Latest posts
- Chase Offers: Card-linked offers on Chase cardsUpdate April 28, 2024: Today, I found several interesting Chase offers on my cards, including Abt… Read More »Chase Offers: Card-linked offers on Chase cards
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Three welcome bonuses to choose from: $200 after $500 or extra 1.5% on $2k online, plus in-branch 5% gas and grocery offerThe 5% gas and grocery welcome offer lives on! Recently, I confirmed that the 5% gas… Read More »Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Three welcome bonuses to choose from: $200 after $500 or extra 1.5% on $2k online, plus in-branch 5% gas and grocery offer
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card welcome bonuses: 60k online offer, new 85k in-branch offerThe Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card currently offers a 60,000 point new cardmember welcome offer online and… Read More »Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card welcome bonuses: 60k online offer, new 85k in-branch offer
- Amex Business Platinum Card® welcome offers: New 150k offer. Targeted 200k, 300k offers.Today, American Express updated the standard welcome offer on The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.… Read More »Amex Business Platinum Card® welcome offers: New 150k offer. Targeted 200k, 300k offers.
- The best Chase Ultimate Rewards® welcome bonuses: Large bonuses on Ink cards.Chase is currently offering its best-ever bonus on the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and it… Read More »The best Chase Ultimate Rewards® welcome bonuses: Large bonuses on Ink cards.
- Ink Business Unlimited® welcome offer: $750 easy cash back as Ultimate Rewards® pointsWhen you get a new Chase Ink Business Unlimited® credit card, you can earn $750 in… Read More »Ink Business Unlimited® welcome offer: $750 easy cash back as Ultimate Rewards® points
- Even better Chase Ink Business Cash® welcome offer: Up to $750 cash back, new tiered bonus, 10% relationship bonusThe Chase Ink Business Cash® welcome bonus is now even easier to earn. Earlier this year,… Read More »Even better Chase Ink Business Cash® welcome offer: Up to $750 cash back, new tiered bonus, 10% relationship bonus
- The best credit cards for groceries: Up to 6% cash back on groceries year-roundThe best credit cards for groceries can give you up to 6% cash back year-round. Here… Read More »The best credit cards for groceries: Up to 6% cash back on groceries year-round
- Delta Stays Credit: How it works and how to use it.Most Delta credit cards offer a Delta Stays credit, an annual statement credit for booking hotel… Read More »Delta Stays Credit: How it works and how to use it.
Featured articles
The best cash back welcome bonuses – The biggest bonuses if you’re interested in earning cash back.
Easy cash back welcome bonuses – Welcome bonuses that earn $200 or more for $1,000 of spending or less.
Bank rewards program welcome bonuses
Chase Ultimate Rewards welcome bonuses
Citi ThankYou Points welcome bonuses
Airline miles credit card welcome bonuses
Alaska Airlines welcome bonuses
American Airlines welcome bonuses
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles welcome bonuses
Southwest Airlines welcome bonuses
United Airlines welcome bonuses
Hotel point credit card welcome bonuses
Hilton Honors welcome bonuses
Hyatt welcome bonuses
Marriott Bonvoy welcome bonuses
Every welcome bonus – Searchable database of every welcome bonus we track
(scroll down for more of our latest posts)
I’m Aaron Hurd, one of the foremost experts in credit cards, travel rewards, and loyalty programs. You might have seen one of the hundreds of articles I’ve written for places The Wall Street Journal, Time, Forbes, Nerdwallet, The Points Guy, Bankrate, Rolling Stone, and countless other publications. Or you may have run into me or seen me speak at an event like the Chicago Seminars, New York Times Travel Show, Fincon or Frequent Traveler University. Regardless of how you came to this site or where you are on your credit journey, welcome. 🙂
I launched this site because I saw a need to provide better information about credit cards and travel rewards. My goal is to build the best resource on the internet for you, whether your objective is to build your credit, put more cash in your wallet, better use your credit card benefits, or take your family on vacation.
Our promise to you is simple: We keep you, the reader, at the top of our priority list. We show you how to use your credit card rewards and benefits in ways that are relevant to you. And we have a little fun doing it.
Latest posts
Here’s the latest stuff we’ve published on our blog.
