The best credit card deals this week include record-high hotel card bonuses and new airline card offers

It's a great time to consider opening a new credit card, as issuers continue to launch elevated offers and promotions geared toward those who are planning travel now that the world is opening up again.

Taking advantage of an increased credit card bonus now can set you up with points you can use for flights, hotels, and more when you're finally ready to hit the road. Some cards have boosted their welcome offers to over 100,000 points, including a number of record-high bonuses that won't be around forever.

Here are some of the best credit card offers to consider this week.

Best credit card offers this week

Best flexible rewards credit card bonuses

Transferable credit card points are best if you value flexibility because there are so many ways to redeem them. With programs like American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Capital One Rewards, you've got options that include:

• Transferring points to airline and hotel partners
• Redeeming points directly for travel at a fixed rate
• Turning points into cash back or statement credits
• Cashing in points for gift cards, merchandise, and more

Our top picks for this week include one of the best cards with premium travel and shopping benefits, The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Capital One miles recently became even more useful with the addition of four new transfer partners and airport lounges coming later this year. You could get at least $1,000 in travel from the 100,000-mile welcome bonus on the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card— and potentially even more value if you transfer miles to airline and hotel partners for award travel.

Read more: Amex and Chase points are the two most valuable types of credit card rewards — here are their biggest differences

And don't overlook our under-the-radar pick — the Citi Premier® Card. Along with a substantial welcome bonus, the card offers excellent earnings in categories that fit well whether you're sticking close to home or on the road. You'll earn 3x points on air travel, gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets, and hotels, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Best small-business credit card bonuses

If you're a small-business owner, opening a small-business credit card can offer a lot of benefits. Keeping your business and personal expenses separate makes it easier to keep track of expenses, and many cards offer bonus points, miles, or cash back in popular business spending categories.

Read more: The best small-business credit cards of 2021

You don't have to own a full-time business or make millions to be eligible to apply — even if you're a freelancer or have a side gig, you could qualify for a small-business card. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card are both offering 100,000 points after meeting minimum spending requirements, and, depending on how you redeem them, you could get a value of $1,800 or more from these bonuses.

Best cash-back credit card bonuses

Our top pick for the best cash-back credit card overall, the Citi® Double Cash Card, doesn't currently offer a welcome bonus. And other excellent options, like the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited®, aren't exclusively cash-back cards (though they're marketed that way).

Read more: The best cash back credit cards of 2021

Right now, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has an elevated welcome bonus that is particularly good for those who shop at Amazon. You'll also earn 6% cash back on your first $6,000 in U.S. supermarket spending each year (then 1% back), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, 3% back on U.S. gas stations and transit, and 1% back on all other eligible purchases (cash back is earned in the form of Rewards Dollars). 

Best airline credit card bonuses

If you're a United Airlines flyer, you're spoiled for choice right now with a whopping five Chase United credit cards with increased bonuses to pick from. Because United miles don't expire, it's a great time to earn more United MileagePlus miles for a trip when you're ready to travel again.

Read more: The best airline credit cards of 2021

This includes the new New United Quest℠ Card, which is a great option if you check luggage on United flights frequently — it offers two free checked bags for yourself and a companion when you use the card to pay for your ticket (or the taxes and fees on an award ticket).

Meanwhile, Southwest fans have another reason to look at the three personal Southwest cards. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card are each offering an increased bonus of Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card.

Best hotel credit card bonuses

Several hotel credit cards are offering increased bonuses — including all-time-high points offers on the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card, Hilton Honors American Express Card, and Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.

Read more: The best hotel credit cards of 2021

There's also a limited-time 100,000-point offer on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card to consider. Keep in mind that most hotel chains, including Marriott and Hilton, have temporarily paused points expiration due to the pandemic, so there's no harm in earning points now for a vacation down the road.

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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