The Best Credit Card Signup Bonuses for Easy Money (2021)

One of the best ways to get free money is to take advantage of credit card bonuses and promos. Credit card issuers frequently offer generous bonuses in order to entice new customers to apply, and this is easy money. Whether you’re getting cash rewards or travel miles/points, there are always some great offers available.

If you’re the type of person that can use credit cards for everyday expenses without getting into debt, maximizing the cashback and rewards you earn is well worth the small amount of effort it will take.

Of course, most of the leading credit cards offer some sort of cashback or rewards as a percentage of the money you charge to the card, but many cards also offer a bonus that can be earned by new cardholders. This may be called a signup bonus, a spend bonus, a welcome bonus, or something else. In order to qualify for the bonus, you’ll need to spend at least a specific amount of money on the card within a certain time frame (for example, spend $1,000 in your first 3 months to qualify for the bonus).

With some cards, the bonuses can be huge. If you’re considering applying for a new credit card, why not choose one that will pay you a nice bonus?

This article will highlight some of the best bonuses currently available, but there are a few things to keep in mind when you’re evaluating these cards:

• Be sure to consider the spending requirement as well as the bonus. Be sure that your regular expenses will allow you to meet the spending requirement with no problem. You don’t want to spend extra money just to qualify for a bonus.
• Do you want cash or travel rewards? Some of the best bonuses are offered by travel rewards cards. Most of these cards will allow you to claim your rewards as cash, but you may get a better value if you use the rewards for travel. Plan ahead and you can use these cards to get huge bonuses towards a vacation or upcoming trip.

Best Credit Card Bonuses:

Now, let’s take a look at some of the best offers available, starting with consumer credit cards.

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred

Signup Bonus: 100,000 points (equal to $1,250 if redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards)
Spending Requirement: $4,000 in the first 3 months

The Chase Sapphire Preferred tops our list of best bonus offers, and it’s also considered to be one of the best travel rewards credit cards. In order to qualify for the bonus, you’ll need to charge at least $4,000 to the card within the first 3 months. If your regular spending habits allow you to charge that much to the card, or if you know you have a big expense coming up, this card is an excellent choice.

The bonus is 100,000 points, which can be redeemed for your choice of cash or travel. Those points could be redeemed for $1,000 in cash. But if you want to maximize the value of the bonus, you can use the points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal and get $1,250 in value. There are no blackout dates and no restrictions or expiration dates on the rewards.

For your regular spending, you’ll earn 2x points (2 points for every dollar) on travel and dining out and 1x all other purchases. This card does have a $95 annual fee, however, the outstanding rewards and welcome bonus easily outweigh the modest annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best card for anyone looking to rack up credit card rewards quickly, and it’s our top recommendation.

→ Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Preferred

2. Chase Sapphire Reserve

Signup Bonus: 60,000 points (equal to $900 if redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards)
Spending Requirement: $4,000 in the first 3 months

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is another excellent travel rewards card with an amazing bonus, but this card isn’t for everyone because of its $550 annual fee. Extensive travelers may find the outstanding rewards and perks of this card more than makeup for the high annual fee, but the average person is better off going with the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

In order to qualify for the bonus, you’ll need to spend $4,000 within the first 3 months (the same requirement as the Chase Sapphire Preferred). The bonus for this card is 60,000 points, which is less than the bonus for the Chase Sapphire Preferred, but still one of the best bonuses available. Those 60,000 points are worth $900 if redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards. That’s because the Chase Sapphire Reserve gives you 50% more value for your points through Chase Ultimate Rewards while the Chase Sapphire Preferred gives you a 25% bonus. This is one of the main reasons why this card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers.

You’ll also earn 3x points on travel and dining, as well as 1 point per dollar on all other spending.

Some of the perks of this card include no foreign transaction fees, free access to 1,000+ airport lounges around the world, and up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✔®.

The $550 annual fee is definitely a factor you’ll need to consider, but Chase softens the blow by giving $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement on each account anniversary.

→ Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Reserve

3. Capital One Venture Rewards

Signup Bonus: Up to 100,000 miles
Spending Requirement: $20,000 in your first 12 months

The Capital One Venture Rewards card has one of the highest bonuses out there, but to qualify for the full bonus you’ll need to spend a lot on your credit card. The bonus is 50,000 miles when you spend $3,000 within 3 months. If you spend at least $20,000 in your first 12 months, you’ll qualify for an addition 50,000 bonus miles.

With this card, you’ll earn a flat 2x miles for every dollar spent. You can redeem these miles to pay your balance, essentially giving you 2% cashback. Alternatively, you can use them to book travel with 10+ travel loyalty programs.

The Capital One Venture Rewards card has a $95 annual fee.

→ Learn more about the Capital One Venture Rewards

4. Citi Premier

Signup Bonus: 60,000 (can be redeemed for travel or for $600 worth of gift cards)
Spending Requirement: $4,000 in the first 3 months

The Citi Premier card offers a bonus of 60,000 points if you spend at least $4,000 in the first 3 months with the card. You’ll be able to use these points for travel, or you can redeem them for $600 in your choice of gift cards from thankyou.com.

You’ll also be able to earn excellent rewards on purchases in certain categories. You’ll get 3x points 3 points per dollar) on groceries, dining, gas, and flights. All other purchases will earn 1x points.

There is a $95 annual fee for the Citi Premier card.

→ Learn more about the Citi Premier

5. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Signup Bonus: $300
Spending Requirement: $3,000 in the first 3 months

While some of the best bonuses are offered with travel rewards card, the Savor Cash Rewards gives you an excellent option if you’re looking for a nice bonus with a cashback card. The bonus is $300 and you’ll need to spend at least $3,000 in the first 3 months to qualify.

