Ten Most Valuable Credit Card Welcome Offers for Free Travel 2024
BestCashCow’s Top Rules for Opening New Credit Cards to Get Free Travel Rewards
1. Play the Game
There is nothing wrong with earning loyalty points from your favorite hotel or airline,
or flexible points (such as Chase’s Ultimate Rewards points) that can later be transferred
to a program or used for your travel expenditures. There is also nothing wrong with opening
several credit cards to take advantage of welcome offers.
Credit card companies are exacting large transaction and processing fees from vendors.
That is being passed on to you in the form of higher prices on everything
(even if you pay in cash!). It is fair to ask for some of the value back
for your loyalty and usage.
| Card | Welcome Offer / Maximum Value of Welcome Offer | How to Get Maximum Value | Why BestCashCow Likes |
|---|---|---|---|
$95
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
Get 90,000 points after spending $6,000 within six months (you must spend $4,000 in the first three months for the first 80,000 points, and then the final 10,000 points comes from spending $2,000 thereafter). This is an in-branch offer only and is valid as long as you have not received a bonus for a Sapphire card in the last 48 months. Max.Value: $1,845. We value Chase Sapphire points as high as 2.05 cents each. |
The complete list of Chase transfer partners is here.
|
A great card for those seeking maximum flexibility in the way they can redeem travel rewards points with a low annual fee.
|
|
Review: Denver Bob | May 30, 2016 This is probably the gold standard (or Platinum or Sapphire standard) now that Amex isn't. |
|||
|
Chase Ink Business Preferred Card 
$95
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
Get 100,000 points after spending $15,000 in the first three months. BestCashCow values these points as high as 2.05 cents each, making the value of this bonus $2,050. $95 annual fee. Max.Value: $2,050 as we value Chase points as high as 2.05 cents per point on some redemption opportunities at United, Hyatt, British Airways or Singapore Airlines. |
The complete list of Chase transfer partners is here. Some of the more attractive transfer opportunities are:
Hyatt - 8,000 points gets a night at the Hyatt Regency Greenville, SC.
British Airways - 15,000 points can get a round trip ticket between London and Lisbon.
United - 140,000 points gets a RT business class ticket from JFK to Narita.
Singapore - 60,000 points gets a RT business class ticket from the mainland US to Hawaii (on United).
|
A fantastic welcome bonus and multiple spend categories make it easy for small business owners to accumulate Chase Ultimate rewards points that we think can easily be redeemed for more than 2 cents a point. |
|
IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card 
$99
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
Earn 165,000 IHG points after spending $3,000 within 3 months of account opening. (Was previously offered at 175,000). Max.Value: $990. We value IHG points at a maximum of 0.6 cents per point. |
Redeem at Intercontinental or Kimpton hotels where points are worth approximately 0.60 cents. |
|
|
Review: Jeff | May 18, 2023 I am a big fan of this IHG card. I also have the personal version that delivers a 140,000 point sign up bonus. The 3x point per spend is good. I know that a lot of the sites - including this one - favor Hyatt and I am also in Hyatt. But, there are great Intercontinentals that can be redeemed for fewer than 20k a night in places where I want to go with my family in Asia (Vietnam, Laos) and for fewer than 40K at places where I go in Europe for work (Madrid, Budapest). Plus, there are the Kimpton in London and New York (only a little more). I find this better than anything else in the travel space right now. |
|||
$99
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
Up to 150,000 United Mileage Plus points. Earn 75,000 United Mileage Plus points after spending $4,000 in your first three months of card membership, and an additional 75,000 points after spending an additional $15,000 in the first six months of card membership. Max.Value: Approximately $1,500. It is very difficult to value United points at more than 1.20 cents each due to the recent Coronavirus devaluations. |
Even after the pandemic 70,000 United miles can still be redeemed on any of its Star Alliance® partners for a one-way business class ticket from anywhere in the US to anywhere in Europe. Star Alliance® partners include Lufthansa, TAP Portugal, Austrian Air and SAS Airlines. |
The card includes 2 United Club passes upon enrollment and at each anniversary. It also includes a 25% discount on in-flight purchases, a $100 credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more, and a free first checked bag on United. No foreign transaction fees.
|
$550
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
Receive 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 within three months. $550 annual fee. The card includes Priority Pass membership, a $300 travel statement credit that renews on each card membership anniversary date, certain Lyft benefits, and a silly $10 monthly GoPuff statement credit. Max.Value: $1,230 as we value Chase points as high as 2.05 cents per point on some redemption opportunities at United, Hyatt, British Airways or Singapore Airlines. |
The more valuable redemptions of Chase points include:
Hyatt - 8,000 points gets a night at the Hyatt Regency Greenville, SC.
