Sign-up bonuses are the fastest way to earn a massive amount of points. A single card application can earn you enough miles for a round-trip business class flight — something that would take years to earn through regular spending.
Here are the best offers available right now, organized by card type.
Best Chase Cards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Bonus: 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points Spend Requirement: $4,000 in 3 months Annual Fee: $95
Why it’s good: This is the classic starter card for points enthusiasts. 60,000 points transfers to Hyatt for 3-4 luxury nights, or to United for 2+ round-trip domestic flights. Read our complete Chase Ultimate Rewards guide for maximizing these points.
Our take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you don’t have a Chase card yet, start here.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Bonus: 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points Spend Requirement: $4,000 in 3 months Annual Fee: $550 ($300 travel credit = $250 effective)
Why it’s good: Premium perks: $300 travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access, 3x on dining/travel, 10x on hotels/car rentals via Chase.
Our take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Worth it if you travel often and value lounge access.
Chase Ink Business Preferred®
Bonus: 90,000 Ultimate Rewards points Spend Requirement: $8,000 in 3 months Annual Fee: $95
Why it’s good: 90,000 points is one of the highest transferable point bonuses available. Business cards don’t affect personal credit score 5/24.
Our take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best Chase bonus if you can meet the spend.
Chase Ink Business Cash®
Bonus: $750 (or 75,000 UR when paired with Sapphire) Spend Requirement: $6,000 in 3 months Annual Fee: $0
Why it’s good: No annual fee, 5% back at office supply stores and internet/phone. Points combine with Sapphire cards.
Our take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great second Chase business card.
Best Amex Cards
American Express® Gold Card
Bonus: 60,000 Membership Rewards points Spend Requirement: $6,000 in 6 months Annual Fee: $250 (offset by $120 dining + $120 Uber credits)
Why it’s good: 4x on restaurants and groceries (up to $25k/year). Credits make it effectively free if you use them.
Our take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best everyday earning card for food lovers.
American Express® Platinum Card
Bonus: 80,000-150,000 MR points (varies by offer) Spend Requirement: $6,000-8,000 in 6 months Annual Fee: $695 (many credits available)
Why it’s good: Centurion Lounge access, 5x on flights, hotel elite status, extensive credits.
Our take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Worth it for frequent flyers who use the credits.
Amex Business Gold Card
Bonus: 70,000 Membership Rewards points Spend Requirement: $10,000 in 3 months Annual Fee: $295
Why it’s good: 4x on your top 2 spending categories (up to $150k/year). Great for business spend.
Our take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent for varied business spending.
Best Capital One Cards
Capital One Venture X
Bonus: 75,000 miles Spend Requirement: $4,000 in 3 months Annual Fee: $395 ($300 travel credit = $95 effective)
Why it’s good: 2x on everything, 10x on hotels/cars via portal, $300 annual travel credit, 10,000 bonus miles each anniversary, Priority Pass.
Our take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best value premium card. Effectively $95/year.
Capital One Venture Rewards
Bonus: 75,000 miles Spend Requirement: $4,000 in 3 months Annual Fee: $95
Why it’s good: Simple 2x on everything. Transfer partners now include Turkish, Avianca, JAL.
Our take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great if you want simplicity.
Best Hotel Cards
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Bonus: 60,000 points (30,000 after $3k + 30,000 after $6k more) Spend Requirement: $6,000 total in 6 months Annual Fee: $95
Why it’s good: Hyatt points are worth ~2¢ each. 60,000 points = 2-4 luxury nights. Free Category 1-4 night annually. Learn why Hyatt beats other hotel programs in our World of Hyatt guide.
Our take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best hotel card by far.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®
Bonus: 3 free nights (up to 50,000 points each) Spend Requirement: $3,000 in 3 months Annual Fee: $95
Why it’s good: 3 nights covers the annual fee for years. Good for Marriott loyalists.
Our take: ⭐⭐⭐ Marriott points worth less, but free nights are useful.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®
Bonus: 130,000 Hilton points + free night Spend Requirement: $3,000 in 3 months Annual Fee: $150
Why it’s good: Highest Hilton bonus. Free night certificate worth $150+ alone.
Our take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you stay at Hiltons, this is solid.
Best Airline Cards
United℠ Explorer Card
Bonus: 60,000 miles Spend Requirement: $3,000 in 3 months Annual Fee: $0 first year, then $95
Why it’s good: Free checked bag, boarding priority, 2 United Club passes.
Our take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good if United is your airline.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express
Bonus: 70,000 miles + $200 statement credit Spend Requirement: $3,000 in 6 months Annual Fee: $150 (waived first year sometimes)
Why it’s good: Free checked bag, boarding priority. 70k miles = a domestic round-trip or Europe one-way.
Our take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best Delta card for casual flyers.
Bonus Tips
Timing Your Applications
- Check your credit score — Most premium cards need 720+
- Chase 5/24 rule — Chase denies applicants with 5+ new cards in 24 months
- Space applications — 3-6 months between apps from same issuer
- Have a plan — Know how you’ll meet spend requirements
Meeting Spend Requirements
- Timing purchases — Furniture, insurance, taxes
- Gift cards — Buy for future use (don’t overdo it)
- Plastiq — Pay rent/mortgage with card (2.85% fee)
- Prepay bills — Insurance, utilities, subscriptions
Red Flags to Avoid
- ❌ Cards with bonuses under 40,000 points
- ❌ High annual fees without offsetting credits
- ❌ Store cards (usually terrible value)
- ❌ Cards with “deferred interest”
Our Top 3 Right Now
- Chase Ink Business Preferred — 90,000 points is massive
- Capital One Venture X — Best value premium card
- World of Hyatt — Best hotel card by far
The best strategy? Get multiple cards over time, earn sign-up bonuses, and build a points portfolio across Chase, Amex, and Capital One.
Related reads:
- Best Credit Cards for Points 2026
- Transfer Partners Explained
- Chase Ultimate Rewards Guide
- Amex Membership Rewards Guide
Have questions about which card to get first? Drop a comment!
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