The best time to apply for these 10 popular travel credit cards — based on offer history
Nothing is more disappointing than applying for a card, only to learn that you could have held out a bit longer to get a better welcome offer — especially since many banks won’t match you to that better bonus after you’ve already applied.
It happens to the best of us. Of course, we all want to ensure we’re finding the best offers, and the name of this game is timing. While it’s impossible to predict if or when issuers will bring back these higher offers, it helps to know the context to make the best possible educated guess.
In this guide, we’ll look at 10 popular travel credit cards, tracking their offers from the past several years. We’ll also compare those offers to the current bonuses and provide insight into how you can consistently find the best welcome offers.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of the most popular travel rewards cards for three main reasons: affordability, flexibility and value.
In 2021, the issuer launched an unprecedented 100,000-point sign-up bonus lasting four months. Aside from this and some 80,000-point offers, the Sapphire Preferred’s standard offer is a 60,000-point bonus, worth $1,230, according to TPG’s latest valuations.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
| May 2023 to now | Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | $1,230 |
| April to May 2023 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | $1,640 |
| March to May 2023 (in-branch only) | In-branch only: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 total on purchases made in the first 6 months | $1,845 |
| June 2022 to March 2023 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,230 |
| April to May 2022 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | $1,640 |
| October 2021 to April 2022 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,230 |
| June to October 2021 | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $2,050 |
| March to June 2021 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. Plus, earn a $50 statement credit on grocery store purchases | $1,690 |
| November 2020 to March 2021 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,230 |
| September to November 2020 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,650 |
| March 2019 to September 2020 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,230 |
| 2017 to March 2019 | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,025 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: If you see an offer of 80,000 points on the Sapphire Preferred, you should jump on it. 60,000 points appears to be the standard offer these days.
For more details, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
While the Chase Sapphire Preferred tends to come with varying offers throughout the calendar year, the Chase Sapphire Reserve has remained much more stable over the years.
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This premium travel card first launched in August 2016 with a valuable 100,000-point welcome offer. Since then, the best offer we’ve seen has been 80,000 points in late 2022.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
| December 2022 to now | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,230 |
| October to November 2022 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,640 |
| June to October 2022 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,230 |
| October 2021 to June 2022 | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,025 |
| June to October 2021 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,230 |
| March 2017 to June 2021 | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,025 |
| August 2016 to March 2017 | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $2,050 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: In terms of bonuses, 80,000 points might be the best you can hope for on the Sapphire Reserve these days, while an offer of 60,000 points is more common.
For more details, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
One of the most emblematic symbols of luxury is The Platinum Card from American Express, which has dominated the premium travel card market for quite some time. While it has an eye-watering $695 annual fee (see rates and fees), its annual statement credits are worth over $1,500.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
| August 2023 to now | Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership | $1,600 |
| November 2022 to August 2023 | Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership | $1,600 |
| January to November 2022 | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership | $2,000 |
| July 2021 to January 2022 | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Plus, earn 10 points per dollar on “Shop Small” purchases in the U.S. and at restaurants worldwide, on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, also in the first six months of card membership | $2,000 (but up to $5,000 in additional value with the small-business and restaurant spending offer) |
| November 2020 to July 2021 | Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Plus, earn 10 points per dollar on U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets, on up to $15,000 in combined purchases, also in the first six months of card membership | $1,500 (but up to $3,000 in additional value with the gas stations and supermarkets spending offer) |
| 2017 to November 2020 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months of card membership | $1,200 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: In general, aim to apply for this card only if its welcome offer tops 75,000 bonus points, and it should be a no-brainer at the 100,000-point mark, depending on the spending requirements.
Although the chart above shows the publicly-available welcome offers, note that you may be targeted for a higher offer by using the CardMatch tool. Applicants have seen up to 125,000-point offers for the same amount of spending, so it’s worth checking to see if you qualify for a higher bonus. Note that offers are subject to change at any time.
For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Business owners should look at the Amex Platinum’s business counterpart: The Business Platinum Card from American Express.
This card also has a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees) but a slew of business-friendly perks and statement credits to help justify this ongoing cost.
Note that the Business Platinum usually offers a huge payout of Membership Rewards points but requires a high amount of spending ($15,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership).
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
| December 2022 to now | Earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership | $2,400 |
| October to December 2022 | TPG exclusive offer: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership | $3,000 |
| October 2021 to October 2022 | Earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership | $2,400 |
| August to October 2021 | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership | $2,000 |
| April to August 2021 | Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership | $2,500 |
| January to April 2021 | Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership | $1,700 |
| March 2020 to January 2021 | Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership | $1,500 |
| September 2019 to March 2020 | Earn up to 100,000 bonus points. Earn 50,000 points after spending $10,000 in the first three months of card membership and an extra 50,000 points after spending an additional $15,000 also within the first months of card membership | $2,000 |
| 2018 to September 2019 | Earn up to 75,000 bonus points: 50,000 points after spending $10,000 in the first three months of card membership and an extra 15,000 points after spending an additional $10,000 also within the first months of card membership | $1,500 |
| July 2017 | Earn up to 150,000 bonus points: 100,000 points after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases with the card in the first three months of card membership and another 50,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 total in the first three months. Offer available by calling Amex | $3,000 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: The standard offer you should aim for these days is at least 120,000 points. However, American Express sometimes sends targeted offers for 150,000 points and sometimes 200,000 points.
For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Business Platinum.