You’ll earn 4% cashback for purchases of dining and entertainment, 2% cashback at grocery stores, and 1% cashback on every other purchase.

This card has a $95 annual fee, but it is waived for the first year.

→ Learn more about the Capital One Savor

6. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Signup Bonus: $200
Spending Requirement: $500 in the first 3 months

Now we’re getting into some smaller bonuses, but these cards still offer an excellent opportunity because of the very low spending requirement. The Capital One Quicksilver is an excellent cashback credit card with a $200 bonus after you’ve spent at least $500 within the first 3 months.

You’ll also earn 1.5% cashback on every purchase that you make with the card, with no limits.

The Quicksilver also has a few other perks like no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months.

→ Learn more about the Capital One Quicksilver

7. Chase Freedom Flex

Signup Bonus: $200 (20,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points)
Spending Requirement: $500 in the first 3 months

The Chase Freedom Flex card also offers a $200 bonus if you spend at least $500 in the first 3 months.

With this card, you’ll earn 5% cashback on purchases in categories that rotate each quarter. For example, one quarter you might earn 5% cashback on purchases at gas stations and the next quarter you might earn 5% cashback for purchases at grocery stores (the 5% cashback offers are on the first $1,500 of spending in that category each quarter). All other purchases outside of that category will earn 1% cashback.

This card also has no annual fee and 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee for balance transfers).

If you like to maximize cashback, the Chase Freedom Flex is a must-have card. The 5% cashback really adds up. You can use another card that offers higher rewards for your purchases in other categories.

→ Learn more about the Chase Freedom Flex

8. Chase Freedom Unlimited

Signup Bonus: $200
Spending Requirement: $500 in the first 3 months

The bonus offer for the Chase Freedom Unlimited is the same, $200 after you spend at least $500 in the first 3 months. However, the on-going cashback is different than the Freedom Flex. With the Chase Freedom Unlimited, you’ll earn 1.5% cashback on all purchases. There are no rotating categories and no caps.

Like the Chase Freedom Flex, the Chase Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee and 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (there is a 3% fee for balance transfers).

→ Learn more about the Chase Freedom Unlimited

9. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

Signup Bonus: 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
Spending Requirement: $3,000 in the first 3 months

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless offers a great bonus (although you do need to spend $3,000 in the first 3 months in order to qualify), but it’s hard to compare it to the bonuses of other cards. The value of the bonus can vary significantly depending on how you use it.

You’ll be able to use your points for nights at Marriott-owned hotels and resorts around the world, but the number of points that you’ll need will vary depending on the caliber of the hotel/resort and the location. As a result, it’s impossible to put a real cash value on the points without knowing how you would use them.

If you’re looking to maximize the value of the points and you have flexibility in your travel plans, the value of the points can be quite significant.

This card will give you 6x points for every dollar spent at Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2x points per dollar for every other purchase.

There is an annual fee of $95.

→ Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

Best Bonuses from Business Credit Cards:

So far, we’ve looked at several cashback and travel rewards credit cards. Now, let’s take a look at the best bonus offers that are available for business credit cards. These won’t be an option for everyone, but if you own a business (including the self-employed and freelancers), these cards are a great option.

1. Chase Ink Business Preferred

Signup Bonus: 100,000 points (equal to $1,000 cash back or $1,250 if redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards)
Spending Requirements: $15,000 in your first 3 months

If you average at least $5,000 in business expenses per month, the Chase Ink Business Preferred offers an amazing bonus. You’ll get 100,000 bonus points when you spend at least $15,000 in the first 3 months. Those points are worth $1,250 in travel if redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

You’ll also earn 5x points on money spent through Lyft, 3x points on travel, advertising, shipping, internet, cable and phone (up to $150,000 per year), and 1x points on everything else.

This card has a $95 annual fee.

→ Learn more about the Chase Ink Business Preferred

2. Chase Ink Business Unlimited

Signup Bonus: $750
Spending Requirement: $7,500 in your first 3 months

If you don’t spend enough to meet the bonus requirements for the Chase Ink Business Preferred, The Chase Ink Business Unlimited is a worthy substitute. This card offers a generous $750 bonus with a lower spending requirement, $7,500 in the first 3 months.

This is also the most straightforward of the Chase Ink cards. You’ll earn a flat 1.5% cash back for all purchase, with the exception of rides through Lyft, which earn 5%.

Another nice detail of the Chase Ink Business Unlimited is the fact that it has no annual fee.

→ Learn more about the Chase Ink Business Unlimited

3. Chase Ink Business Cash

Signup Bonus: $750
Spending Requirement: $7,500 in the first 3 months

The bonus for the Chase Ink Business Cash is the same as the bonus for the Chase Ink Business Unlimited. The two cards differ in terms of the on-going cashback that you’ll earn.

With the Chase Ink Business Cash, you’ll earn 5% cashback at office supply stores, as well as internet, cable, and phone services (on the first $25,000 spent each year).

You’ll also earn 2% cashback on purchases at gas stations and restaurants (also capped at $25,000 in spending each year). And you’ll earn 1% cashback on all other purchases.

This card has no annual fee and you can get employee cards at no additional cost.

→ Learn more about the Chase Ink Business Cash

As you can see, there are a lot of amazing bonus offers available from credit card issuers. Find the one that is best for you and you’ll love the easy money. For more offers, don’t miss our Free Money page.

See our other collections of top credit cards:

• The Best Cashback Credit Cards
• The Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• The Best Credit Cards for Small Businesses