Getting ahead with travel credit cards is all about timing: Opening a card when the welcome bonus is at its highest is what it's all about. If you're in the market for a new travel credit card, this is the place to start.
Just as we do every month, we've assembled a list of the best currently available credit card offers for April 2025 – and everything you need to know if you are thinking about taking advantage.
But remember: Credit cards are serious business. You should never apply for a credit card if you're already in debt, and never charge more to a credit card than you can afford to pay off immediately. However many points and miles you can earn, they're not worth it.
For more information on the best current offers, be sure to head to our Top Credit Cards page.
- 1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- 2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- 3. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- 4. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- 5. Hilton Honors Cards
- 6. American Express® Gold Card
- 7. Chase Ink Business Cards
- 8. Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard®
- 9. American Airlines AAdvantage® Aviator® Red Mastercard®
- 10. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- 11. Capital One Venture X Business
- 12. The Platinum Card® from American Express
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Current Offer
Chase just rolled out one of the biggest, limited-time offers we've ever seen on its popular *chase sapphire preferred*: You can currently earn 100,000 bonus points after $5,000 in purchases in your first three months from account opening.
Annual Fee: $95
Learn more about the *chase sapphire preferred*
Why This Offer Makes the List
This is the best offer we've seen on the Sapphire Preferred Card in over four years.
At a minimum, 100,000 Chase points are worth $1,250 toward flights, hotels, and other travel expenses booked through Chase Travel℠. But you might be able to do even better by leveraging Chase's transfer partners and sending those points to airlines like Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Avios – or even a top-notch hotel partner like Hyatt – instead.
Even if you have, or have had, the Sapphire Preferred, you might still be eligible.
Simply put, this is one of the biggest and best welcome bonus offers ever – and not just on the Preferred Card, but on any travel credit card, period. Earning 100,000 points on a card with just a $95 annual fee is absolutely unbeatable. We don't know how long this bigger bonus will be available … but don't wait around: It likely won't last long!
Read more: Massive New Bonus: Get 100K Points on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card!
2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Current Offer
Right now, you can earn bonus_miles_full.
Alternatively, you can earn a 100,000-mile bonus after spending $5,000 in the first three months through a personal referral link.
Annual Fee: $95
Learn more about the *capital one venture card*
Why This Offer Makes the List
Considering Capital One miles can be used to cover nearly any travel purchase at a rate of 1 cent per mile, the current 75,000-mile bonus plus the $250 travel credit is worth a minimum of $1,000 towards travel. However, some travelers may find a different offer more valuable.
You can instead earn a record-tying 100,000-mile bonus after spending $5,000 in the first three months on the Venture Card by applying through select personal referral links. This offer requires an additional $1,000 in spending, but the flexibility of earning more miles in favor of a one-time travel credit could no doubt be worth it for some.
While you won't get all the perks that come with the premium *venture x*, you also won't be on the hook for a $395 annual fee each year. And you'll be earning the same unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, just like the Venture X. This means it'll be easy to keep racking up miles well after you earn the big bonus.
The Venture Card includes a credit of up to $120 every four years to cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership – making it one of the most cost-effective ways to get this benefit from a credit card.
With a huge, limited-time bonus offer like this, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better card for someone just getting started with points and miles.
Read More: 75K Venture Miles & More Perks: All About the Capital One Venture Card
3. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Current Offer
The *freedom unlimited* comes with the following bonus: bonus_miles_full
Annual Fee: $0
Learn more about the *freedom unlimited*.
Why This Offer Makes the List
This is a great offer to earn almost twice the amount of cash back (or Chase points) you would typically earn on your everyday spending on a card that doesn't charge an annual fee. And if you hold it alongside a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points like the Sapphire Reserve or Preferred, that cash back can instantly become points. That means the $250 welcome offer bonus can instantly become 25,000 Chase points.
You'll earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining (including takeout and eligible delivery service), and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases made with your Freedom Unlimited card.
Read our review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card!
4. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Current Offer
The *capital one venture x* is currently offering 75,000 Venture Miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months. Considering you earn at least 2x miles for every dollar you spend on the Venture X Card, you'll have at least 83,000 Venture Miles (worth at least $830 towards travel) right off the bat.
