider applying: 40,000 miles is one of the best bonuses we’ve seen on this card. That might not sound like that much, but I value Alaska miles more than any other mileage currency, given the excellent premium cabin redemptions that are available. The $121+ companion certificate offered with the card also has the potential to be really valuable, as outlined in this post.
8. Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card
Current offer: Earn 40,000 Alaska miles plus a $121+
Alaska companion fare when you spend $2,000 within 90 days
Annual fee: $75 ($50 for the account plus $25 for the first user)
Why you should consider applying: 40,000 miles is one of the best bonuses we’ve seen on this card. That might not sound like that much, but I value Alaska miles more than any other mileage currency, given the excellent premium cabin redemptions that are available. The $121+ companion certificate offered with the card also has the potential to be really valuable, as outlined in this post.
9. Barclaycard Arrival® Plus World Elite Mastercard® (see terms)
Current offer: Earn 70,000 miles after spending $5,000
on purchases within the first 90 days
Annual fee: $89, waived for the first 12 months
Why you should consider applying: This is a travel card that earns rewards that can be redeemed as cash towards the cost of a travel purchase. You earn two miles per dollar spent, and each mile can be redeemed for one cent towards a travel purchase. In other words, the welcome bonus of 70,000 miles is worth $700 towards travel.
10. Marriott Bonvoy BusinessTM American Express® Card
Current offer: Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $5,000 within three months; limited time offer, available through April 24, 2019
Annual fee: $125 (Rates & Fees)
Why you should consider applying: This card has an excellent increased welcome bonus, and on top of that is a card that can be worth holding onto long term, given that it offers 15 elite qualifying nights towards status annually, as well as an anniversary free night award valid at a property costing up to 35,000 points.
I value Marriott points at ~0.7 cents each, so to me the bonus is worth ~$700.
Please leave a comment about any questions you have regarding the credit cards above
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