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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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7 credit card bonuses that only require one purchase
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
June 18, 2022 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Some credit cards offer sign-up bonuses after making just one purchase, making them accessible for those with limited spending needs.
These bonuses can provide a quick boost to airline, cruise or retail loyalty programs, with values ranging from $25 to over $1,000 depending on the program.
Several cards highlighted are especially appealing to loyalists of specific brands, such as airlines, cruise lines or bookstores.
Some offers mentioned in the article are no longer available.
What to consider
Eligibility for these bonuses typically requires only a single purchase, but some may also require payment of a modest annual fee.
Bonus values and redemption options vary by program, with the highest value often achieved through specific travel or brand-related redemptions.
Some cards provide ongoing perks, such as discounts or credits for brand-related purchases, but may not be the best choice for general spending.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of which cards offer the best value for specific brand loyalists and tips on maximizing bonus redemptions.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
You don’t always have to spend thousands of dollars to get a good credit card sign-up bonus. In fact, some sign-up bonuses require just one purchase of any amount. These bonuses can provide a quick start in a new program or boost your balance in a well-loved currency.
In this article, I’ll discuss some credit cards that let you earn a sign-up bonus after making just one purchase. Some of these cards are mainly attractive due to their sign-up bonus, while others may legitimately earn a long-term place in your wallet.
Cards with bonuses that only require one purchase
Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard*: Best for earning American Airlines miles.
Chase Freedom® Student credit card*: Best for students.
Holland America Line Rewards Visa® Card*: Best for Holland America loyalists.
Carnival® World Mastercard®*: Best for Carnival loyalists.
Princess Cruises® Rewards Visa® Card*: Best for Princess Cruises loyalists.
RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard®*: Best for RCI timeshare owners.
Barnes & Noble Mastercard®*: Best for frequent Barnes & Noble shoppers.
*The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard
(Photo by The Points Guy)
Current sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases with American Airlines and 1 mile per dollar spent on other purchases.
Get a first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions on the same reservation.
Enjoy Group 5 boarding for you and up to four companions traveling on the same reservation on American Airlines-operated flights.
Snag a 25% in-flight discount on food and beverages on American Airlines flights when you pay with your Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard.
Get up to $25 back as statement credits every anniversary year for in-flight Wi-Fi purchases on American Airlines-operated flights.
Annual fee: $99.
Quick take: This sign-up bonus is extremely impressive considering that only one purchase and payment of the annual fee are required. This card can also help you defeat American Airlines' basic economy, as you'll get preferred boarding and a checked bag on domestic flights as a cardholder.
Current sign-up bonus: Earn 5,000 bonus points after making your first purchase within the first three months from account opening.
Value of bonus: You can redeem points for 1 cent each toward cash-back rewards, so this bonus is worth $50.
Notable card benefits:
Earn 1% cash back on all purchases.
Get 2,000 points after each account anniversary year for the first 5 years if your account is open and not in default.
Annual fee: None.
Quick take: If you are a student working to build your credit, this card lets you to build credit while earning 1% cash back on all purchases. And getting bonus points for keeping your account open and in good standing is a nice perk.
Current sign-up bonus: Earn 5,000 points after your first purchase with your card.
Value of bonus: You'll get the best value when you redeem for statement credits toward eligible Holland America purchases and onboard amenities. You can redeem 5,000 points for a $50 onboard credit.
Notable card benefits:
Earn 2 points per dollar spent on Holland America purchases, including onboard purchases, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Redeem points for discounts toward Holland America Cruises when you use your card to book your cruise.
Annual fee: None.
Quick take: As points are worth at most 1 cent each, and you'll only earn 2 points per dollar spent on cruises and 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases, most Holland America loyalists will be better off with one of the best cards for travel and one of the best cards for everyday spending.
Current sign-up bonus: Earn 20,000 FunPoints after your first purchase.
Value of bonus: You'll get the most value when you redeem FunPoints for statement credits toward eligible Carnival purchases and onboard amenities. You can redeem 20,000 FunPoints for a $200 statement credit toward your next cruise.
Notable card benefits:
Earn 2 FunPoints per dollar spent on purchases with Carnival Cruise Line and brands within the World’s Leading Cruise Lines. Earn 1 FunPoint per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Get 10% back as a statement credit when you use your card to book a Carnival shore excursion on Carnival's website before your cruise.
Annual fee: None.
Quick take: As with the Holland America Line Rewards Visa Card, most travelers will earn more valuable rewards when using one of the best cards for general travel purchases to book their cruise. However, Carnival loyalists still might want to add this card to their wallet for its sign-up bonus and 10% statement credit on Carnival shore excursions.
Current sign-up bonus: Earn 10,000 bonus points after using your card for the first time.
Value of bonus: You'll get the best value when you redeem your points for statement credits on eligible Princes Cruises purchases and onboard amenities. You can redeem 10,000 points for a statement credit of up to $100 toward your next cruise purchase.
Notable card benefits:
Earn 2 points per dollar spent on all Princess purchases, including onboard purchases, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Quick take: As with the two other cobranded cruise cards discussed above, consider using a different card to book your cruise if you want to maximize your earnings. However, with no annual fee, this card may still be attractive to loyalists of Princess Cruises.
Current sign-up bonus: Earn 2,500 bonus rewards after your first purchase.
Value of bonus: You can redeem for RCI member rewards, cash back, statement credits and more. The best-value redemption options let you redeem at one cent each, so the 2,500-reward bonus is worth $25.
Notable card benefits:
Earn 5 rewards per dollar spent on eligible RCI products and services, 2 rewards per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases and 1 reward per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Earn a $250 credit toward an RCI vacation when you purchase $10,000 or more with your card during a calendar year.
Get 5% of your rewards back each time you redeem.
Annual fee: None.
Quick take: You can get an effective 5% return when purchasing eligible RCI products and services. So, this card may be appealing to RCI timeshare members — especially since it has no annual fee.
Current sign-up bonus: Earn a Barnes & Noble gift card after your first purchase.
Value of bonus: The Barnes & Noble gift card you'll earn after making your first purchase is worth $25.
Notable card benefits:
Get 5% back on all Barnes & Noble purchases when you use your card to pay.
Earn 2 points per dollar spent at restaurants (excluding Barnes & Noble Cafe purchases) and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases (excluding Barnes & Noble purchases).
Redeem points for Barnes & Noble gift cards at a rate of one cent each.
Annual fee: None.
Quick take: If you frequently shop at Barnes & Noble, this no-annual-fee card may be worth adding to your wallet. You can also spend to earn 12 months of Barnes & Noble membership each year.
So, if you want to earn your sign-up bonus after just one purchase, one of the cards discussed in this article might be right for you.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
