Best credit card bonuses and deals this week: March 8, 2021

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The month of March continues to bring increased credit card offers and promotions, plus a few offers that are expiring very soon. If you’re trying to decide on a new credit card, an elevated welcome bonus can certainly make your decision a bit easier. 

Delta flyers got great news last week as Amex launched limited-time increased welcome bonuses on the co-branded Delta cards, which are offering anywhere from 70,000 to 90,000 miles, depending on the card. Even if you don’t have immediate travel plans, Delta miles don’t expire, so you can build a stash of miles for a trip after the pandemic ends.

Time’s almost run out on the impressive offers to Earn a Companion Pass® through 2/28/2022 plus 30,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months with the personal Chase Southwest cards. You’ll need to apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, or Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card before March 10, 2021 to get in on this deal.

Don’t forget about ongoing elevated offers that aren’t expiring yet, including excellent bonuses on The Platinum Card® from American Express
, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
, Chase United credit cards, and Chase Ink Business cards.  

Chase Southwest personal cards: Earn a Companion Pass and 30,000 points

If you missed the last limited-time bonus on the Chase Southwest personal cards, you’ve got another opportunity — but it’s about to run out. This time you can earn the Southwest Companion Pass outright, without the usual points requirement.

All three cards are offering the same bonus through March 10, 2021: Earn a Companion Pass® through 2/28/2022 plus 30,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Insider values Southwest points at 1.5 cents apiece, on average, so 30,000 Southwest points are worth about $450 in airfare — and the Companion Pass can be worth much more, depending on how often you use it.

Normally, you’d need to earn 125,000 qualifying points in a calendar year (or fly 100 one-way flights) to unlock the Companion Pass, and points earned from Southwest credit cards count toward the requirement. For 2021, Rapid Rewards members with active accounts as of December 31, 2020, have been credited 25,000 out of the required 125,000 points (and 25 qualifying flights) automatically — effectively reducing the Companion Pass requirement to just 100,000 points or 75 flights this year.

With the limited-time offers on the Southwest personal cards, you’ll bypass the qualifying points (or flights) requirement, and receive a Companion Pass that’s valid until February 28, 2022, once you meet the minimum spending. That’s a shorter timeframe for using the perk than if you earned the Companion Pass the old-fashioned way — but if you have a lot of Southwest flying planned in the next year, these offers are definitely worth considering.

Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold: Earn 70,000 miles

If you fly Delta occasionally, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a great choice.

You’ll earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening, and receive a free first checked bag on Delta flights for yourself and up to eight companions on the same reservation (worth $30 per bag), priority boarding, a 20{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} discount on inflight purchases, and a $100 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 on the card in a calendar year. There’s an annual fee of $99, waived for the first year (See Rates).

Delta miles are worth an average of 1.1 cents each according to Insider’s SkyMiles valuations, so you can expect to get at least $770 in flights from this welcome bonus.

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum: Earn 90,000 miles

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers a bonus of 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, and cardholders receive the same checked bag, priority boarding, and inflight discount benefits as the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.

The card also comes with an annual companion certificate each card anniversary, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit of up to $100, and discounted access to Sky Club lounges. There’s a $250 annual fee (See Rates).

At an average value of 1.1 cents apiece for Delta miles according to our valuations, you can expect this 90,000-mile bonus to get you flights worth $990. 

Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve: Earn 80,000 miles and 20,000 MQMs

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card comes with a $550 annual fee (See Rates), but it’s worth it if you fly Delta often. 80,000 Delta miles are worth about $880 in flights based on Insider’s valuations.

You’ll receive access to Delta Sky Club airport lounges when flying Delta, and access to Amex Centurion Lounges when you fly Delta and use your card to book the ticket. You’ll also get two Delta Sky Club one-time guest passes each year, up to $100 for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and access to complimentary upgrades for non-elite Delta members.

Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold Business: Earn 70,000 miles and a $50 statement credit

Small-business owners who fly Delta occasionally should consider the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, with a welcome bonus of 70,000 bonus miles and a $50 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the first 3 months from account opening.

This card comes with most of the same perks as the personal Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, including a free checked bag, priority boarding, and inflight discounts on Delta flights, as well as a $100 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 on the card in a calendar year. There’s an annual fee of $99, waived the first year (See Rates).

