2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING BEST CREDIT CARD BONUS OFFERS


Finding the Best Credit Card Bonus Offers

Did you know that you can receive a credit card bonus simply by opening a new credit card account? Cash bonus credit cards are readily available to customers with average credit or higher, and they often pay $100 or more when you open a new credit card account and meet certain requirements.

Banks use credit card bonuses to entice customers to use their cards. Of course, this helps benefit the credit card company, but it also gives you the chance to get the best credit card bonus offers for money back on your purchases. A credit card bonus is, basically, free money as a thank-you for signing up with the credit card company.

Best Credit Card Signup Bonus Offers Red Award Emblem

Award Emblem: Top 6 Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonus Offers

If you already have a bank you trust, check to see if it offers credit card bonuses. Sometimes you can qualify for the best credit card bonus offers if you are a current customer with another product from that bank.

Or, you can also check trusted online reviews of credit card sign-up bonus offers to find the best sign-up bonus credit card for you. Customer reviews of the top credit card sign-up bonuses and trusted financial websites, like AdvisoryHQ, can provide accurate information about the best bonus credit cards.

AdvisoryHQ is providing this list of the best credit card sign-up bonus offers to help you narrow down your choices. These cash back bonus credit cards offer bonuses of at least $100 after you make purchase requirements.

See Also: Top Best Credit Cards to Build Credit | Ranking & Reviews | Credit Cards for Building Credit


What Do the Best Bonus Credit Cards Have in Common?

best bonus credit cards

Image source: Pixabay

What makes cash bonus credit cards worth your business? What makes the best credit card bonus offers the best? Here are a few things that excellent credit card bonus offers typically have in common:

  • They get you your money fast. The best credit card sign-up bonus offers will be redeemable fast, preferably within the first 90 days after opening your account. Some credit card bonus offers make you wait six months or more before getting your bonus.
  • They offer at least $100. A $25 credit card bonus is not usually worth your time to open a new account. Every little bit helps, but there are many cash back bonus credit cards that offer more. Some even offer a credit card sign-up bonus of $1,000 or more, but these are usually reserved for those with top credit scores. Look for top credit card sign-up bonuses of at least $100, or equivalent reward points.
  • You don’t have to spend a lot to receive it. The best bonus credit cards do not require you to spend thousands in a short amount of time before you receive your credit card bonus offers. Look for a spending requirement of $1,000 or less to qualify for the best credit card bonus offers.
  • The card’s fees and APR are reasonable. Be careful about looking at only the best credit card bonus offers rather than the card as a whole. The best credit cards are those with excellent credit card bonuses and reasonable fees and APRs. Some cards with the best credit card sign-up bonus offers charge high annual fees, for example, which counteract the benefits of cash bonus credit cards.
  • They have clear terms for their bonus offers. The best bonus credit cards will clearly outline their terms so you know how to receive your credit card bonus. Some bonuses that seem like the best credit card sign-up bonus offers actually have requirements that make the credit card bonuses invaluable or can hurt your credit score.


AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Top 6 Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonus

List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the credit card names below to go directly to the detailed review section for that credit card):


Top 6 Best Credit Card Bonus Offers | Brief Comparison & Ranking

Credit Card Names

Cash Back Bonus

Amount
to Spend

Time-frame

BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ Credit Card

$100

$500

3 months

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

$150
–$350

$1000

3 months

Chase Freedom UnlimitedSM Credit Card

$150
–$175

$500

3 months

Capital One® Quicksilver®

$100

$500

3 months

TRIOSM Credit Card

$100

$1,000

3 months

U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card

$100

$500

3 months

Table: Top 6 Best Bonus Credit Cards | Above list is sorted alphabetically


What Are Typical Credit Card Bonus Offers?

The best credit card bonus offers usually come in four different types: cash back rewards, flexible rewards, travel rewards, and hotel rewards. These all can qualify as best bonus credit cards sign-up offers, but each type may not be the best credit card sign-up bonus for everyone.

Cash back bonus credit cards offer a cash bonus, usually for spending a specific amount on your card within a specified time. However, some of the best bonus credit cards will offer you a cash bonus simply for signing up for and opening a new account.

