Between big mileage bonuses and new benefits, credit card offers are constantly changing. Figuring out the best credit card offers on the market can feel like a full-time job.
Here’s what it boils down to: Now might be the best time to open a new travel credit card. Many of the banks are out with huge bonus offers of points and miles that are worth your attention. In fact many are the largest we have ever seen. April has already been a crazy month for these bigger bonuses, continuing the momentum that started in late 2020.
We’ve assembled a list of the absolute best credit card offers for April 2021 that are currently available – and everything you need to know if you are thinking about taking advantage. For more information, make sure to head to our Top Credit Cards Page.
- 1. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- 2. The American Express Gold Card
- 3. The Suite of Delta Air Lines Credit Cards
- 4. The Platinum Card from American Express
- 5. Chase Freedom Unlimited
- 6. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
- 7. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- 8. The Chase Freedom Flex Card
- 9. The Chase Ink Cash and Ink Unlimited Business Credit Cards
- 10. The Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
- 11. The World of Hyatt Credit Card
1. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Current Offer
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is currently offering 80,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of card membership. New card members will also earn a $50 credit to use at the grocery store upon receiving their new card. This is a limited-time offer which is increased from the typical 60,000 points for the same spending requirement.
Annual Fee: $95
Click Here to Learn More About the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Why This Offer Makes the List
Because it’s the best credit card offer right now, period.
You can use the 80,000 points to book at least $1,000 in travel through the Chase Travel Portal – or $1,000 in everyday expenses via the new Pay Yourself Back feature – as every point is worth 1.25 cents apiece. But you can easily get double that (or more) by using Chase’s transfer partners like United, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, or Hyatt. Not bad for a card with an annual fee of only $95, right?
Even better, you’ll get a $50 credit to use on groceries upon receiving your new card. Simply spend at the grocery store and Chase will reimburse you up to $50. That takes care of more than half of your first-year $95 annual fee. It is one of the 7 Underrated Chase Sapphire Preferred Benefits you should be using.
There are some restrictions you’ll need to be aware of. First and foremost: the Chase 5/24 rule. If you have been approved for five or more cards from any bank (not just Chase) in a 24 month period, you will automatically be declined for any new Chase card. Additionally, if you have earned a bonus on either the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve in the past 48 months (four years), you will not be eligible.
Chase has not yet announced an end date for this limited-time offer, but if you are thinking about it, I wouldn’t hold off on applying for long.
Read more: 7 Great Ways to Use the Sign-Up Bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
2. The American Express Gold Card
Current Offer
Earn 60,000 American Express Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first six months of card membership. That’s up from the old offer of only 35,000 points for the same spending requirement. You’ll also get six months to meet the spending requirements, twice as long as normal.
Annual Fee: $250
Click Here to Learn More About the American Express Gold Card.
Why This Offer Makes the List
The American Express Gold Card is one of our favorite travel rewards credit cards. Historically, the welcome offer bonus has been 35,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of card membership.
This 60,000 point welcome bonus offer allows you to nearly twice the points while spending the same amount over six months instead of just three. That’s a big deal. And it can potentially get even better. Check to see if you are eligible for the 75,000 point offer via CardMatch.
But the value of the Gold card goes far beyond that initial bonus. The card also earns 4x points for every dollar you spend at U.S. grocery stores (up to $25,000 annually) and 4x points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, making it one of the best cards to use at grocery stores and restaurants.
You’ll also get a $120 dining credit each year and a $120 annual credit to use at both Uber or Uber Eats. Maximize these two credits alone and that will cover $240 of your $250 annual fee.
These credits and bonus categories are a big part of the reason we feel the card is easily worth the $250 annual fee.
It gets better: The Rose Gold version of the card is back – and back for good. New cardholders can choose between the traditional Gold finish and Rose Gold when applying for the card. Already have a Gold Card and want to go Rose? Just message American Express and ask for a replacement.
Read our full review of the American Express Gold Card.
3. The Suite of Delta Air Lines Credit Cards
Current Offer
Three of the Delta Air Lines credit cards are out with a brand new limited-time offer which is the highest we have seen on any of the cards. And just watch you get with each of the cards varies. But critically, this new offer is only available until April 28, 2021.
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card: Earn 70,000 SkyMiles after spending $2,000 in the first three months of card membership.
Annual Fee: $99 (waived for the first year of card membership).
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card: Earn 90,000 SkyMiles after spending $3,000 in the first three months of card membership.
