Latest posts
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: 1.5% rewards everywhere and a stellar welcome bonusInk Business Unlimited® Credit Card at a glance Here’s what you need to know about the… Read More »Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: 1.5% rewards everywhere and a stellar welcome bonus
- Hours left: Best ever limited-time Delta Air Lines credit card welcome bonuses ending tomorrow 3/27/24: Up to 110,000 SkyMiles.Update March 27, 2024: These best-ever limited-time bonuses on new Delta SkyMiles credit cards end today… Read More »Hours left: Best ever limited-time Delta Air Lines credit card welcome bonuses ending tomorrow 3/27/24: Up to 110,000 SkyMiles.
- Walmart+ Credits: Get a free Walmart+ membership with these cards.A handful of cards offer monthly statement credits that cover the full cost of a Walmart+… Read More »Walmart+ Credits: Get a free Walmart+ membership with these cards.
- My credit card strategy: What’s in my wallet?I write about credit cards and travel rewards for a living and many ask me which… Read More »My credit card strategy: What’s in my wallet?
- How to get a statement of delay/cancelation for your trip insuranceYou were delayed overnight on a trip, but instead of sleeping on the airport floor, you… Read More »How to get a statement of delay/cancelation for your trip insurance
- Do I need to carry a balance to get a good credit score? No. Here’s what to do instead.A common misconception about credit is that you need to take out a loan carry a… Read More »Do I need to carry a balance to get a good credit score? No. Here’s what to do instead.
- Best cards for airport lounge access: Get into an airport lounge for free with these cardsWhether you travel constantly or occasionally, having airport lounge access can be a valuable perk. Having… Read More »Best cards for airport lounge access: Get into an airport lounge for free with these cards
- American Airlines credit card welcome bonusesAmerican Airlines offers a suite of nine credit cards in partnership with Citi and Barclays. These… Read More »American Airlines credit card welcome bonuses
- Reminder: Activate rotating category cash back cards: Chase Freedom, Citi Dividend, Discover, U.S. Bank Cash+It is now possible to activate rotating categories on all of the major rotating category cards.… Read More »Reminder: Activate rotating category cash back cards: Chase Freedom, Citi Dividend, Discover, U.S. Bank Cash+
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.
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: 1.5% rewards everywhere and a stellar welcome bonusInk Business Unlimited® Credit Card at a glance Here’s what you need to know about the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card. Rewards Benefits Other important terms Annual fee: $0 Foreign transaction fee: 3% My take on the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card I love this card and it is my go-to card for most of… Read More »Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: 1.5% rewards everywhere and a stellar welcome bonus
- Hours left: Best ever limited-time Delta Air Lines credit card welcome bonuses ending tomorrow 3/27/24: Up to 110,000 SkyMiles.Update March 27, 2024: These best-ever limited-time bonuses on new Delta SkyMiles credit cards end today 3/27/24. If you’ve been looking to get one of these bonuses, you have hours left as of this posting. Most likely, the offers will revert to the lower business-as-usual offers on the same day. If you’re planning on getting… Read More »Hours left: Best ever limited-time Delta Air Lines credit card welcome bonuses ending tomorrow 3/27/24: Up to 110,000 SkyMiles.
- Walmart+ Credits: Get a free Walmart+ membership with these cards.A handful of cards offer monthly statement credits that cover the full cost of a Walmart+ membership. If you subscribe to Walmart+ (or are thinking of switching from Amazon Prime) the Walmart+ statement credits on these cards can go a long way to justifying these cards’ annual fees. Here are the cards that can get… Read More »Walmart+ Credits: Get a free Walmart+ membership with these cards.
- My credit card strategy: What’s in my wallet?I write about credit cards and travel rewards for a living and many ask me which credit cards I keep in my wallet. I don’t always carry all of my cards with me—that would be quite a few cards—and some cards provide value just by having the card, keeping it in my desk and never… Read More »My credit card strategy: What’s in my wallet?
