If you’re looking to load up on points to save money on travel, you may want to check out these nine rewards cards offering at least 100,000 bonus points as part of their welcome promotions.
Transferrable/Flexible Points
Here’s the big benefit to these cards: you can transfer their points to several airline and hotel partners. Or redeem them for gift cards or cashback (though American Express isn’s exactly the best option for that).
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
You can earn 100,000 bonus Chase Ultimate Rewards® points after spending $8,000 on your card within three (3) months of being approved for Chase’s Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
We really like Ultimate Rewards points because they’re so flexible. You can transfer them to a Chase airline or hotel partner, apply them toward a purchase through Chase’s travel service, redeem them for statement credit, request a check or ACH deposit, redeem them for gift cards… The list goes on. The card has a $95 annual fee.
It also offers good trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance benefits, as well as cell phone protection features.
The minimum spending requirement might be a little steep for some people — but it was $15,000 only a few months ago. So, if you’ve ever had your eye on the card, now’s the time to seriously consider applying.
Remember that you don’t have to be a big company to qualify as a small business. Selling stuff online, babysitting, driving rideshare or food delivery, freelancing, self-publishing books on Amazon, etc., are some ways you may already be a business without realizing it!
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
I’ve held The Business Platinum Card® from American Express for several years — and probably will for a long time.
I love it’s 35% Pay With Points rebate. It’s also loaded with great travel features (yes, airport lounge access!) and statement credit opportunities. (You can read about those right here.)
You can earn 120,000 bonus American Express® Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on purchases on the card within the first three (3) months of being approved for card membership.
This is another big minimum spending requirement — especially in a relatively short amount of time. But if your business can make it happen, this is a good opportunity.
Annual fee-wise, it’s a little steep for some budgets. But here’s how we earn it back each year.
Here’s a quick look at the Amex Business Platinum Card.
Airline Cards
Airline credit cards must not be in-season right now. There’s only 100K offer — but it’s certainly worth considering.
The Aeroplan® Credit Card
The Aeroplan® Credit Card is interesting because its points can be redeemed on so many partner airline trips.
It’s Air Canada’s credit card — but their Aeroplan progam boasts nearly four dozen partners, such as Emirates, Lufthansa, Etihad, and Singapore. (And, uh, United.) I’m sure there are people who’ve never flown Air Canda — or even visited Canada — yet still repead Aeroplan awards because of this card.
Here’s the current offer:
- Earn 75,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three (3) months of being approved for card membership.
- Then, earn an additional 25,000 points after you spend $20,000 total on purchases in the first 12 months.
Again, this is a pretty big minimium spend requirement. But consider this: the previous welcome offer was only 50,000 points. So even if you just hit the $4,000 spend, you’re still in decent shape with 75,000 points.
Read our profile of the Aeroplan® Credit Card right here.
Hotel Credit Cards
We think hotel credit cards are kind of an unsung heroes of the travel credit card world.
Most hotel points aren’t as valuable as transferrable points — or, usually, even airline points.
But when you find a huge welcome offer on a card loaded with great benefits (annual free nights, elite status, etc.), they truly can be a diamond (or gold) in the rough.
IHG (InterContinental, Indigo, Holiday Inn brands, etc.), Hilton, and Marriott all offer a ton of points right now.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card awards new card members 130,000 bonus Hilton Honors points after they spend $2,000 on eligible purchases within three (3) months of being approved. (Special referral offer — not an affiliate link.)
It also packs a couple of cool benefits: Gold elite status with Hilton and 10 complimentary visits to airport lounges that participate in Priority Pass Select! (Enrollment required.) Gold status entitles you to space-available upgrades, daily food and beverage credit or continental breakfast, and more.
Points-wise, you earn 12X on eligible purchases made at Hilton portfolio hotels and resorts, 6X on dining at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), 6X at U.S. supermarkets, 6X at U.S. gas stations, and 3X on all other eligible purchases.