Annual Fee: $250
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card: Earn 80,000 SkyMiles and 20,000 MQMs after spending $5,000 in the first three months of card membership.
Annual Fee: $550
Why These Offers Makes the List
These latest Delta credit card offers are the biggest we’ve ever seen from Delta. And that means they’re certainly worth your attention if you haven’t had one of these cards yet.
The best time to open a new travel credit card is when they’re offering a bigger welcome bonus – and when it makes sense financially for you to do so, of course. We’ve never seen bonuses of 70,000 to 90,000 SkyMiles on the Delta Gold and Platinum cards, respectively.
Delta SkyMiles can get a bad rap, especially after a slew of devaluations that drastically increased the costs of flying economy or business class on partner airlines like Air France, KLM, or Korean Air. But these miles are still far from worthless.
We regularly see domestic fares under 10,000 SkyMiles roundtrip. But the real value of SkyMiles comes from frequent SkyMiles flash sales. Just take a look at some of the SkyMiles flash sales we’ve found and sent to Thrifty Traveler Premium members.
- 10,000 SkyMiles from Seattle (SEA) to Hawaii roundtrip!
- Nationwide flights to Hawaii from just 14,000 SkyMiles total
- Costa Rica for 11,000 SkyMiles!
- A flash sale to Argentina for just 30,000 SkyMiles roundtrip
Critically, SkyMiles never expire. With the current ability to easily cancel and get your miles back – plus any taxes and fees – we think SkyMiles are one of the best ways to book travel right now.
But this offer will only be around until April 28, 2021.
4. The Platinum Card from American Express
Current Offer
There is currently a targeted offer available through the creditcards.com CardMatch tool to earn 125,000 American Express Membership Rewards points after spending $5,000 in the first three months of card membership.
Even if you aren’t eligible for the 125,000 point offer, you’ll earn at least 75,000 American Express points after spending $5,000 within the first six months. That’s up from the standard offer of 60,000 points – plus you’ve got twice the usual three-month period to earn them. You should also check to see if you can pull up a 100,000-point offer using an incognito browser.
But it gets even better. In addition to that bigger welcome bonus, you’ll also earn 10x points for every dollar you spend at both gas stations and at supermarkets in the U.S. on up to $15,000 in combined purchases in the first six months of card membership! That’s the most lucrative bonus you’ll find for spending at supermarkets or gas stations.
Earn the welcome bonus and maximize that 10x multiplier on groceries and gas stations, and you can earn as much as 275,000 points. That is unbeatable.
Annual Fee: $550
Click Here to learn more about the Platinum Card from American Express.
See if you’re eligible for the 125,000-point offer via CardMatch.
Why This Offer Makes the List
The standard offer on this card has historically been 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $5,000 in the first three months of card membership. We’ve regularly seen a 100,000-point targeted offer for that same spending requirement through the CardMatch tool.
But the current offer to earn 10x points per dollar spent at gas and U.S. supermarkets for the first six months on up to $15,000 spent is the biggest offer we have ever seen in either category. Assuming you can spend the required $15,000 in six months in these categories, you can earn up to 275,000 American Express Membership Rewards points from this offer alone.
That takes the cake for the best offer we have ever seen. And it is only available for a limited time. It’s unclear when this offer may end.
As an added bonus above and beyond the benefits, the card already offers, Amex just announced a monthly $30 PayPal credit through June – adding another $180 to the card’s value proposition.
Based on past evidence, it seems that those who have never held an American Express card have the best chance to pull up the targeted CardMatch offer for 125,000 points. That said, this offer won’t be available for all users. Some may be targeted for lower offers like 100,000 points, while others may not see an offer through CardMatch at all.
Check out some of the best ways to use your bonus from the Amex Platinum card.
5. Chase Freedom Unlimited
Current Offer
The Chase Freedom Unlimited Card is currently offering $200 cashback (or 20,000 Ultimate Rewards Points) after spending only $500 in the first three months of card membership.
Annual Fee: $0
Click Here to Learn More About the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card.
Why This Offer Makes the List
With the rollout of the Chase Freedom Flex Card in October 2020, Chase also updated the benefits of the Chase Freedom Unlimited. And it got much, much better.
It’s easily among the best no annual fee travel rewards credit cards. And it gets better if you hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, as that allows you to transfer your cashback into Chase points. Every cent of cashback gets you 1 Chase Ultimate Rewards point.
