Here’s how fast each bank issues points and miles to your account
Editor's Note
There's nothing better than a welcome bonus on your travel credit card that gets you closer to your next award flight or hotel stay. However, waiting for the points or miles to post to your account after meeting the minimum spend requirement can be annoying — especially if you've got your eye on a certain itinerary and are worried that seats or hotel rooms will disappear while waiting for your points to show up.
To complicate matters further, each bank is different when it comes to how fast they post points or miles to your account.
Let's go over how long you can expect to wait before rewards post, broken down by issuer across cobranded and transferable points cards.
In general, you'll receive points from programs like Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards quicker than from an airline or hotel loyalty program.
American Express
How long does it take for a welcome bonus from American Express to post?
Officially, American Express posts welcome bonuses "8-12 weeks" after meeting the minimum spending requirements. But in most cases, we see the bank pay out welcome bonuses within a few days of completing the spending requirements on both its Membership Rewards cards and cobranded cards. So you shouldn't have to wait long.
Warning: American Express may withhold a welcome bonus when it suspects cardholders of "gaming" its cards. In most cases, this means buying large amounts of gift cards or other cash equivalents when you first get your shiny new Amex. At the very least, your bonus could take several months to post if your account is flagged for review.
How long does it take for points and miles from American Express to post?
With everyday spending, we have found no rhyme or reason to exactly when points from spending post to your Amex Membership Rewards account. According to Amex, points are added up and posted based on transactions by calendar month and become available once you've satisfied that individual card's monthly payment requirements. You can view a breakdown of how many points you earned for each transaction (including pending points) by clicking "Points Summary" via the rewards page.
For cobranded cards, airline miles and hotel points from standard spending are paid out at the statement closing date. The points first go into a "pending" state for a month and then post to your account when the following statement closes. So if your statement closes on Jan. 30, you can expect points to be "pending" immediately and in your account at the end of February. If you don't pay your credit card bill on time, you'll forfeit the points (or pay $35 to reinstate them). Keep in mind that changing your statement closing date can push back your points' arrival for another billing cycle.
Related: What to do if you have a negative points balance
Bank of America
How long does it take for a sign-up bonus from Bank of America to post?
Bank of America says it pays out welcome bonuses "8-12 weeks" after you meet the minimum spending requirement. In practice, however, we see points from Bank of America bonuses right after the statement closes, usually within two to three days. This is true for cash-back cards, cards that earn Bank of America Premium Rewards points and cobranded credit cards.
How long does it take for points and miles from Bank of America to post?
Rewards from daily spending should show up as "pending" immediately but will be available the next billing cycle, after your statement closes. This applies to all card types.
Related: The best Bank of America credit cards
Capital One
How long does it take for a sign-up bonus from Capital One to post?
Capital One notes that it pays out its welcome bonuses "within two billing cycles" of meeting the required credit card spend. Generally, though, we've seen bonus rewards post to accounts the day after the statement closes or soon after that.
How long does it take for points and miles from Capital One to post?
Based on our experiences, Capital One miles post to your account within days of the transaction. This means that you can get your rewards before your statement even closes. Cash-back earnings sometimes post early but usually not until after your statement closes.
Related: The best Capital One credit cards
Chase
How long does it take for a sign-up bonus from Chase to post?
Chase asks that you "please allow 6 to 8 weeks for bonus points to post to your account" after meeting the spending requirement. The issuer waits to post your welcome bonus until the statement closes that contains the end of your spending requirements.
However, from personal experience, we've found that Chase may delay posting your bonus points if you meet the minimum spending requirement too close to the statement closing date. This is true even if all of the transactions for the minimum spending are fully posted and appear on your statement. So, don't cut your spending too close to the deadline if you're counting on those points.
How long does it take for points and miles from Chase to post?
For Ultimate Rewards points-earning cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), the points will usually post to your account the day after your statement closes. For cobranded credit cards, such as United Airlines or Hyatt credit cards, you will usually receive points within two days after your statement closes.
