The best credit card offers in April 2021: Earn points, miles, or cash back

If you want to earn lots of points, miles, or cash back quickly, the best strategy is to apply for a rewards credit card and earn its welcome bonus. You'll usually have to meet a minimum spending requirement in a specified time frame (typically a few months), and it's well worth the effort to unlock a big bonus. 

Even better, many top travel rewards cards are currently offering record-high welcome bonuses. Some of these offers are only available for a limited time, so you shouldn't wait long to apply.

The best credit card welcome offers available now:

** The Platinum Card® from American Express: (Note: New cardmembers can earn 10x points on eligible purchases at U.S. Gas Stations and U.S. Supermarkets, on up to $15,000 in combined purchases, during the first 6 months of card membership)

*** The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: New cardholders can also earn 5x points on eligible US purchases on shipping, wireless telephone services, advertising in select media, office supplies, and gas stations in the first three months of account opening, up to 80,000 bonus points per category (Eligibility for these offers is limited. Enrollment is required in the Amex Offers section of your account before redeeming)

The best credit card welcome bonuses available now

Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express is offering one of the most lucrative bonuses we've seen in recent months, and its many benefits can more than make up for the $550 annual fee The Platinum Card® from American Express - Rates & Fees. While it's well known as a premium travel card, the Amex Platinum is worth considering even if you're staying close to home right now.

You can still get hundreds of dollars in value from perks like up to $200 in Uber (including Uber Eats) credits per year, up to $100 in annual Saks Fifth Avenue credits, and up to $30 per month in PayPal credits through June 2021 (Eligibility for this offer is limited. Enrollment is required in the Amex Offers section of your account before redeeming). The Platinum Card also comes with excellent shopping and purchase benefits, including return protection, extended warranty, and targeted discounts and bonuses through Amex Offers.

Travelers can take advantage of up to $200 in airline fee credits each calendar year, airport lounge access, complimentary hotel elite status with Hilton and Marriott, travel insurance, and Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts. You can use the Amex Membership Rewards points you'll earn with the card to book flights, hotels, and more through Amex Travel, or transfer points to airline and hotel partners like Delta, British Airways, and Marriott.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Small-business owners have a big opportunity to earn a massive amount of points with the limited-time welcome bonus on The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Like the personal Platinum Card, there's a hefty annual fee — $595(See Review)— but it's more than worth it if you can maximize the card's perks.

Amex Business Platinum Card members get some of the same perks as personal cardholders, including airline fee credits, hotel elite status, and airport lounge access. You can also receive up to $200 in Dell statement credits per year, and get a 35% points rebate when you redeem points for first- or business-class tickets, or for any fare with your selected airline, through Amex Travel (up to 500,000 points back per calendar year).

If you're not sure which version of the card is best for you, our comparison of the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum can help narrow down your choice.

American Express® Gold Card

The Amex Gold Card is sometimes overlooked as the "kid brother" to its Platinum siblings, but it's actually one of our favorite rewards cards, especially for dining. You'll earn 4x points at restaurants worldwide up to $25,000 per year (then 1x) and up to $120 in annual dining credits that you can use at select restaurants and on Grubhub and Seamless. It also offers up to $120 Uber Cash ($10 per month credit) each calendar year (this is only applicable to U.S. Eats orders and Rides, and the Gold Card needs to be added to the Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit).

The card didn't always come with an attention-grabbing welcome bonus, but it's now increased its intro offer to 60,000 points after you spend at least $4,000 in your first 6 months of account opening. Considering you can transfer your Amex points to nearly two dozen travel partners, these points can unlock lots of options for flights or hotel stays.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

If you like earning cash back and spend a lot on groceries and streaming services, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is tough to beat. It's now offering a Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, and earns 6% back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in spending per calendar year (then 1%).

You'll also earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, and buses), and 1% cash back on everything else. If you max out the $6,000 limit at U.S. supermarkets, you could earn $360 in cash back each year just from that category alone — that's more than enough to offset the annual fee of Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressBlue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express - Rates & Fees.

