This blog is usually all about points and miles. The game we play involves acquiring points & miles, usually without traveling, in order to travel nearly for free. Current events, though, has led some of us to turn towards cash-earning options: new credit card bonuses, new bank account bonuses, cash rewards from spend, cash back shopping portals, etc. This post is designed to dive into the first in the list: credit card bonuses.
The cards shown below are sorted by our formula for estimated first year value. With cash back cards you’d think that a formula isn’t necessary. Can’t you simply take the welcome bonus and subtract out the first year annual fee? Nope. We also have to account for the cost of spend. Some cards have much higher minimum spend requirements which we need to account for. For example, I’d argue that a $300 welcome offer that requires $500 spend is much better than a $300 offer that requires $3,000 spend.
For help with meeting spend requirements, please see: 7 ways to increase credit card spend from home.
Top 10 Cash Back Credit Card Offers
Top 10 offers are shown. Press “Next” to see more.
Card Offer |
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$1200 Cash Back ⓘ Affiliate Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 after $30K spend in the first 3 months. (Rates & Fees)$150 Annual Fee Recent better offer: Expired 3/14/22: $3K after $50K spend in 6 months |
$1,000 Cash Back ⓘ Affiliate $1K after $10K Spend in 3 Months$195 Annual Fee Alternate Offer: Some have been targeted for 150K after $10K spend via mailer or in the "Just for You" section of their online account. |
$750 Cash Back ⓘ Affiliate Earn a $750 bonus aftet you spend $6K in 3 months from account opening. (Rates & Fees)No Annual Fee |
75K points ⓘ Non-Affiliate 75K after $7500 spend in first 4 months$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 |
60K points ⓘ Non-Affiliate 60K after $4K spend in 90 days$95 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
75K points ⓘ Non-Affiliate 75K after $5K spend in 90 days$550 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$500 Cash Back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $500 cash back after $4500 spend on the account owner's card in first 150 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
50K Points ⓘ Non-Affiliate 50K points after $2K spend in 90 days$89 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$400 Cash Back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $400 after $3K spend in 90 daysNo Annual Fee |
$400 Cash Back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $400 statement credit after $1000 in purchases within first 3 months$49 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$250 cash back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $250 after $2K spend in 120 days$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
5% Cashback ⓘ Non-Affiliate 5% cashback for 6 months or $6K in spendNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
Up to $350 back ⓘ Non-Affiliate Up to $350 back: $200 back after $2K in the first 6 months + 10% back at restaurants for the first 6 months up to $150 back. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$300 Cash Back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $300 statement credit after $3000 spend in first 3 monthsNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$300 Cash Back ⓘ Non-Affiliate Earn a one time bonus: $300 after $3K spend in 3 months from account opening$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$250 back + 0% APR for 12 months ⓘ Affiliate $250 statement credit after $3k spend within first 3 months and 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49% depending on creditworthiness. (Rates & Fees)No Annual Fee |
$300 Cash Back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $300 after $3000 spend in 90 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$350 back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $350 cash back as a statement credit after $3K in the first 6 months. Terms Apply. (Rates & Fees)$95 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$200 Cash Back ⓘ Affiliate One time bonus: $200 after $500 spend in 3 months from account opening. (Rates & Fees)No Annual Fee |
$200 Cash Back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $200 in rewards (20K points) after $1K in purchases in first 3 billing cycles.No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$200 Cash Back ⓘ Affiliate One time bonus: $200 after $500 spend in 3 months from account opening. (Rates & Fees)No Annual Fee |
$250 back ⓘ Affiliate $250 cash back as reward dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit after $3K spend in the first 6 months. Terms Apply. (Rates & Fees)$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 |
$200 Cash Back as a statement credit ⓘ Non-Affiliate $200 statement credit after $1K in purchases in first 3 monthsNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$200 Cash Back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $200 after $1000 spend in 120 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$200 Cash Back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $200 after $1000 spend in 90 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$200 Cash Back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $200 after $1000 spend in 90 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$200 Cash Back as a statement credit ⓘ Friend-Referral $200 back as a statement credit after $2K in purchases in first 6 months. Terms apply. No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$200 cash back ⓘ Non-Affiliate 20K points (worth $200) after $3K spend in the first 60 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$150 Cash Back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $150 in rewards (15K points) after $1000 in purchases in first 120 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$125 Amazon Gift Card ⓘ Affiliate Eligible Prime members get a $125 Amazon Gift Card upon approval. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)No Annual Fee |
