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Best Credit Card Signup Offers of 2023

Last updated by
Heather Skyler

    • Signup offers can be a great way to select a credit card. Many cards offer similar deals when it comes to APR or annual fees, but signup bonuses can vary by hundreds of dollars. Signup offers can also be fleeting, so if you see one you like, apply as soon as possible.

    However, before you sign up for a great offer, make sure you understand the ins and outs of the deal you’re getting. Some offers require you to spend quite a bit on your new card in order to reap the benefits. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s something to consider.

    Of course, some cards offer their bonus in the form of travel points or miles, but this article will look solely at cash back credit cards that offer a cash signup bonus. Read on for our list of cards with cash signup bonuses along with the pros and cons of each card.

    Chase Freedom

    Signup bonus: $150 when you spend $500 in the first three months.

    Perfect for: People who want a cash-back card with no annual fee

    WEIGH THE PROS AND CONS

    Compare the pros and cons to make a better decision.

    Pros
    • No annual fee.
    • 5% cash back in certain purchase categories
    • 0% introductory rate on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
    • If you add a qualified user to the card you can get an additional $25 bonus
    Cons
    • Doesn’t offer a low APR. The APR is 15.49% to 24.24% depending on your credit rating
    • 5% fee on balance transfers
    • Late payment fees range from $15 to $37
    • $37 return payment fee
    • Not very travel-friendly. Users are charged 3% on the purchase of any foreign transaction
    • $10 or 5% cash advance fee, whichever is greater

    Chase Freedom Unlimited

    Signup bonus: $150 when you spend $500 in the first three months.

    Perfect for: People who want a cash-back card with no annual fee. Also good for people carrying credit card debt who want to consolidate and pay it off.

    WEIGH THE PROS AND CONS

    Compare the pros and cons to make a better decision.

    Pros
    • No annual fee
    • 1.5 % cash back in all categories
    • You can convert cash back into points in Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program, which gives you access to discounted travel and other perks
    • 0% introductory rate on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
    • If you add a qualified user to the card, you can get an additional $25 bonus
    Cons
    • Doesn’t offer a low APR. The APR is 15.49% to 24.24% depending on your credit rating
    • 5% fee on balance transfers
    • Late payment fees range from $15 to $37
    • $37 return payment fee
    • Not very travel-friendly. Users are charged 3% on the purchase of any foreign transaction
    • $10 or 5% cash advance fee, whichever is greater

    Capital One Quicksilver

    Signup bonus: $100 when you spend $500 in the first three months.

    Perfect for: People who want a simple cash-back reward card

    WEIGH THE PROS AND CONS

    Compare the pros and cons to make a better decision.

    Pros
    • No annual fee
    • Earn 1.5% cash back on every type of purchase, no categories and no limits
    • 0% APR for first nine months, after that a competitive APR of 13.49%
    • No foreign transaction fees
    Cons
    • Late payment fee up to $35
    • 3% fee on balance transfers
    • Cash advance fees of $10 or 3%, whichever is greater

    Bank of America BankAmericard Cash Rewards

    Signup bonus: $100 when you spend $500 in the first three months.

    Perfect for: People who want to consolidate debt or make a large purchase and have good to excellent credit.

    WEIGH THE PROS AND CONS

    Compare the pros and cons to make a better decision.

    Pros
    • 0% introductory APR for 12 months
    • No annual fee
    • Earn 2% cash back at grocery stores, 3% on gas purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases
    • Cardholders receive an additional 10% customer bonus when they redeem their cash back in a checking or savings account
    Cons
    • The 2% and 3% cash-back rewards are capped at $2500. After that, cash-back rewards are all 1%
    • 3% fee on foreign transactions
    • 3% to 5% fee on cash advances, depending on the method used
    • Late payment fee of $37
    • Returned payment fee of $27

    Bank of America BankAmericard Cash Rewards Card for Students

    Signup bonus: $100 when you spend $500 in the first three months.

    Perfect for: Students who want to begin building a credit history and receive cash back on purchases at the same time.

    WEIGH THE PROS AND CONS

    Compare the pros and cons to make a better decision.

    Pros
    • 0% introductory APR for 12 months; after that, APR can start as low as 13.49% depending on your creditworthiness
    • No annual fee
    • Earn 2% cash back at grocery stores, 3% on gas purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases
    • Access your update monthly credit score for free via the banking app or online
    • Learn about key things that affect your score and how to improve it
    Cons
    • The 2% and 3% cash-back rewards are capped at $2,500
    • 3% balance transfer fee
    • APR can go as high as 23.49%

    American Express® Blue Cash Everyday

    Sign up bonus: Earn 10% back at U.S. restaurants on the card within the first six months of card membership, up to $200 back. Plus, earn $100 when you spend $1,000 in the first three months.

    Perfect for: People who eat out often and want a cash-back rewards card. Also useful for people who want to consolidate and pay off debt in the first 12 months.

    WEIGH THE PROS AND CONS

    Compare the pros and cons to make a better decision.

    Pros
    • No annual fee
    • 0% introductory APR for 12 months
    • After that, APR can start as low as 13.49% depending on your creditworthiness
    • 3% cash back at supermarkets until you reach $6,000, then rewards revert to 1%
    • 2% cash back at gas stations and certain department stores
    • 1% cash back on other purchases
    • No over limit fees
    Cons
    • APR can go as high as 23.49%
    • If you make one or more late payments or a payment is returned, your card reverts to a penalty APR of 29.74% for at least six months
    • Balance transfer and cash advance fees of 3% of $5, whichever is greater
    • 2.7% foreign transaction fee
    • Late payment and returned payment fees are $38

    American Express® Blue Cash Preferred

    Signup bonus:10% back at U.S. restaurants on the card within the first six months of card membership (up to $2,000), and earn up to $200 back. Plus, earn $150 when you spend $1,000 in the first three months.

    Perfect for: People with excellent credit who want a great cash-back rewards card

    WEIGH THE PROS AND CONS

    Compare the pros and cons to make a better decision.

    Pros
    • 0% introductory APR for 12 months
    • After that, APR can start as low as 13.49% depending on your creditworthiness
    • 6% cash back at US supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases)
    • 3% at US gas stations and participating department stores
    • 1% on all other purchases.
    Cons
    • $95 annual fee
    • APR can go as high as 23.49%
    • If you make one or more late payments or a payment is returned, your card reverts to a penalty APR of 29.74% for at least six months
    • Balance transfer and cash advance fees of 3% of $5, whichever is greater
    • 2.7% foreign transaction fee
    • Late payment and returned payment fees are $38

    Pen Fed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature®

    Signup bonus: $100 when you spend $1,500 in the first three months.

    Perfect for: People with excellent credit seeking a low-interest rate who also want some perks

    WEIGH THE PROS AND CONS

    Compare the pros and cons to make a better decision.

    Pros
    • No annual fee
    • APR can start as low as 9.24%
    • 0% APR for balance transfers in the first 12 months
    • Earn points on gas, supermarket and other purchases that can be used in the card’s rewards program to earn a variety of prizes and gift cards
    • No foreign transaction fees
    Cons
    • No cash-back rewards, only rewards in the form of points
    • 3% balance transfer fee after introductory period
    • Late payments are charged $10 to $25 depending on your balance

    The Verdict

    Generous credit card signup offers work best if you pay your balance in full every month, and it’s never a good idea to buy things with credit for the sole purpose of meeting the reward requirements. But if you’re careful and strategic with your spending, you can make money by spending money with your brand new card.

    For a comprehensive list of personal credit cards, including details on each card and customer reviews, visit SuperMoney.

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