Our credit card strategy has changed from travel to earning more points while not traveling during this pandemic. One thing we did while quarantined and ordering online is we collected points and miles in order to save money in the future. Our strategy has changed wanting more benefits with travel and high cash back on Gas.
That space in your wallet or purse is valuable, and you should be the one to get that value. Selected banks are offering strong perks and $500+ value for a single card during the first year to encourage you to apply and try it out. These are the top 10 credit card offers that I would personally apply for right now, if I didn’t already have most of them. Notable changes:
IHG Hotels 140k/75k – 140k still highest ever, new 75k traveler offer.
Chase Freedom Unlimited raised to $200 Bonus plus extra cashback on groceries and gas stations
AmEx Blue Cash Preferred to Add Streaming, Transit Bonus Categories
If you pay off your balances every month, then you can join me and many others in funding a huge chunk of your annual travel budget with cash credits, points, and miles. You don’t need to be a “I only fly business class” world traveler. I mostly use my rewards points on domestic economy flights, mid-class hotels, and cheap car rentals. If you have credit card debt, you should focus on paying that off first as the interest charges could offset most of the perks.
This is a companion post to my Top 5 Best Business Card Offers. Small business bonuses are on average even higher than those on consumer cards.
A top travel card is now offering 100,000 bonus points after $5,000 in spending. That’s enough for a dozen short-haul trips, lie-flat seats, or five-star stays.
✔️ 1:1 transfers to major airline and hotel programs ✔️ 5x points on travel portal, 3x on dining ✔️ $50 annual hotel credit ✔️ No foreign transaction fees
$300 in statement credits every cardmember year for bookings made through Capital One Travel; this can be applied toward any type of travel booked through Capital One Travel, including flights, hotels, rental cars, etc. 10,000 bonus Venture miles on the account anniversary every year; there’s no spending requirement to unlock this, and it’s worth a minimum of $100 toward a travel purchase, or could get you up to 10,000 airline miles (which I value at $170)
$200 Bonus when you make a purchase for spending $500 in the first 3 months
5% cash back on Lyft rides
5% cash back on Amazon, Hotels, & Restaurants starting in April 2024! 5% back on GAS is coming back for another quarter but for now Discover offers 5% back.
1.5% cash back on all other purchases
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers
No annual fee
No minimum to redeem for cash back
Standard offer on both has typically been $150/$500, so this is a small boost. There are occasionally targeted or branch offers of $300 for either of the cards.
Up to 50,000 Hyatt points. 25,000 Bonus Points after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. Plus an additional 25,000 Bonus Points after a total of $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months. See link for details and rough valuation of points.
$95 annual fee, free night award upon card anniversary.
INTRO OFFER: Discover will match ALL the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year, automatically. There’s no signing up. And no limit to how much is matched.
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, select rideshares and online shopping, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
Redeem cash back any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
Use your rewards at Amazon.com checkout.
Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
Marriott credit cards from Chase and American Express now earn an elevated 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent on eligible grocery purchases amid coronavirus.
60,000 American Airlines miles after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. See link for details.
First checked bag free on domestic AA flights ($60 value per roundtrip, per person).
$0 annual fee for the first year, then $99.
Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard
60,000 American Airlines miles after any purchase in the first 90 days and paying the $99 annual fee. See link for details.
$99 Companion certificate offer. Earn a certificate good for 1 guest at $99 (plus taxes and fees) after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in the first 90 days.
First checked bag free on domestic AA flights ($60 value per roundtrip, per person).
$99 annual fee.
Citi Strata Premier Card
60,000 points (worth $750 towards travel booked at ThankYou.com) after $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. See link for details.
3X points for every $1 spent on travel including gas stations.
Must not have gotten bonus from or closed a Citi Rewards+, ThankYou Preferred, Premier, or Prestige card in the past 24 months.
$95 annual fee.
Better offer is the Hilton Citi Visa now a AMEX Card
Bank of America Premium Rewards Card
50,000 points (worth $500 towards travel) after $3,000 in purchases within the first 90 days. See link for details.
2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
$100 annual Airline Incidental Statement Credit.
Up to $100 credit towards TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee.
$95 annual fee.
Hawaiian Airlines World Elite MasterCard (Soon to be Alaska Airlines)
50,000 Hawaiian miles after $2,000 in purchases within 90 days. See link for details.
Free first checked bag for primary cardmember when using your card to purchase eligible tickets directly from Hawaiian Airlines.
Receive a one-time 50% off companion discount for roundtrip coach travel between Hawaii and The Mainland on Hawaiian Airlines.
$99 annual fee.
During this Coronavirus pandemic your credit card rewards can help you pay for groceries, food delivery and essentials. This is by using points, gift cards, or statement credits from existing cards or new ones with bonuses.