Flexible rewards, on the other hand, is a best sign-up bonus credit card option that offers reward points as a bonus rather than cash. Some of the best credit card bonus offers with flexible rewards offer thousands of reward points for opening an account, while others give you bonus points after qualifying purchases after opening your account.

Travel and hotel credit card bonus offers are the best credit card bonus offers for frequent travelers. Their credit card sign-up bonus offers are typically given in reward points redeemable for airfare and hotel bookings.


How Can I Qualify for Top Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses?

The best sign-up bonus credit card offers are available for a wide range of credit scores, usually from average credit and above. Of course, the top credit card sign-up bonuses offering the most cash back or rewards are reserved for those with excellent credit scores.

However, do not get discouraged if you have less-than-perfect credit. You can still qualify for some of the best bonus credit cards with cash back or rewards points programs.

To qualify for the best credit card sign-up bonus offers, try not to apply for too many cards. Do your research to find the best credit card bonus offers for you and narrow the selection down to your top choice. If you apply to several credit card bonus offers at once, you could risk damaging your credit score.

Also, it is important to keep your other credit obligations in good standing to qualify for the best credit card sign-up bonus offers. If you make late payments or charge too much on other cards, you will hurt your chances of getting approved for cash bonus credit cards.

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AdvisoryHQ’s Selection Methodology

What methodology does AdvisoryHQ use in selecting and finalizing the credit cards, financial products, firms, services, and products that are ranked on its various top-rated lists?

Please click here “AdvisoryHQ’s Ranking Methodologies” for a detailed review of AdvisoryHQ’s selection methodologies for ranking top-rated credit cards, financial accounts, firms, products, and services.


Detailed Review—Top Ranking Best Credit Card Bonus Offers

Below, please find the detailed review of each credit card on our list of credit card sign-up bonus offers. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these cash back bonus credit cards to score so high in our selection ranking.


 


BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ Credit Card Review


BankAmericard Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the best bonus credit cards because it offers $100 cash back with only a $500 purchase within the first 90 days of opening your account.

BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ Credit Card - credit card bonus offers

Source: BankAmericard Cash Rewards Credit Card

You can choose how to receive your credit card bonus offers by logging into your online account. In terms of flexibility, it is one of the best credit card bonus offers because you can redeem it for cash, statement credit, or other rewards.

BankAmericard Cash Rewards Credit Card Rates, Rewards, and Fees

BankAmericard Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the best bonus credit cards also because of its other benefits. Offering an introductory APR of 0% for your first 12 billing cycles, you will enjoy a low APR of 13.24%–23.24% thereafter.

Additionally, there is no annual fee, which can be difficult to find with even the best credit card bonus offers. You can earn 3% cash back on gas, 2% at grocery stores, and 1% on all other purchases.

Related: Top Capital One Credit Cards | Ranking | Compare Best Capital One Credit Card Offers & Promotions (Reviews)



Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Review


The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has a best credit card sign-up bonus with two ways to earn, allowing you up to $350 in credit card bonus offers.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express - best credit card signup bonus

Source: Blue Cash Preferred® Card

If you spend $1,000 in purchases within the first three months of opening your account, you will be eligible for a $150 cash bonus. For a limited time, you can also qualify for a credit card bonus of $200 by earning 10% cash back on Amazon purchases within the first six months. 

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Rates, Rewards, and Fees

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has a $95 annual fee. Annual fees are typical of even some of the best bonus credit cards. The card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months. After that, your rate will be between 13.24% and 23.24%.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers 6% cash back at grocery stores, 3% cash back at gas stations, and 1% cash back on other purchases.


 


Chase Freedom UnlimitedSM Credit Card Review


The Chase Freedom UnlimitedSM Credit Card is one of our picks for best bonus credit cards because it gives you two ways to earn a cash bonus. Once you are approved for the card and make $500 in purchases within the first three months, you will be eligible for a best credit card sign-up bonus of $150. If you add an authorized user to your account, you can get an extra $25 bonus.

