Many credit cards give you money for signing up and then spending a certain amount of money in the first few months. One of the best credit card sign-up bonuses is from the Citi Premier® Card, which offers 60,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
It’s less common for credit cards to give you money just for signing up, but that does happen in a few cases. For example, on the Amazon.com Credit Card, the bonus is a $50 gift card that is automatically loaded to your Amazon account after your application for the card is approved.
Popular Credit Cards With Initial Bonuses
Citi Premier® Card - 60,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
Amazon.com Credit Card - $50 Amazon.com gift card upon approval ($100 for Prime members)
The best credit card for free reward money is the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card because it offers an initial bonus of $200 for spending $500 in the first 3 months. Plus, you can earn 1 - 5% cash back on purchases.
Generally, the best credit cards for free reward money give a good initial bonus, above-average ongoing rewards or both. Rewards and initial bonuses are basically free money if you can get them without spending more than you normally would – and without paying interest.... read full answer
Here are the best credit cards for free reward money:
Initial Bonus: $200 for spending $500 in the first 3 months
Ongoing Rewards: 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery store purchases, along with 1% back on all other purchases (except for 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 10% back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats)
Initial Bonus: $250 bonus after you spend $2,000 within 120 days
Ongoing Rewards: 6% cash back on two retailers you choose (up to $1,500 in quarterly combined purchases), 3% back on one everyday category of your choice (up to $1,500 per quarter), 5.5% back on prepaid hotel and car reservations booked in the Rewards Center, as well as 1.5% back on all other purchases
Annual Fee: $0 intro 1st year, $95 after annual fee
Initial Bonus: $200 cash back for spending $1,000 in the first 120 days
Ongoing Rewards: 5% cash back on two categories of your choice (up to $2,000 each quarter), 5% back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked in the Rewards Center, 2% on your choice of one everyday category (like gas stations, grocery stores or restaurants) and 1% on all other purchases
Initial Bonus: $200 for spending $1,500 in the first 6 months
Ongoing Rewards: 5% cash back in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to $500 spent, 1% back thereafter), as well as 1% back on all other purchases
Annual Fee: $0 annual fee
Min. Credit Required: Good credit
Overall, those looking for a big chunk of change should probably go with the biggest initial bonus, as long as you can hit the spending requirement. In that department, the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card provide the largest payoff.
The best $200 cash back credit card is the Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card. All you have to spend is $500 in the first 3 months to qualify. In addition, the Chase Freedom Flex offers 1 - 5% cash back on purchases. And it has a $0 annual fee.
Here are some of the best $200 cash back credit cards:... read full answer
These cards are a good way to get a hefty rebate on your purchases at the start, especially as they also have no annual fees. But it’s important to remember that initial bonuses are just that – initial. You’ll want to choose a card that provides great everyday perks even after you earn the bonus.
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