How would you like book a dream vacation to Europe, and only pay taxes on your airfare and hotel? It sounds far fetched, but right now, that dream can become reality with a little creativity, a good credit score, and the discipline to use credit cards wisely. Even if international travel isn’t on your to do list, there are other great deals to be had. For example, there are numerous credit cards which offer cash bonuses of up to $400, just to open a card and meet a minimum spending requirement within a few months. Some bonuses can be earned after making your first purchase.
These deals may sound too good to be true, but they’re not. But most of them are only available for a limited time. We’ve done our best to find the best credit card deals on the market. Regardless of whether you want to score free travel, free nights at a hotel, or you just want some cold hard cash, there is something here for everyone.
Things to keep in mind: Some of these credit cards come with an associated annual fee. That said, most of the cards with an annual fee offer some form of annual bonus in the form of increased loyalty points, free travel or hotel vouchers, etc. In many cases, these bonuses equal or exceed the cost of the annual fee (for example, many airline branded credit cards charge a $100 annual fee, but offer a free companion airline ticket or travel voucher each year). Click on the card name to read the card review for more information about the specific benefits of each card, or click the apply button to visit the issuer site for more information.
Credit Card Bonus Offers
The following table lists the most lucrative credit card incentives currently on the market. Depending on which card you select, you could be eligible to receive a cash bonus of up to $400, or you can earn rewards redeemable for well over $1,000 in hotels or airline tickets.
Notes About Credit Card Welcome Bonuses:
Many credit card companies offer great sign-up bonuses that almost anyone can use to their advantage. Even some of our featured rewards credit cards come with a new member bonus. Just be sure to pay your card off every month to avoid fees. Remember, opening a new card for a bonus offer is never worth it if you carry a credit card balance. Only use credit cards if you can pay them off in full each month.
Look for additional credit card offers. Part of your criteria for credit card offers should be more than just the bonus offer. Be sure to look for a balance transfer credit card, 0% interest credit card, or a cash rewards credit card to ensure this will be a credit card worth using long after you get your new member bonus.
Anyone can sign up! Some of these cards are business cards, but anyone can open a business credit card by signing up as a sole proprietorship without filling out any additional forms. Just use your social security number as your business ID.
Avoid annual fees when possible (unless they are worth it!). You’ll notice that several of these cards state the first year’s fees are waived. You can use this to your advantage to earn the reward points, then later decide if you wish to continue using the card, or possibly downgrading it to a card without an annual fee. Also keep in mind that some annual fees more than pay for themselves in the form of bonus rewards, free airline tickets, free nights’ stay at a hotel, and other benefits. So some annual fees are worth paying.
Earn additional bonus points. This works for American Express, but it may not work for all credit card companies. You can have all your bonus points directed to one account. I have an American Express Business Gold Rewards Card. The only other American Express card I have is my corporate card from my day job. Your mileage may vary, but when I contacted American Express, the CSR offered to direct any points earned from that card to my American Express business card, free of charge! Sign me up! (no word on whether or not my company has a problem with that… Hmmm, I better ask!).