Note: Certain Chase cards have a “5/24 rule” which is an unofficial rule that they will automatically deny approval on new credit cards if you have 5 or more new credit cards from any issuer on your credit report within the past 2 years. This rule applies on a per-person basis, so if you are new, you might want to start with those Chase cards.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of our all-time favorite travel rewards cards up there with the Venture X Card — and right now, it’s offering a welcome bonus of 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points. There’s never been a better time to apply for this ultra-well-rounded $95 annual fee card. And we’ll show you why.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Go here and start earning towards summer travel!
Earn 100,000 Points With the Chase Sapphire Preferred
As a new applicant for the Sapphire Preferred, you can earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
This offer is nothing short of incredible; it’s the most generous welcome bonus we’ve seen on this card in nearly four years. We highly recommend this card and this Southwest Airlines offer as our top two deals right now.
What is this Sapphire Preferred welcome offer worth?
The value of the Sapphire Preferred welcome bonus depends on how you choose to redeem your new stash of Ultimate Rewards points. But no matter how you use them, these points are worth a lot.
To get the most value, one of the best strategies is transferring your points to Chase’s 14 travel partners. On average, RewardsCards users redeem Ultimate Rewards points this way for 1.93¢ each — making the bonus worth over $1,900 toward award travel. And Chase has some excellent partners, including Marriott, World of Hyatt, IHG, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and United MileagePlus.
If you’d rather avoid the hassle of transferring points and searching for award space, you can redeem points earned with the Sapphire Preferred at a fixed rate of 1.25¢ each through Chase Travel.
Cardholders can also combine Ultimate Rewards points earned across their entire portfolio of Chase cards into a single account. That makes it easy to maximize card earnings and accumulate enough points toward your next redemption.
Why Should You Get the Sapphire Preferred?
It’s important to remember that the unpredictable economy could limit the availability of large bonuses like this from major banks, such as Chase. This might be the last opportunity before a potential recession or housing market downturn. Accumulate your points and choose the credit cards that will be most beneficial during difficult times, while also investing in future travel and better times.
Welcome bonus aside, the Sapphire Preferred is an incredibly well-rounded travel rewards card. It’s one we recommend to beginners and seasoned travelers alike. Here are just a few reasons why.
Lucrative earning rates
It’s easy to stock up on Ultimate Rewards points thanks to the Sapphire Preferred‘s many bonus categories. With this card, you’ll earn points as follows:
5X points on Lyft rides through March 2025
5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide
3X points on eligible streaming services
3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
2X points on all other travel
1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Several useful benefits
The Sapphire Preferred has a lengthy list of practical benefits, including:
$50 annual hotel credit.
10% anniversary bonus points on the points you’ve accumulated from purchases over the past year.
Complimentary DashPass from DoorDash.
Primary collision damage waiver (CDW) insurance on car rentals worldwide.
Trip delay reimbursement of up to $500 per ticket for delays of 12+ hours.
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance up to $20k per covered trip.
Lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay coverage.
Extended warranty and purchase protection.
No foreign transaction fees.
Reasonable annual fee
The Sapphire Preferred offers cardholders a lot of value — and you’ll get it all for just a $95 annual fee.
Who’s Eligible for This Sapphire Preferred Welcome Bonus?
Chase enforces multiple restrictions on rewards credit card applications. The first is a published application rule stating you can’t get the Sapphire Preferred if you currently hold a Sapphire card or have received a signup bonus for one in the previous 48 months.
“The product is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of any Sapphire credit card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of any Sapphire credit card who received a new cardmember bonus within the last 48 months…”
Keep in mind that you can still get this increased sign-up bonus if you’re currently an authorized user on another Sapphire Preferred account.
Chase cards are also subject to a second, unpublished rule known as the Chase 5/24 policy. If you’ve been approved for five or more personal credit cards in the previous 24 months (from any card issuer), you likely won’t be approved for this card.
$1,050 in foolproof free travel
While not the absolute highest-possible redemption value, the easiest way to use your Chase points for travel is through the Chase Travel Portal.
With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can redeem points for airfare, hotel stays, rental cars, and more at a rate of 1.25 cents each. The Chase Sapphire Preferred 100k bonus points offeris worth a guaranteed $1,000 in travel at the very least.
There are several benefits to redeeming your Chase points through the Chase Travel Portal:
It doesn’t require you to be familiar with the intricate aspects of awards travel, such as understanding which airline and hotel transfer partners offer the best value for specific situations.
You can book boutique hotels that don’t participate in a loyalty program.
You won’t have to worry about blackout dates and award availability.
You can also redeem your points in tandem with the Chase Sapphire Preferred annual $50 hotel credit.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers up to $50 in hotel credit each cardmember anniversary year. As long as you pay for a hotel through the Chase Travel Portal with your card, you’ll automatically receive a statement credit within a few days.
Bottom Line
It’s not very often we an increased offer on the Sapphire Preferred — much less one that offers 100,000 points. The offer is normally only 60,000. If you’re eligible to apply for this card and earn the welcome bonus, this is a limited-time card offer that you won’t want to miss!