American Express® Gold Card
In 2018, Amex rebranded the American Express Gold Card to what we know it as today. The Amex Gold is one of the most popular everyday cards, thanks to its large payout on U.S. supermarket purchases and restaurants worldwide.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
| October 2023 to now | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership | $1,200 |
| June 2022 to October 2023 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership | $1,200 |
| June 2022 (just for a few days) | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership | $2,000 |
| October 2020 to June 2022 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership | $1,200 |
| March 2019 to October 2020 | Earn 35,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership | $700 |
| October 2018 to March 2019 | Earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first three months of card membership | $500 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: If you aren’t targeted for a higher welcome offer, the current 60,000 welcome offer is great for the Amex Gold. But like with the Amex Platinum, you may be targeted for a higher 75,000-point offer through the CardMatch tool — and spending the same amount.
For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Gold.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Say hello to the newest premium travel card. The Venture X has been a huge hit since its launch in November 2021 — and the $395 annual fee (see rates and fees) is much easier on the wallet than some other cards on this list.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
| March 2022 to now | Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | $1,388 |
| November 2021 to March 2022 | Earn 100,000 bonus miles when you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening | $1,850 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: As the Venture X is a newer card, predicting the long-term “standard offer” is difficult. However, 75,000 bonus miles is the offer you can receive right now, down from the elevated offer from the card’s initial launch.
For more details, check out our full review of the Venture X.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a classic fixed-rate rewards card, earning 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases (and 5 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel).
The $95-annual-fee (see rates and fees) card has offered a couple of opportunities to earn up to 100,000 bonus miles, though that $20,000 spending requirement in the first year of account opening may be out of reach for some.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
| May 2022 to now | 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | $1,388 |
| July 2021 to May 2022 | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening | $1,110 |
| March to July 2021 | Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles: 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, and an additional 50,000 miles after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months of account opening | $1,850 |
| December 2020 to March 2021 | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening | $1,110 |
| September to December 2020 | Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles: 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, and an additional 50,000 miles after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months of account opening | $1,850 |
| 2018 to September 2020 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening | $925 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: 60,000 bonus miles was the standard offer for quite a while, so any offer above is one to take advantage of.
For more details, check out our full review of the Venture Rewards Card.
Citi Premier® Card
Citi unveiled its best-ever welcome offer of 80,000 points for this card in mid-2021, tracking with the trend of issuers offering large welcome bonuses as travel and the overall economy rebounded in the second year of the pandemic. We saw this bonus return for the second half of 2022.
The Citi Premier (see rates and fees) has improved over the years, from no sign-up bonus in 2017 to a respectable 60,000-point offer for current applicants.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
| January 2023 to now | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,080 |
| June 2022 to January 2023 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,440 |
| February 2022 to June 2022 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,080 |
| July 2021 to January 2022 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,360 |
| June 2019 to July 2021 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,020 |
| October 2018 to June 2019 | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $850 |
| August 2018 to October 2018 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $1,020 |
| February 2018 to August 2018 | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening | $850 |
| January 2018 to February 2018 | Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months of account opening | $510 |
| 2017 to January 2018 | None | N/A |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: The best time to apply for this card is when it offers 80,000 points or more.
For more details, check out our full review of the Citi Premier.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
As the top credit card in the Delta SkyMiles credit card family, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card typically offers more than just miles in its welcome offer. Applicants also can look forward to bonus Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) to help them toward elite status with Delta.*
*Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
| August 2023 to now | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership | $720 |
| June to August 2023 | Earn 85,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership | $1,020 |
| March to June 2023 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first six months of card membership | $600 |
| February to March 2023 | Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership | $1,080 |
| November 2022 to February 2023 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first six months of card membership | $600 |
| September to November 2022 | Earn 95,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first six months of card membership | $1,140 |
| August to September 2022 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership | $600 |
| June to August 2022 | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership | $1,200 |
| April to June 2022 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership | $600 |
| March to April 2022 | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership | $1,200 |
| November 2021 to March 2022 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership | $600 |
| June 2021 to November 2021 | Earn 80,000 bonus miles and 20,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership | $960 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: Aim for a welcome offer of 80,000 or above. When you see that number, it’s a good time to get the Delta SkyMiles Reserve.
For more details, check out our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
We haven’t seen much change in the welcome bonuses for the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. Both its original and current offers bring a lot of value to cardholders since we now peg Chase Ultimate Rewards at 2.05 cents per point.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
| June 2023 to now | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first three months from account opening | $2,050 |
| March 2020 to June 2023 | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 in the first three months from account opening | $2,050 |
| November 2016 to March 2020 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months from account opening | $1,640 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: Any time this card offers at least 100,000 bonus points is a great time to apply.
For more details, check out our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.
Should you wait for a better welcome offer?
After reviewing some of the welcome offers from the past, you may be tempted to wait until something better comes around. There are many good reasons to wait for a better welcome offer, but it’s not always worth the wait.
Here are some reasons why you might want to go ahead and get the card you’re thinking about:
A better bonus may not come back
Some bonuses just never come back. The Chase Sapphire Reserve hasn’t repeated the 100,000-point sign-up bonus since its launch in 2016 — and we don’t anticipate it will return.
You’re missing out on points from everyday spending
If you wait to apply for a card, you’re missing out on thousands of points from your everyday credit card spending. That difference alone might make up for the better bonus you’re holding out for.
You’re planning an award trip now
If you have your sights set on traveling later this year or into next, you’ll want to start accruing those points and miles now. After you hit a spending minimum, it could take up to a couple of billing cycles for those points to hit your balance.
Related: Cards currently offering sign-up bonuses of 100,000 points or more
Bottom line
Only time will tell what new offers we’ll see in the pipeline. Bookmark this guide so you can cross-reference a card’s history when you see an offer that interests you.
For more information on credit card bonus offers over time, see the following:
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, please click here.
