Travel 15 credit cards currently offering sign-up bonuses of 100,000 points or more

18:21 24 november 2021

18:21 24 november 2021 Source: thepointsguy.com

Best credit cards for groceries in 2021

There are some great credit cards that earn extra rewards when you use them at the supermarket, so if you cook at home on a regular basis, it's important to make sure you have the best credit card in your wallet when you're shopping for groceries.Groceries are a significant part of the monthly budget for most American households, which means you want to earn as much cash back or travel points on your supermarket purchases as you can. Fortunately, not only are there a number of great credit cards for grocery shopping, but some cards even feature limited-time bonuses on groceries.

MSN has partnered with The Points Guy for our coverage of credit card products. MSN and The Points Guy may receive a commission from card issuers.

Please note: the offers mentioned below are subject to change at any time and may not be available. Clicking on a link may take you to an updated offer for that card.

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new card offers and information.

Credit card welcome offers and sign-up bonuses are the fastest way to increase your points and miles stash. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of seeing a massive bonus post to your loyalty account.

The best Citi credit cards of 2021

Whether your goal is to earn rewards for that next big trip, put some cash back in your pocket or help yourself get out of debt, there's likely a credit card for your specific needs within Citi's card portfolio.If you're in the market for a new credit card, Citibank — or Citi for short — offers a number of enticing options, especially for those looking for a card with a low or even no annual fee. Whether your goal is to earn rewards for that next big trip, put some cash back in your pocket or help yourself get out of debt, there's likely a card for your specific needs within Citi's card portfolio.

From there, you can start dreaming about how you can explore the world with your travel rewards. If you’ve been thinking about adding a new card to your wallet, it’s a good time to act. Some of the best travel rewards cards on the market are offering bonuses of at least 100,000 points or miles — and in some cases, even more.

Let’s walk through some of the top cards offering bonuses of 100,000 points or more.

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In This Post

Methodology

All cards listed below have a welcome offer of 100,000 points or more. However, not all points are worth the same amount. That’s why TPG has designated valuations, updated monthly, for each loyalty currency. For instance, 1 Marriott Bonvoy point doesn’t have the same value as 1 Hilton Honors point.

The 10 Best Rewards Credit Cards Available Now

If you're going to be spending money, you may as well be getting rewarded for it -- and for many consumers, these rewards are a major motivator to swipe. A recent GOBankingRate survey found that the No. 1 reason people use credit cards is for the rewards and perks. And with the right credit cards, these rewards can really add up. © PeopleImages / Getty Images bestrewardscards GOBankingRates found the Best Rewards Credit Cards of 2021 by analyzing rewards cards across a number of factors: annual fees, purchase APR, promotional APR, sign-up bonuses, and rewards and features.

Therefore, the “total bonus value” is the bonus points multiplied by our current TPG valuation of what the currency is worth to us. Additionally, any welcome offer/sign-up bonus statement credits will also be calculated within this bonus value column.

Here’s a rundown of 15 offers worth 100,000 points or more, including which ones should top your list and why.