The card’s $95 annual fee is easily offset for a few years by the value you’ll get in bonus points. (Terms apply. See rates and fees.)
Read more about the card right here.
All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card has been independently collected by Eye of the Flyer and not reviewed by the card’s issuer.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
If you want to go all-in on a hotel credit card, check out the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. Look at these benefits:
- An annual Free Night Award starting right away and each year upon renewal
- $250 Hilton resort credit
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond elite status
- Executive lounge access
- Space-available upgrades
- Daily food and beverage credit or continental breakfast
- Premium WiFi
- 100% bonus points earnings on stays
As for the welcome offer, we have another referral-only promotion: earn 150,000 bonus Hilton Honors points after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases within three (3) months of being approved.
Points-wise, you earn 14X on eligible purchases made at Hilton portfolio hotels and resorts, 7X on travel (including flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com and car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies. 7X on dining at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and 3X on all other eligible purchases.
The card carries a $450 annual fee. (See rates and fees.) But the annual resort credit, free night, and Diamond benefits pretty much offset that — and then some.
All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been independently collected by Eye of the Flyer and not reviewed by the card’s issuer.
Hilton Honors Business Card
The Hilton Honors Business Card is pretty much the business version of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. Most of the benefits are the same: Gold elite status with Hilton and 10 complimentary visits to airport lounges participating in Priority Pass Select. (Enrollment required.)
The minimum spending requirement is just a big higher. The card offers 130,000 bonus Hilton Honors points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within three (3) months of being approved.
How many points do you earn per dollar spent? Get ready.
- 12X on eligible purchases made at Hilton portfolio hotels and resorts
- 6X on dining at U.S. restaurants
- 6X on travel (including flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com and car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies
- 6X at U.S. gas stations
- 6X on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers
- 6X on U.S. purchases for shipping
- 3X on all other eligible purchases.
That’s decent for a $95 annual fee card.
Read more here on American Express’ website.
All information about the Hilton Honors Business Card has been independently collected by Eye of the Flyer and not reviewed by the card’s issuer.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is another card I plan to hold indefinitely. Why? Two huge benefits: an annual Anniversary Night and a Fourth Night Free on your stay when you book three consecutive nights using points.
The welcome offer is pretty sweet, too: earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within three (3) months of being approved for the card. Plus, earn up to $100 in IHG® statement credits on purchases at IHG® Hotels and Resorts during the first 12 months of card membership.
Plus, you also enjoy complimentary Platinum elite status with IHG.
IHG Platinum status obtained through a travel credit card scored us this great complimentary upgrade!
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
The IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card is the business equivalent to its personal/consumer sister card. It offers an annual Anniversary Night, the Fourth Night Free benefit, and complimentary Platinum elite status.
Welcome offer-wise, you can earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within three (3) months of being approved for the card.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card.
Free Night Awards
So, here’s where you can decide how much the welcome offers benefit you. Both are referral offers.
Two Marriott cards offer three Free Night Awards. Each night is valued up to 50,000 points. So, really, we’re looking at up to 150,000 points each per card.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card awards new card members three (3) Free Night Awards after they spend $3,000 within three (3) months of being approved for card membership. And here’s why I hold the card: its $95 annual fee easily covers the annual Free Night Award worth up to 35,000 points.
The Marriott Bonvoy Business® Card‘s offer is slightly higher (but better than an affiliate offer): earn three (3) Free Night Awards after you spend $6,000 within six (6) months of being approved for card membership.
Terms apply. See rates and fees for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Terms apply. See rates and fees for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Terms apply. See rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Terms apply. See rates and fees for the Hilton Honors Business Card
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My general experience is Hilton points are worth 0.3 cents while AMEX points are worth a penny. In comparisons one shoud divide by three. Occasinally I find bargains in using hilton poitns for hotel stays (210,000 points for a 3 night stay costing $1800; almost 1penny per point), but most often its about a third of a penny. THus looking at 6x Hilton is about 2x Amex or Chase. Just indicating the comparison is not one for one.