American Express® Business Gold Card

The American Express® Business Gold Card normally offers 35,000 points after meeting minimum spending requirements, so this limited-time bonus is double the usual points. If you can maximize the credits you'll do even better, because they can more than offset the card's American Express® Business Gold Card annual fee American Express® Business Gold Card - Rates & Fees .

One reason the card has remained popular with small-business owners is the ability to earn 4x Amex Membership Rewards points in the top two categories you spend the most in each month, on up to $150,000 in combined purchases each year (then 1x). These categories include airfare purchased directly from airlines, U.S. gas stations, U.S. restaurants, U.S. shipping providers, select U.S. advertising and technology providers, and U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio).

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

You can't go wrong with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card— it's one of the best to start with if you're new to credit card rewards (or if you don't want to pay the $550 annual fee on its premium sibling, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®). 

The card offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. The great thing about Chase Ultimate Rewards points is their flexibility — redemption options include booking travel directly through the Chase Travel Portal, transferring points to airline and hotel partners like United and Marriott, or cashing in rewards for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The more premium sibling of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is offering Chase Sapphire Reserve® after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening — an increase of 10,000 points over the usual offer. It also earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, allows transfers to Chase airline and hotel partners, and offers the same variety of options for points redemption as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a Chase Sapphire Reserve® annual fee — substantially higher than the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. However, if you can make use of the card's additional benefits — especially if you're traveling — the annual fee is certainly worth it. 

Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card

There's a new welcome offer on the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card: Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card. It's worth considering if you're a small-business owner who likes staying at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, especially because the statement credit more than offsets the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card annual fee Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card - Rates & Fees.

This isn't the highest offer we've seen for the card (it was up to 100,000 points earlier this year), but the statement credit could make a difference for those who want to minimize their out-of-pocket costs. Cardholders receive an annual free night each card anniversary, valid at Marriott hotels that cost up to 35,000 points per night.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card is a premium credit card with a Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card annual fee Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card - Rates & Fees, but the card is well worth it if you can use its benefits and statement credits.

Along with the increased welcome bonus, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card comes with up to $300 in statement credits each year toward Marriott Bonvoy hotel purchases— including room rates and on-site purchases like room service or spa treatments. Combined with up to $200 in credits toward U.S. restaurant purchases, you can reduce your net annual fee cost to zero by taking advantage of both credits.

The card also offers a perk that can be worth much more than the annual fee. Each year on your card anniversary, you'll receive a free night certificate valid at Marriott hotels that cost 50,000 points or less — that's equivalent to a standard night at a Category 6 hotel, or even an off-peak night at luxurious Category 7 properties. 

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is offering new cardholders a limited-time welcome bonus: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Aside from the bonus, you'll earn 40,000 Venture miles after spending $20,000 within 12 months, which means you could earn up to 140,000 miles in total, between the full bonus and annual spending.

With the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you'll earn 2x miles on all eligible purchases with no caps. Capital One Venture miles are worth 1 cent apiece when you redeem them toward travel purchases charged to your card, and potentially more when you transfer miles to travel partners like JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, and Air Canada Aeroplan. That's why Insider values Capital One miles as worth, on average, 1.3 cents each.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is offering Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card— double the usual bonus.

If you fly Delta occasionally, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a great choice. You'll receive a free first checked bag on Delta flights for yourself and up to eight companions on the same reservation (worth $30 per bag), so this perk alone can more than offset the card's annual fee of Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express CardDelta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card - Rates & Fees.

Cardholders (and companions) also receive priority boarding, a 20% discount on inflight purchases, a $100 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 on the card in a calendar year, and no foreign transaction feesDelta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card - Rates & Fees.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is suited to travelers who fly Delta a little more frequently, and it's now offering a bonus of Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card . That's more than double the usual 40,000-mile offer.

Cardholders receive the same checked bag, priority boarding, and inflight discount benefits as the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, and also get a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit of up to $100, and discounted access to Sky Club lounges.

If you're trying to earn Delta elite status, the card's Status Boost perk offers 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year, up to two times. For 2021, Delta has improved this benefit even further, adding 25% more miles for meeting the same spending thresholds.