Discover Card has made many positive changes in the past year and now we are starting to blog about them again. If you think that Discover is outdated or not competitive with other banks you better think again. One news anchor reporting on Discover was shocked people still use Discover. Oh yes, there are many of us out there and we are getting cash back and loving it. The credit card company recently rolled out a new Travel Card and offer some great bonus cards that you do not see on many blogs mainly because they do not get a referral. Let’s start with a $50 bonus promotion card because we love a good sign-up offer. If you are not already a cardmember then you can get a $100 Bonus by applying here.
You can sign up through this $100 Discover it® Link to get a $100 (formerly a $50 Cashback Bonus) after your first purchase within 3 months of approval. The $100 bonus will be credited to your Discover it card account within 2 billing cycles of your first purchase for any amount. This is made available through the Discover Refer-A-Friend Program, where both the referring member and new applicant receive the $50. Once you are a cardholder you can participate in the Discover referral program to earn a $50 bonus for each new member referred. So give share this and the link with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter.
Get 5% – 10% on Gas and More! You’ll earn 5% Cashback Bonus on Gas stations and Sam’s Club on up to $1,500 in purchases and more for 2025 Discover will match that for new cardmembers of 10x the cash back!
If you are a new cardmember and sign up for the Double Cash Back offer you can get ip to 12% Cash Back at Department Stores, Sam’s Club, and Amazon online. You can get 5% extra Cashback Bonus at Sam’s Club and SamsClub.com, 5% extra Cashback Bonus at Department Stores, and at Amazon.com right now. It will be doubled and added to your regular 1% back so that totals 12% if you were signed up for the Double Promotion on top of this. With the Sam’s and Discover promo you need to log-in and click on the links in “Discover Deals” then pay with your Discover card at checkout within three hours. There does not seem to be a maximum on this cashback but with Amazon just use your card and it is automatic up to $1,500 in spend.
Comparison Chart below that compares Blue Cash Everyday Card from AMEX, Chase Freedom, Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards, Citi Double Cash Card, and Bank Americard Cash Rewards to the Discover IT Card. You will notice that Bank Americard is among the worst according to Discover. Also, the Chase Freedom is pretty competitive and it also offers a sign-up bonus. I have both cards myself. On a personal note the Capital One Quicksilver is one of my favorite cards in my wallet because it gives 1.5x rewards and it actually does let you redeem for any amount and works well with Apple Pay.
5%Cashback Bonus on Restaurant and Movie purchases between April 1 and June 30 is my favorite thing about the card this coming quarter. Mainly because this normally counts as bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and fast food which I spend a a lot of money on when traveling. The up to $1,500 I will max out in a month and that will be a free $75 towards my statement. Don’t forget to sign-up now before the promotion starts or before you use your card at one of those establishments.
The Capital One Venture X Credit Card is Capital One’s new ultra-premium credit card. We haven’t been this excited about a travel credit card in years. This card compares to the Chase Sapphire Card that won the media by storm several years ago. It was one of the hottest credit cards that have also talked about never a huge fan of the Sapphire card but this card is so generous in rewards and benefits everyone needs it to travel in 2026.
Capital One Venture X Review
The $395 annual fee Capital One Venture X is Capital One’s premium travel rewards credit card, competing with cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve. The Venture X offers a huge welcome bonus, a minimum of 2x Venture miles on all purchases, a $300 travel credit and 10,000 bonus miles annually, and unlimited access to Capital One Lounges, along with a Priority Pass membership, for both the primary cardmember and authorized users. As mentioned above, the card has a $395 annual fee, but that $300 credit alone should easily offset more than 75% of that fee, which is awesome. So while the card’s annual fee might seem high on the surface, it shouldn’t really be costing anyone all that much to hold onto.
We also highly recommend these the Capital One Spark Business Card offer with a $1,000 Bonus and the Chase Freedom card as the top cards for 2025.
Capital One Venture X welcome bonus: 100,000 miles
The Capital One Venture X is offering an excellent welcome bonus where you’ll earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months.
Offer has been updated with new bonus of 100,000 miles after spending $5,000.
Capital One miles are valued around 1.7 cents each, so to me the 75,000 Venture miles are worth around $1,275. When it comes to transfer partners you can basically transfer it to many airlines and hotels and get free stays making the value even more depending on how last-minute your travel and what it means to you.
The Capital One Venture X has a $395 annual fee, and there is no cost to add up to four authorized users (which is a major perk, given the benefits that authorized users receive). For anyone who travels with any frequency, the annual fee should more than pay for itself, thanks to the ongoing perks, particularly the $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles.
Capital One Venture X Cashback is 2x miles everywhere & more
The Capital One Venture X rewards structure builds on the basics of the Capital One Venture, but is even better. The card offers:
10x Venture miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
5x Venture miles on flights booked via Capital One Travel
2x Venture miles on all other purchases
The card has no foreign transaction fees, making this ideal for purchases abroad
Most noteworthy is the return on everyday spending, as the card offers 2x Venture miles per dollar spent. Capital One miles are extremely valuable, and can either be redeemed for one cent each toward the cost of a travel purchase, or can be transferred to Capital One’s travel partners at a ratio of up to 1:1. Earning two airline miles per dollar spent is amazing.