- How to get a statement of delay/cancelation for your trip insuranceYou were delayed overnight on a trip, but instead of sleeping on the airport floor, you headed to a hotel because you booked your trip using a credit card with a trip delay reimbursement benefit. Now that your trip is over, you’ve submitted your claim for reimbursement and you are being asked for a statement… Read More »How to get a statement of delay/cancelation for your trip insurance
- Do I need to carry a balance to get a good credit score? No. Here’s what to do instead.A common misconception about credit is that you need to take out a loan carry a balance on your credit cards and pay interest to build your credit score. The truth is that you can build a strong credit score without ever paying a cent in interest or fees. When it comes to credit cards,… Read More »Do I need to carry a balance to get a good credit score? No. Here’s what to do instead.
- Best cards for airport lounge access: Get into an airport lounge for free with these cardsWhether you travel constantly or occasionally, having airport lounge access can be a valuable perk. Having access to a quieter space and complimentary food and beverages can pay off—especially if you are traveling with a family. Holding a credit card offering lounge access is usually the best way to get into your airport lounge. Here… Read More »Best cards for airport lounge access: Get into an airport lounge for free with these cards
- American Airlines credit card welcome bonusesAmerican Airlines offers a suite of nine credit cards in partnership with Citi and Barclays. These cards all offer cardmembers increased earnings on American Airlines purchases and Loyalty Points for those seeking elite status. The cards carrying an annual fee offer perks like a free checked bag, and the high-end Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World… Read More »American Airlines credit card welcome bonuses
- Reminder: Activate rotating category cash back cards: Chase Freedom, Citi Dividend, Discover, U.S. Bank Cash+It is now possible to activate rotating categories on all of the major rotating category cards. You can activate your rotating category rewards from the links in this post. If you hold a Chase Freedom Flex, Citi Dividend, Discover It Cash Back or U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature card, do this now and don’t miss… Read More »Reminder: Activate rotating category cash back cards: Chase Freedom, Citi Dividend, Discover, U.S. Bank Cash+
- 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 offerMarch 22, 2024: The 5% gas and grocery welcome offer lives on! Today, I personally 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. See below for the printout I received from a Chase banker about the in-branch exclusive… 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
- Easy Chase Freedom Flex℠ welcome bonus: $200 cash back after spending $500 + 5% gas and grocery offer available in-branchMarch 22, 2024: Just when we thought it was dead, the 5% gas and grocery welcome offer is back! Today, I personally confirmed that the 5% gas and grocery offer on the Chase Freedom Flex℠ is still available, but it is now an in-branch exclusive welcome offer. Want to know when a great bonus like… Read More »Easy Chase Freedom Flex℠ welcome bonus: $200 cash back after spending $500 + 5% gas and grocery offer available in-branch
- The best 2% cash back credit cards: Maximum rewards everywhere elseYou can find credit cards that earn increased rewards in categories like dining, drugstores, travel, groceries, or gas. But what about everywhere else? Holding a 2% cash back credit card or a card that earns two points everywhere gives you a good default option to use when you can’t earn more cash back or points.… Read More »The best 2% cash back credit cards: Maximum rewards everywhere else
- When does it make sense to pay an annual fee?I am a fan of credit cards with no annual fees. In many cases, you can earn rewards of 2% or more on every purchase, 3% on unlimited purchases in select categories, or 5% in rotating categories without paying an annual fee. You can also access valuable benefits like extended warranty protection, cell phone protection,… Read More »When does it make sense to pay an annual fee?
- 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 for increasing your banking relationship with Bank of America. Readers of this site will be most interested in the program’s bonus on credit card rewards. If you hold $100,000 or more in assets with Bank of America and… Read More »All about Bank of America Preferred Rewards: Get up to 2.62% everywhere or 5.25% in categories.
- Citi extended warranty: The best extended warranty available on a credit cardExtended warranty may be the most under-appreciated credit card benefit. A free credit card extended warranty can cover repair or replacement of expensive electronics or other things you buy on your card. And these benefits can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars if something you buy fails. Citi’s offers extended warranty only on a… Read More »Citi extended warranty: The best extended warranty available on a credit card
- 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
- Get 5 free nights or go for points: Amex Marriott welcome bonuses: 155k for Bonvoy Bevy, 185k for Bonvoy BrilliantUpdate 3/21/24: Amex pulled the 5 free night bonus on the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card. This welcome bonus is no longer available on this card, but it is still available on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. Marriott and Amex are currently offering some of their best-ever welcome bonuses. The welcome bonuses on… Read More »Get 5 free nights or go for points: Amex Marriott welcome bonuses: 155k for Bonvoy Bevy, 185k for Bonvoy Brilliant
- 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 Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card also offer decent welcome bonuses. Here are the best Chase Ultimate… Read More »The best Chase Ultimate Rewards® welcome bonuses: Large bonuses on Ink cards.