Cards offering welcome bonuses of 100,000 points or more

Card	Annual fee	Welcome offer	Welcome offer value*	Notable perks
The Platinum Card® from American Express	$695 (see rates & fees)	100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Plus, earn 10x points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide and when you “Shop Small” in the U.S. (capped at $25,000 in combined purchases) during your first six months of card membership.	$2,000	Up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Amex Platinum Comprehensive airport lounge access, including Centurion Lounges Annual airline-fee statement credit of up to $200 on a U.S. carrier you designate Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash Up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with your card at participating digital entertainment providers (up to $240 annually) Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit (up to $100) every 4 to 4 1/2 years Up to $179 back via statement credit per calendar year on your Clear membership (expedited security) Enrollment required for select benefits; terms apply
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	$395	100,000 miles after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first six months The 10 Best Cash-Back Credit Cards Available Now Earn money back on all of your purchases.GOBankingRates identified the Best Cash-Back Credit Cards of 2021 by analyzing the following factors: annual fees, APR for purchases, promotional APR, sign-up bonuses, and rewards and features. Find out which cards made the cut. For a limited time, cardholders can also get up to $200 in statement credits for vacation rental purchases like Airbnb and Vrbo charged to their account within the first year	$2,050 including the vacation rental credit.	Up to $300 back in statement credit annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, starting on their first anniversary Access to Capital One and Priority Pass airport lounges Application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
United Club Infinite Card	$525	100,000 United MileagePlus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.	$1,300	United Club membership 2 free checked bags for the primary cardholder and one traveling companion Premier Access (which includes priority access for check-in, security screening where available, boarding and baggage handling) 25% back on United inflight purchases Expanded award availability
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card	$95	3 Free Night Awards worth up to 50,000 points each after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months	$1,200 (based on redeeming all three Free Night Awards at maximum value)	Annual Free Night Award worth up to 35,000 points 15 elite night credits each calendar year
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card	$69	Earn up to 100,000 bonus points: 50,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, and 50,000 additional points after you spend $12,000 total on purchases within the first 12 months of account opening	$1,500	2 EarlyBird check-ins every card anniversary Annual 3,000 bonus points on your account anniversary
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card	$99	Earn up to 100,000 bonus points: 50,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, and 50,000 additional points after you spend $12,000 total on purchases within the first 12 months of account opening	$1,500	2 EarlyBird check-ins every card anniversary Annual 6,000 bonus points on your account anniversary Earn 1,500 tier-qualifying points for every $10,000 spent per calendar year
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card	$149	Earn up to 100,000 bonus points: 50,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, and 50,000 additional points after you spend $12,000 total on purchases within the first 12 months of account opening	$1,500	Annual 7,500 bonus points on your account anniversary Annual $75 Southwest travel credit Four upgraded boardings per year (A1-A15 boarding spots) Earn 1,500 tier-qualifying points for every $10,000 spent per calendar year
Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card	$95	Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.	$2,000	Earn 3x on the first $150,000 per account anniversary year (then 1x) on travel; shipping; internet, cable and phone purchases; and advertising purchases on social media and search engines Free employee cards Cellphone insurance Travel protections
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card	$450 (see rates & fees)	150,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Terms apply.	$900	Hilton Honors Diamond status Up to $250 in annual airline statement credit on a U.S. carrier you designate Up to $250 in annual Hilton Resort statement credit Up to $100 in property credit on eligible stays of two or more nights at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad hotels One free weekend night every cardmember year after renewal Enrollment required for select benefits; terms apply
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card	$95 (see rates & fees)	Earn up to 180,000 bonus points: 130,000 bonus Hilton points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card in the first three months of card membership, and an additional 50,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend a total of $10,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months. Best credit cards for excellent credit With a credit score that's considered excellent or exceptional, you can have your pick of the top rewards and travel credit card options, so it's vital that you compare card offerings and current promotions to find the right fit. Save money with these credit card offers for people with excellent credit.What is an excellent credit score?Before you hit the "apply" button on a credit card application, you should first find out if you really have excellent credit. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to check your credit score for free.	Up to $1,080	Hilton Honors Gold status 10 complimentary lounge visits each Priority Pass membership year once enrolled One complimentary weekend night after spending $15,000 in a calendar year Diamond status after spending $40,000 in a calendar year Enrollment required for select benefits; terms apply
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card	$95 (see rates & fees)	Earn up to 180,000 bonus points: 130,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card in the first three months of card membership, and an additional 50,000 bonus points after you spend a total of $10,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months.	Up to $1,080	Hilton Honors Gold status One complimentary weekend night after spending $15,000 in a calendar year (second free weekend night after spending $60,000 in a calendar year) Diamond status after spending $40,000 in a calendar year 10 complimentary lounge visits each Priority Pass membership year once enrolled Enrollment required for select benefits; terms apply
IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card	$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $89	Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.	$750	Automatic IHG Platinum elite status Fourth night free on award stays 20% discount on buying IHG points
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express	$595 ($695 if application is received on or after Jan. 13, 2022; see rates & fees)	120,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership.	$2,400	Up to $400 in annual statement credit on U.S. Dell purchases (up to $200 semiannually) 35% rebate on Pay with Points flight redemptions (up to 500,000 points per calendar year) Access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection Up to $360 in annual statement credit on all Indeed hiring and recruiting products and services $150 annual statement credit on select Adobe purchases Up to $120 in annual statement credits for purchases made directly from any U.S. wireless telephone provider (up to $10 per month) Up to $179 back via statement credit per calendar year on your Clear membership (expedited security) Enrollment required for select benefits; terms apply
British Airways Visa Signature Card	$95	100,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.	$1,500	Earn up to $600 in statement credits on reward flight booking taxes and fees paid for with the card Receive a “Travel Together Ticket” after spending $30,000 on purchases in a calendar year Receive 10% off British Airways flights booked through a dedicated portal
Iberia Visa Signature Card	$95	100,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.	$1,500	10% off Iberia flights booked through Iberia.com/Chase10 with your card Discount voucher of $1,000 to use toward two tickets on the same flight each year you spend $30,000

* Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer.

