✈ Best Welcome Offers of October Up to 200,000 Points, Don’t End Up in ‘Airline Jail’ & More News From TPG ✈ - The Points Guy

THE POINTS GUY

October 2, 2025

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by Emily Thompson, Newsletter and Sponsorships Editor

Well, we’ve made it into October, which not only kicks off a series of many of the year’s biggest holidays and gatherings, but also some of the year’s biggest expenses to go with it.

Whether you’re looking ahead to social obligations, travel, buying gifts or all of the above, now is a great time to get a new card and use all that spending to earn a juicy welcome bonus.

Here are the best ones this month:

Transferable rewards

Cards that offer transferable rewards give you the flexibility to transfer and book airline or hotel awards, and American Express has an impressive 17 airline and three hotel partners to choose from.

The Platinum Card® from American Express got a major refresh last month — complete with an even more valuable list of benefits and statement credits. Apply and find out your welcome offer and see if you’re eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express also got a major refresh last month, adding some exciting benefits and credits for your business. New applicants can earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 in the first three months of card membership — a bonus worth a whopping $4,000 according to TPG’s September 2025 valuations.
The new Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ is still in the No. 1 spot with its unprecedented offer of 200,000 bonus points after $30,000 in spending in the first six months from account opening — worth a staggering $4,100 by our valuations.

Airline miles

Atmos Rewards — the new rewards program of the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines merger — recently released the new Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card with an offer you won’t want to miss. New applicants can earn 100,000 bonus points plus a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,000 in the first 90 days from account opening.
And don’t miss the current offers on the Delta Air Lines credit cards. Some are offering the highest offer we’ve ever seen from them!

Hotel points

And on the hotel side, don’t miss the current offer on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. Right now, new applicants can earn 125,000 bonus points and one free night award (valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 in the first three months from account opening.

If you’re considering one of these offers, don’t wait — they might not be around for long.

Happy earning!

Emily

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Photo Credit: PIXELSEFFECT/GETTY IMAGES.

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Introducing Atmos Rewards

Unlock a world of more with Atmos™ Rewards, a combined loyalty program by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, the #1 airline rewards program according to U.S. News & World Report (’25-’26).

Learn more

Today’s top stories

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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. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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