Normally ’m opposed to booking travel through credit card portals, but Capital One Travel is well done and has some unique features, including savings on flights, 24/7 alert technology with price changes, a best price guarantee on hotels, and more.
Capital One Venture X perks: $300 travel credit, 10K bonus miles, & more
This is where the Venture X shines. As mentioned above, the Capital One Venture X has a $395 annual fee, but the card offers two major annual benefits:
$300 in statement credits every cardmember year for bookings made through Capital One Travel; this can be applied toward any type of travel booked through Capital One Travel, including flights, hotels, rental cars, etc.
10,000 bonus Venture miles on the account anniversary every year; there’s no spending requirement to unlock this, and it’s worth a minimum of $100 toward a travel purchase, or could get you up to 10,000 airline miles (which I value at $170)
Between those two benefits alone, that’s $470 worth of value annually for a $395 annual fee card. And that doesn’t even account for the other perks (including airport lounge access), which I’ll cover below.
Furthermore, there are some more Capital One Venture X perks & benefits that are worth being aware of:
The Capital One Venture X offers a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit once every four years
The Capital One Venture X offers Hertz President’s Circle status for the primary cardmember and authorized users, offering perks like being able to skip the counter, guaranteed upgrades, free additional drivers, and more
The Capital One Venture X is a Visa Infinite Card, and therefore offers other rental car perks as well, including National Emerald Club Executive status, and savings with Avis and Silvercar
Capital One Venture X lounge access: Capital One Lounges & Priority Pass
Capital One’s first airport lounge is now open at DFW! Capital One Venture X cardholders have unlimited access, Venture and Spark cardholders get two free passes a year, and the lounge is open to all travelers for $65.
Capital One is opening up airport lounges, and the Venture X Card has some very nice lounge access perks:
The Capital One Venture X offers unlimited access to Capital One Lounges, with the ability to bring two guests; the first lounge opened at DFW Airport (Dallas, Texas), and is simply incredible, with Peloton bikes, grab & go food, cold brew on tap, and more
The Capital One Venture X offers a Priority Pass membership (including credits at Priority Pass restaurants), with the ability to bring two guests
The Denver and Washington D.C. Mega-Lounges just opened in the past few weeks!
You can add up to four authorized users to the Capital One Venture X at no cost, and they also get the same lounge access benefits, including access to Capital One Lounges, as well as a Priority Pass membership.
Capital One Venture X purchase protection: car rentals, travel, and cell phones
One thing that a lot of people look for in premium credit cards is great purchase protection. Many of these things we have lost from card issuers such as Citi Prestige. The Capital One Venture X is a Visa Infinite Card, and as a result it offers some valuable peace of mind:
For car rentals, the Venture X offers primary rental car coverage; just decline the collision damage waiver offered by the car rental company, and pay for the full price of the rental with your card
For cell phones, the Venture X offers cell phone protection; just pay your monthly bill with the card, and you’ll be protected for up to $800 if your phone is stolen or damaged, minus a $50 deductible
For flights, the Venture X offers trip delay reimbursement; pay for your airline ticket with the card, and if you’re delayed by more than six hours or have an overnight stay, you can be reimbursed up to $500 for reasonable expenses incurred because of the delay
For luggage, the Venture X offers lost luggage reimbursement; pay for your airline ticket with the card, and if your bag is lost, you can be reimbursed up to $3,000 per trip
Make sure to consult the cardmember agreement for all the terms, since there are always some restrictions associated with this coverage. But this is incredibly well rounded coverage, and what I look for in a premium card.
Getting approved for the Capital One Venture X
Capital One can be hard when it comes to getting approved for cards for some but we have seen a lot of people are having luck with approvals for the Capital One Venture X,. A few things to note:
Yes, you are eligible for the Capital One Venture X (including the bonus) even if you have the Capital One Venture, but you need to apply outright; product changing doesn’t qualify for the bonus
If you’re added as an authorized user on the Capital One Venture X (or any other Capital One card), you are eligible to apply for the card yourself in the future, and receive the bonus
Capital One doesn’t seem to have any consistent rules when it comes to getting approved, at least not like Amex and Chase; people with all kinds of credit profiles are reporting approvals
Capital One pulls your credit from all three bureaus when you apply,
Why the Capital One Venture X is worth it
The Capital One Venture X is jaw-droppingly generous, and that’s not even accounting for the card’s welcome bonus. The card has a $395 annual fee, which is lower than the fee on other premium credit cards. But the card shouldn’t be costing anyone nearly that much, between the $300 annual Capital One Travel credit, and the 10,000 anniversary bonus Venture miles. To me you’re coming out ahead without even using the card for everyday spending. Many are dropping the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the American Express Platinum for this card that has more in value and less than half the expense of the annual fees.