- Chase Offers: Card-linked offers on Chase cardsUpdate April 28, 2024: Today, I found several interesting Chase offers on my cards, including Abt and Newegg, which will be particularly interesting for people who resell items. There’s also a SeatGeek offer that would be interesting to people who resell tickets. Card-linked offers can be a great way to get an extra cash back… Read More »Chase Offers: Card-linked offers on Chase cards
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Three welcome bonuses to choose from: $200 after $500 or extra 1.5% on $2k online, plus in-branch 5% gas and grocery offerThe 5% gas and grocery welcome offer lives on! Recently, I confirmed that the 5% gas and grocery offer on the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is still available, but it is now an in-branch exclusive welcome offer. Before you apply for a Chase Freedom Unlimited, be sure you’re getting the best new cardmember welcome bonus. Here… Read More »Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Three welcome bonuses to choose from: $200 after $500 or extra 1.5% on $2k online, plus in-branch 5% gas and grocery offer
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card welcome bonuses: 60k online offer, new 85k in-branch offerThe Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card currently offers a 60,000 point new cardmember welcome offer online and it’s been reported that you can earn up to 85,000 points in-branch through an exclusive offer that started April 28th. Here’s what you need to know about the current Chase Sapphire Preferred new cardmember bonuses. Online 60k Chase Sapphire… Read More »Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card welcome bonuses: 60k online offer, new 85k in-branch offer
- Amex Business Platinum Card® welcome offers: New 150k offer. Targeted 200k, 300k offers.Today, American Express updated the standard welcome offer on The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. The new public cardmember bonus is now 150,000 points after spending $20,000 on the card within 3 months. But you might be able to do better than that… when we were testing our new link, the Amex website showed… Read More »Amex Business Platinum Card® welcome offers: New 150k offer. Targeted 200k, 300k offers.
- The best Chase Ultimate Rewards® welcome bonuses: Large bonuses on Ink cards.Chase is currently offering its best-ever bonus on the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and it recently made the welcome bonus on the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card easier to earn. The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card also offers one of the largest welcome bonuses available on a card with no annual fee. Here are… Read More »The best Chase Ultimate Rewards® welcome bonuses: Large bonuses on Ink cards.
- Ink Business Unlimited® welcome offer: $750 easy cash back as Ultimate Rewards® pointsWhen you get a new Chase Ink Business Unlimited® credit card, you can earn $750 in cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases on the card within 3 months. This welcome offer is one of the best cash back welcome offers and one of the best Ultimate Rewards® welcome offers. Chase has offered greater welcome… Read More »Ink Business Unlimited® welcome offer: $750 easy cash back as Ultimate Rewards® points
- Even better Chase Ink Business Cash® welcome offer: Up to $750 cash back, new tiered bonus, 10% relationship bonusThe Chase Ink Business Cash® welcome bonus is now even easier to earn. Earlier this year, Chase made a change to the welcome bonus of the Ink Cash card. You’ll now earn $350 when you spend $3,000 within the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend a total of $6,000 within the… Read More »Even better Chase Ink Business Cash® welcome offer: Up to $750 cash back, new tiered bonus, 10% relationship bonus
- The best credit cards for groceries: Up to 6% cash back on groceries year-roundThe best credit cards for groceries can give you up to 6% cash back year-round. Here are the cards that can get you the most cash back on your grocery store purchases. Our top pick: Blue Cash Preferred® for 6% cash back on groceries For most people, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express… Read More »The best credit cards for groceries: Up to 6% cash back on groceries year-round
- Delta Stays Credit: How it works and how to use it.Most Delta credit cards offer a Delta Stays credit, an annual statement credit for booking hotel stays through Delta Stays, Delta’s hotel booking platform powered by Expedia. The statement credits range from $100 to $250, depending on your card. If you hold a Delta credit card and stay at a hotel a few times a… Read More »Delta Stays Credit: How it works and how to use it.
- Delta SkyMiles fare sale: Taipei round-trip from 166,600 miles!Delta is running a handful of unannounced SkyMiles flash sales on business class flights to Asia. Normally, SkyMiles pricing on business class tickets to Asia is astronomical—round trip flights typically cost 700,000-1,000,000 SkyMiles, depending on the destination. Currently, we’re seeing round-trip SkyMiles tickets to Asia for as low as 166,000 miles round-trip in Delta One… Read More »Delta SkyMiles fare sale: Taipei round-trip from 166,600 miles!