- Chase made the Ink Cash offer easier: $750 Chase Ink Business Cash® and Ink Business Unlimited® welcome bonusesUpdate 3/21/24: Chase just made the welcome bonus for the Chase Ink Business Cash® card even easier to earn. You now earn the bonus in two parts. You’ll 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 first six months.… Read More »Chase made the Ink Cash offer easier: $750 Chase Ink Business Cash® and Ink Business Unlimited® welcome bonuses
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: Huge cash back rewards on a category for those with Platinum Honors status.Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card at a glance Here’s what you need to know about the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. Rewards Benefits Bank of America does not provide information about the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card’s benefits. Other important terms Annual fee: $0 Foreign transaction… Read More »Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: Huge cash back rewards on a category for those with Platinum Honors status.
- The best cards for Costco: Get the most rewards from these cards.Contrary to popular belief, the best card for Costco purchases is not the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card. While the card is one of the best cards for gas and is a decent card for rewards on travel purchases, you might be surprised that other cards earn better rewards at Costco and on Costco.com. Here are the… Read More »The best cards for Costco: Get the most rewards from these cards.
- Hilton credit cards complete guide: Every Hilton credit card comparedHilton offers four co-branded credit cards in partnership with American Express. Every one of these cards offers some level of Hilton Honors status, which gets you Hilton’s fifth-night free benefit. And most cards offer paths to free hotel night certificates that can be used at almost any Hilton property, worldwide. You can even get top-tier… Read More »Hilton credit cards complete guide: Every Hilton credit card compared
- 75k Hyatt Business Card no longer available through referral linksUpdate March 18, 2024: We noticed that this offer is no longer available through referral links. Although the 75,000 point bonus offer on the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card has been pulled from the Chase public website and affiliate channels, it may be live through referral links. Here’s a screenshot I pulled from my… Read More »75k Hyatt Business Card no longer available through referral links
- Marriott’s new cardmember welcome bonus rules explainedIf you’re looking for a new cardmember welcome bonus on a Marriott credit card, you may have noticed that every new Marriott card comes with a long list of cases where you may not be eligible for the bonus. In this post, I’ve tried to make the rules behind the Chase and Amex new cardmember… Read More »Marriott’s new cardmember welcome bonus rules explained
- Wells Fargo Autograph Journey: Newly announced travel card from Wells. What we know so far.Update 3/15/24: Wells Fargo reached out to us and provided additional details on this card. We’ve updated this guide based on that information. Wells Fargo recently announced its Autograph Journey card. Here’s what we know about the card thus far. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card at a glance Here’s what you need to know about… Read More »Wells Fargo Autograph Journey: Newly announced travel card from Wells. What we know so far.