That doesn’t even factor in that the card has huge value beyond that — the Capital One Venture X offers an industry-leading 2x miles per dollar spent, and most significantly, offers access to Capital One Lounges, plus a Priority Pass membership, for both the primary cardmember and the (free) authorized users. You can actually dine at restaurants with this card and you cannot with American Express Platinum’s Priority Pass benefits.
Capital One Venture X FAQs
What lounge access does the Venture X offer?
The Venture X offers a Priority Pass membership, getting you access to 1,300+ lounges around the world, with the ability to take up to two guests. On top of that, you can access Capital One Lounges, also with two guests. These perks apply both to the primary cardmember and authorized users.
Can you access Priority Pass restaurants with the Venture X?
The Priority Pass membership offered by the Venture X gets you access to all Priority Pass locations, including restaurants. In other words, Capital One doesn’t have the same restrictions as Amex does about visiting Priority Pass restaurants, which is great. You won’t get this with AMEX Cards.
What credit score do you need to be approved for the Venture X?
There’s not a specific credit score you need to be approved for the Venture X, though the card is generally intended for those with good to excellent credit. Capital One has fairly few consistent rules about approvals otherwise, and reports suggest that a lot of people are successfully being approved for the card.
What is the highest & lowest credit limit for the Venture X?
Since the Venture X is a Visa Signature, the minimum credit limit on the card will be $10,000, if you’re approved. Meanwhile the highest credit limit I’ve heard of for this card is $30,000 (though if anyone has received a higher credit limit, please let me know).
When does the Venture X welcome bonus end?
The Venture X is offering a bonus of 75,000 miles after meeting minimum spend requirements. I have no indication of if/when this bonus will change.
Is the Venture X card made of metal?
Yep, the Capital One Venture X is indeed made of metal.
How can you redeem the Venture X $300 travel credit?
The Venture X $300 travel credit is issued each anniversary year (including the first year), and can be used toward any purchase in the Capital One Travel portal. This includes purchasing flights, hotels, rental cars, etc. For most people this should be more or less good as cash toward travel.
How does the Venture X 10K anniversary bonus miles work?
The Venture X offers an automatic 10,000 bonus Venture miles on the account anniversary every year. This couldn’t be more straightforward, as the miles will automatically post to your account. You can redeem them whenever you’d like, however you’d like. 10,000 Venture miles could get you $100 worth of travel, or alternatively could get you up to 10,000 bonus miles with one of Capital One’s airline partners.
Is the Venture X a Mastercard or Visa?
The Venture X is a Visa Infinite Card, which is Visa’s most premium type of credit card.
Bottom line
Capital One premium credit card, the Capital One Venture X, everything we have been looking for in a travel card with an exception of booking travel through their site for the additional points. This $395 annual fee card offers a ton of value and a no-brainer. On the most basic level, you’ll receive a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit plus 10,000 bonus miles annually, which should cover the annual fee. On top of that you earn at least 2x miles per dollar spent, plus you get access to Capital One Lounges and a Priority Pass membership, for both the primary cardmember and any (free) authorized users.
As inflation spirals, tariffs skyrocket, and the stock market teeters on chaos, Americans are facing a rapidly shrinking window to secure one of the last remaining financial safety nets: massive credit card bonuses. With a recession expected by early 2027, banks like Chase, Capital One, and American Express are already pulling back—tightening approvals and quietly slashing perks. History shows that when crises hit, these bonuses are the first to vanish.
If you’re serious about protecting your finances, now is the time to act. Below are four powerful cards offering high-value bonuses that may not be around for long—plus a breakdown of how they can help shield you during economic uncertainty.
Why These Credit Card Bonuses Are Disappearing
We weren’t joking about 0% No Balance Transfer offers going away! Now is the time to act on this!
During the 2008 financial crisis, JPMorgan Chase stock dropped over 60%, and banks gutted rewards programs to curb losses. In 2020, American Express temporarily suspended lounge access as travel collapsed. Now, with inflation holding at 5% and global tariffs threatening to spike prices, banks are once again preparing for rising defaults.
“This is a now-or-never moment,” says travel analyst Mark Torres. “By 2027, we could see the most restrictive bonus climate since the Great Recession.”
Always be prepared for big bonus days to go away!
4 Credit Cards to Secure Before the Door Slams Shut
These aren’t just travel perks—they’re recession-fighting tools that can save you serious money in the months ahead.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred – 100,000 Points ($1,250 Travel Value) Why Now: This top-tier bonus is expected to drop to 60k by late 2025. Bonus: Earn 100,000 points after $4,000 in spend (within 3 months). Transfer Partners: United, Hyatt, Marriott, Southwest, and more. Recession Hack: Use points to cover inflated travel costs or redeem as cash back at 1.25¢ per point through Chase Ultimate Rewards. GO here for the offer!