Annual Fee: $395
Learn more about the *capital one venture x*
Why This Offer Makes the List
The Venture X is a souped-up version of the ever-popular *capital one venture card* that's chock full of extra benefits like access to Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass lounges. It also includes an annual $300 Capital One travel credit, a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, great travel and rental car protections, and more.
Sure, the card's $395 annual fee may immediately turn off some travelers, but in practice, the card is actually far cheaper. Consider this: You get an automatic $300 credit towards travel booked through the Capital One Travel portal each year – and then, starting in year two, you get a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus (worth a minimum of $100).
Are you the kind of person who plans to spend $400 a year or more on travel? If so, do the math, and you’ll see your real out-of-pocket cost isn't much. And it's an even better deal when you add in all the other perks and welcome bonus, which you can use to cover nearly any travel purchase.
Read More: Capital One Venture X Card Review: Get 75K Miles, Lounge Access & More
5. Hilton Honors Cards
Hilton and American Express offer a suite of co-branded credit cards ranging from the no-annual fee *Hilton Honors* to the priciest (but well worth it) Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. And each and every one of them just got a lot more appealing with new limited-time welcome offers!
Hilton Honors American Express Card
- Welcome Offer: bonus_miles_full
- No Annual Fee (see rates & fees)
Learn more about the *Hilton Honors*.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- Welcome Offer: bonus_miles_full
- $150 annual fee (see rates & fees)
Learn more about the *Hilton Surpass*.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Welcome Offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership.
- $550 annual fee (see rates & fees)
All information about the Hilton Aspire Card has been collected independently by Thrifty Traveler and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
We consider the Hilton Aspire Card the best hotel credit card, period – read our guide to see why!
Learn more about the Hilton Honors Aspire Card (for full disclosure, this is our personal referral link)
Why These Offers Make the List
Let's be perfectly clear: These offers are especially exciting because of the added free night reward … and the big point bonus is nice, too.
Considering these certificates can be used at any Hilton property with standard award availability, Hilton's entire portfolio of hotels is fair game – including the 400-plus Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) that Hilton has added over the past year. It's hard to overstate just how valuable these free nights can be, and being able to earn one on the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors Card and the $150 per year Surpass card is pretty incredible.
Between these exciting new bonus offers and plenty of additional ways to earn points, we'd argue Hilton is one of the best hotel chains for award travel out there – maybe even better than Hyatt! Plus, these cards also come with other perks like automatic elite status, annual resort credits, and even the ability to earn insanely valuable free night certificates.
Read more: Limited-Time Offers: Earn up to 175K Points (& 1 Free Night) With a Hilton Credit Card!
6. American Express® Gold Card
Current Offer
bonus_miles_full
Be sure to check if you're eligible for a 75,000-point offer via CardMatch!
Annual Fee: $325 (see rates & fees)
Learn more about the *amex gold*
Why This Offer Makes the List
The *amex gold card* is one of our favorite travel rewards cards, period.
Here's what you need to know: The real value of the Gold card goes far beyond that initial welcome offer – though a 60,000- to 75,000-point bonus sure doesn't hurt.
That's because the Gold Card earns 4x points for every dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 annually, then 1x) and 4x points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 annually, then 1x), making it arguably the best card to use for all your food purchases.
You'll also get up to $120 in dining credits each year (doled out in $10 monthly increments) to spend at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, or Five Guys, up to $84 in Dunkin' Credit each year (up to $7 per month), up to $100 in Resy Credit per year (up to $50 semi-annually), and $120 annually in Uber Cash ($10 per month) to use on both Uber and Uber Eats in the U.S. All of these credits are use-them-or-lose-them benefits, any unused amount won't roll over from month-to-month.
Maximizing these credits alone will cover all your $325 annual fee and then some. These credits and bonus categories are a big reason why we feel the card is easily worth the $325 annual fee.
Read our full review of the American Express Gold Card.