Get more from your credit card points with these 4 transfer bonuses

Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information. If you truly want to maximize your miles, periodic transfer bonuses can offer lucrative opportunities for fantastic points redemptions. Specifically, you can sometimes get up to 50% more value from your points by transferring them to a specific airline or hotel partner during one of …If you truly want to maximize your miles, periodic transfer bonuses can offer lucrative opportunities for fantastic points redemptions. Specifically, you can sometimes get up to 50% more value from your points by transferring them to a specific airline or hotel partner during one of these bonuses.

The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

a person swimming in a pool of water: (Photo by Isabelle Raphael for The Points Guy)

Welcome offer	Earning rate	Annual fee
100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months from card membership.	10 points per dollar on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S. (capped at $25,000 in combined purchases) during your first six months of card membership. 5 points per dollar for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.	$695 (see rates & fees)

The Amex Platinum now fields one of the best offers in the history of travel cards — 100,000 points after meeting minimum spending requirements.

As part of that offer, new cardmembers can also earn 10x points at restaurants worldwide and Shop Small establishments within the U.S., capped at $25,000 in combined purchases during the first six months of card membership. If you’re strategic and highly motivated, you could potentially earn 350,000 points in total.

If leveraged with transfer partners, TPG valuations peg Amex points’ value at 2 cents each, on average. You should have no trouble reaping $2,000 in value from the 100,000-point welcome bonus. But if you’re able to max out the 10x bonus categories, you could have a stash of Amex points valued at an astounding $7,000.

The ultimate guide to Citi ThankYou Rewards transfer partners

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Citi is a TPG advertising partner. Many Citi cardholders simply redeem their Citi ThankYou Rewards points for travel or gift cards. But if you have a premium Citi ThankYou card, you may be able to get greater value from your points. Specifically, you …Many Citi cardholders simply redeem their Citi ThankYou Rewards points for travel or gift cards. But if you have a premium Citi ThankYou card, you may be able to get greater value from your points. Specifically, you can maximize your Citi ThankYou Rewards points by transferring points to the program’s airline and hotel partners.

And remember, you can get much more value from your points if you take advantage of Amex Membership Rewards sweet spots. For example, 350,000 points could get you:

10 round-trip economy tickets from the East Coast to Hawaii.
Three round-trip first-class tickets to Japan.
14 round-trip economy tickets to anywhere in the continental U.S.

And the welcome bonus is just the beginning. This card offers potentially $1,800-plus in statement credits each year. That could offset the card’s $695 annual fee more than twofold. The fee certainly looks formidable, but simply do the math to see if the card will save you money each year.

Read our full Amex Platinum review to learn about this card’s incomparable benefits.

Official application link: The Platinum Card® from American Express with 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

(Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)

Welcome offer

Earning rates

Annual fee

100,000 miles after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first six months.

For a limited time, cardholders can also get up to $200 in statement credits for vacation rental purchases like Airbnb and Vrbo charged to their account within the first year.

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10 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked via Capital One Travel.
5 miles per dollar on flights booked via Capital One Travel.
2 miles per dollar on everything else.

$395

Capital One launched its first-ever premium rewards card in November, and it is one of the most exciting new travel credit cards to come around in a long time, thanks to great earning rates and incredible perks.

Not only is it currently offering an incredible welcome bonus of 100,000 miles after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first six months, worth $1,850 according to our valuations thanks to Capital One’s excellent airline and hotel transfer partners, but for a limited time, cardholders can also get up to $200 in statement credits for vacation rental purchases like Airbnb and Vrbo charged to their account within the first year.

The card gives members up to $300 back in statement credit annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, starting on their first anniversary (worth $100 toward travel, or $185 by our valuations).