Chase Freedom UnlimitedSM Credit Card - credit card signup bonus

Source: Chase Freedom UnlimitedSM Credit

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card Rates, Rewards, and Fees

Aside from its credit card bonus offers, the Chase Freedom UnlimitedSM Credit Card is also one of the best bonus credit cards for its rates, fees, and rewards. You can enjoy a 0% introductory APR for 15 months, with a variable APR of 14.24%–23.24% after. And, there is no annual fee.

Chase Freedom UnlimitedSM Credit Card also offers a 1.5% cash back reward system on every purchase with an unlimited earning cap.

Popular Article: Top Best Small Business Credit Cards for Small Business Owners | Ranking | Top Small Business Credit Cards




Capital One® Quicksilver® Review


Quicksilver from Capital One is recommended for people with excellent credit, but has some of the best credit card bonus offers. You can earn a one-time $100 bonus by simply spending $500 in purchases within the first three months of opening an account.

Capital One® Quicksilver® - credit card bonus

Source: Quicksilver from Capital One

Quicksilver from Capital One Rates, Rewards, and Fees

In addition to having one of the best credit card sign-up bonus offers, Quicksilver from Capital One offers an excellent reward system, with 1.5% cash back on all purchases with unlimited earning potential. Your credit card bonus offers and rewards will not expire.

The card also has no annual fee and offers an introductory rate of 0% for 9 months after opening your account. After that, your APR will raise to 13.24%–23.24%.



TRIOSM Credit Card Review


TRIOSM Credit Card by Fifth Third Bank gives you one of the best credit card bonus offers of 10,000 Real Life Rewards Bonus Points after spending $1,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening your account. This best credit card sign-up bonus can be turned in for the cash equivalent of $100.

TRIOSM Credit Card - best credit card bonus

Source: TRIOSM Credit Card

TRIO Credit Card Rates, Rewards, and Fees

TRIO Credit Card bonus offers are only some of the great things this card offers. With no annual fee and an introductory APR of 0% for 12 months, the TRIOSM Credit Card is more than one of the best bonus credit cards. It features a competitive interest rate of 14.24%–23.24% based on credit worthiness, and offers up to 3% cash back on qualifying purchases. 


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U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card Review


The U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card rounds out our list for the best credit card bonus offers with its $100 bonus just for being a current U.S. Bank customer with another U.S. Bank product, like a checking or savings account. To qualify, you must be a customer in good standing and spend at least $500 on your card in the first 90 days.

U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card - best signup bonus credit card

Source: U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card

U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card Rates, Rewards, and Fees

Another choice for best credit card bonus offers with no annual fee, the U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card also has one of the best rewards programs. You can earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000, plus 2% cash back on your choice of gas, groceries, or another everyday category, and 1% cash back on everything else.

This card offers a 0% introductory APR for 12 billing cycles, with a variable APR of 13.24%–23.24% after.

Read More: Top Best Credit Cards for Miles | Ranking | Best Miles Credit Card Reviews


Conclusion—Top 6 Credit Card Bonus Offers

Credit card bonus offers exist for a large range of credit scores, but it is important to check the terms of the best credit card sign-up bonus offers to ensure that they are worth your time and money.

Some bonus offers are counteracted by high annual fees and interest rates, whereas the best bonus credit cards will provide bonuses with competitive interest rates and low or no annual fees.

To qualify for credit card bonuses and cash back bonus credit cards, take care of your current credit obligations and do not apply for more than one card in a short amount of time. You can search for credit card bonus offers from your current bank or refer to online customer reviews and financial sources, like AdvisoryHQ.

AdvisoryHQ’s list of 6 best credit card sign-up bonus offers come from credit cards we believe offer an all-around exceptional experience between their credit card bonuses, interest rates, fees, and rewards programs.



AdvisoryHQ (AHQ) Disclaimer:

Reasonable efforts have been made by AdvisoryHQ to present accurate information, however all info is presented without warranty. Review AdvisoryHQ’s Terms for details. Also review each firm’s site for the most updated data, rates and info.

Note: Firms and products, including the one(s) reviewed above, may be AdvisoryHQ's affiliates. Click to view AdvisoryHQ's advertiser disclosures.