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business: Earn 90,000 miles and a $100 statement credit

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card is offering 90,000 bonus miles and a $100 statement credit after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, and cardholders receive the same perks as the personal version of the card, including a free checked bag, priority boarding, and inflight discounts on Delta, and an annual companion certificate. There’s a $250 Annual Fee (See Rates).

One additional benefit is the ability to earn 1.5x miles on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to 50,000 additional miles per calendar year). Cardholders also earn 3x miles on Delta purchases and on purchases made directly with hotels.

Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business: Earn 80,000 miles, a $200 statement credit, and 20,000 MQMs

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card comes with a bonus of 80,000 bonus miles, 20,000 MQMs, and a $200 statement credit after you spend $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Like the personal version, you’ll get access to Delta Sky Club airport lounges when flying Delta, and access to Amex Centurion Lounges when you fly Delta and use your card to book the ticket. The card has a $550 annual fee.

United Explorer card: Earn up to 65,000 miles

The United℠ Explorer Card is the best all-around card for United flyers, because, on United flights, cardholders and a companion on the same reservation receive a free first checked bag when they pay with the card. You’ll also get priority boarding, a 25{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} discount on inflight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases, and two one-time United Club passes each anniversary year (worth $59 apiece).

Normally, the bonus on the United℠ Explorer Card is 40,000 miles after meeting minimum spending requirements, but the new offer is 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open, plus 25,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 in the first 6 months. The annual fee is $95, waived the first year, and you’ll also get up to $100 in statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four years.

Insider pegs the value of United miles at 1.3 cents each on average, so this welcome bonus is worth around $845 in flights.

United Club Infinite card: Earn 75,000 miles

If you fly United frequently and enjoy airport lounge access, you should consider the United Club℠ Infinite Card, with a new bonus of 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. There’s a $525 annual fee, but in return, cardholders receive a full United Club airport lounge membership. Normally, a membership costs $650, so this is a better deal compared to paying directly for this privilege.

Cardholders receive up to two free checked bags for the cardholder and one companion on United flights, Premier Access (priority check-in, security screening, boarding, and baggage handling when flying United), and a 25{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} discount on inflight food, beverages, and Wi-Fi aboard United-operated flights. If you have United Premier elite status and are traveling on an award ticket, you’ll also eligible for complimentary Premier upgrades on United-operated flights, subject to availability.

75,000 United miles are worth about $975 in flights, based on Insider’s latest valuations.

United Business card: Earn 75,000 miles

Small-business owners should consider the increased bonus on the United℠ Business Card, which is offering 75,000 bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. The annual fee is $99, waived the first year, which makes this an even better deal, considering the normal bonus on the card is just 60,000 miles.

Along with many of the same benefits as the personal United℠ Explorer Card (free checked bag, priority boarding, two one-time United Club passes each anniversary year, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit), the United℠ Business Card throws in some additional perks. If you make seven or more United flight travel-related purchases of at least $100 in an account anniversary year with your United℠ Business Card, you will receive a $100 statement credit. And if you also have a personal Chase United card (like the United℠ Explorer Card or United Gateway℠ Card), you’ll receive a “better-together anniversary bonus” of 5,000 United miles each anniversary of your United℠ Business Card.

United Gateway card: Earn 20,000 miles

The United Gateway℠ Card isn’t as flashy as other United cards, and it usually only offers a welcome bonus of 10,000 miles after meeting minimum spending requirements. But right now, the bonus has been doubled to 20,000 miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening — not a bad deal for a card with no annual fee. At an average value of 1.3 cents per United mile, this bonus is worth around $260 in flights.

The United Gateway℠ Card doesn’t offer many travel benefits, except a 25{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} discount on inflight purchases and no foreign transaction fees. However, this card is an excellent choice if you don’t want to pay an annual fee but still want access to expanded award availability on United flights.

 

Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card: Earn a $300 bonus

If you like earning cash back and spend a lot on groceries and streaming services, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is tough to beat. It’s now offering up to a $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months, and earns 6{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in spending per calendar year (then 1{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5}).