As for earning rates, the Venture X racks up 10 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked via Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked via Capital One Travel and an unlimited 2 miles per dollar on everything else. Frequent travelers should also enjoy taking advantage of access to Capital One’s growing network of airport lounges, as well as the ability to enroll for Priority Pass membership for entry into more than 1,300 lounge locations worldwide.

Related: The 8 most pressing questions about the new Capital One Venture X card

Official application link: Capital One Venture X with 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening and up to $200 in statement credits for vacation rental purchases (e.g., Airbnb and Vrbo) in the first cardholder year.

United Club Infinite Card

Welcome offer	Earning rates	Annual fee
100,000 United MileagePlus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months.	4 miles per dollar on United purchases. 2 miles per dollar on all other travel and dining purchases. 1 mile per dollar on other purchases.	$525

If you’re even an occasional United flyer, you can get tremendous value from the airline’s most premium personal card. That’s because its main perk is United Club membership, which otherwise costs up to $650 per year, so you and two guests can access United Clubs and select Star Alliance lounges when flying United and its partners.

Cardholders can supercharge their earnings on United purchases with a whopping 4 miles per dollar. They also enjoy elite-like benefits when flying the airline, including two free checked bags (for the primary cardholder and one traveling companion on the same reservation paid for with the card), Premier Access (which includes priority access for check-in, security screening where available, boarding and baggage handling), 25% back on United inflight purchases, expanded award availability and more.

This card also includes comprehensive travel and purchase protections, including trip interruption and cancellation coverage, trip delay protection, baggage delay insurance and more.

Read our review of the United Club Infinite Card.

Official application link: United Club Infinite Card with 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

Welcome offer	Earning rates	Annual fee
3 Free Night Awards worth up to 50,000 points each after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months.	6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. 2 points per dollar on other eligible purchases.	$95

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless comes with a welcome bonus effectively worth up to 175,000 points: 125,000 bonus points plus one free night (valued at up to 50,000 points) after you spend $5,000 in the first three months from account opening (for a total value of up to 175,000 bonus points).

Depending on your travel style, you may love this opportunity or simply wait to see if the card will revert to merely offering bonus points. Most of us in the points and miles hobby prefer Marriott points over free night certificates, though it depends on your travel goals. Generally, points have more flexibility — you might be able to stretch them over many nights by staying at lower-category hotels, or you could blow them on a weekend in an overwater bungalow. But three free night awards worth up to 50,000 points apiece is still pretty significant.

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless also gives cardholders an annual free night certificate valid at hotels that cost up to 35,000 points per night, so you can easily recoup the $95 annual fee each year. This mid-tier hotel credit card includes Silver Elite status, too, which confers perks such as a 10% points bonus, late checkout, and free Wi-Fi.

Read our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card.

Official application link: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card with 3 Free Night Awards after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Welcome offer	Earning rates	Annual fee
Earn up to 100,000 bonus points: 50,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening 50,000 additional points after you spend $12,000 total on purchases within the first 12 months of account opening	2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting purchases, including ride-hailing services. 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming service purchases. 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and those made with Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners. 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.	$69

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card is the lowest-tier Southwest card on the market. With a modest $69 annual fee, its bonus categories are dull and you’ll receive very few worthwhile ongoing perks.

However, there are two benefits that effectively offset the entire annual fee if you fly Southwest even a couple of times per year:

Annual 3,000 bonus points on your account anniversary (worth $45).
2 EarlyBird check-ins every card anniversary (worth at least $30).

The card’s ability to offer $75 in value each year means it’s worth the annual fee for Southwest flyers. The fact that it also offers an absurd bonus of up to 100,000 points after meeting tiered spending requirements is just an unexpected extra. It’s a great way to fast-track yourself toward the Southwest Companion Pass (read our post on how to time the Companion Pass to ensure you get the full value from it).

Read our full Southwest Plus credit card review to learn all about the card.