- The new Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Amex cards are made from a 747Today Delta and Amex launched a new design for the high-end Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. The new design features the 747 and is made from 33% recycled metal from a Boeing 747 aircraft. Delta and Amex used metal from two aircraft for this new… Read More »The new Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Amex cards are made from a 747
- Trip delay insurance: Your ticket to a hotel room when your flight cancelsTrip delay insurance, also known as trip delay reimbursement, or trip delay protection, is a credit card benefit that can cover the cost of a hotel, meals, and other expenses if your flight, train, or other common carrier transportation is delayed. Here’s what you need to know about credit card trip delay insurance. Best cards… Read More »Trip delay insurance: Your ticket to a hotel room when your flight cancels
- The best credit cards for drugstores: Up to 5% cash back on pharmacy purchasesThe best cards to use at standalone drugstores and Pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Duane Reade can earn you up to 5% cash back or 5x transferable points on your pharmacy purchases. Here are the cards that can get you the most rewards at standalone drugstores and pharmacies. The best drugstore and pharmacy rewards credit… Read More »The best credit cards for drugstores: Up to 5% cash back on pharmacy purchases
- Chase Freedom Flex℠ welcome bonus: $200 cash back after spending $500 + 5% gas and grocery offer in-branchYou can earn a $200 cash back welcome offer after spending $500 on a new Chase Freedom Flex℠ card within the first 3 months, but you can get an extra 5% gas and grocery offer if you apply in a Chase branch. The in-branch offer matches the best-ever new cardmember offer on this card. Here’s… Read More »Chase Freedom Flex℠ welcome bonus: $200 cash back after spending $500 + 5% gas and grocery offer in-branch
- New TD Double Up℠ card welcome bonus: $150 after $1,000 spent.When updating our list of the best 2% cash back cards, we noticed that the TD Double Up℠ Credit Card has a new welcome bonus and there doesn’t appear to be any language about this being a limited-time offer. That’s good news! The new bonus is $150 after $1,000 of spending within the first 3… Read More »New TD Double Up℠ card welcome bonus: $150 after $1,000 spent.
- The best 2% cash back credit cards: Maximum rewards everywhere elseA 2% cash back card can be a good choice to use “everywhere else” when you’re not earning rewards in a bonus category. While many 2% rewards cards are light on additional benefits, this might not matter if you’re paying bills or buying things like household consumables. Here are our top picks among the available… Read More »The best 2% cash back credit cards: Maximum rewards everywhere else
- How to track your progress toward a U.S. Bank welcome bonusIf you’ve recently gotten a new U.S. Bank credit card, you might be working on earning a credit card welcome bonus. Fortunately, U.S. Bank makes it easy to track your welcome bonus progress. Here’s how you can track the status of your U.S. Bank welcome bonus on the website or U.S. Bank mobile app. Tracking… Read More »How to track your progress toward a U.S. Bank welcome bonus
- All about Bank of America Preferred Rewards: Get up to 2.62% everywhere or 5.25% in categories.Bank of America Preferred Rewards is a relationship banking program that offers a variety of reward incentives, including increased credit card rewards, for increasing your banking relationship with Bank of America. If you hold $100,000 or more in assets with Bank of America and Merrill, you can get a 75% bonus on your credit card… Read More »All about Bank of America Preferred Rewards: Get up to 2.62% everywhere or 5.25% in categories.
- Best public Blue Cash Preferred® Card welcome bonus: $250 after $3,000 spent, $0 intro. annual fee (then $95).The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is one of my favorite cards to use for my grocery purchases thanks to the card’s generous rewards at U.S. supermarkets. Currently, the best public offer on the Blue Cash Preferred card is $250 cash back after you spend $3,000 on the card within 6 months. Plus,… Read More »Best public Blue Cash Preferred® Card welcome bonus: $250 after $3,000 spent, $0 intro. annual fee (then $95).
- Amex Offers: A free perk of Amex cards that gives you extra points and rebates savings on things you buy anyway.Amex Offers are the American Express variant of card-linked offers, similar to Citi Merchant Offers, BankAmeriDeals, and Chase Offers. These are deals that you can load to your card that offer cash back or additional points when you use your card to make purchases at select merchants. Amex Offers are available on all American Express… Read More »Amex Offers: A free perk of Amex cards that gives you extra points and rebates savings on things you buy anyway.
- Will a bank close cards you don’t use? Yes. Here’s what happens.If you don’t make at least an occasional purchase with your credit card, most banks will automatically close no-annual-fee cards after a certain period of inactivity. When a bank closes your account, your credit score might take a small hit and you’ll lose any rewards you’ve accrued. You probably don’t want this to happen. Here’s… Read More »Will a bank close cards you don’t use? Yes. Here’s what happens.
- Am I eligible for a new Chase Sapphire welcome bonus?The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® offer a welcome bonus. But if you’ve had either card before, you should know the Chase Sapphire welcome bonus rules. These rules determine if you can get a welcome bonus on a new Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve card. Here’s what you need to know. Even… Read More »Am I eligible for a new Chase Sapphire welcome bonus?
