Biggest Welcome Bonuses Available in 2025
Discover the most generous offers on the market and how to choose the right one for you.
Top 5 Cashback Bonuses
Cashback bonuses offer immediate and easy-to-understand value. Real money in your pocket.
Announcements
Wells Fargo Active Cash
Bonus: $200 after $500 spent in 3 months Annual fee: $0 Actual value: $200 pure
Extremely low requirement. Almost anyone can reach $500 in 3 months naturally.
For whom: who wants easy bonuses without complications.
Discover it Cash Back
Bonus: Match all the first year's cashback Annual fee: $0 Actual value: $150-300+ (depends on how much you use)
Announcements
There's no fixed requirement. Simply use the card and Discover doubles your earnings.
If you earn $150 in cashback in year 1, Discover adds another $150. Total: $300.
For whom: beginners or those who don't want to stress about requirements.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Bonus: $200 after $500 spent in 3 months Annual fee: $0 Actual value: $200 + future flexibility
Identical bonus to Wells Fargo, but Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to partners if you earn Sapphire later.
For whom: who is thinking of expanding card strategy in the future.
Details on the Chase website.
Citi Double Cash
Bonus: varies by period (generally $200 after $1,500 spent) Annual fee: $0 Actual value: $200
2% card with a flat rate. The bonus is the icing on the cake.
For whom: who wants maximum simplicity in the long term.
Capital One QuicksilverOne
Bonus: $200 after $500 spent in 3 months Annual fee: $39 Actual value: $161 first year (after fee)
Low requirement, approves lower scores than other cards.
For whom: who is building credit and does not qualify for others.
Top 5 Miles Bonuses
Bonus miles offer potentially much higher value when used strategically for travel.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Bonus: 75,000 points after $4,000 spent in 3 months Annual fee: $95 Actual value: $900-1.500 (depends on how you use)
America's most popular mileage bonus for good reason.
75,000 points easily pay for two domestic flights or one cheap international flight.
For whom: those who travel 2+ times a year and want flexibility.
American Express Gold
Bonus: 60,000 points after $4,000 spent in 6 months Annual fee: $250 Actual value: $600-1.200
Membership Rewards points transfer to 20+ airlines.
For whom: those who dine out often (4x restaurant points) and travel internationally.
See current offers on American Express.
Capital One Venture
Bonus: 75,000 miles after $4,000 spent in 3 months Annual fee: $95 Actual value: $750
Simpler system: “delete” any travel purchase from your invoice.
For whom: who wants miles without transfer complexity.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Bonus: 75,000 points after $4,000 spent in 3 months Annual fee: $550 (actual $250 after credits) Actual value: $900-1.500+
Same bonus as the Preferred but additional premium benefits.
For whom: frequent travelers who use lounges and credits.
United Explorer
Bonus: 60,000 miles after $3,000 spent in 3 months Annual fee: $95 (waived first year) Actual value: $600-900
Specific United miles. High value if you fly United regularly.
For whom: who has a United hub nearby and flies domestically.
Premium Bonus vs Sem Fee: Análise Custo-Benefício
Is a fee-based card worth it? Math decides.
Simple formula:
(Bonus value + annual benefits) – fee = net value
Example 1: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Bonus: $900 (conservative value 75k points) Year 1 Benefits: $0 (no credit) Fee: $95 Net worth year 1: $805
Following years: you get 36k bridges/year (if you spend $3k/mês) Points value: $540 Fee: $95 Net worth anos seguintes: $445/year
It's worth it if: you travel regularly and spend $2.500+ mês.
Example 2: Sem Canon Card
Bonus: $200 Benefits year 1: $0 Fee: $0 Net worth year 1: $200
Following years: 2% cashback on $36k/year = $720 Fee: $0 Net worth anos seguintes: $720/year
It's worth it if: you want simplicity and you don't travel much.
Conclusion:
Premium only pays off if you use benefits and travel regularly. Otherwise, no fee makes more sense.
Bonuses That Double in the First Year
Discover it is one of a kind with cashback matching.
How exactly does it work:
Use your card normally for 12 months. Earn cashback via rotating categories 5% and 1% change.
After 12 months, Discover calculates all the cashback you've earned and deposits an additional equal amount.
Real example:
Month 1-3: $50 cashback Month 4-6: $45 cashback
Month 7-9: $60 cashback Month 10-12: $55 cashback Total year: $210 cashback
Day 366: Discover files another $210
Final total: $420 in your pocket
Why it's so good:
There's no minimum spend. Just use and earn.
You can't lose a bonus. It's automatic.
For whom:
Absolute beginners. First card. Stress-free.
Request on Discover website.
Temporary vs. Permanent Offers
Bonuses vary over time. Understanding the difference helps you decide when to apply.
