This month, there’s a new exciting 80,000 point offer on the Chase Sapphire Preferred. This is the highest offer yet and certainly worth grabbing if you are eligible. Amex increased the offers on the Delta and Hilton cards, but they aren’t the best offers we’ve seen so I’m leaving them off the list for now. Otherwise, the list is somewhat stagnant as a few good offers expired at the end of September. Here’s my list of top credit card sign-up bonuses for October 2020.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- 80,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
- $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 the extra points make up for it. The rules on Chase Sapphire cards are now pretty strict, so make sure you are eligible before signing up.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card from Chase
- 70,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months and 35,000 miles after spending $25,000 in the first 6 months
- $199 annual fee
I’m not sure about spending $25,000 on this card in six months, but the 70,000 point offer isn’t too bad on its own. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card offers some great benefits including 3x points on Southwest purchases, 9,000 points on your cardmember 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
I usually recommend pairing a Southwest business card with one of the Southwest personal cards to get the Companion Pass but that might not be the most useful thing right now. Either way, it’s a good option for stocking up on Southwest points.
IHG Credit Card from Chase
- 140,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months and $50 statement credit after first purchase
- $89 annual fee, waived first year
This is the best sign-up bonus yet on this card. My favorite thing about this card is the fourth night free benefit on award redemptions. Along with the free anniversary night, this card can be a real money saver if you like to stay at IHG properties.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
- 20,000 points after spending $500 in the first 3 months and 5% back on groceries on up to $12,000 spent in the first year
- No annual fee
Chase Freedom Unlimited is a good card to have in general. Recent updates to the card now allow you to earn 5x points on travel purchases through Chase, 3x points on dining and drug stores, and 1.5x points on all other purchases. While it looks like a cashback card on the surface, you can transfer points to airlines if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, or Chase Ink Preferred.
Chase Freedom Flex
- 20,000 points after spending $500 in the first 3 months and 5% back on groceries on up to $12,000 spent in the first year
- No annual fee
The Chase Freedom Flex is the new version of the Chase Freedom. This card earns 5x points on rotating categories up to $1,500 per quarter, 5x points on travel purchases through Chase, 3x points on dining and drug stores, and 1x points on all other purchases. Like Chase Freedom Unlimited, this card has a limited time 5x grocery category as part of the sign-up bonus. Along with Chase Freedom Unlimited and a Chase Sapphire card, the Chase Freedom completes the Chase Ultimate Rewards credit card “trifecta”. You can transfer points to airlines if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, or Chase Ink Preferred.
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 cashback) on all purchases with this card. The bonus is technically $500 cashback, but you can use the points as Chase Ultimate Rewards points if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, or Chase Ink Preferred. 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 cashback, 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.
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 a $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 offsets the annual fee. Just be careful with Bank of America’s rules. 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 an introductory Companion Certificate good for 1 guest at $99 (plus taxes and fees) when you make your first purchase in the first 90 days
- $95 annual fee, waived first year
It’s rare these days to see an offer with such a high bonus without a spending requirement. You can also apply for an even better offer on the business card, though it requires spending $1,000.
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
- 100,000 bonus miles when you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months or still earn 50,000 miles if you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
- $95 annual fee
With a high spending requirement, this offer on the Capital One Venture card may be hard to complete for some. Luckily, you can still earn the old 50,000 point bonus instead. 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 10/1/2020. 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.
