The easiest credit card welcome offers to earn
Welcome bonuses are often one of the major selling points when seeking out a new rewards credit card. Card issuers offer these bonuses to entice new customers and promote spending on their new cards.
The best welcome offers are worth hundreds of dollars (and a few are even over $1,000), either in the form of cash back or travel rewards, depending on the type of credit card you choose. However, those bonuses are often accompanied by spending thresholds of $3,000 or more that you must hit within the first few months of having the card.
Luckily, there are several welcome offers available right now that are much easier to earn. I’m going to walk you through welcome bonuses that have a spending requirement of $2,000 or less. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, these are the best overall credit cards that still have easy-to-earn bonuses.
Related: The best credit card welcome bonuses currently available
The best cards with the easiest welcome bonuses to earn
| Card | Welcome offer | Welcome offer value | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year), a value of up to $300 cash back. | Up to $300 in cash back | $0 |
| Chase Freedom Flex® | Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $200 cash back | $0 |
| United Gateway℠ Card | Earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $270* | $0 |
| IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $500* | $0 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first six months of cardmembership. | $600* | $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (see rates and fees) |
| Hilton Honors American Express Card | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first six months of cardmembership. This offer ends Jan. 8, 2025. | $600* | $0 (see rates and fees) |
| AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the annual fee in full within the first 90 days of account opening. | $960* | $99 |
| Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card | Earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. | $250 | $0 |
| Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® | Earn 50,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within 90 days of account opening. | $550* | $99 |
| Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card | Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. | $200 | $0 |
*Welcome offer value is determined using TPG’s November 2024 valuations and is not provided by nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information for the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard and the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
One of the best no-annual-fee cards on the market is the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year), a value of up to $300 cash back.
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Why I like it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025, 3% cash back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and at drugstores and 1.5% cash back on everything else.
It’s a great card for nonbonused spending — especially if you also have a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
You can pair the Chase Freedom Unlimited with any of those three Chase credit cards to convert your cash back into valuable Ultimate Rewards points. You can then use them to book travel through Chase Travel with a redemption bonus or transfer to partners for potentially even more value.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase Freedom Flex
With its rotating 5% quarterly categories (a $1,500 spending cap applies per quarter; activation required), the Chase Freedom Flex is a powerful card to have in your wallet.
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Why I like it: The Chase Freedom Flex is unique because it earns 5% cash back across quarterly rotating categories after activation. There is a $1,500 cap on purchases across combined bonus categories each quarter, but that still means you could earn up to $300 in bonus cash back each year.
Categories are random throughout the year, but common categories like dining, groceries and gas stations occur frequently. You’ll also get 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel, 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025 and 3% cash back on dining at restaurants (including eligible delivery and takeout) and at drugstores.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex
United Gateway Card
For those who fly United on occasion, the no-annual-fee United Gateway Card is worth considering.
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Why I like it: United’s entry-level cobranded credit card offers a simple way to earn United miles across several bonus categories. You’ll earn 7 miles per dollar spent on United flight purchases (5 miles per dollar spent on fares as a United MileagePlus member, plus 2 miles per dollar spent as a cardholder), 3 miles per dollar spent on hotel stays booked through United Hotels, 2 miles per dollar spent on all other United purchases, gas stations and local transit and commuting (including ride-hailing services, taxicabs, train tickets, tolls and mass transit) and 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else.
Additionally, you’ll earn 25% back on all inflight purchases and Club premium drink purchases, and the card comes with trip cancellation and interruption insurance. It’s a solid option for beginners looking to earn United miles without paying an annual fee.
You can also earn 5,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user to your account within three months of account opening.
To learn more, check out our full review of the United Gateway Card.
Apply here: United Gateway Card
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Many cobranded hotel cards come with exorbitant annual fees; the IHG One Rewards Traveler card is an exception.
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Why I like it: If you want a no-annual-fee hotel credit card, there is a lot to like about the IHG One Rewards Traveler Card. You’ll earn 5 points per dollar spent on IHG stays with the card. You’ll also earn 3 points per dollar spent on gas stations, monthly bills (including utilities, internet, cable, cellphone services and select streaming services) and restaurant purchases (including takeout and eligible delivery).
You’ll also get the fourth-award-night-free benefit when you redeem IHG One Rewards points. With this benefit, you can pay zero points for every fourth night on an award stay of three nights or longer.
To learn more, check out our full review of the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card.
Apply here: IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Fans of Delta Air Lines will appreciate the benefits that the Delta SkyMiles Gold card offers.
Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first six months of cardmembership.
Why I like it: The Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex is an entry-level credit card in the Delta SkyMiles program. You’ll earn 2 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, dining at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and groceries at U.S. supermarkets, plus 1 mile per dollar spent on other eligible purchases.
The card comes with a few elitelike benefits, including your first checked bag free and Zone 5 priority boarding on Delta flights. You can also earn a $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year.