- Dynamic currency conversion: Paying in your home currency is ripoff for international travelersIf you’re traveling abroad and a merchant offers to process your credit card charge in U.S. dollars (or your home currency) you’re being offered a service called Dynamic Currency Conversion. Dynamic Currency Conversion (or DCC) seems like a good deal—knowing exactly how much you’ll be charged in your home currency is comforting, but the service… Read More »Dynamic currency conversion: Paying in your home currency is ripoff for international travelers
- Car rental insurance: These cards cover you with primary insurance in the U.S. on most rentalsRenting a car with a card that offers rental car insurance can protect you if your rental car is damaged or stolen. A credit card with primary insurance gives you an auto rental collision damage waiver benefit that kicks in before your personal auto insurance. When you rent using a card with primary insurance, you… Read More »Car rental insurance: These cards cover you with primary insurance in the U.S. on most rentals
- Minnebar 2024: Come see Aaron Hurd of Cards and Points liveIf you came to my session at the 2024 Minnebar, thank you! Scroll down for links referenced in my talk. Want to hear more from me once I launch the Cards and Points mailing list? Subscribe to Cards and Points for free and I’ll let you know when that happens! Minnebar is the largest running… Read More »Minnebar 2024: Come see Aaron Hurd of Cards and Points live
- The best credit cards for Amazon: 5% or more on Amazon.com purchasesIf Amazon is your go-to online retailer from everything from electronics to toilet paper, you want a card that gives you the most rewards on your Amazon purchases. You can get 5% or more rewards on every Amazon purchases when you use the right credit card. Here are the best cards to use at Amazon.… Read More »The best credit cards for Amazon: 5% or more on Amazon.com purchases
- Credit cards with a free hotel night: Get or earn a free hotel stay with these cardsMany hotel chains offer credit cards that will give you a free night just for holding the card. These cards can offer incredible value—if you’re able to cash your free night award for more value than the card’s annual fee, the additional perks of these cards are gravy. If you stay in hotels more than… Read More »Credit cards with a free hotel night: Get or earn a free hotel stay with these cards
- How long does it take for a payment to post?When you make an online payment to your credit card, many issuers will post your payment the same day. However, most issuers will not updated your available credit immediately. This depends on issuer and sometimes varies based on your history with the credit card issuer. Here are the payment posting and available credit release rules… Read More »How long does it take for a payment to post?
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card welcome offer: 50,000 points (worth $500), $0 annual fee first year.The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card offers 50,000 points, worth $500 toward cash back, travel, or other redemptions when you spend $2,000 in the first 120 days of having the card. The card currently has no annual fee in the first year ($95/year thereafter) but changes to a no annual fee card on… Read More »U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card welcome offer: 50,000 points (worth $500), $0 annual fee first year.
- Chicago Seminars: The must-attend miles and points conference. September 20-22, 2024.Once a year, a bunch of miles, points, and travel rewards nerds gather in Chicago to swap tips and tricks, learn about miles and points, and see their friends that they’ll usually see once a year. The Chicago Seminars is a unique gathering of the travel rewards community that I try to attend every year.… Read More »Chicago Seminars: The must-attend miles and points conference. September 20-22, 2024.
- Target Circle Week: 10% off Target gift cards on 4/13. Here’s how to maximize this discount.Update 4/12/24: Target is now showing more details on this offer in the app. The 10% off Target gift cards deal is limited to one purchase and $500. Target has announced its periodic 10% off Target gift cards promotion as part of Target Circle Week. If you are a Target shopper, this is great way… Read More »Target Circle Week: 10% off Target gift cards on 4/13. Here’s how to maximize this discount.
- Citi ThankYou® Rewards Guide: A great program for earning and transfer partnersThankYou® Rewards is Citi’s travel rewards program offered across several of the bank’s credit cards. The program offers point redemptions for cash back rewards, gift cards, and point transfers to travel partners and competes with other bank transferable rewards programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards. This article is our complete guide on… Read More »Citi ThankYou® Rewards Guide: A great program for earning and transfer partners
- Chase Trip Delay Reimbursement: Your ticket to a hotel room if you’re delayed overnightTrip delay reimbursement can cover the cost of a hotel room and other reasonable expenses if your travel that you book using the card is delayed. Chase Trip Delay Reimbursement is included as a card benefit on several of the bank’s premium travel cards and can provide you with a hotel room if you are… Read More »Chase Trip Delay Reimbursement: Your ticket to a hotel room if you’re delayed overnight
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: The highest cash back on groceries.Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express at a glance Here’s what you need to know about the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. Terms apply to all benefits. Rewards Benefits Other important terms Annual fee: $0 intro fee for the first year, then $95 Foreign transaction fee: 3% My take on the Blue… Read More »Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: The highest cash back on groceries.