Official application link: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card with 100,000 bonus points

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card

diagram: (Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)

Welcome offer	Earning rates	Annual fee
Earn up to 100,000 bonus points: 50,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening 50,000 additional points after you spend $12,000 total on purchases within the first 12 months of account opening	3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases. 2 points per dollar on purchases made with Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners. 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including ride-hailing apps. 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming services. 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.	$99

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card comes with a $99 annual fee. Similar to its less premium Southwest sibling above, the card offers bonus points and EarlyBird check-ins after each account anniversary:

Annual 6,000 bonus points on your account anniversary (worth $90).
2 EarlyBird check-ins every card anniversary (worth at least $30).

This card’s annual fee is even easier to justify for Southwest flyers, as you’ll receive $120 in value each year.

However, the card also offers the ability to earn Southwest elite status purely through credit card spending. You’ll earn 1,500 tier-qualifying points for every $10,000 spent per calendar year. Not useful for everyone, but a neat benefit that gives you the option to earn elite status without ever stepping on a plane. For 2022 and beyond (unless Southwest announces a change), the elite status requirements are:

A-List: 35,000 TQPs or 25 flights.
A-List Preferred: 70,000 TQPs or 50 flights.

It also comes with a sizable introductory offer of up to 100,000 Southwest points after meeting tiered spending requirements. Again, it’s a boon for earning the Southwest Companion Pass — and now’s the perfect time to start your earning. Read our Southwest Premier credit card review for more info.

Official application link: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card with 100,000 bonus points

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

Welcome offer	Earning rates	Annual fee
Earn up to 100,000 bonus points: 50,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening 50,000 additional points after you spend $12,000 total on purchases within the first 12 months of account opening	3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases. 2 points per dollar on purchases made with Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners. 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including ride-hailing apps. 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming. 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.	$149

The most premium Southwest personal credit card — and the no-brainer decision for many Southwest travelers — is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card. Here are its notable attributes, all of which go a long way toward offsetting the card’s $149 annual fee:

Annual 7,500 bonus points on your account anniversary (worth $112.50).
Annual $75 Southwest travel credit.
Four upgraded boardings per year (A1-A15 boarding spots). These cost at least $30 each, giving you a value of $120-plus per year.

A $307-plus bounty for $149 is a great deal — but only if you fly Southwest a handful of times each year.

The card also offers up to 100,000 bonus points after meeting tiered spending requirements (great for Southwest Companion Pass-seekers). Read our Southwest Priority review to see why this is the best personal Southwest card on the market.

Official application link: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card with 100,000 bonus points

Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Welcome offer	Earning rates	Annual fee
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.	3 points per dollar on travel; shipping purchases; internet, cable and phone services; and advertising on social media sites and search engines (on the first $150,000 spent in combined bonus category spending each cardmember year, then 1 per dollar). 1 point per dollar on other purchases.	$95

TPG values Chase points at 2 cents each, making the bonus alone worth $2,000 when you take advantage of Chase’s excellent collection of airline and hotel transfer partners.

Of course, you can also redeem points through the Chase travel portal for 1.25 cents each, which gives you a minimum bonus value of $1,250. That isn’t even including the points you’ll rack up by hitting the spending requirement. Depending on which categories you spend in, you could earn anywhere from 15,000 to 45,000 additional points, giving you $300 to $900 more in value.

The current elevated sign-up bonus isn’t the only thing to love about this card. It’s simply a great all-around option for small-business owners thanks to its bonus spending categories and cellphone protection, primary rental car coverage (when renting for business purposes), and other travel and purchase protections. You can also add employee cards to your account for free.

Read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.

Official application link: Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card with 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of account opening.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

a hand holding a cellphone: (Photo courtesy of American Express)

Welcome offer	Earning rates	Annual fee
Earn 150,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. Terms apply.	14 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Hilton hotels. 7 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and at U.S. restaurants. 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.	$450 (see rates & fees)

The Aspire is a value-packed premium card with a hefty $450 annual fee to match. But in exchange, you’ll automatically receive top-tier Hilton Diamond status and one free weekend night when you open your card and another every year when you renew.

Cardmembers can register for full Priority Pass membership for access with up to two guests to over 1,300 airport lounges around the world. They receive several annual statement credits to offset the high fee. These include up to $250 in annual airline fee credits, up to $250 in Hilton resort credits at participating hotels, and up to $100 in property credits on eligible stays of two nights or more at Conrad and Waldorf Astoria hotels.