You’ll also earn 6{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, and buses), and 1{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back on everything else. If you max out the $6,000 limit at U.S. supermarkets, you could earn $360 in cash back each year just from that category alone — that’s more than enough to offset the annual fee of $95 (waived the first year) (See Rates).

Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business card: Earn 75,000 points and a $150 statement credit

There’s a new welcome offer on the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card: Earn 75,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points, plus up to $150 back in statement credits, after you use your new Card to make $3,000 of eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card membership. It’s worth considering if you’re a small-business owner who likes staying at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, especially because the statement credit more than offsets the $125 annual fee (See Rates).

This isn’t the highest offer we’ve seen for the card (it was up to 100,000 points earlier this year), but the statement credit could make a difference for those who want to minimize their out-of-pocket costs. Cardholders receive an annual free night each card anniversary, valid at Marriott hotels that cost up to 35,000 points per night.

Insider pegs Marriott Bonvoy points as worth 0.7 cents apiece on average, so you can expect to get $525 in value from the welcome bonus points — not including the statement credit.

Amex Business Gold card: Earn 70,000 points and up to $300 in credits

The American Express® Business Gold Card usually doesn’t get as much attention as other Amex cards, because its bonus isn’t normally something to get excited about. However, through April 7, 2021, the card is offering double its regular bonus: 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership.

In the first three months of account opening, new cardholders can receive up to $150 back as a statement credit toward both US advertising in select media and US shipping purchases (a total of up to $300 back). US advertising in select media includes expenses like promoting your business through Google and Facebook ads or television and radio spots, and shipping can include USPS, FedEx, and UPS purchases. 

This is an excellent deal if your business spends a lot in those categories, because if you max out both credits, you can offset the card’s entire $295 annual fee (See Rates).

American Express Membership Rewards points are worth an average of 1.8 cents each, according to Insider’s valuations, so 70,000 points are worth around $1,260, depending on how you redeem them.

American Express Gold Card: Earn 60,000 points, new Uber Cash credits and design

The increased welcome bonus on the American Express® Gold Card has stuck around for a while, but there’s a new reason to consider this offer. Amex added up to $120 in Uber Cash credits ($10 per month) per calendar year for new and existing cardholders (the Gold Card needs to be added to the Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit, and is only applicable to US Eats and Rides), and brought back the immensely popular rose gold card design as a permanent option.

Along with 60,000 points after you spend at least $4,000 in your first 6 months of account opening (worth around $1,080 based on Insider’s valuations), the American Express® Gold Card earns 4x Membership Rewards points on up to $25,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each calendar year (then 1x). This perk alone puts the card high on our list of top credit cards for buying groceries.

It’s also a good card for dining because it earns 4x points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery) with no cap, and also offers up to $120 a year in dining credit at participating restaurants and food-delivery services like Cheesecake Factory, GrubHub, and Seamless.

Chase British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia cards: New bonuses and earning

If you collect Avios points with British Airways, Aer Lingus, or Iberia, the British Airways Visa Signature® Card, Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card, and Iberia Visa Signature® Card are worth a fresh look with new bonuses and spending offers:

British Airways Visa Signature® Card: Earn 50,000 bonus Avios after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Plus earn a Travel Together Ticket after you spend $20,000 total on purchases within your first year of account opening (worth up to $1,300 in airfare based on Insider’s valuation of Avios points at 1.3 cents each on average).

Chase Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: Earn 50,000 bonus Avios after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus earn an additional 50,000 bonus Avios after you spend $20,000 on your purchases within your first year of account opening.

Iberia Visa Signature® Card: Earn 50,000 bonus Avios after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus earn an additional 50,000 bonus Avios after you spend $20,000 on your purchases within your first year of account opening.

Plus, the cards have added elevated earning rates in certain categories as part of their welcome bonuses. New cardholders can earn 5 Avios per dollar on British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia purchases and 3 Avios per dollar on accommodations booked directly with hotels in the first year of account opening (then 3x and 2x, respectively).

Chase Sapphire Preferred card: Earn 60,000 points plus up to $50 in grocery credits

Chase has sweetened the offer on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card by adding up to $50 in statement credits toward grocery store purchases in the first year of account opening. That’s on top of earning 60,000 points (worth $1,080 according to Insider’s valuation of Chase Ultimate Rewards) after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of opening your account, and effectively offsets more than half the card’s $95 annual fee.