British Airways - 15,000 points gets a round trip ticket between Chicago and the East Coast (on AA).
United - 140,000 points gets a RT business class ticket from JFK to Narita.
Singapore - 60,000 points gets a RT business class ticket from the mainland US to Hawaii (on United).
|
Our favorite card for those who spend a lot on travel and dining who can benefit from 3x Sapphire points on spend in these categories. Also brings a great list of transfer partners. |
$395
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
Earn 75,000 points after spending $4,000 within 3 months of card opening. Max.Value: As high as $1275 when redeemed for business class travel on Singapore or Air France. |
Maximum value is probably through transfers to Singapore or Air France when the points are generally worth more than 1.70 cents each if redeemed for business class travel. You can also get value at the moment by redeeming Singapore points for coach travel on United between the mainland US and Hawaii. Redemption value through Capital One directly is only 1 per per point (which is still 2 cents per dollar in spend). |
Great for large sign up bonus, access to Priority Pass lounges (including restaurants) and Global Entry. |
|
Review: JeffY | Mar 21, 2023 The problem with Capital One is that they assume that their customers are idiots. And, maybe that makes sense if you watch the ads and go by the branches as it appears that most of them are. I got this card a couple of years ago. It was my first and only interaction with Capital One. They've stripped out all of the benefits, including most recently the Priority Pass restaurant privilege. The $300 annual travel credit never was like Chase's. You need to book a plane through Capital One's interface and in the current environment with cancellations and all, it is ill advised as it means hours on hold if you need change or rebook. Then, you are earning points that you can transfer to less desirable travel partners (no anchor US carrier) if you can (their system was "unavailable" without any recourse for 2 months at the end of 2022. Finally, if you need to call, you are dealing with people who are poorly trained in Tampa (I would rather interact with well trained people in the Philippines). Bottom line: This is a poor man's version (or less sophisticated man's) of Chase Sapphire Preferred, and no match for Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum. |
|||
$95
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
Up to 60,000 Hyatt points. Earn 30,000 Hyatt points after a $3,000 spend within 3 months, and earn an additional 30,000 by earning 2 extra points per dollar on up to $15,000 in spend over your first 6 months as a card member. Also, receive automatic Hyatt Discoverist status and 10 qualifying stays towards the next status just for being a card member. Each $5,000 spend in a calendar year earns 2 qualifying nights towards the next status and each $15,000 spend in an anniversary year earns and additional 1 night in a Hyatt category 1-4 hotel. $95 annual fee. Max.Value: $1,200 |
We value Hyatt points as high as 2.0 cents per point when redeemed at Park Hyatts in Paris or New York or at the Churchill in London. |
A great card for customers of Hyatt and those seeking to earn status and redeem value for their credit card spend at Hyatt. |
|
Review: JB | Feb 26, 2017 This is the best card here. Became my go-to card recently. I'll pay $75 all day for a free cat 4 night every day of the year. |
|||
$525
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
Earn 75,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months (if you have not received a bonus for a personal United card in the last 24 months). $525 annual fee. Max.Value: A little over $1,000 if you value United points around 1.3 cents each. |
At the moment, maximum value of United points is through booking awards on TAP Portugal, Swiss, Lufthansa, Austrian or SAS where you can still find flights to Europe as low as 33,000 in coach and 66,000 in business class. |
|
|
The Platinum Card® from American Express 
$690
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 within 3 months (Targeted offers may offer more Membership Rewards points). The Welcome Offer is not available if you have ever had the exact same product before (if you have had the card before, consider the Business version, the Morgan Stanley version or the Mercedes Benz version.) $695 annual fee. Max.Value: $1,950, as we value Amex points as high as 1.95 cents each when redeemed through Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program (other opportunities are are significantly less valuable). |
All prior promotions associated with this card prior to 2020 and in 2020 have been removed. The card now offers a $300 annual Equinox credit, a $100 annual Saks credit, a $200 Uber credit, a $240 digital entertainment credit, a $179 Clear credit, and a $200 credit for Fine Hotels and Resorts if booked through Amex Travel. Additionally, if you spend over $75,000 a year, you may bring up to two guests into Amex Centurion lounges. $695 annually. |
A great card for those who already happen to use Equinox, Uber and Clear and who book Fine Hotels and Resorts through Amex Travel. |
|
British Airways Visa Signature Card 
$95
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