When you add up all these benefits, the Aspire becomes one of the most compelling premium credit cards on the market. So much so that if you’re starting from scratch, this credit card alone might be reason enough to stay loyal to Hilton. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Read our full review of the Hilton Honors Aspire Card.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass and Hilton Honors American Express Business cards

Welcome offer

Earning rate

Annual fee

Both cards offer up to 180,000 bonus points:

130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
50,000 additional bonus points after you spend a total of $10,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening.

Surpass: 12 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio; 6 per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations; 3 per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Business: 12 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio; 6 per dollar at U.S. gas stations, wireless phone services purchased from U.S. providers, U.S. shipping purchases, U.S. restaurants, flights booked directly or through the Amex portal and car rentals booked directly through select car rental companies; 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

$95

(see Surpass rates & fees)

(see Hilton Business rates & fees)

If the Hilton Aspire’s $450 annual fee sounds a little too rich for you, you can instead consider one of Hilton’s two mid-tier credit cards: the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, both of which charge significantly lower $95 annual fees. When it comes to features, these two cards are similar to one another, too.

Both will get you complimentary Hilton Gold status and the ability to upgrade to Diamond by spending $40,000 in a calendar year. Cardholders can earn a free weekend night certificate good at practically any Hilton property for spending $15,000 in a calendar year, and they receive 10 complimentary Priority Pass visits annually. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

The business card has one extra feature that can be useful for high-spenders — the ability to earn a second free weekend night with $60,000 in total spending on the card in a calendar year.

If you’re having trouble deciding upon the mid-tier Hilton cards or the premium Aspire card, check out our guide comparing them: Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Aspire: Which card is right for you?

Official application link: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card with 180,000 Hilton Honors bonus points — 130,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 on purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership, plus an additional 50,000 bonus points after you spend a total of $10,000 on purchases on the card in the first six months.

Official application link: Hilton Honors American Express Business Card with 180,000 Hilton Honors bonus points — 130,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 on purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership, plus an additional 50,000 bonus points after you spend a total of $10,000 on purchases on the card in the first six months.

IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card

Sign-up bonus	Earning rate	Annual fee
Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.	Up to 25 points per dollar total when you stay at an IHG hotel. 2 points per dollar at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants. 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.	$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $89

Right now, the IHG Premier is offering a sign-up bonus of 150,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Unfortunately, TPG only values IHG points at 0.5 cents each, meaning this bonus is only worth $750. While it’s not as valuable as others on this list, you could still get quite a few award nights out of it if you strategize.

Because the IHG Premier comes with Platinum elite status, you’ll get a 50% bonus on the base 10x points you get as an IHG Rewards Club member. The card also comes with several benefits, including an annual award night worth up to 40,000 points, a fourth night award, and a 20% discount when you buy points. Cardholders can also get up to $100 in statement credits toward a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee paid for with their card once every four years.

Read our full IHG Premier Card review.

Official application link: IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card with 150,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome offer	Earning rate	Annual fee
Earn 120,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership.	5 points per dollar when you purchase airfare and prepaid hotel rooms with American Express Travel (including Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts). 1.5 points per dollar on up to $2 million in eligible purchases in the U.S. per calendar year of electronics goods, retailers, software and cloud service providers; construction materials and hardware supplies; shipping providers; and purchases of $5,000 or more. 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.	$595 ($695 if the application is received on or after Jan. 13, 2022; see rates and fees)

The Amex Business Platinum Card has recently received a benefits refresh, which high-spending businesses will really appreciate. American Express has added three 1.5x bonus categories to help you earn rewards faster.

Add to this the over $1,000 in new statement credits annually, and the card is an easy decision for many businesses:

Up to $200 more in Dell statement credits for U.S. purchases per calendar year (now up to $400 total).
Up to $360 in annual statement credit on Indeed hiring and recruiting products and services.
Up to $150 in annual statement credit on select purchases from Adobe (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud, Acrobat Pro DC, etc.).
Up to $120 in annual statement credits for purchases made directly from U.S. wireless telephone providers (maximum of $10 per month).
Annual $179 statement credit for a Clear membership.

Enrollment is required for some benefits; terms apply.

Between a high minimum spending requirement and several business-focused perks, this card certainly won’t suit every small business, but it should be great for some. And beginning Jan 13, 2022, the card’s annual fee will jump to $695.