Permanent offers:
Discover it match: always available Citi Double Cash $200: standard all year round Wells Fargo Active Cash $200: constant baseline
Advantage: you can apply whenever you want Disadvantage: they are never the highest
Temporary offers:
Chase Sapphire Preferred: ranges 60k-75k-80k points throughout the year Amex Gold: ranges 60k-90k points Capital One Venture: 50k-100k miles
Advantage: much higher value when they go up Disadvantage: you have to seize the right moment
Strategy:
If you have a large expense coming up and the card has a high offer now, apply now.
If you're not in a hurry, wait for seasonal promotions (Black Friday, New Year's Eve, summer).
Main Eligibility Rules
Each bank has rules that limit how many bonuses you can receive.
Chase's 5/24 Rule
What does it mean:
If you have opened 5 or more credit cards (any bank) in the last 24 months, Chase automatically denies your application.
How to get around:
You can't. It's rigid. You have to wait 24 months for old papers to come out the window.
Implication:
If you want Chase cards with great bonuses, get them early. Don't waste your "slots" on less valuable cards.
Amex Lifetime Rule
What does it mean:
Receive a welcome bonus only once per product in your lifetime.
Did you have a Gold Card 10 years ago and received bonuses? No more bonuses for Gold, even if you cancel and reapply.
How to get around:
Not completely. You can get bonuses for different cards (Gold, Platinum, etc.) but not the same card twice.
Implication:
Apply for Amex when the offer is high. You won't get a second chance.
Citi's 48-Month Rule
What does it mean:
You can receive bonuses once every 48 months per product family.
Did you receive a Citi Premier bonus today? Your next Premier bonus is only available in four years.
How to get around:
Wait 48 months or apply for a different Citi card.
Implication:
More flexible than Amex, but requires time planning.
How to Compare Real Value Between Bonuses
Not all bonuses are created equal. Their value depends on how you use them.
Rating system:
Cashback: Fixed value 1 cent per dollar Portal points: Generally 1-1.5 cents per point Transferable points: 1.5-3 cents per point (depends on usage) Specific miles: 1-2 cents per mile (depends on availability)
Comparative examples:
Bonus A: $200 cashback Guaranteed value: $200
Bonus B: 20,000 fixed points Probable value: $200-300
Bonus C: 60,000 transferable points Potential value: $900-1,800
Bonus D: 50,000 United Miles Realistic Value: $500-1,000
How to decide:
If you never travel: Cashback always wins If you travel 1-2 times a year: Transferable points offer better value If you travel with a specific company: Direct miles are OK
Rule of thumb:
Bonus under 40k points rarely exceeds $400 value Bonus over 75k points can be worth $1,000+ if you use well
Complete Comparison Table 2025
Visual summary for quick decision making.
Best for beginners (no high requirements):
- Discover it Cash Back: match cashback
- Wells Fargo Active Cash: $200 após $500
- Capital One QuicksilverOne: $200 após $500
Best for maximum cashback:
- Chase Freedom Unlimited: $200 + flexibility
- Citi Double Cash: $200 + 2% always
Best for travel (maximum value):
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: 75k points ($900-1,500)
- Amex Gold: 60k points ($600-1,200)
- Capital One Venture: 75k miles ($750)
Best for frequent travelers:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: 75k + lounge + credits
- Amex Platinum: varies + Centurion lounge
Best for specific companies:
- United Explorer: 60k United miles
- Delta SkyMiles: varies (40k-70k)
- Southwest Rapid Rewards: 50k bridges
Check the current updated offers on Capital One.
When to Apply: Perfect Timing
Right timing maximizes bonuses and minimizes risks.
Apply when:
Offer is high (75k+ bridges, $200+ cashback) You have big spending in the next 2 months Your score is excellent (740+) You have not applied for other cards in the last 2 months
Do not apply when:
Offer is at an all-time low You don't have enough spending in sight Score is temporarily low You have applied for many cards recently
Best times of the year:
January-February: New Year's Eve offers; May-June: Summer promotions; November-December: Black Friday and holidays.
Conclusion
Bigger bonuses in 2025 could put hundreds or thousands of dollars in your pocket.
Principles for maximizing:
Choose bonuses that align with your lifestyle Apply when offer is high and you have planned expenses Follow eligibility rules to avoid rejections Calculate real value, not just big numbers
Next step:
Have you identified the bonuses you want? Find out how to get them without breaking your budget: Strategies to Reach the Minimum Spending Without Going Over the Budget
Or see the full step-by-step for great rewards: Step by Step to Earn Big Welcome Bonuses
The perfect bonus for you exists. Now you know exactly how to find it and earn it.
