There haven’t been many offers I’ve been super excited about lately but the Hilton cards from American Express have increased sign-up bonuses until the end of the month. In case you’re looking for something else, check out the full list of top credit card sign-up bonuses for August 2019.
Hilton Honors Card from American Express
- 90,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first three months
- No annual fee
This sign-up bonus is higher than usual for the Hilton Honors card. It’s just shy of a free night at top properties like the Conrad Maldives or the Waldorf Astoria New York. Other benefits include Silver status and no foreign transaction fees.
Hilton Honors Surpass from American Express
- 130,000 points and a free weekend night certificate after spending $4,000 in the first four months
- $95 annual fee
This card was previously called Ascend but was switched back to its original name, Surpass. While I find the free weekend night certificates tricky to use, this sign-up bonus can be quite valuable depending on where you redeem it. This card also comes with Gold status and no foreign transaction fees. If you got the sign-up bonus for the original Surpass or the Ascend, you will not be eligible for this bonus. There is also a similar offer on the business card, but with a $5,000 minimum spending requirement.
Hilton Honors Aspire from American Express
- 150,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months
- $450 annual fee
This is still the usual offer on this card but I think it’s worth getting since the benefits really offset the annual fee. You get a free award night certificate upon signing up for the card and another on your account anniversary. You also get an annual $250 Hilton resort credit, free Diamond status, and an annual $250 airline fee credit.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card from Chase
- 80,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
- $199 annual fee
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card is new and offers some great benefits including 3x points on Southwest purchases, 9,000 points on your card member anniversary, four upgraded boardings per year, inflight WiFi credits, and Global Entry fee reimbursement.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Card from Chase
- 60,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
- $99 annual fee
You can pair the Southwest business card with one of the Southwest personal cards to get the Companion Pass. If you earn the Companion Pass now, you will have free flights for your Companion for one and half years!
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
- Earn 5,000 points for adding an authorized user
- $95 annual fee
This is about as good as this sign-up bonus will ever get. The annual fee is no longer waived for the first year, but I think the extra 10,000 points makes up for it. The rules on Chase Sapphire cards are now pretty strict, so make sure you are eligible before signing up.
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature from Bank of America
- 40,000 miles and $100 statement credit after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
- Companion Fare – Buy one ticket, get one for $99 + taxes and fees
- $75 annual fee
The Alaska Airlines credit card offers usually sit at 30,000 miles for $1,000 spending requirement. Since these miles are so versatile, the extra $1,000 spend is worth it for 10,000 more miles. Also, the $100 statement credit helps offset the annual fee. Just be careful with Bank of America’s new rule. There is also a similar offer on the business card, but without the statement credit.
Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard
- 60,000 miles and a Companion Certificate ($99 plus taxes and fees) when you make your first purchase in the first 90 days and pay the annual fee
- $95 annual fee
It’s rare these days to see an offer with such a high bonus without a spending requirement. You’re essentially “buying” miles for the cost of the annual fee which is $95. This offer now includes a Companion Certificate as part of the sign-up bonus. You can also apply for a 75,000 mile offer on the business card, though it requires spending $1,000 and doesn’t offer the Companion Certificate.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited
- 50,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
- No annual fee
Like the Chase Freedom Unlimited, you can earn unlimited 1.5x points (or cash back) on all purchases with this card. This is a good choice if the bonus categories from Chase Ink Cash or Preferred don’t work for you. The sign-up bonus also makes this card an obvious choice.
Chase Ink Business Cash
- 50,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
- No annual fee
This is the best bonus we’ve seen on this card. It’s a great deal considering there is no annual fee. The bonus is technically $500 cash back, but you can use the points as Chase Ultimate Rewards points if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, or Chase Ink Preferred. You’ll earn 5x points on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services as well as 2x points on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants.
Chase Ink Business Preferred
- 80,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
- $95 annual fee
This is currently Chase’s highest bonus on a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Points are worth 1.25x when redeemed on Chase’s portal. You can also transfer to Chase’s travel partners at a 1:1 ratio. You’ll earn 3x points on travel purchases and business-related expenses like shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, and social media/online advertising. Might as well pay some bills with this card!
Chase Sapphire Reserve
- 50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
- $450 annual fee
While the sign-up bonus is smaller, Chase Sapphire Reserve is still one of the best cards around for its travel protection benefits. I still think it’s worth getting this card for the 50,000 point sign-up bonus and possibly keeping it since the annual fee is only $150 if you deduct the $300 travel credit. The rules on Chase Sapphire cards are now pretty strict, so make sure you are eligible before signing up.
Citi Premier
- 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
- $95 annual fee, waived first year
The sign-up bonus is worth a minimum of $750 towards airfare! In addition to the bonus, you’ll earn 3x points on travel and 2x on dining out and entertainment. Points can also be transferred to airlines including Singapore Airlines and JetBlue.
Capital One Venture Card
- 50,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
- $95 annual fee, waived first year
This is a slightly higher offer on the Capital One Venture card. What makes the offer so exciting is that Capital One recently introduced transfer partners like Air France/KLM and Emirates. This card also comes with a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit.
Above offers available as of 8/3/19. Click here for the most up-to-date offers.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here the are author’s alone, not those of any bank or credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