Read our full Amex Business Platinum review.

Official application link: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express with 120,000 points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership.

British Airways Visa Signature Card

graphical user interface: (Photo by The Points Guy)

Sign-up bonus	Earning rate	Annual fee
Earn 100,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.	5 Avios per dollar spent on British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia within the first 12 months of account opening, then 3 Avios per dollar. 3 Avios per dollar spent on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel within the first 12 months of account opening, then 2 Avios per dollar. 1 Avios per dollar on other purchases.	$95

The British Airways Visa Signature Card is the only cobranded card British Airways offers in the United States. It currently earns 5x Avios spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Level within your first 12 months of card opening, then 3x Avios. It accrues 3x Avios spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel within your first 12 months from account opening, and thereafter 2x Avios. All other eligible purchases earn 1x Avios.

Some of the associated perks of this card are statement credits toward award ticket taxes and fees ($100 per economy or premium economy ticket and $200 toward business or first class, up to three times per year), 10% off eligible British Airways flights booked through a dedicated cardholder portal, no foreign transaction fees, and a Travel Together companion ticket after spending $30,000 on purchases in a calendar year. This card also earns Visa Signature perks such as lost baggage protection, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, secondary car rental insurance and access to the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection.

This card can be an asset for those who often redeem Avios for British Airways flights since you can earn up to $600 back in statement credits each year.

Read the full British Airways Visa Signature Card review.

Official application link: British Airways Visa Signature Card with 100,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Iberia Visa Signature Card

a large passenger jet sitting on top of a tarmac: (Photo by Lori Zaino / The Points Guy)

Welcome offer	Earning rates	Annual fee
Earn 100,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.	5 Avios per dollar spent on Iberia, Aer Lingus and British Airways within the first 12 months of account opening; earn 3 Avios per dollar thereafter. 3 Avios per dollar spent on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel within the first 12 months of account opening; earn 2 Avios per dollar thereafter. 1 Avios per dollar on other purchases.	$95

It’s entirely possible that the 100,000-Avios offer could well serve you with the Iberia Visa Signature, even if you’ve never flown (or heard of) Iberia Airlines. Iberia is a Spain-based airline in the Oneworld alliance that operates flights worldwide, including to select gateway cities in the U.S.

Iberia has a close partnership with British Airways and Aer Lingus, two airlines that also use Avios as their award currency. Avios can be transferred from one program to another among these three, which is a nice perk if you have a preference for a particular program.

Of the three airlines and Avios programs, Iberia actually sometimes offers the best award possibilities. For example, you can book a one-way business-class ticket between New York (JFK) and Madrid (MAD) for just 34,000 Avios on off-peak dates. Getting a lie-flat seat to Europe for just 34,000 Avios plus taxes and fees is pretty outstanding.

a bunch of luggage sitting on top of a car: Iberia Airbus A350. (Photo by Christian Kramer/The Points Guy)

But just like with British Airways Avios, you can also use Iberia Avios to book flights operated by domestic U.S. partners, such as American Airlines and even Alaska Airlines (eventually), making them a very useful currency with multiple redemption options.

Also, note that the Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card offers a very similar sign-up offer of 100,000 Avios with the exact minimum spending requirements. You can transfer those points to Iberia.

Read our full review of the Iberia Visa Signature.

Official application link: Iberia Visa Signature Card with 100,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Bonus: Use the CardMatch tool to find even better offers

If you’re lucky, you might find yourself targeted for a welcome offer of up to 125,000 points on another card in the CardMatch tool (note that targeted offers are subject to change at any time).

The site takes some simple personal information like your name, address and part of your Social Security number and matches you with personalized card offers for which you might be eligible. These offers can be higher — sometimes much higher — than those available through other public channels.

Bottom line

The above offers are all very enticing, but remember that each issuer has its own set of application rules.

Make sure you’re always getting the top offer when you apply for a credit card because you might only get one shot at the bonus on that card. These cards offering 100,000-point bonuses (and more) could definitely be worth considering if you’re looking to boost your rewards balance in a specific airline, hotel or issuer loyalty program.

Additional reporting by Madison Blancaflor, Jordyn Fields, Joseph Hostetler and Eric Rosen.

Featured photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy.

For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of the Hilton Business Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.

For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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