7. Chase Ink Business Cards
Chase Ink Cash Card
Current Offer: With the *chase ink cash*, it's broken up into two tiers: You can earn $350 (or 35,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 (or 40,000 points) after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
Annual Fee: $0
Learn more about the *Ink Cash*.
Chase Ink Unlimited Card
Current Offer: With the *chase ink unlimited* you can earn $750 (or 75,000 points) after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual Fee: $0
Learn more about the *chase ink unlimited*.
Why These Offers Make the List
The *Ink Cash* and the *Ink Unlimited* are two no-annual fee cash back business cards that pack a huge punch.
Small business owners who already have a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points like the *chase ink preferred*, the *chase sapphire preferred*, or even the *chase sapphire reserve* should give these two Ink Business cards a long, hard look. With one of those cards in your wallet, the cash back these cards earn can be turned into Ultimate Rewards points, making the rewards much more valuable – especially if your ultimate goal is travel.
Wondering if you are eligible to open a small business credit card to earn more travel rewards? You might be surprised by the answer. And trust us, it’s less intimidating than you may think.
If you're unsure which one to pick, Chase doesn’t restrict you from having both, so you might not have to choose. But while they offer some of the same benefits, there are other key differences to be aware of between the two.
Read More: Chase Ink Cash vs Ink Unlimited: Which Offers the Best Return for Your Business?
8. Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard®
Current Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months.
Annual Fee: $99
All information about the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Thrifty Traveler and has not been verified by the issuer.
Learn more about the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® (for full disclosure, this is not an affiliate link)
Why This Offer Makes the List
Considering you can instantly kick these miles over to Alaska, it makes this big bonus even better. The bonus might not do much with Hawaiian itself, but by sending those miles over to your Alaska account, they'll go a long way. What's more, if you know another traveler with a Hawaiian card, you can pool those miles together for free and then transfer them to Alaska.
There's nothing in it for us: We don't get a dime if you get approved for this credit card. We just think this is an outstanding credit card offer that you should know about.
But act fast. The ability to transfer miles between programs is only temporary, which means you've got a limited window to earn a big bonus on the Hawaiian co-branded card, then kick those miles over to Alaska.
Read more: Alaska Miles are Insanely Valuable & Easy to Earn … But Not For Long
9. American Airlines AAdvantage® Aviator® Red Mastercard®
Current Offer
Earn 70,000 bonus miles after making a single purchase and paying the card's $99 annual fee.
Annual Fee: $99
All information about the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Thrifty Traveler and has not been verified by the issuer.
Learn more about the American Airlines AAdvantage® Aviator® Red Mastercard® (for full disclosure, this is not an affiliate link)
Why This Offer Makes the List
There's no easier way to earn a huge welcome bonus than with the American Airlines AAdvantage® Aviator® Red Mastercard®: Forget spending a few thousand dollars, you can get 70,000 miles with one quick purchase … at least for now.
Yes, it's really that simple. All you need to do is make a single purchase within 90 days of opening the card (whether it's a cup of coffee or a new refrigerator), pay the $99 annual fee, and voila … you've got 70,000 AAdvantage miles. That's up from the standard 60,000-mile bonus that comes with this card.
But the opportunity to earn such an easy bonus won't be around much longer: Citi is set to become American's exclusive credit card partner next year, making this card a relic of the past.
If you've got a good use for American miles – and trust us, there are plenty – don't let this (potentially last-chance) offer pass you by. These are some of the easiest miles you'll ever earn!
Again, there's nothing in it for us: We don't get a dime if you get approved for this credit card. We just think this is an outstanding credit card offer that you should know about.
Read More: It's Back: Earn 70K AA Miles with One Swipe (While You Still Can)!
10. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Current Offer
The *chase ink preferred* is currently offering 90,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first three months of card membership. These points are worth a minimum of $1,125 for future travel when redeemed through Chase TravelSM – if not much, much more by using Chase's transfer partners.
Annual Fee: $95
Learn more about the *chase ink preferred*
Why This Offer Makes the List
If you have a small business (and trust us, you might be eligible for a small business card and not know it), it's a fantastic offer on a business card with a low annual fee.
Beyond a stellar welcome bonus, the Ink Business Preferred is one of the best business cards out there. It offers a solid ongoing return on spending and strong travel benefits for small business owners.
