After a few months of no improved credit card offers, we’re starting to see an uptick in increased sign-up bonuses, especially from Chase. The newest ones on the list are the Southwest and United cards from Chase. You might not need the miles now, but they could come in handy in the future. Here’s my list of top credit card sign-up bonuses for September 2020.
Chase United Explorer
- 60,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
- $95 annual fee, waived first year
This is one of the better sign-up bonuses you’ll see on the United Explorer card. I don’t tend to get much out of the benefits liked a free checked bag, but I always find it useful to have some United miles available, usually for partner awards.
Chase United Club Infinite
- 100,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
- $525 annual fee
This card has a high annual fee but includes United Club membership which is valued at $650. If you are a United frequent flyer and can make use of the benefits, this card may be a better option for your. There is no rule prohibiting you from getting the sign-up bonus on both the United Club and United Explorer cards, so that’s an option too.
Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
- 100,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
- $95 annual fee
This offer was available earlier this year but with a $5,000 spending requirement. I love earning Marriott points, but the rules for this card are confusing. You can’t get the card if you currently have another Marriott card from Chase or if you had one and received a sign-up bonus in the past 24 months. You’re also not eligible for the sign-up bonus if you got one from a Chase or American Express Marriott card recently. Be sure to read the fine print before applying for this one!
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus from Chase
- 65,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
- $69 annual fee
This increased offer on the Southwest personal cards is one of the best yet. Just remember, you can only get one personal card. Paired with a business card, this can help you easily earn the Companion Pass.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier from Chase
- 65,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
- $99 annual fee
When choosing a Southwest personal card, you’ll have to compare cardmember benefits to see which card is right for you. This comparison guide can help.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority from Chase
- 65,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
- $149 annual fee
Again, you’ll have to compare cardmember benefits to see which card is right for you. If you’re a bigtime Southwest flyer, you might get more from benefits like the $75 Southwest annual travel credit and four upgraded boardings per year.
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
- 125,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
- $89 annual fee
This is card previously had a 140,000 point sign-up bonus, but I still think it’s worthwhile at 125,000 points. 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
- No annual fee
Chase Freedom Unlimited is a good card to have in general. You’ll earn 1.5x points on all 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
- 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
Like Chase Freedom Unlimited, this card as a limited time 5x grocery category. Along with Chase Freedom Unlimited and a Chase Sapphire card, the Chase Freedom completes the Chase Ultimate Rewards credit card “trifecta”. You’ll earn 5x points on quarterly rotating categories. You can transfer points to airlines if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, or Chase Ink Preferred.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- 80,000 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 the extra 10,000 points make up for it. The rules on Chase Sapphire cards are now pretty strict, so make sure you are eligible before signing up.
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.
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
- 50,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
- $95 annual fee
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 9/1/2020. 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.
