The best time to apply for these 9 popular travel credit cards based on offer history --[Reported by Umva mag]
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Nothing is more disappointing than applying for a card, only to learn that you could have held out a bit longer to get a better welcome offer — especially since many banks won’t match you to that better bonus after you’ve …
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Nothing is more disappointing than applying for a card, only to learn that you could have held out a bit longer to get a better welcome offer — especially since many banks won’t match you to that better bonus after you’ve already applied.
It happens to the best of us. Of course, we all want to ensure we’re finding the best offers, and the name of this game is timing. While it’s impossible to predict if or when issuers will bring back these higher offers, knowing the context helps us make the best possible educated guess.
In this guide, we’ll look at nine popular travel credit cards, tracking their offers from the past several years. We’ll also compare those offers to the current bonuses and provide insight into how you can consistently find the best welcome offers.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards cards for three main reasons: affordability, flexibility and value.
In 2021, the issuer launched an unprecedented four-month 100,000-point sign-up bonus. Aside from this, the Sapphire Preferred’s standard offer is a 60,000-point bonus — worth $1,230, according to TPG’s September 2024 valuations.
Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
June 2024 to now | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,230 |
May to June 2024 | Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,538 |
May 2023 to May 2024 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,230 |
April to May 2023 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,640 |
March to May 2023 (in-branch only) | In-branch only: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 total on purchases made in the first 6 months. | $1,845 |
June 2022 to March 2023 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. | $1,230 |
April to May 2022 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,640 |
October 2021 to April 2022 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. | $1,230 |
June to October 2021 | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. | $2,050 |
March to June 2021 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. Plus, earn a $50 statement credit on grocery store purchases. | $1,690 |
November 2020 to March 2021 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. | $1,230 |
September to November 2020 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. | $1,650 |
March 2019 to September 2020 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. | $1,230 |
2017 to March 2019 | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. | $1,025 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s September 2024 valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: If you see an offer of more than 60,000 points on the Sapphire Preferred, you should jump on it. 60,000 points appear to be the standard offer these days.
For more details, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
While the Chase Sapphire Preferred tends to come with varying offers throughout the calendar year, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® has remained much more stable over the years.
This premium travel card was first launched in 2016 with a valuable 100,000-point welcome offer. Since then, the best offer we’ve seen has been 80,000 points in late 2022.
Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
June 2024 to now | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. | $1,230 |
May 2024 to June 2024 | Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,538 |
February 2023 to May 2024 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. | $1,230 |
October 2022 to January 2023 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. | $1,640 |
June to October 2022 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. | $1,230 |
October 2021 to June 2022 | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. | $1,025 |
June to October 2021 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. | $1,230 |
March 2017 to June 2021 | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. | $1,025 |
August 2016 to March 2017 | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. | $2,050 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s September 2024 valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: In terms of bonuses, 70,000-plus points might be the best you can hope for on the Sapphire Reserve these days, while an offer of 60,000 points is much more common.
For more details, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
The Platinum Card from American Express
One of the most emblematic symbols of luxury is The Platinum Card® from American Express, which has dominated the premium travel card market for quite some time.
While it has an eye-watering $695 annual fee (see rates and fees), its annual statement credits are worth over $1,500.
Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
August 2023 to now | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. | $1,600 |
November 2022 to August 2023 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. | $1,600 |
January to November 2022 | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. | $2,000 |
July 2021 to January 2022 | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Plus, earn 10 points per dollar on “Shop Small” purchases in the U.S. and at restaurants worldwide, on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, also in the first six months of card membership. | $2,000 (but up to $5,000 in additional value with the small-business and restaurant spending offer) |
November 2020 to July 2021 | Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Plus, earn 10 points per dollar on U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets on up to $15,000 in combined purchases, also in the first six months of card membership. | $1,500 (but up to $3,000 in additional value with the gas stations and supermarkets spending offer) |
2017 to November 2020 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months of card membership. | $1,200 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s September 2024 valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: In general, aim to apply for this card only if its welcome offer tops 80,000 bonus points, and it should be a no-brainer at the 100,000-point mark, depending on the spending requirements.
Although the chart above shows the publicly available welcome offers, note that you may be targeted for a higher offer by using the CardMatch tool. Applicants have seen up to 125,000-point offers for the same amount of spending, so it’s worth checking to see if you qualify for a higher bonus. Note that offers are subject to change at any time.
For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum.
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Business owners should look at the Amex Platinum’s business counterpart: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
This card also has a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees) but a slew of business-friendly perks and statement credits to help justify this ongoing cost.
Note that the Business Platinum usually offers a huge payout of Membership Rewards points but requires a high amount of spending.
Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
April 2024 to now | Earn 150,000 points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first three months of card membership. | $3,000 |
December 2022 to April 2024 | Earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership. | $2,400 |
October to December 2022 | TPG exclusive offer: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership. | $3,000 |
October 2021 to October 2022 | Earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership. | $2,400 |
August to October 2021 | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership. | $2,000 |
April to August 2021 | Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership. | $2,500 |
January to April 2021 | Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership. | $1,700 |
March 2020 to January 2021 | Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership. | $1,500 |
September 2019 to March 2020 | Earn up to 100,000 bonus points. Earn 50,000 points after spending $10,000 in the first three months of card membership and an extra 50,000 points after spending an additional $15,000 also within the first months of card membership. | $2,000 |
2018 to September 2019 | Earn up to 75,000 bonus points: 50,000 points after spending $10,000 in the first three months of card membership and an extra 15,000 points after spending an additional $10,000 also within the first months of card membership. | $1,500 |
July 2017 | Earn up to 150,000 bonus points: 100,000 points after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases with the card in the first three months of card membership and another 50,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 total in the first three months. Offer available by calling Amex. | $3,000 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s September 2024 valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: The standard offer you should aim for these days is at least 120,000 points. However, American Express often sends targeted offers for 150,000 points and sometimes 200,000 points.
For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Business Platinum.
American Express Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card is one of the most popular everyday cards, thanks to its large payout on U.S. supermarket purchases and restaurants worldwide.
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