$100 + First Year Double ⓘ Friend-Referral Get $100 after first purchase. All "miles" earned in first 12 months will be doubled. This makes this a 3% cash back card for the first year. No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$100 Cash Back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $100 statement credit after $500 spend in first 90 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$100 Cash back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $100 cash back after $500 spend in the first 90 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: Expired 10/31/22: $150 after $500 in spend |
Up to $100 Earn up to a $100 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval. Log in to your Amazon account to see what offer you qualify for. Note that you may be offered the Amazon Prime Visa if you are a Prime member.No Annual Fee |
$100 Amazon Gift Card ⓘ Affiliate $100 Amazon gift card upon approval. Terms apply. No Annual Fee |
$100 Cash Back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $100 after $500 spend in 3 monthsNo Annual Fee |
$100 Cash Back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $100 after $500 spend in 3 monthsNo Annual Fee |
$150 cash back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $150 cash back after $3K spend in first 90 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
10K Points ⓘ Non-Affiliate 10K points after $1K spend in 90 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$200 Statement Credit ⓘ Non-Affiliate $200 statement credit with $3k spend in the first 90 days$95 Annual Fee |
No Welcome Bonus ⓘ Non-Affiliate No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
No Welcome Bonus ⓘ Non-Affiliate No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
None ⓘ Non-Affiliate NoneNo Annual Fee After $10K in purchases in the elevated categories each anniversary year, you only earn 1% back (or 2% through the end of 2021). Note that you can only apply in the Venmo app. Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
None ⓘ Non-Affiliate There is currently no welcome bonus offered.No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
3% back for 12 months ⓘ Non-Affiliate 3% cash back for 12 months on up to $20K in purchasesNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
No Welcome Bonus ⓘ Non-Affiliate No Annual Fee |
No Welcome Bonus ⓘ Non-Affiliate This card currently features no welcome offer, but it does offer 5% back on up to $10K in purchases per year at Simon Malls, Simon Mills, and Simon Premium Outlets. No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
None ⓘ Non-Affiliate There is currently no welcome bonus offered.No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
None ⓘ Non-Affiliate No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
No Welcome Bonus ⓘ Non-Affiliate No Annual Fee Requires Costco membership. Cash back provided annually with February billing statement as rewards coupon redeemable for cash or merchandise at Costco |
No Welcome Bonus ⓘ Affiliate No Annual Fee Requires Costco membership. Cash back provided annually with February billing statement as rewards coupon redeemable for cash or merchandise at Costco |
None ⓘ Non-Affiliate 0% Intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.24% - 28.999%.No Annual Fee This card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details). Even though this card is marketed as a cash back card, it actually earns Ultimate Rewards points which are redeemable for 1 cent each, or can be combined with other Ultimate Rewards-earning cards to get even more value. This product is available to you if you do not have this card and have not received a new cardmember bonus for this card in the past 24 months. Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
None ⓘ Non-Affiliate This card no longer features a first-year bonus.No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$150 (call to apply) ⓘ Non-Affiliate $150 after $5,000 spend in 3 months$150 Annual Fee Bonus offer is not available to either current or previous UBS credit cardmembers. Note: UBS Business cards DO add to Chase's 5/24 Rule. |
No Welcome Bonus ⓘ Non-Affiliate $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 Note that the card is only currently available with an M1 Plus membership (membership is free the first year, then $125 per year). The credit card's $95 annual fee is waived with an M1 Plus membership. Note also that the fine print says that the bonus will be paid out within 120 days of the end of the intro offer period. This means the welcome offer could be paid out as late as July 29, 2022. Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
Up to $600 ⓘ Friend-Referral Earn a $200 statement credit after each $10,000 you spend on the card, up to $30,000, in the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply. (Rates & Fees)$250 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
Top 10 Redeemable for Cash Offers
Many cards earn points that are easily redeemed for cash where one point equals one cent. This includes cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards, US Bank FlexPerks / Altitude points, Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Rewards. With Citi points, cashing out for 1 cent per point requires requesting a check to pay for a mortgage or student loan. The Citi Prestige card is an exception since it allows a direct cash out at 1 cent per point.