If you are a casual Delta flyer or a beginner just getting into points and miles, this is a great card to consider.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Hilton fans looking for a no-annual-fee Hilton card are in luck: There’s an option available to them in the Hilton Honors Amex Card.
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first six months of cardmembership. This offer ends Jan. 8, 2025.
Why I like it: The Hilton Honors Amex is a no-annual-fee, entry-level card in the Hilton Honors hotel program. You’ll earn 7 points per dollar spent on eligible Hilton purchases, 5 points per dollar spent on dining at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), groceries at U.S. supermarkets and gas at U.S. gas stations and 3 points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases.
That is a 4.2% return on Hilton stays and a 3% return on dining at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, per TPG’s November 2024 valuations.
The card also comes with several solid perks, including complimentary Hilton Silver elite status and the chance to earn Gold status through the end of the next calendar year after spending $20,000 in a calendar year.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Card
AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard
This card has one of the easiest welcome offers to earn on any card in the market, so even if you’re not a fan of American Airlines, you should consider the AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard.
Annual fee: $99
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the annual fee in full within the first 90 days of account opening.
Why I like it: The AAdvantage Aviator Red makes it easy to earn a lot of miles. It also offers elitelike perks, such as your first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for the primary cardmember and up to four companions on the same reservation, preferred boarding for the primary cardmember and up to four companions on the same reservation and up to $25 back as statement credits (every anniversary year) for inflight Wi-Fi — notable perks if you’re a frequent American Airlines flyer.
Even if you’re not an American Airlines loyalist, you may as well go for it since this card’s welcome offer is so easy to earn. The miles you earn can be used to book flights with partner airlines.
You’ll earn 2 American Airlines AAdvantage miles for every dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 mile on all other purchases.
Learn more: AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard
Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card
Bank of America may not get the same level of attention as American Express, Chase and Capital One, but cards like the Travel Rewards card still deserve your consideration.
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: Earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Why I like it: You’ll earn an unlimited 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases. Those points can be redeemed for a fixed value for travel or dining purchases.
Plus, you can supersize your earning potential if you are a member of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program. At the highest level, you’ll earn up to 75% more points on every purchase (meaning roughly 2.63 points per dollar spent on every purchase). For no annual fee and an easy-to-hit welcome bonus, that’s a strong return.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card.
Apply here: Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card
Frontier Airlines World Mastercard
Frontier Airlines may not be everyone’s favorite airline, but the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard provides a lot of value.
Annual fee: $99
Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within 90 days of account opening.
Why I like it: On top of the easy-to-earn welcome bonus, the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard offers instant Elite Gold status with the airline after you make your first purchase with your card within 90 days of account opening. Plus, the card comes with benefits like priority boarding and premium seating at check-in.
Adding onto its perks, the card offers earning toward elite status (1 elite status point per dollar spent), as well as two free checked bags on eligible flights and an award redemption fee waiver when you use your card to pay related taxes and fees on a redemption.
With the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard, you’ll earn 5 miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases at flyfrontier.com, 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible restaurant purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else.
You’ll also have the ability to earn a $100 flight voucher if you spend at least $2,500 with your card during the cardmembership year. These are all strong benefits for Frontier flyers for a $99 annual fee.
Learn more: Frontier Airlines World Mastercard
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card
If flexibility is what you want, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card may appeal to you.
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Why I like it: The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card lets you customize your rewards structure. You’ll earn 3% cash back on the category of your choice, plus 2% cash back on grocery stores and wholesale clubs (for the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then 1%). All other purchases earn 1% cash back.
Your options for the 3% category are gas and electric vehicle charging stations, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plans/streaming, dining, travel, drugstores/pharmacies or home improvement/furnishings.
Just like the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card, being a member of the Preferred Rewards program means you’ll earn even more cash back on every purchase.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card.
Apply here: Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Are you eligible for a welcome bonus?
Not everyone is eligible for a credit card welcome offer. Each issuer has its own set of rules regarding when you’re able to earn a bonus.
American Express, for example, limits you to one welcome offer per card, per lifetime. So, if you’ve ever had certain cards in the past (even if it was a long time ago), you won’t be eligible to earn a welcome offer now. Amex also has a four-card limit on consumer credit cards.
Luckily, Amex also has a tool on its site that will notify you before applying whether you are eligible for the welcome offer on a specific card.
You’ll want to pay attention to the offer details for each bonus to ensure you can take advantage of the welcome bonus opportunity.
Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions
Bottom line
Welcome bonuses are a great way to get a jump-start on a redemption you’re aiming for. Even the easiest bonuses to hit are typically worth at least a few hundred dollars. Just make sure you know the terms and conditions for earning and keeping those bonuses before you apply.
Related: Got a new credit card? Here are 4 tips to help you earn your welcome bonus
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex card, click here.