2. Capital One Venture X – 90,000 Miles ($900 Value) Why Now: This elevated 90k offer (normally 75k) won’t last. Bonus: Earn 90,000 miles after $4,000 spend in 3 months. Perks: $300 annual travel credit + 10k anniversary miles. Recession Hack: Use miles to “erase” travel purchases—ideal for combating soaring airfares.
3. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority – Companion Pass Pathway Why Now: Earn 85,000 points after $5,000 spend in 3 months. Bonus Strategy: Pair with another Southwest card to hit 135,000 points and earn the Companion Pass through 2025. Recession Hack: Slash vacation costs by up to 50%—your designated traveler flies free (plus taxes and fees).
4. Amex Hilton Honors Surpass – 170k Points + Free Night Why Now: This limited-time offer includes 170,000 points + 1 free weekend night after $3,000 in spend. Value: Hilton points hold strong during inflation, with redemptions starting at just 25k per night. Recession Hack: Use your free night at luxury hotels like Conrad or Waldorf Astoria when cash rates soar.
How These Bonuses Can Shield You from the Coming Recession
Travel Insurance: Cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred include trip delay/cancellation protection—crucial if plans are disrupted. Inflation Buffer: Lock in today’s travel prices with points before inflation and tariffs make things worse. Emergency Use: Many cards allow cash redemptions or statement credits—use points to pay for groceries, rent, or bills.
The Window Is Closing—Faster Than You Think
Banks are already pulling back:
Chase’s 5/24 rule limits who can apply.
Southwest’s Companion Pass threshold could rise in 2026.
Amex’s lifetime bonus rule means if you miss out now, you may never be eligible again.
Capital One To Acquire Discover Financial. Now is the time to get that Discover Double Match Offer and $100 Bonus.
Final Word: In both 2008 and 2020, consumers who waited were left empty-handed. Don’t let that be you this time.
The Takeaway
Don’t wait for headlines to scream “Recession is here!” By then, these offers—and your financial safety net—could be gone.
Act now to lock in these offers while they’re still available. Points and perks today could be the peace of mind you need tomorrow.
Disclosure: Always pay your balance in full. These strategies only work if you’re not paying interest. Avoid carrying a balance, especially with APRs above 20%.
Want help picking the right card for you? Drop a comment or reach out—let’s recession-proof your wallet.
Just show a military ID at any Shake Shack for a free burger!
Here is the updated list of Veterans Day deals for 2025, including Torchy’s Tacos, Del Taco, and McAlister’s Deli:
Free Food and Drink Deals
Free Haircut for Veterans from Sports Clips. Download the app and you don’t even have to wait!
Applebee’s: Free full-size entrée for veterans and active duty military on November 11. Caribou Coffee: Free small coffee for veterans, active duty military, and spouses on November 11. Chili’s: Free entrée for veterans and active duty military on November 11. Del Taco: Free meal (any taco, burrito, or quesadilla) for veterans and active duty military on November 11. Dunkin‘: Free doughnut for veterans and active duty military on November 11. Famous Dave’s: Free Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich with Side for veterans and active duty military on November 11. Golden Corral: Free dinner for veterans and active duty military on November 11.
In-N-Out: Free burger, fries & beverage. Valid for Veterans, Active Duty Military, Reserves, and National Guard Krispy Kreme: Free doughnut and coffee for veterans and active duty military on November 11. McAlister’s Deli: Free McAlister’s Club sandwich and tea or lemonade for veterans and active duty military on November 11. Outback Steakhouse: Free Bloomin’ Onion for veterans and active duty military on November 11. Starbucks: Free coffee or tea for veterans and active duty military on November 11. Torchy’s Tacos: Free taco and fountain drink for veterans and active duty military on November 11. Village Inn: Free breakfast for veterans and active duty military on November 11.
Retail:
AARP: Special membership offer for veterans and active duty military. Guitar Center: 15% off a single item of $199 or more for veterans and active duty military from November 9 to 12. Under Armour: Up to 40% off purchases for active-duty service members, veterans, military spouses, and military family members between November 2 and 19.
Travel and Recreation
CheapOair: Save up to $25 on fees on flights with promo code VTRN25. Pickleball Kingdom: Free play for veterans from November 11 to 13. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Waived day use fees at recreation areas nationwide on November 11.
If you have a big family to feed you most likely spend tons of money at the grocery store. You can add up coupons all day long but this card will save you the most. A 6% discount on groceries is basically what you are getting with this cash back card at grocery stores. The card has an annual fee but it pays for itself with the generous cash back and the $250 bonus.
Earn $250 after spending $1,000 in first 3 months.
Earn 6% cash back at US supermarkets; 3% cash back at US gas station and select US department stores; 1% cash back on other purchases.