Receive 100,000 British Airways Avios points after spending $5,000 within 3 months. If you spend a total of $30,000 in a calendar year, you will receive a "Travel Together voucher" valid for 2 years which can be redeemed for a companion ticket in the same class of service as a fully fare round-trip ticket on British Airways. Similar versions of this card are also offered by BA's partners Aer Lingus and Iberia and points can be freely transferred between the three. $95 annual fee. Max.Value: $2,000 (We value British Airways points as high as 2.0 cents each). |
There are redemption opportunities as low as 15,000 British Airways Avios for a round trip coach ticket between Chicago and the East Coast (on American), between Hong Kong and most destinations in Southeast Asia (on Cathay Pacific), or between London and Madrid (on Iberia). Note that redemptions directly on British Airways are often subject to excessive fees. |
A solid card for those who can spend $30,000 on the card in a year in order to get the "Travel Together Voucher". Also, a good card for those who can redeem BA miles on short haul flights through British Airways' partners. |
|
United Mileage Plus Explorer Card 
$0
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
Earn 60,000 United Mileage Plus points after spending $3,000 within your first three months of card membership, plus an additional 10,000 points if you spend $6,000 total win your first six months. Since the pandemic began, United has been davaluing its progam and we cannot value United miles any greater than 1.20 cents now. Therefore, we value this Welcome Bonus around $720. No annual fee for the first year, $95 thereafter. Max.Value: About $700 as United miles are currently worth about 1 penny a piece if you are redeeming on United. |
Maximum value with the Mileage Plus program is currently achieved through redemptions in business class on its northern European partners (Luthansa, Austrian and SAS) where one-way fares in 2021 are still as low as 70,000 points. |
|
|
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card 
$95
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
Earn 125,000 Hilton points after spending $2,000 within your first three months. $95 annual fee. (The Hilton Honors American Express card, a separate card, offers 75,000 points after spending $1,000 within your first three months and has no annual fee). Max.Value: $95 |
Most Conrad hotels are 95,000 points a night. |
A solid card for those who plan to stay at Hilton hotels where the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card delivers 12 Hilton points per $1 spend. |
|
Review: Raj | Dec 22, 2016 Had no problem using the 2 free nights at the Conrad in NY and that made it worthwhile and then I cancelled. |
|||
|
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card 
$95
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
100,000 Marriott points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months of receiving the card. We value each Marriott point as high as 0.90 cents ordinarily. $95 annual fee. Max.Value: $675 |
Until recently, some redemptions as high as 3 cents a point had been found at the Westin Snowmass Resort in Colorado and at the Wailea Beach Resort in Hawaii, but following 2020 reset it will be difficult to get 9/10 cent a point in value for most redemptions. |
A great card for those who stay at Marriott hotels, and who want to take advantage of their higher end hotel properties (St. Regis, Ritz Carlton, Luxury Collection, Edition, Autograph). Receive automatic silver status and 15 nights credit towards gold status each year. No foreign transaction fees. |
$95
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
Earn 80,000 points after you spend $4,000 within three months of opening the card. $95 fee. Max.Value: $1560 (We value ThankYou points as high as 1.95 cents each when redeemed on Singapore, though substantially less valuable elsewhere.) |
The Premier Card is a "lite" $95 version of the $495 Citi ThankYou Prestige card (now discontinued). It has the same sign-up bonus, but lacks the point earning capabilities or the benefits of the more expensive Prestige card. It delivers 3x on restaurants and gas stations and 2x on travel and entertainment. |
A solid card for those who find value in the Singapore KrisFlyer program or JetBlue's program or Air France's, as those are the best of Citi's transfer partners. |
|
Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® 
$89
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
Earn 70,000 Air France Flying Blue Miles when you spend $2,000 on the card within the first 90 days o f account opening. Max.Value: We value these miles as highly as 1.50 cents each, given the bonus a $1050 value. |
Flying Air France in business class to Europe for as few as 55,000 miles each way with a free unlimited stopovers in Paris. |
|
$250
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
100,000 United Mileage Plus points. Earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 within your first 3 months and an additional 20,000 points if you spend an additional $5,000 with your first 6 months. $250 annual fee. Max.Value: Not much more than $1,000 as United points aren't worth much more than 1 penny a piece. |
||
|
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Card 
$0, $95 thereafter
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
