Key Points

• Six standout welcome offers are live right now, ranging from a $1,000 cash bonus with no annual fee to 175,000 points on a premium travel card.
• The best pick depends on your spending habits and whether you want cash back, transferable points, or hotel loyalty perks.
• Meeting the minimum spend without overspending, and applying within issuer-specific rules, is what actually determines whether a bonus is worth chasing.

Chasing the best credit card welcome offers is one of the fastest ways to fund a trip you'd otherwise pay full price for, and right now there's an unusually strong lineup on the table. Whether you're brand new to the points and miles game or already comfortable with the basics from our introduction to credit and credit cards, the offers below represent real, current value rather than the recycled "evergreen" bonuses you'll see padding out other roundups. We update this guide regularly, so the numbers reflect what's actually available today. Below, you'll find six cards worth a serious look, plus guidance on how to pick the right one and avoid the mistakes that trip up first-time bonus chasers.

Our Top Credit Card Welcome Offers Right Now

Here's how the current crop stacks up before we get into the details on each one.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: 100,000 bonus points after $5,000 spend in 3 months, $95 annual fee.
• American Express Platinum Card: Up to 175,000 bonus points after $12,000 spend in 6 months (targeted, varies by applicant), $895 annual fee.
• American Express Gold Card: Up to 100,000 bonus points after $8,000 spend in 6 months (targeted, varies by applicant), $325 annual fee.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card: 125,000 bonus points plus a free night award after $3,000 spend in 3 months, $95 annual fee.
• Ink Business Cash Credit Card: $1,000 cash back after $8,000 spend in 4 months, $0 annual fee.
• Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card: $1,000 cash back after $8,000 spend in 4 months, $0 annual fee.

Let's break down why each one earned a spot on this list.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

If you're newer to points and miles, this is still the card we point people toward first. The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 5x points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x on dining, and 2x on other travel, all funneling into a points currency that transfers to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners. You can see full benefit details on its card page.

Why it stands out: A $95 annual fee is low for a card this useful, and the 100,000-point bonus after $5,000 in spend within three months is one of the more approachable thresholds on this list. If you're weighing whether the fee makes sense long term, our breakdown of whether the Sapphire Preferred is worth it walks through the math.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

American Express Platinum Card

The Amex Platinum remains the gold standard for lounge access and luxury travel credits, and its current offer, up to 175,000 points after $12,000 in spend over six months, is a big one when you actually qualify for it. For a full walkthrough of every credit and perk, our complete guide to the Amex Platinum covers it in depth.

Why it stands out: Offers on this card are targeted, meaning your specific bonus depends on your history with Amex, so it's worth checking your personalized offer before assuming you'll get the max. The $895 annual fee is steep, but between airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and a long list of statement credits, frequent travelers tend to get there. Our guide to choosing between premium travel cards can help you compare it against other options in this tier.

Apply here: American Express Platinum Card

American Express Gold Card

For anyone who spends heavily on food, the Amex Gold is hard to beat. It earns 4x points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases per year), which adds up fast if dining out is a regular part of your budget. You can check current benefit details on its card page as well.

Why it stands out: The current offer of up to 100,000 points after $8,000 in spend over six months pairs well with the card's built-in statement credits for dining and rideshare, which can offset a meaningful chunk of the $325 annual fee on their own.

Apply here: American Express Gold Card

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

If Marriott is your go-to hotel brand, the Bonvoy Boundless is worth a close look right now. It earns 6x points at Marriott properties and comes with a free night award every account anniversary.

Why it stands out: The current bonus, 125,000 points plus a free night award after $3,000 in spend within three months, has one of the lowest spending thresholds on this list, making it realistic to hit without adjusting your budget. It also comes with 15 elite night credits annually, which can help you requalify for Platinum status. For more on how the program has evolved, see our Marriott Bonvoy 2025 changes breakdown.

Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited

Small business owners have two nearly identical, genuinely excellent no-annual-fee options right now. Both the Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited are currently offering $1,000 cash back after $8,000 in spend within four months, with zero annual fee attached.

Why they stand out: The Ink Business Cash earns 5% back on office supply stores and internet, cable, and phone services, plus 2% on gas and dining, which suits businesses with recurring vendor bills. The Ink Business Unlimited instead earns a flat 1.5% on everything, which is simpler if your spending doesn't fit neat categories. Both cards also earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be paired with a premium Chase card, like the Sapphire Preferred, to unlock travel transfer partners. Our guide on Chase business versus personal cards explains how to decide which one fits your situation, and you can also compare it against the Ink Business Preferred if you want a points-earning business card instead of cash back.

Apply here: Ink Business Cash Credit Card or Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card

How to Choose the Right Welcome Offer for You

With six strong offers on the table, the right pick comes down to three questions.

Can you comfortably hit the minimum spend? Never change your normal spending habits to chase a bonus. If $5,000 in three months is a stretch, a card with a $3,000 threshold, like the Bonvoy Boundless, is the smarter move even if the headline bonus looks smaller.

Do you want cash or points? Cash back is simple and guaranteed value. Transferable points, like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards, can be worth more, sometimes significantly more, but only if you're willing to learn how transfer partners work. If that sounds intimidating, start with our guide on how to rack up Chase Ultimate Rewards faster before committing to a points-first strategy.

Are you eligible? Chase enforces the 5/24 rule, which can block approval if you've opened five or more personal credit cards in the past 24 months. You can confirm current eligibility rules directly on chase.com before applying. Amex limits how often you can earn a welcome bonus on the same card, and you can check its terms on americanexpress.com as well. Check the fine print before applying so you're not spending toward a bonus you won't actually receive.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Chasing Welcome Bonuses

• Applying for multiple cards at once. Each hard inquiry can ding your credit score short term, and issuers sometimes flag rapid applications.
• Overspending to hit the minimum. A $1,000 bonus isn't worth $1,200 in unnecessary purchases and lingering interest charges.
• Ignoring the annual fee math. A premium card's bonus might be huge, but if you'll cancel before the first renewal, factor the fee into your actual return.
• Missing the spend window. Most offers require you to hit the threshold within 3 to 6 months. Set a reminder, because issuers rarely make exceptions.

FAQ

How long do credit card welcome offers usually last?

Most issuers refresh their offers monthly, though some cards run the same bonus for several months at a time. The offers in this guide reflect what's live as of this update.

Will applying for a new card hurt my credit score?

You'll typically see a small, temporary dip from the hard inquiry, but making on-time payments and keeping your utilization low will offset that within a few months for most people.

Can I get a welcome bonus on a card I've had before?

It depends on the issuer. Chase generally allows it if enough time has passed since you last had the card and received a bonus. Amex restricts you from earning a welcome offer on the same card more than once, in most cases, for the life of the account.

Bottom Line

Right now is a genuinely good moment to apply for a new card, with six offers worth serious consideration depending on whether you want cash back, hotel perks, or transferable points. Start with the Chase Sapphire Preferred if you're newer to this, or the Amex Platinum if you're ready for a premium travel card, and pick the one that matches your actual spending rather than the biggest number on the page. This article contains affiliate links. If you apply through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you, which helps us continue sharing points and miles strategies with the community.