With this credit card, you can get access to Amex Offers, which often offers very good discounts at some stores. In the past we have seen offers like: Spend $15 or more and get $5 back at Walmart; Spend $75 or more and get $25 back on Amazon
This is also a great card to have to buy Christmas Gift Cards for the stores that you visit frequently (such as Shell, Amazon, Uber, etc) or Visa Gift Cards in supermarkets, use your Blue Cash Preferred to buy them and you can get 6% cash back (up to $6000 per year)! If you use the card this way than you can make anything 6% back.
Disadvantages
$95 annual fee but the bonus pays for this.
Only first $6,000 purchases per Annual Reward Year (12 billing periods in a row beginning with the one that includes January 1st) at US supermarkets can earn 6% cash back, after that you can only earn 1%.
According to American Express; Target, Walmart, and Costco do not count as supermarkets, and you can only get 1x when shopping there.
This credit card is on the American Express Network, not Visa or MasterCard, so some small stores may not accept it.
Bottom Line
This is a great card for those who do lots of grocery shopping. Personally, I used the card for the bonus and plan to downgrade to the non-annual fee card when the annual fee comes due. AMEX actually prorates the annual fee for those that apply before the end of the year so you can cancel in January and keep most of the $250 bonus. Pretty simple stuff to make some easy money and get 6% back on buying Christmas gift cards for relatives.
After you apply you may check with the AmEx reconsideration backdoor number: 877-399-3083.
American Express recently rolled out a new limited time offer on the no annual fee Hilton Honors Card from American Express, which is valid for a limited time. This is Hilton’s starter co-branded credit card, and it’s currently offering a welcome bonus of 75,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $1,000 within the first three months.
The welcome bonus offered 50,000 Honors points in the past upon completing minimum spend, so this bonus is a 50% increase compared to before. Past increased bonuses had a higher spend requirement to earn the bonus. Since you have no annual fee to pay with this card it’s a no-brainer for a free stay at Hilton.
Click Here to Apply for the 75K Bonus on the No Annual Fee Hilton Honors Card From American Express.
This Hilton Honors AMEX Card offers:
7x Honors points for spend directly with Hilton, 5x points for spend at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations, and 3x points for all other eligible purchases
Hilton Honors Silver status for as long as you have the card; Hilton Honors Silver members receive a fifth night free on award redemptions, so you’d receive that by virtue of having this card
Hilton Honors Gold status when you spend at least $20,000 on the card in a calendar year
No foreign transaction fees
Rental Car Protection option
Having this card gives you access to Amex Offers, which can save you money with many retailers. I save hundreds a year on this benefit. They normally offer Hilton Hotel offers such as “stay at the Hampton Inn spend $150 get $35 back.”
99% of merchants in the U.S. who accept credit cards now take American Express. Just a fact here if you are wondering if AMEX is accepted as widely as VISA or Mastercard. The most recent Nilson Report found that 10.6 million U.S. merchant locations accepted American Express at the end of 2025.
IHG (International Hotel Group) is a global hotel chain that has a hotel in most cities you travel from Holiday Inn to boutique Kimpton hotels. They also partner with Las Vegas strip hotels for perks and free nights. The IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card is a newish card that everyone should have because they have hotels everywhere and you get a free night each year along with elite perks. This rewards card not only has a great sign up bonus but great benefits year after year making it one of those cards where the benefits surpass the annual fee.
IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. $89 annual fee. GO here to apply!
Top 6 Reasons We Love the IHG Rewards Premier Rewards Card:
1. Free Night Every Single Year
With this credit card you’ll receive a free night certificate with every anniversary year at eligible hotels. This perk pays for the small annual fee and then some! You just need to book the free night certificate before it expires at the end of the year. For example, you can use this free night certificate at the Z Ocean in South Beach Miami which is right on the beach and can easily go for a free $300+ a night.
2. 4th Night Free on Award Stays
When you book with your IHG points, you’ll receive your 4th night free just by being a cardmember. With many other chains, such as Marriott and Hilton, your free night doesn’t appear until the 5th night. There is no maximum number of times you can take advantage of this benefit.
3. Global Entry or TSA Precheck Fee Credit
You normally have to pay a $400+ annual fee for a credit card that gives you this perk. When you pay for your Global Entry application fee you’ll receive a $100 statement credit — ultimately giving you free Global Entry to avoid lines at airports. This also gives you TSA Precheck. If you already have Global Entry all you have to do is pay for another friend or family members application and you’ll still get the $100 statement credit. You can receive this statement credit every 4 years.
4. Platinum Elite Status
One of my favorite benefits of this card from Chase is the included IHG Platinum status, such as:
Your points will never expire. Typically IHG points expire if there is no activity in the account for a 12 month period. When you have Platinum status (even if it is just earned from having the credit card), your points will not expire even if there has not been any activity in 12 months. This is definitely one of the shorter expiration periods amongst hotel chains, so not having to remember to keep your account active is nice.
Raid the Bar Credit. Platinum status also matches to Kimpton’s “Tier 3” status which will get you a $10 Raid the Bar credit when staying at Kimpton properties. Who doesn’t love a mini-bar they can raid?
