How sign-up bonuses work
You open the card, spend a set amount within a deadline, and the issuer adds bonus points, miles or credit to your account. For example, the Capital One Venture and Venture X require $4,000 in spending within three months; the VentureOne requires $500.
Never spend money you wouldn't otherwise spend just to earn a bonus, and don't carry a balance to get there — interest on travel cards runs into the high 20s and quickly cancels out the value.
Issuer rules you need to know
Chase 5/24
Chase generally declines applicants who have opened five or more personal cards from any issuer in the past 24 months. Authorized-user accounts count. It applies to most Chase cards, including the Sapphire cards and co-brands such as United, Southwest, Marriott, Hyatt and IHG. If you want Chase cards, apply for them before other issuers' cards.
Chase Sapphire: one bonus per card, ever
From Jan 22, 2026, you can earn one bonus per Sapphire card if you've never earned that card's bonus before. Holding the other Sapphire card no longer blocks you. The old 48-month re-earn rule ended in June 2025.
Amex: once per lifetime
Amex terms say you "may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer if you have or have had this Card." Family rules also apply: for example, holding the Platinum can block the Gold bonus. Helpfully, Amex shows an eligibility pop-up during the application, before any hard credit pull, so you can withdraw.
Citi
You need 48 months since your last bonus on the same card, such as the Strata Premier. Citi also limits you to one application every 8 days and two every 65 days.
Capital One
Capital One generally approves about one new card every six months, and you can't get a bonus on a card if you've received one on that product in the past 48 months.
Current offers confirmed on issuer pages
These offers appeared on the issuer's own site on Oct 2, 2026. Offers change often, so treat this as a snapshot and check the issuer's site before you apply.
| Card | Annual fee | Current offer (changes often) |
|---|---|---|
| Capital One Venture | $95 | 75,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | 75,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months |
| Capital One VentureOne | $0 | 20,000 miles after $500 in 3 months |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus | $99 | 50,000 points after $1,000 in 3 months |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier | $149 | 55,000 points after $1,500 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority | $229 | 60,000 points after $2,000 |
| AAdvantage MileUp | $0 | $100 statement credit + 15,000 miles after $500 |
| Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select | $0 first year, then $99 | 80,000 miles after $3,500 in 4 months |
| Citi / AAdvantage Globe | $350 | 60,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months |
| Citi / AAdvantage Executive | $695 | 125,000 miles after $15,000 in 5 months |
| Bilt Blue / Obsidian | $0 / $95 | $100 / $200 in Bilt Cash |
| Bilt Palladium | $495 | $300 Bilt Cash + 50,000 points + Gold status after $4,000 in 90 days |
We left out bonuses for the Sapphire cards, Amex Gold and Platinum, Delta, United, Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt and IHG cards because we couldn't confirm them on the issuer's page.
Is a bigger bonus always better?
No. Compare the bonus with the spend required and the card's ongoing value. The AAdvantage Executive's offer needs $15,000 in five months, which is out of reach for many households. A smaller bonus on a card you'll keep for years often beats a big one on a card you'll cancel. Value the bonus using realistic point values — see points vs. miles — and compare the card's everyday value in best travel cards.
Plan your applications
- List the cards you want, and put Chase cards first if you're under 5/24.
- Check each issuer's bonus rules against cards you hold or have held.
- Time applications to large planned expenses so the minimum spend comes naturally.
- Space applications out to stay within each issuer's limits.
Then use the bonus well — our guide to maximizing travel rewards covers redemptions, and the Sapphire Preferred review explains the new Sapphire rule in context.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's an unofficial rule: Chase generally declines applicants who have opened five or more personal credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months. Authorized-user accounts count toward the five.
Since Jan 22, 2026, yes, if you've never earned that specific card's bonus before. Holding one Sapphire card no longer blocks the other card's bonus.
Usually not. Amex terms say you may not be eligible if you have or have had the card, and related cards can block each other. Amex tells you during the application, before a hard pull.
Usually about three months, though it varies. For example, Citi's AAdvantage Platinum Select gives four months and the Executive gives five, while Bilt Palladium gives 90 days.
Credit Card Application Restrictions — The Points Guy
How the Chase 5/24 Rule Works — CNBC Select
Chase Sapphire Bonus Eligibility Changes 2026 — The Points Guy
Compare Credit Cards — Capital One
Rapid Rewards Consumer Credit Cards — Southwest
AAdvantage Credit Cards — American Airlines
Bilt Cards — Bilt
Card terms, rates and fees change often and APRs are variable. Information was checked in October 2026; confirm current terms on the issuer's website before applying. MoneyVerge may be compensated by some card issuers; this does not affect our assessments.