The cards listed below offer points that are more valuable when used towards travel. As a result, our estimated first year value (which uses enhanced travel value of points) is not a good measure for this post.
In order to understand how valuable each of the below offers is, convert the number of points to cash back, in your head by following this pattern (replace the “K” with a zero and add a dollar sign):
- 25K points = $250
- 50K points = $500
- 60K points = $600
- 80K points = $800
- 100K points = $1,000
Since the first year value estimates use point values based on travel value, Please use the estimates shown below only as relative indicators of which offers are best for cash back. However, if you think you are likely to use the points for travel, then the shown estimated values may be useful to you.
Top 10 offers are shown. Press “Next” to see more.
Card Offer |
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100K points ⓘ Affiliate 100K after $8K spend in 3 months$95 Annual Fee Recent better offer: 80K after $5K spend. Many preferred the 80K offer due to the much lower spend requirement |
75K points ⓘ Affiliate 75K after $6K spend in 3 monthsNo Annual Fee Alternate Offer: If you have a household member with an Ink card, you may prefer the referral offer whereby the referrer can earn 40,000 points and the new account holder can earn 75,000 points after $6,000 in purchases in the first 3 months since it will yield more total points. Recent better offer: 90K after $6K spend in 6 monthd (expired 1/17/24 |
Up to 75K points ⓘ Affiliate 35K after $3K spend in 3 months and an additional 40K points after $6K spend in 6 months. In addition, 10% Business Relationship bonus if you have the Ink Business Cash and a Chase Business Checking account on your first anniversary.No Annual Fee Alternate Offer: If you have a household member with an Ink card, you may prefer the referral offer whereby the referrer can earn 40,000 points and the new account holder can earn 75,000 points after $6,000 in purchases in the first 3 months since it will yield more total points. Recent better offer: 90K after $6K spend in 6 monthd (expired 1/17/24 |
60K points ⓘ Affiliate 60K after $4K spend in 3 months$95 Annual Fee Alternate Offer: There may be elevated offers available by applying in-branch A similar offer with the first year annual fee waived may be found in-branch. YMMV. |
60K Points ⓘ Affiliate Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.$95 Annual Fee |
65K Points ⓘ Affiliate 65K after $4K spend in 3 months$550 Annual Fee Alternate Offer: 70K after $4K spend showing on some accounts when logged-in to Chase Recent better offer: Expired 12/1/22: 80K after $4K spend |
20K points ⓘ Affiliate Earn 20,000 points (worth $200 cash back) after spending $500 in the first 3 monthsNo Annual Fee This card is likely subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details). Recent better offer: Unlimited Double Cash Back for 12 month (expired 1/11/24) |
20K points + 5% on gas and groceries for a year ⓘ Friend-Referral Earn 20,000 points (worth $200 cash back) after spending $500 in the first 3 months + 5% cash back on combined gas station and grocery store purchases (not including Target or Walmart) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
20K points ⓘ Affiliate $200 cash back after spending $1.5K in first six months. Note: $200 is awarded as 20,000 Citi ThankYou points.No Annual Fee |
20K Points ⓘ Affiliate 20K points after $1500 spend in the first 6 monthsNo Annual Fee Recent better offer: Expired 9/13/22 - 20,000 points after $750 spend in first 3 months |
20K points ⓘ Affiliate 20K points after $1.5K spend in 3 months No Annual Fee |
$100 statement credit ⓘ Non-Affiliate $100 statement credit after $1K Spend in 3 MonthsNo Annual Fee |
Advertiser and Refer-A-Friend Disclosure
Many of the card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Frequent Miler receives compensation. Please see our full advertiser disclosure here. And, some offers are friend referrals in which we will earn points or other rewards in exchange for successfully referring you through the link shown here.
Affiliate Link Example Offers for which we receive compensation are shown with credit card images. |
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Refer A Friend Example Refer-a-friend offers are shown with this image |
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Non-Affiliate Link Example With many of the best offers, we do not receive compensation. This is indicated by this “No Affiliate” card image |