Only new applicants qualify for up to $50 in grocery store credits, but all Chase Sapphire cardholders can still earn bonus points on groceries, on up to $1,000 in spending per month, through April 30, 2021.

Amex Business Platinum card: Earn 85,000 Membership Rewards points

The newest offer on the Amex Business Platinum Card is especially appealing to small-business owners who spend a lot in common categories.

In addition to a welcome bonus of 85,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within your first 3 months of card membership, you can earn 5x points on eligible U.S. purchases on shipping, wireless telephone services, advertising in select media, office supplies, and gas stations in the first three months of account opening, up to 80,000 bonus points per category. The welcome bonus points alone can be worth $1,530, based on Insider’s valuations.

The card also comes with a ton of valuable benefits, including up to $200 per calendar year in U.S. Dell credits, up to $200 per calendar year in airline incidental fee credits, and a 35{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} rebate when you redeem Amex Membership Rewards points for flights on your selected airline (or any business- or first-class ticket) through the Amex Travel Portal.

Many Amex Business Platinum Card perks can also be found on the personal Platinum Card. If you’re not sure which card is right for you, have a look at our comparison of the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum for a full breakdown.

Amex Platinum card: Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards points

The elevated welcome offer on The Platinum Card® from American Express is still active, but it won’t be around forever. In addition to the welcome bonus of 75,000 points after you spend at least $5,000 in your first 6 months of account opening (worth $1,350 based on Insider’s valuations), new cardholders can earn 10 points per dollar spent at U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets, on up to $15,000 in combined spending (then 1x) in the first six months of account opening.

Even if you’re not traveling right now, the Amex Platinum 75k bonus is worth considering: Between up to $200 in Uber credits (including Uber Eats) and up to $100 in Saks credits each calendar year, plus the ability to use Membership Rewards points for a wide variety of redemptions (including many that don’t involve travel), it’s easy to get a ton of value from Platinum Card. 

Chase Ink Business Unlimited and Ink Business Cash: Earn $750 cash back

The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card and Ink Business Cash® Credit Card increased welcome offers to earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening are still active this week.

Small-business owners who want to earn lots of rewards in the new year can benefit from these all-time-high offers. Keep in mind the Chase Ultimate Rewards points you’ll earn from these cards aren’t just good for cash back — you’ve got options to redeem for travel, and even more flexibility (like transferring to Chase airline and hotel partners) if you also have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card in your wallet.

Amex Hilton cards: Earn up to 150,000 points and a $150 statement credit

Three American Express Hilton Honors credit cards have gotten a welcome bonus boost, including new statement credits after you make your first purchase. 

• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Earn 150,000 points after you spend at least $2,000 on eligible purchases in your first 3 months of account opening, plus a $150 statement credit after your first purchase in the first three months of account opening.
• Hilton Honors American Express Card: Earn 100,000 points after you spend at least $1,000 on eligible purchases in your first 3 months of account opening, plus a $100 statement credit after your first purchase in the first three months.
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Earn a $150 statement credit after your first purchase on the Hilton Honors Card within your first 3 months, plus 150,000 points after you spend at least $2,000 in your first 3 months of account opening. 

These are some of the highest bonus-points offers we’ve seen on these Amex Hilton cards, and the statement credits make these deals even more compelling. Because Amex limits cardholders to earning one welcome bonus per card, per lifetime, it’s best to apply when the offers are higher than usual.

Insider values Hilton points at 0.5 cents apiece, so these bonuses are worth up to $750 in stays (not including the statement credits).

The World of Hyatt Credit Card: Earn up to 60,000 points

We haven’t seen changes to The World Of Hyatt Credit Card in a long time, so this new bonus to earn up to 60,000 Hyatt points could be welcome news — if you’re a big spender.

You’ll earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, and up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning with 2 points per dollar spent on purchases that normally earn 1 point, up to $15,000 in the first six months of account opening, worth around $900 based on Insider’s valuations. The previous offer was for up to 50,000 points but the spending requirement was much lower. 

Jasmin Baron is an associate editor at Personal Finance Insider, where she helps readers maximize rewards and find the best credit cards to fit their lifestyles. 

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