Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses: March 2026 Tracker
Last Updated: March 31, 2026
Note: Sign-up bonuses change frequently. We update this page monthly, but always verify the current offer on the issuer's website before applying. Elevated and limited-time offers are marked with a star.
How We Calculate Bonus Value
We assign a dollar value to each sign-up bonus based on conservative point/mile valuations. Our baseline valuations: Chase Ultimate Rewards = 1.5 cents/point, Amex Membership Rewards = 1.2 cents/point, Capital One Miles = 1 cent/mile, airline miles = 1.2-1.5 cents/mile depending on program, hotel points = 0.5-0.7 cents/point. These are achievable redemption values, not aspirational maximums.
Premium Card Bonuses
| Card | Bonus | Spend Required | Time Limit | Est. Value | Annual Fee | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum | 150,000 MR | $6,000 | 6 months | $1,800 | $695 | Excellent |
| Capital One Venture X | 75,000 miles | $4,000 | 3 months | $750 | $395 | Excellent |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | 60,000 UR | $4,000 | 3 months | $900 | $550 | Good |
Mid-Tier Card Bonuses
| Card | Bonus | Spend Required | Time Limit | Est. Value | Annual Fee | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | 60,000 UR | $4,000 | 3 months | $900 | $95 | Excellent |
| Amex Gold | 60,000 MR | $6,000 | 6 months | $720 | $250 | Excellent |
| Citi Strata Premier | 75,000 TY | $4,000 | 3 months | $750 | $95 | Excellent |
No Annual Fee Card Bonuses
| Card | Bonus | Spend Required | Time Limit | Est. Value | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discover it Miles | First-year match | None | 12 months | $300-750* | Excellent |
| BofA Travel Rewards | 25,000 pts | $1,000 | 90 days | $250 | Excellent |
| Wells Fargo Autograph | 20,000 pts | $1,000 | 3 months | $200 | Good |
| Capital One VentureOne | 20,000 miles | $500 | 3 months | $200 | Good |
*Discover it Miles value depends on your first-year spending. $20K spending = $600 in matched miles.
Airline Card Bonuses
| Card | Bonus | Spend Required | Time Limit | Est. Value | Annual Fee | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Platinum | 80,000 SkyMiles | $3,000 | 6 months | $960 | $350 | Excellent |
| Alaska Visa Signature | 70,000 miles + Companion | $3,000 | 90 days | $1,140+ | $95 | Excellent |
| Delta Gold | 70,000 SkyMiles | $2,000 | 6 months | $840 | $150 | Excellent |
| United Explorer | 60,000 miles | $3,000 | 3 months | $720 | $95 | Good |
| JetBlue Plus | 60,000 pts | $1,000 | 3 months | $780 | $99 | Excellent |
| Southwest Priority | 50,000 pts | $1,000 | 3 months | $700 | $149 | Good |
See our full airline credit cards guide for detailed reviews of each card.
Hotel Card Bonuses
| Card | Bonus | Spend Required | Time Limit | Est. Value | Annual Fee | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless | 85,000 pts + free night | $3,000 | 3 months | $700+ | $95 | Excellent |
| Hilton Honors Surpass | 130,000 pts | $3,000 | 6 months | $650 | $150 | Excellent |
| IHG One Rewards Premier | 140,000 pts | $3,000 | 3 months | $700 | $99 | Excellent |
| World of Hyatt Card | 60,000 pts | $6,000 | 6 months | $1,020 | $95 | Excellent |
Learn how to maximize hotel card value in our hotel cards savings guide.
Business Card Bonuses
| Card | Bonus | Spend Required | Time Limit | Est. Value | Annual Fee | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Business Platinum | 150,000 MR | $20,000 | 3 months | $1,800 | $695 | Good* |
| Chase Ink Preferred | 100,000 UR | $8,000 | 3 months | $1,500 | $95 | Excellent |
| Chase Ink Cash | $750 cash back | $6,000 | 3 months | $750 | $0 | Excellent |
*Amex Business Platinum rated "Good" due to the high $20K spend requirement despite the large bonus. See our business travel cards guide for the full breakdown.
Sign-Up Bonus Maximization Strategy
Sign-up bonuses represent the single largest source of points and miles for most travelers. A single bonus is often worth more than an entire year of everyday spending rewards. Here is how to maximize them:
1. Know the Application Rules
Before applying for any card, make sure you are eligible. Chase limits you to 5 personal cards in 24 months (the "5/24 rule"), Amex restricts most bonuses to once per lifetime, and Citi has the 1/8 rule (one application per 8 days). Our application rules guide covers every issuer's rules in detail.
2. Time Your Applications
Space applications 3 months apart to manage minimum spend requirements without strain. If you have a large purchase coming up (furniture, appliance, tax payment), time your application to use that purchase toward the minimum spend.
3. Start with Chase
Because of the 5/24 rule, always prioritize Chase cards first. Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Ink Preferred before branching out to Amex and other issuers. Business cards from Amex, Barclays, and Citi do not count toward 5/24, so you can get those alongside Chase personal cards.
4. Use Referral Links
If a friend or family member has the card you want, use their referral link. They earn bonus points for the referral, and you sometimes get a slightly better offer than the public one.
5. Track Your Bonuses
Create a simple spreadsheet with: card name, date opened, minimum spend amount, deadline, and status. Missing a minimum spend deadline means losing the entire bonus, which can be worth $500-1,800.
Get Started
Best Overall Bonus Right Now
The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points (worth $900+) after $4,000 in 3 months, with just a $95 annual fee. It is the best first card for most travelers.
Apply NowRelated Guides
- Best Travel Credit Cards 2026
- Credit Card Application Rules (5/24, Amex, Citi)
- Points vs. Miles Valuation Guide
- Best Airline Credit Cards
- How Hotel Cards Save You Money
Disclosure: Travel Card Guide earns a commission when you open a credit card through our links. This does not affect the price you pay. We only recommend cards we genuinely believe offer exceptional value. Sign-up bonuses, annual fees, and card terms may change at any time. Always verify the current offer on the issuer's website before applying.