Chase makes it quite easy to track your Ultimate Rewards earnings. Each purchase will show up in the Ultimate Rewards Activity Dashboard with the category and points earnings for each transaction. There are even metrics to show you how many points you earned from each category.
Pro tip: When you meet the minimum spend on an Ultimate Rewards card, the bonus will be added to the "Points Earned on Next Statement" box in the Ultimate Rewards portal.
Related: The best Chase credit cards
Citi
How long does it take for a sign-up bonus from Citi to post?
Officially, Citi states that it pays welcome bonuses "8-10 weeks after you have met the purchase requirements." But in our experience, you can expect Citi to pay out bonuses on both cobranded and Citi ThankYou cards within a couple of days of your statement closing.
How long does it take for points and miles from Citi to post?
Points you've earned typically post to your ThankYou Rewards account the day after your statement closes. Rewards earned with cobranded cards like the Citi AAdvantage cards also tend to post shortly after your statement closes.
Citi breaks out your earnings by card and bonus category — making it a little easier to double-check the math.
Related: The best Citi credit cards
Discover
How long does it take for a sign-up bonus or referral bonus from Discover to post?
Discover cards typically don't offer a welcome bonus. However, cardholders do get all of their earnings matched at the end of the first year. This bonus will post within one or two billing cycles after your account anniversary.
Discover also runs a refer-a-friend promotion where both the referrer and the referral receive a $50 to $100 statement credit, depending on the card. The company awards this bonus "within the first three months" of a new account opening.
How long does it take for points and miles from Discover to post?
As for the cash back and miles you earn from Discover cards, the issuer says it will be added to your account at the end of each billing period.
Synchrony Bank
How long does it take for a sign-up bonus from Synchrony to post?
Synchrony Bank issues the Cathay Pacific Visa® card, as well as credit cards for numerous stores in the U.S. The bank says that the bonus will post "1-2 billing after the net qualifying purchase(s) are made." In our experience, Synchrony typically pays out miles when your monthly statement closes.
The information for the Cathay Pacific Visa Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
How long does it take for miles from Synchrony to post?
Miles from daily spending on your card post a day or two after your statement closes. Thus, if your statement closes on April 1, expect the miles to appear in your Asia Miles account by April 3.
Related: A review of the Cathay Pacific Visa Signature card
U.S. Bank
How long does it take for a sign-up bonus from U.S. Bank to post?
U.S. Bank says to "allow 6-8 weeks for your bonus points to be credited to your account" after meeting the minimum spend. Most of the time, however, we've found that bonuses are paid out when your monthly statement closes.
How long does it take for miles from U.S. Bank to post?
As with the welcome bonus, points and cash back earnings should arrive after your statement closes. Thus, expect your rewards within a day or two of statement closing.
Related: The best U.S. Bank credit cards
Wells Fargo
How long does it take for a sign-up bonus from Wells Fargo to post?
Wells Fargo promises that welcome bonuses are "redeemable within 1-2 billing periods after they are earned." In our experience, however, they typically come within a few days of the closing date of the statement where you've finished your minimum spending requirements.
How long does it take for miles from Wells Fargo to post?
Wells Fargo shows rewards as "pending" in your account until the day after your billing cycle ends. For example, rewards earned on a purchase made on March 15 for a billing cycle ending March 27 should be available on March 28. A key difference is for the Bilt Mastercard®, as the Bilt Rewards Points you earn on the card tend to post immediately.
The information for the Bilt 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.
Bottom Line
When planning out your next credit card application, it's important to be aware of when all the major credit card issuers pay out points for both welcome bonuses and spending.
If you need to book a ticket quickly, you may want to consider opting for an Amex card, since the bonuses tend to post quickly. If you have time or don't have an immediate redemption in mind, apply for the best travel credit card that best fits your plans or aligns with bonus categories where you spend money regularly.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.