Earn 50,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 within 3 months of account opening, or 100,000 bonus miles if you spend $20,000 within 12 months of account opening. $95 annual fee. Max.Value: $500 |
Redeem miles at 1 cent each on any major airline. |
|
|
Review: Welsey | Aug 13, 2019 This is a shit card from a shit company. Stick with Chase, American Express, Citibank and Barclays. Those companies may annoy you by sending you transfer checks. They won't compromise your personal identity, harass you to get you to take out all sorts of loans or provide you with lousy service. All for what? 50,000 worthless points. |
|||
|
Citi American Airlines® Advantage Platinum Select World Mastercard® 
$0, $99 thereafter
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
50,000 points after spending $2,500 within 3 months. $99 annual fee, waived the first year. Max.Value: $900 |
A great card for those who fly American Airlines or who seek to redeem points on American Airlines. |
|
|
Barclays Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® 
$95
First Year Fee |
Bonus:
60,000 American AAdvantage Points after making your first purchase within 90 days of receiving the card. $95 annual fee. Max.Value: $1,140 if you are willing to American Advantage points as high as 1.90 cents each. |
A great card for those who fly American Airlines or who seek to redeem points on American, or those seeking a faster path towards status on American. |
|
|
Review: joshua kramer | May 16, 2023 Barclays is a terrible issuer, but this card - in both the personal and business versions - can be flipped until the cows come home. Great way to rack up scores and scores of American Airlines miles. |
|||
2. Go with travel rewards to get the most return for your dollars spent. Plus, it's more fun to have your spend go towards your next Hawaii trip than towards offsetting part of the next cable bill.
The industry standard is basically that a dollar spent on a credit card is worth as much a penny in remuneration to the consumer. Most cash back programs are geared to this number. Gift card programs through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards or Amex’s Membership Rewards will also give you back over 1%. You may from time to time find a 2% or even a 3% welcome offer, but you are simply never going to get more than about a 1.5% on average.
Leading hotel rewards points and airline frequent flier points can easily be redeemed for 3 or 4 cents per dollar spent. Using points to stay at luxury hotels or to fly, or upgrade to business or first class on long haul flights often results in value of as much as 8 or 9 cents per dollar spent! Hotel and airline points are therefore always your best bet.
3. Having the right cards with large lump sum welcome offers is the easiest way to jumpstart a point earning strategy
Many people get more travel and reward points from credit card usage than they do from actually traveling, and many of those get most points through welcome offers.
4. Not all travel and reward programs are equal
Before you earn points with a program, you need to examine whether the program is generous and whether it works for you. These programs are very different, even within a certain segment. For example, among hotels, Hyatt’s program is strong. Even after a 2014 devaluation, 30,000 points will give you a free night in Park Hyatts in Milan, Paris, Tokyo, Sydney or Zurich where a room could easily run you over $1,000 a night. Other programs such as the Hilton, the Marriott or the IHG programs offer significantly less value.
Within the airline category, British Airways has turned their Avios program into a great vehicle for short haul redemptions on American or on other OneWorld partner airlines. Delta, on the other hand, has turned both their airline and their SkyMiles program into one where even the most loyal traveler only sees value in Business Class inter-continental redemptions.
5. Hotel and Airline points should be used, not accumulated
People frequently make the mistake of hoarding points instead of using them. Hotel and airline programs can be devalued in multiple ways – by changing the number of points required for a reward, changing categories, changing partners, and of course by causing your points to expire. The terms of the program are very clear: the fine print always explains that the issuer can change or even withdraw the program at any time. And, as it becomes easier to earn points, virtually every major airline or hotel chain is tweaking, or even dramatically changing their programs each year.
6. Do Not Be Afraid to Open the Cards You Need
The major banks really want and are competing for your credit card business. Chase lets you reapply for a new card in each category every 24 months and get a new welcome offer, but you cannot have opened more than five other credit cards over that period. Citibank lets you open a new card do it so long as you haven’t held the exact same product for 24 months. Amex has a once in a lifetime rule, which allows you to take advantage of each welcome offer only once. As this article points out, when opening cards you also need to be careful not to damage your credit utilization ratio.
Use BestCashCow's Credit Card Maximizer to see the cards that may be most valuable for you based on your spending patterns.