- Hyatt credit card welcome bonuses: Up to 60k points on Hyatt personal credit card. 60k on Hyatt business card.Hyatt and Chase offer new cardmember welcome bonuses on the personal and business variants of The World of Hyatt credit card. Here are the best new cardmember welcome bonuses available on these cards. My take on the best Hyatt credit card welcome bonuses The recently-ended welcome bonus on the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card… Read More »Hyatt credit card welcome bonuses: Up to 60k points on Hyatt personal credit card. 60k on Hyatt business card.
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card: Great cash back rewards on dining and travel if you have Platinum HonorsBank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card at a glance Here’s what you need to know about the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card. Rewards Benefits Other important terms Annual fee: $95 Foreign transaction fee: None My take on the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card This card isn’t terribly exciting on its… Read More »Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card: Great cash back rewards on dining and travel if you have Platinum Honors
- What is your Guide to Benefits? Where you do find it?Your credit card likely offers a number of valuable benefits that can protect you when traveling and protect the things you buy. But what coverages do you have and when do they apply? You’ll find the answers in your card’s guide to benefits. Here’s what you need to know about your card’s guide to benefits.… Read More »What is your Guide to Benefits? Where you do find it?
- The best cash back credit card welcome bonuses: Up to $905 in net cash back for new cardmembersGetting a massive cash back reward for a new credit card can be a great incentive to shop for a better credit card. Here are the best cash back incentives for new credit cards that we have found. The best cash back new credit card bonuses Here are the best cash back rewards credit card… Read More »The best cash back credit card welcome bonuses: Up to $905 in net cash back for new cardmembers
Other resources
5% big box cards
Target Red Card – 5% discount at Target
Best cards for…
Find the best cards for spending at places like grocery stores, electronics stores, and more.
- Chase Offers: Card-linked offers on Chase cards
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Three welcome bonuses to choose from: $200 after $500 or extra 1.5% on $2k online, plus in-branch 5% gas and grocery offer
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card welcome bonuses: 60k online offer, new 85k in-branch offer
- Amex Business Platinum Card® welcome offers: New 150k offer. Targeted 200k, 300k offers.
- The best Chase Ultimate Rewards® welcome bonuses: Large bonuses on Ink cards.
Useful benefits
- Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare
- American Express Purchase Protection: 90 days of worry-free coverage
- American Express Trip Delay Insurance: Up to $500 of expenses reimbursed for travel delays.
- Amex Business Platinum Wireless Credit: $10 per month toward your mobile phone bill
- Amex extended warranty: The low-hassle credit card extended warranty
- Annual travel credits
- Auto rental collision damage waiver insurance
- Best cards for airport lounge access: Get into an airport lounge for free with these cards
- Capital One Venture X travel credit: $300 toward bookings with Capital One Travel
- Car rental insurance: These cards cover you with primary insurance in the U.S. on most rentals
- Cell phone protection: Pay your monthly bill with your card, get protected against damage and theft for free.
- Chase extended warranty benefits: An extra year of protection on many items you buy
- Chase roadside assistance benefits
- Chase Trip Delay Reimbursement: Your ticket to a hotel room if you’re delayed overnight
- Citi extended warranty: The best extended warranty available on a credit card
- Credit cards with a free hotel night: Get or earn a free hotel stay with these cards
- Delta free checked bag: How to get free checked bags with Delta
- Delta/Amex Resy Credit: Statement credit for dining with Resy restaurants
- Disney Bundle credits: How to get a 70% Disney+ discount using a no annual fee credit card
- How to find your Chase credit card benefits
- Purchase protection: Protection for your new purchases against damage and theft
- Return protection: A guarantee that you have up to 90 days to return purchases.
- Roadside assistance benefits
- The one card wallet
- Trip delay insurance: Your ticket to a hotel room when your flight cancels
- Valuing credit card benefits: How much YOU value them is all that matters.
- Walmart+ Credits: Get a free Walmart+ membership with these cards.
- Your monthly credit-card to-do list
Targeted offers
Some cards have opt-in offers that can save you money or earn you more cash back.
Amex Offers
Bank AmeriDeals
Chase Offers
Citi Merchant Offers
All about rewards
Overviews of rewards programs, plus the best welcome bonuses in each program
Bank program guides
Amex Membership Rewards
Capital One Miles
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Citi ThankYou Points