The card's best perk — one that makes the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card annual fee Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card - Rates & Fees more than worth it — is an annual companion certificate you'll receive each card anniversary. With the certificate, when you book an economy-class flight for yourself anywhere within the continental US, you can get a second ticket for free (just pay minimal taxes and fees).

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card now comes with an increased welcome bonus: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. While it does tack on a Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card annual fee Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card - Rates & Fees, it's worth it if you fly Delta often.

You'll receive access to Delta Sky Club airport lounges when flying Delta, and access to Amex Centurion Lounges when you fly Delta and use your card to book the ticket. You'll also get two Delta Sky Club one-time guest passes each year, up to $100 for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and access to complimentary upgrades for non-elite Delta members. 

Delta Medallion members with the card are eligible for complimentary, space-available upgrades to first class and Delta One on flights within the US and the region, including Mexico and Central America, and extra-legroom seats on international flights.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

Small-business owners who fly Delta occasionally should consider the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card. The welcome bonus is now Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card— double the usual number of miles.

This card comes with most of the same perks as the personal Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, including a free checked bag, priority boarding, and inflight discounts on Delta flights, as well as a $100 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 on the card in a calendar year. There's an annual fee of Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express CardDelta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card - Rates & Fees.

The main difference is in the bonus categories: With the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, you'll earn 2x Delta miles on eligible U.S. purchases for advertising in select media and on eligible U.S. shipping purchases rather than on purchases at U.S. supermarkets. Both versions offer 2x miles on Delta purchases and restaurant purchases.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card is offering a whopper of a bonus that's more than double its usual offer. You'll earn Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, and cardholders receive the same perks as the personal version of the card, including a free checked bag, priority boarding, and inflight discounts on Delta, and an annual companion certificate. There's a Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express CardDelta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card - Rates & Fees.

One additional benefit is the ability to earn 1.5x miles on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to 50,000 additional miles per calendar year). Cardholders also earn 3x miles on Delta purchases and on purchases made directly with hotels.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card has one of the most lucrative offers of the bunch. You'll earn Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. The statement credit alone takes a big chunk out of the card's Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card annual fee Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card - Rates & Fees, and, like the personal version, you'll get access to Delta Sky Club airport lounges when flying Delta, and access to Amex Centurion Lounges when you fly Delta and use your card to book the ticket.

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card has similar benefits to the personal version of the card, but there's a difference in earning rates. With the business version, after you spend $150,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year, you can earn 1.5x miles on eligible purchases the rest of the calendar year.

Citi Premier℠ Card

The Citi Premier Card is another card that doesn't always get the attention it deserves. It earns flexible Citi ThankYou Rewards points that you can redeem for travel, transfer to airline partners, cash in for statement credits, gift cards, or merchandise, and even use to pay off your student loan or mortgage. 

In addition to offering 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening, the Citi Premier Card stands out for its pandemic-friendly bonus categories, including 3 points per dollar at restaurants and supermarkets. This makes the card a great option for maximizing your everyday purchases— because everyone has to eat.

The Citi Premier Card also comes with a hotel savings benefit that can offset its entire $95 annual fee. This perk will save you $100 once per calendar year when you book a hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) through ThankYou.com.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers the highest welcome bonus among Chase cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points: 100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Plus, it has generous bonus categories — you'll earn 3 points per dollar in the first $150,000 in combined purchases you make on categories including travel, shipping, and advertising (and 1 point per dollar on everything else). This card has a Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card annual fee, and it offers benefits like primary rental car insurance when you're renting a car for business purposes and cell phone protection.

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

If you're looking for Chase small-business card but don't want to meet the hefty spending requirement on the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, the no-annual-fee Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a great alternative. You'll earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening— awarded as 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a good pick if you spend a lot in the card's bonus categories: 5% cash back (5x points) on the first $25,000 spent (then 1x) in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year, 2% back (2x points) on the first $25,000 spent (then 1x) in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year, and 1% back (1x points) on all other purchases with no cap.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Some small-business owners don't want to fuss with bonus categories or spending limits. If that's your style, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is an easy pick — it earns 1.5% cash back (1.5x points) on all eligible purchases with no caps.