- 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. The best credit cards for groceries Card Grocery rewards Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee in… Read More »The best credit cards for groceries: Up to 6% cash back on groceries year-round
- Citi Dividend Q2 2024 cash back categories: 5% at Grocery Stores and DrugstoresCiti has announced its Q2 2024 cash back categories for the Citi Dividend card. This quarter’s categories include Grocery stores and drugstores. Quick link: Activate your Citi Dividend Q1 2024 category bonus. Click through the link and sign into your Citi account online. You’ll need to select your card from the list once you log… Read More »Citi Dividend Q2 2024 cash back categories: 5% at Grocery Stores and Drugstores
- 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. Here are the best cards to use at Amazon. The best credit cards to use at Amazon Card Why use it at Amazon Amazon Prime VisaAnnual fee:… Read More »The best credit cards for Amazon: 5% or more on Amazon.com purchases
- Chase Freedom categories Q2 2024: 5% at Amazon.com, hotels, and restaurantsChase has announced the quarterly bonus categories for the Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Flex℠. In Q2 2024, you can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases at Amazon.com, Hotels, and Restaurants. Quick link: Activate your Chase Freedom Q1 2024 category bonus. Amazon.com, hotels, and restaurants are great categories. This simultaneously… Read More »Chase Freedom categories Q2 2024: 5% at Amazon.com, hotels, and restaurants
- Discover 2024 Q2 cash back categories: Gas, EV Charging, Home Improvement, Public Transit (10% for new cardmembers)Discover has announced its second quarter 2024 cash back categories on the Discover it Cash Back Credit Card. This upcoming quarter, Discover It cards offer 5% cash back in several useful categories including: Gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, home improvement stores, and public transit. Because Discover offers new cardmembers a cash back match on… Read More »Discover 2024 Q2 cash back categories: Gas, EV Charging, Home Improvement, Public Transit (10% for new cardmembers)
- The best credit cards for gas – Up to 5% cash back on gasIf you are on the road frequently, you might want a credit card that offers increased rewards for purchases of gasoline. Several credit cards will give you 3% cash back or more on gas purchases with no annual fee, but in some cases you can get 4% or even 5% back on your gas purchases.… Read More »The best credit cards for gas – Up to 5% cash back on gas
- 9% cash back stack on groceries is gone. Expired Chase Freedom Flex℠ welcome offer + categoriesUpdate March 14, 2024: The 5% gas and grocery offer has been pulled from referral links, so it is no longer available. However, Chase has run this promotion a few times in the past. There’s a good chance that it will run again in the future. We’re launching our newsletter in the coming days. Subscribe… Read More »9% cash back stack on groceries is gone. Expired Chase Freedom Flex℠ welcome offer + categories
- How to get the best Amex welcome bonusesHow do I get the best possible welcome bonus on an American Express Card? If you want the absolute best welcome offer on an American Express card, you might have to hunt around. The best welcome offers available on American Express cards are often not available through affiliate links, or even directly on the Amex… Read More »How to get the best Amex welcome bonuses
- Get a better welcome offer on the Amex Business Platinum Card®: 250k, 190k, 150k offers.If you’re willing to hunt around, you might get a better-than-advertised welcome offer on the Amex Business Platinum Card®. Here’s what we know about these better-than advertised welcome bonuses. Why can you get a better Amex Business Platinum Card® welcome bonus? For some cards, including The Business Platinum Card®, Amex frequently offers better-than-advertised welcome bonuses.… Read More »Get a better welcome offer on the Amex Business Platinum Card®: 250k, 190k, 150k offers.
- Disney+, Disney Bundle and Hulu credits: Get up to $240 in statement credits for Disney annually.If you subscribe to Disney+ or The Disney Bundle, having the right credit card can get you up to $240 in statement credits annually when you use your card to pay for your subscription. There’s even a card with no annual fee that will give you $84/year in statement credits for a Disney+ subscription. Here… Read More »Disney+, Disney Bundle and Hulu credits: Get up to $240 in statement credits for Disney annually.
- United Airlines credit card welcome bonuses: Amazing 100k bonus on the United℠ Business Card.The welcome bonuses on the personal United Airlines credit cards are back down to the business-as-usual offers. But the massive 100,000 point welcome bonus on the United℠ Business Card is still available for the time-being. If you’re interested in United Airlines miles, this is the card to get. See below for more on this and… Read More »United Airlines credit card welcome bonuses: Amazing 100k bonus on the United℠ Business Card.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards® Guide: Transferable points with cash redemption optionsChase Ultimate Rewards® is a transferable points rewards program that offers travel rewards, cash back rewards, and point transfers to partners. Cards earning Ultimate Rewards® include no-annual-fee cards like the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited®, the premium travel credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and small business… Read More »Chase Ultimate Rewards® Guide: Transferable points with cash redemption options
- 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
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.
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: 1.5% rewards everywhere and a stellar welcome bonus
- Hours left: Best ever limited-time Delta Air Lines credit card welcome bonuses ending tomorrow 3/27/24: Up to 110,000 SkyMiles.
- Walmart+ Credits: Get a free Walmart+ membership with these cards.
- My credit card strategy: What’s in my wallet?
- How to get a statement of delay/cancelation for your trip insurance
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
- 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
- How to find your Chase credit card benefits
- How to get a 70% Disney+ discount using a no annual fee credit card
- 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 reimbursement: 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