Discount at Shell Gas stations. You’ll save 6 cents per gallon at Shell Gas stations due to the Fuel Rewards partnership.
5. Chase Offers
This is a new thing going on with Chase cards that no one is really talking about. Chase has offers in the Chase App or on the Chase Pay app where you can order food and pick it up and get freebies or save in cash back at certain retailers. For example, I had a Chase offer where it saved me $10 after making 3 purchases from any of the order ahead restaurants near me using the Chase Pay app which is better than calling ahead. The other version of Chase offers may include Starbucks at 10% back or Applebee’s at 8% you just have to look in the app to see what comes up! This perk alone adds up to huge savings if you use it often.
Earn a FULL Five times back on Gas, Groceries, and Dining.
6. 20% Discount on Purchasing Points
This is yet another benefit to get more bang for your buck when it comes to booking stays at IHG ran hotels. Sometimes it may be better to book buying points than paying directly. Note this discount is not on top of any other purchasing points promotions that might be running at the time but if you need a last minute hotel it sometimes helps to go this route.
There’s More: 10,000 Extra Points a Year for Big Spending
This is a benefit many of us will not use but it’s nice to have if you use it as your only card and want a annual bonus without having to sign up for a new card. If you spend $20,000 on your card within the year, you’ll receive 10,000 bonus points. Although for everyday spending such as groceries we have other cards that we recommend with better cash back.
Chase just announced a new limited-time offers for its Southwest consumer credit cards, allowing cardholders to earn the #1 rated airline’s amazing Companion Pass plus 100,000 bonus points when they meet a minimum spending requirement.
If you frequently travel with a plus-one, the Companion Pass allows you to add them to any Southwest flight for just the cost of taxes and fees.
How to Qualify for the New Southwest Companion Pass Offer
Credit card issuers often offer increased sign-up bonuses for a limited time, and this one is no different. To qualify, you’ll need to do the following.
Imagine flying with a companion for virtually free for two whole years! Southwest Airlines is making that dream a reality with an incredible new offer on all three personal Chase Southwest credit cards. This is your chance to snag the highly coveted Southwest Companion Pass for 2026 and 2027, and potentially even for the last few months of 2025!
Here’s how to seize this fantastic opportunity:
The Generous 100,000 Point Signup Bonus
Southwest is currently offering a massive 100,000 point signup bonus when you open any of their personal Chase Southwest credit cards. To earn this bonus, you’ll need to spend $4,000 within the first five months of account opening. This extended spending window gives you plenty of time to meet the requirement at your own pace. But don’t wait too long – this limited-time offer is scheduled to end on September 17, 2025.
Your Path to the Companion Pass
To earn the Southwest Companion Pass, you typically need 135,000 qualifying points. However, here’s where this offer gets even better:
10,000 Point Head Start: Every year, Southwest sweetens the deal by depositing 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points into your account by January 31st. This means you effectively only need to earn 125,000 points to secure the pass.
104,000+ Points from the Bonus: Once you meet the $4,000 spending requirement, you’ll have at least 104,000 points (100,000 bonus + 4,000 from spending), possibly more depending on your spending categories.
Bridging the Gap: You’ll only need to earn approximately 21,000 additional points to reach the 125,000 effective threshold. There are many easy ways to do this, such as everyday spending on the card, making purchases through the Southwest shopping portal, or even transferring points from partners.
Double the Fun: Two Years of Companion Pass
By hitting the 135,000 point threshold in 2025, you’ll not only enjoy the Companion Pass for the remainder of 2025 but also for the entirety of 2026 and 2027! That’s up to two full years of bringing a friend or family member along for just the cost of taxes and fees on your Southwest flights.
Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to maximize your travel and explore more with a companion by your side!
Compare Southwest Consumer Credit Cards
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
INTRO BONUS
PERKS
LEARN MORE
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
$69 (Free with benefits)
Companion Pass®SOUTHWEST RAPID REWARDS POINTS More Info
Lost luggage reimbursement Baggage delay insurance
Visit the offer page: The offer is currently not available when you visit the card landing pages on Chase’s website, so be sure to use one of the above links to apply.
Apply by the offer deadline: The limited-time offer won’t be around for more than a few weeks, so be sure to apply as soon as possible if you’re interested.
Meet the spending requirement: You’ll need to spend $4,000 in the first three months. Keep in mind that the clock starts when you open your account, not when you receive the card.
The Southwest Companion Pass could be your ticket to amazing family adventures. It lets you bring a kiddo (or any companion!) for free (just pay taxes and fees) on any Southwest flight you book. Sounds awesome, right? Remember that each Southwest credit card has its own benefits, so compare them to find the one that suits your family’s travel style.
Do your research, weigh the pros and cons, and then jet set to incredible memories with your loved ones!
Also keep in mind they do these amazing special offer via Chase Offers such as below 10% back at Panera and 10% on Jersey Mike’s and Walmart:
Previous offer: Free Companion Pass to bring a bestie or your family or anyone you choose for a year!