It's also offering a bonus of $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening (75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points) and has no annual fee. Although you won't have the opportunity to earn bonus points in popular business categories, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is a good fit if you value simplicity and straightforward earning.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of the best cash-back cards you can get, and it now offers one of the most generous intro bonuses, too. New cardholders can earn $200 after spending $500 in the first three months from account opening (20,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points).

You'll earn 5% cash back (5x points) on travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, 3% cash back (3x) on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% cash back (1.5x) on everything else. You can even pair the Chase Freedom Unlimited® with one of Chase's travel cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and unlock the ability to transfer points to partners like Hyatt, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

The no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Flex℠ has the same great welcome offer as the Chase Freedom Unlimited®: a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening (20,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points).

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ earns 5% cash back (5x points) on rotating quarterly bonus categories after activation (on up to $1,500 spent per quarter, then 1%), 5% back (5x) on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back (3x) on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% back (1x) on everything else.

United℠ Explorer Card

The United℠ Explorer Card is the best all-around card for United flyers, because, on United flights, cardholders and a companion on the same reservation receive a free first checked bag when they pay with the card. You'll also get priority boarding, a 25% discount on inflight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases, and two one-time United Club passes each anniversary year (worth $59 apiece).

Normally, the bonus on the United℠ Explorer Card is 40,000 miles after meeting minimum spending requirements, but the new offer is United℠ Explorer Card. The annual fee is United℠ Explorer Card, and you'll also get up to $100 in statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four years.

United Club℠ Infinite Card

If you fly United frequently and enjoy airport lounge access, you should consider the United Club℠ Infinite Card, with a new bonus of United Club℠ Infinite Card. There's a United Club℠ Infinite Card annual fee, but in return, cardholders receive a full United Club airport lounge membership. Normally, a membership costs $650, so this is a better deal compared to paying directly for this privilege.

Cardholders receive up to two free checked bags for the cardholder and one companion on United flights, Premier Access (priority check-in, security screening, boarding, and baggage handling when flying United), and a 25% discount on inflight food, beverages, and Wi-Fi aboard United-operated flights. If you have United Premier elite status and are traveling on an award ticket, you'll also eligible for complimentary Premier upgrades on United-operated flights, subject to availability.

United℠ Business Card

Small-business owners should consider the increased bonus on the United℠ Business Card, which is offering United℠ Business Card. The annual fee is United℠ Business Card, which makes this an even better deal, considering the normal bonus on the card is just 60,000 miles.

Along with many of the same benefits as the personal United℠ Explorer Card (free checked bag, priority boarding, two one-time United Club passes each anniversary year, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit), the United℠ Business Card throws in some additional perks. If you make seven or more United flight travel-related purchases of at least $100 in an account anniversary year with your United℠ Business Card, you will receive a $100 statement credit. And if you also have a personal Chase United card (like the United℠ Explorer Card or United Gateway℠ Card), you'll receive a "better-together anniversary bonus" of 5,000 United miles each anniversary of your United℠ Business Card.

United Gateway℠ Card

TheUnited Gateway℠ Card isn't as flashy as other United cards, and it usually only offers a welcome bonus of 10,000 miles after meeting minimum spending requirements. But right now, the bonus has been doubled to United Gateway℠ Card— not a bad deal for a card with no annual fee.

The United Gateway℠ Card doesn't offer many travel benefits, except a 25% discount on inflight purchases and no foreign transaction fees. However, this card is an excellent choice if you don't want to pay an annual fee but still want access to expanded award availability on United flights.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

All three Chase Southwest personal cards, including the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, are offering a welcome bonus with the opportunity to 80,000 points (50,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months ,and an additional 30,000 points after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 9 months).

