Credit Cards for Sign-up Bonuses
Many reward credit cards offer a welcome bonus as an incentive to attract new cardholders and reward them for starting to use the new card. The welcome bonus is also known by the name of a sign-up bonus or introductory offer and can be in the form of cash, points, miles, or extra cash-back rewards during the introductory period. It is one of the special credit card perks you may not want to miss when shopping for a new credit card!
Typically, to earn a welcome bonus, you need to spend a certain amount of money using your new card within the first few months after opening the account. To benefit from the introductory offer, make sure you carefully read the welcome bonus requirements and understand them. If you don’t meet the spending amount within the required time frame, you will not be qualified and will not earn the offer.
To get most of the sign-up bonus, take into account your lifestyle and living preferences, as different credit cards may offer substantially different bonuses. If you are a shopper, then the cash-back welcome offer might be the best option for you. If you are a frequent traveler, then consider welcome offers that come in the form of airline miles or hotel points. Usually, miles and points can be redeemed toward travel-related expenses such as a plane ticket or a hotel stay.
Before opening the credit card with the welcome bonus, you absolutely need to consider your budget, the credit card’s introductory and regular APR, as well as your expected debt payoff time. If you cannot afford to meet the spending amount or pay the debt reasonably fast, you might not fully benefit from the introductory offer or will not earn the bonus at all.
Here’s our list of the top credit cards with the best welcome bonuses to help you maximize the rewards.