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| Best credit card bonuses |
| by Brian Kelly |
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Periodically getting a credit card when it has an increased welcome offer is a surefire way to keep your points balances healthy and growing.
Here are my tips for finding and getting the best bonuses on the market.
Before applying for a new card, check your available targeted offers on CardMatch
Right now, certain TPG readers are qualifying for a huge 150,000-point bonus offer on The Platinum Card® from American Express after spending $8,000 in the first six months of account opening, which is better than the public offer. Those points are worth $3,000 by current TPG points valuations when maximized with American Express’ transfer partners.
We’ve also heard of some readers getting a 75,000-point American Express® Gold Card offer via CardMatch, which is 15,000 points higher than the public offer.
These offers are subject to change at any time.
Apply when cards have improved bonuses
Card welcome bonuses go up and down, so you want to strike while the iron is hot.
In addition to those Amex Platinum and Gold bonuses that are increased for some lucky applicants, right now, several cards are offering increased bonuses for all. This includes:- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is offering two 85,000-point free night awards, which can be redeemed at luxury Marriott brands like JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton, after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months.
- The Capital One Venture X Business recently launched a huge 150,000-mile bonus once you spend $30,000 in the first three months from account opening. This card is perfect for medium to large businesses, and you can add employee cards for free.
- The Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited best-ever offers have launched, and you couldearn 90,000 points or $900 cash back after you spend $6,000 in the first three months after account opening. You can double the value of that offer if you hold a premium Chase card and leverage transfer partners.
Check your (snail) mail
Credit card companies still use traditional mail to send out some targeted increased sign-up offers that you can’t get anywhere else, so don’t just toss that pile of snail mail without thumbing through it.
Opt in to marketing emails
You’ll sometimes get targeted offers with increased welcome bonuses in your inbox, so be sure to opt in to marketing emails with the credit card companies (or at a minimum, just don’t opt-out).
Not only will you sometimes get better offers for applying, but you’ll also sometimes get improved offers to upgrade your card to a higher-tier one with a bonus you couldn’t get elsewhere. This can make a lot of sense if you don’t want a new card application and account to hit your credit report.
Get referred
When you’re ready to get a new card, you can also check to see if your friends or family members have any good offers they can refer you to — as those are also sometimes better than the most readily available public offer.
On top of that, the person who refers you usually gets a nice set of points from the issuer as a thank-you if you get approved, so this is a great way to really ramp up the earnings within the family.
Check the TPG top offers page
TPG keeps a list of the best credit card offers that is updated every month, so always check there before applying for an offer you hear about on TV, on the plane, etc., to be sure you’re getting the highest possible number of bonus points.
Have a great weekend,
BK
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| Photo Credit: WYATT SMITH/THE POINTS GUY. |
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