Top Travel Credit Cards: March 2019

There are a lot of increased sign-up bonuses this month including the Delta cards from American Express and the IHG card from Chase. However, I’m probably most excited about the 40,000 mile offer from Alaska Airlines. Here’s the list of top credit card sign-up bonuses for March 2019.

Chase United Explorer Business Card

• 75,000 miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months
• $95 annual fee, waived first year

This is the highest bonus ever on the United Business card from Chase. If you can meet the high spending requirement, it’s worth going for this offer. Keep in mind you must be under 5/24 to get approved. This offer expires March 18th so act fast!

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature from Bank of America

• 40,000 miles 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. Just be careful with Bank of America’s new rule. There is also a similar offer on the business card.

IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card 

• $50 statement credit after first purchase and 80,000 IHG points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months and an additional 40,000 points after spending $5,000 total in the first 6 months
• $89 annual fee

This offer now includes the opportunity to earn 20,000 more points than the previous best offer. The spending requirement is a bit higher but you also have more time to complete this offer. With this card you’ll get 10 IHG points per dollar spent and 2x points at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. This card also comes with a free anniversary night and a fourth reward night free benefit.

Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express

• 60,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
• $50 statement credit after making a Delta purchase in the first 3 months
• $95 annual fee, waived first year

60,000 miles is typically the highest offer for the Gold Delta card. It is also fairly simple to get the $50 statement credit; I paid $5.60 in fees on an award booking to trigger it. For those looking to build up their SkyMiles account, now’s the time to do it. As a note, SkyMiles never expire but they can be devalued over time. You can also check out the 70,000 mile offer on the business card.

Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express

• 75,000 miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
• $100 statement credit after making a Delta purchase in the first 3 months
• $195 annual fee

The Platinum Delta card from Amex comes with a $195 annual fee, but is a great option for those who are trying to earn elite status with the airline. The first level of Medallion Status is Silver which can be earned after 25,000 MQMs. With the Platinum card, you’re a fifth of the way there. You can also check out the 80,000 mile offer on the business card.

Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express

• 75,000 miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
• $450 annual fee

This card has a high annual fee, but it might make sense if you’ve never gotten the sign-up bonus and you plan on flying Delta within the next year. Benefits include a free checked bag and Delta Sky Club access.

Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard

• 60,000 miles 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, and this bonus is 10,000 more miles than before! You’re essentially “buying” miles for the cost of the annual fee which is $95. You can also apply for a similar offer on the business card.

Hilton Honors Aspire from American Express

• 150,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months
• $450 annual fee

I recently picked up this card 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.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited

• 50,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
• No annual fee

There’s a new Chase Ink card in town and it looks a lot 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. Note: You can no longer get both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

• 50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
• Earn 5,000 points for adding an authorized user
• $95 annual fee, waived the first year

You can no longer get both Chase Sapphire credit cards at the same time. If you’re just going after the bonus and don’t care about card benefits, then I’d recommend getting Chase Sapphire Preferred because the annual fee is waived for the first year.

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 the new Priority credit card 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!

Citi Premier

• 50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
• $95 annual fee, waived first year

The sign-up bonus comes and goes on this card so get it while you can! In addition to the bonus, you’ll earn 3x points on travel and 2x on dining out and entertainment. Points can 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.

Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard

• 70,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 90 days
• $89 annual fee, waived first year

While this card has some stiff competition with the Capital One Venture card, this is the highest bonus ever on this card so it’s worth getting if you are eligible.

Above offers available as of 3/10/19. 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.