Best of all, the card has a low annual fee of just $95, making it worth a spot in your wallet for the long run.
Read our review of the Chase Ink Business Preferred Card!
11. Capital One Venture X Business
Current Offer
For a limited time, you can earn up to 350,000 bonus miles when meeting the *venture x business* card's tiered, minimum spending requirement.
Here's how it works:
- Earn 150,000 Capital One Miles once you spend $30,000 in the first three months from account opening.
- Earn an additional 200,000 Capital One Miles (for a total of 350,000 miles) once you spend $200,000 in the first six months from account opening.
For some small businesses, spending the $30,000 necessary to earn the first part of the bonus might seem daunting enough. But for many others – from restaurants to general contractors – spending $10,000 each month is commonplace … and even the thought of spending $200,000 in six months isn't out of the question.
Annual Fee: $395
Learn more about the *venture x business*.
Why This Offer Makes the List
Without question, the spending requirement to earn the big welcome offer bonus is huge. But if your business regularly has big expenses, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better business card offer right now. The key here is to not go out of your way to earn the bonus by spending money unnecessarily.
The bank essentially hit copy and paste on the personal *venture x* that's chock full of premium travel benefits: Access to Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, a $300 Capital One Travel credit, a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus (beginning in year two), a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and more.
Sure, the card's $395 annual fee may immediately turn off some business owners, but in practice, the card is actually far cheaper. Consider this: You get an automatic $300 credit towards travel booked through the Capital One Travel portal each year – and then, starting in year two, you get a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus (worth a minimum of $100).
Are you the kind of person who plans to spend $400 a year or more on travel? If so, do the math, and you’ll see your real out-of-pocket cost isn't much, if anything, at all. And it's an even better deal when you add in all the other perks and welcome bonus.
Not to mention, you'll earn 2x Venture Miles for every dollar your business spends – that can add up in a hurry.
Read our full review of the Venture X Business Card
12. The Platinum Card® from American Express
Current Offer
There is currently a targeted welcome offer available through creditcards.com's CardMatch tool to earn 175,000 points via CardMatch after spending $8,000 in the first six months
Not targeted through CardMatch? You can also try using an incognito window on your browser and apply directly with American Express. Or see if you can get a referral link for 175,000 points from a friend or family member.
At the very least, you'll earn a welcome offer of 80,000 American Express points after spending $8,000 within the first six months.
Annual Fee: $695 (see rates & fees)
Learn more about *amex platinum*.
Why This Offer Makes the List
*amex platinum* got a big refresh a few years ago, bringing on new benefits and an even bigger annual fee.
And while that big annual fee may be hard to stomach, you can still come out way ahead in your first year thanks in part to the record welcome offer currently available (from CardMatch or a personal referral link). That takes the cake for the best offer we have ever seen on the Platinum Card … and it's not even close.
Just know that if you don't already have an American Express Membership Rewards-earning card, it may be better to start at the bottom and work your way up. With recent changes to application rules, going straight to Amex's best card could cost you additional new card welcome offers down the road.
Check out some of the best ways to use your bonus from the Amex Platinum card!
Bottom Line
April is yet another big month in terms of elevated credit card offers. While there are plenty of cards and bonuses to choose from, we think these are the best travel rewards card offers currently available.
Be sure to check our Top Credit Cards Page, as offers are always changing.
I had the JetBlue Plus Barclay card and was denied the Aviator… but they said the reason was how many accounts opened in the last 24 months (though they couldn’t give me a number of how many was too many!) and how much credit I have (but they couldn’t move any of my $10k credit line from the JetBlue card to get me approved). Disappointing as I had been waiting for this attractive bonus on the Aviator card, and I have very good credit with not a ridiculous amount of accounts open (maybe 10-12 over the last 5 years and half of those in the last 2 years).
Hey do you know if you already have a Barclay card with Jet blue can you still qualify for an aviator Red card?
Also My husband had an aviator card and canceled it in Jan ’22 and I was a signer on it, can I apply for my own and get the sign on bonus? Its not clear in the terms.
Thanks,
Wendy
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