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card has the lowest annual fee ($69) of the bunch, but also the fewest benefits. It's the only Southwest card that adds foreign transaction fees, and it doesn't earn tier-qualifying points from meeting spending thresholds like the others. That said, you'll earn 3,000 points each card anniversary (worth about $45 in Southwest airfare) and the welcome bonus alone can get you most of the way to qualifying for the Southwest Companion Pass.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is the mid-level Southwest personal card, with a $99 annual fee. It comes with the same welcome bonus and offers a few more perks, including tier-qualifying points for reaching spending thresholds, 6,000 points on your card anniversary, and no foreign transaction fees.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card has a $149 annual fee, but it's well worth it even if you fly Southwest just a few times a year. In exchange for the higher upfront cost, you'll get valuable benefits that can be worth much more than you paid — along with the same welcome bonus as the others.

Cardholders receive 7,500 points each card anniversary (worth about $112 in Southwest flights), up to $75 in statement credits toward Southwest purchases each year, four upgraded boardings per year when available (worth up to $50 each time), and a 20% discount on inflight purchases including Wi-Fi.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is offering Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card also offers an application fee credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, plus four upgraded boardings on Southwest per year and inflight Wi-Fi credits. 

IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card

The IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card comes with a welcome bonus of 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening, which is enough for up to 14 award nights at the lowest-priced IHG hotels (redemptions start at 10,000 points per night).

The IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card comes with an $89 (waived the first year) annual fee, but each year cardholders receive an anniversary award night valid at IHG hotels that cost up to 40,000 points. It's easy to get a value that more than exceeds the annual fee from this perk alone.

Why earn credit card rewards in the middle of a pandemic?

With travel still challenging due to the pandemic, now may seem like an odd time to open a travel rewards credit card, but earning a welcome bonus now can put you in a great position to use points and miles for your next vacation, whenever that may be. 

Plus, in addition to allowing extra time to earn a welcome bonus, issuers like American Express and Chase are offering additional benefits tailored to life in quarantine, including new bonus categories for earning rewards and the option to use Chase points through Pay Yourself Back. 

Before you apply for a new credit card, make sure you understand how credit card applications affect your credit score. Also make sure you treat your credit cards like debit cards, only spending what you can afford to pay back each month. If you carry a balance to earn rewards, you'll be putting yourself in a bad financial position — and the interest fees you'll rack up will easily outweigh any points or miles you earn.

Frequently asked questions

What is a sign-up bonus?

A sign-up bonus, also known as a welcome bonus or intro offer, is a reward of points, miles, or cash back for new cardholders who meet designated requirements. Usually, these requirements involve meeting a minimum spending threshold within the first few months after you open your new credit card account.

Do credit card sign-up bonuses change?

Some credit cards almost always have the exact same sign-up bonus, while others change frequently. If you're considering opening a new rewards credit card, do your research to see whether the card you want has previously offered a higher bonus. If it has, it could be worth waiting until that elevated offer returns, or you may even be able to find that higher offer through the credit card issuer's website.

What is the best credit card sign-up bonus?

There isn't one single best sign-up bonus, because even if one card offers more points, not all points and miles are valued equally. There are also different types of credit card rewards: points, miles, and cash back, so the best sign-up bonus for you depends on the rewards you value most.

How can I use a credit card sign-up bonus?

There are typically several options for using a credit card sign-up bonus.

If you earn a cash-back sign-up bonus, you could be able to use it toward a statement credit to reduce your credit card bill, or you could receive the money in check form. With a travel rewards card, you could use your points or miles to book an award trip, or cash them out for gift cards, money back, or merchandise.

The exact options depend on the credit card you have and its specific rewards program, but the bottom line is that there are several possibilities for using your sign-up bonus.

Is a credit card without a sign-up bonus still worth it?

The short answer is yes. A credit card sign-up bonus can be a great incentive to apply, especially if you're looking at a card that has an annual fee, but not every good credit card offers an intro bonus. For example, the Citi® Double Cash Card is one of our favorite cash-back credit cards, but it doesn't offer a sign-up bonus. It could be worth forgoing an intro bonus if that card's 2% cash back (1% back when you make a purchase, and another 1% back when you pay your bill) appeals to you. 

Jasmin Baron is an associate editor at Personal Finance Insider, where she helps readers maximize rewards and find the best credit cards to fit their lifestyles. She has covered credit cards, points and miles, and loyalty programs for over seven years, and she's a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF).

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