You’ll earn an unlimited 1.5% cashback (1.5x points) on every dollar you spend. You’ll also earn 5% back on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, 5% back on Lyft rides through March 2022, and 3% back on dining at drugstores.
Read our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card.
Make sure to check out our guide on Freedom Flex vs Freedom Unlimited to help you decide which version is right for you.
6. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Current Offer
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is currently offering 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months of card membership. You’ll also get $200 in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. Restaurants within the first six months of card membership. This limited-time offer is only available until May 12, 2021.
Annual Fee: $450
Click Here to learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Why This Offer Makes the List
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card typically offers 100,000 points for the same $5,000 spending requirement in the first three months. This elevated offer allows you to earn 25,000 more points and a $200 credit to use at U.S. restaurants. That credit takes care of almost half of the card’s first year $450 annual fee.
Not to mention, just for holding the card, you’ll get an annual $300 credit to use at Marriott hotels and a free night certificate each year that can be used for any Marriott hotel that costs 50,000 points or less each night. Finally, the card comes with a Priority Pass Select membership which gives you access to thousands of airport lounges around the world for you and up to two guests.
This limited-time offer is only available through May 12, 2021.
7. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Current Offer
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is now offering 100,000 Venture miles after spending $20,000 in the first 12 months of card membership.
You’ll get 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months of card membership. If you spend another $17,000 by the end of your first year with your card, you’ll get another 50,000-mile bonus. Factor in the miles you’ll earn for all that spending, and that’s 140,000 Venture miles or more. This is a limited-time offer!
Annual Fee: $95
Click Here to learn more about the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Why This Offer Makes the List
What do 140,000 Venture miles get you? A lot of travel.
Capital One has one of the easiest ways to use these miles toward travel. It’s called the Purchase Eraser, and it works like this: Just put any travel expense on your Venture card, log into your account, and use Venture miles to cover your expenses.
Every mile is worth one cent, so that means 140,000 miles are worth $1,400 in flights, hotels, and more. But you can also use these miles to cover travel expenses that you can’t typically cover with points and miles, like Airbnb, train travel, cruises, etc.
Want to maximize the value of your Capital One Venture miles? See our guide on six great ways to utilize them effectively.
8. The Chase Freedom Flex Card
Current Offer
The Chase Freedom Flex Card is currently offering $200 cashback (or 20,000 Ultimate Rewards Points) after spending only $500 in the first three months of card membership.
Annual Fee: $0
Click Here to Learn More About the Chase Freedom Flex Card.
Why This Offer Makes the List
Chase introduced the Chase Freedom Flex Card in October as a replacement to the popular Freedom Card – which is no longer available for new applications. It’s easily one of the best no annual fee credit cards, period. And it gets even better if you hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve Card.
That’s because you can transfer the cashback it earns into valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. And since the earning rates on the Freedom Flex are better on certain categories than the Sapphire Cards, it is a better option for much of your everyday spending.
You’ll earn 5% cashback (5x URs) on up to $1,500 each quarter on a list of rotating bonus categories. You’ll also earn 5% back on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, 5% back on Lyft rides through March 2022, and 3% back on dining at drugstores.
Read our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex Card.
9. The Chase Ink Cash and Ink Unlimited Business Credit Cards
Current Offer
Both the Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card and the Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card are offering $750 cash back (or 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points) after you spend $7,500 in the first three months of card membership. This is a limited time offer!
Annual Fee: $0 on both cards.
Click Here to learn more about the Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card.
Click Here to learn more about the Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card
Why This Offer Makes the List
The standard offer on both of these cards is $500 back (or 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points) after spending $3,000 in the first three months. So while the spending requirement is higher, it is a very good offer for two cards that don’t have an annual fee.
And it gets even better if you hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve Card.
That’s because you can transfer the cashback it earns into valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Read our full review of the Chase Ink Business Cards.
10. The Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Current Offer
The Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card is currently offering 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points after spending $15,000 in the first three months of card membership. This is a limited time offer!
Annual Fee: $95
Click Here to Learn More about the Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.
Why This Offer Makes the List
The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card boasts one of the current best sign-up bonuses of any small business card out there. The bonus on this card is typically 80,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points. If you have a small business with the ability to spend $15,000 in the first three months of card membership, this is a great offer.
In addition to the sign-up bonus offer, you’ll earn 3x points per $1 spent on travel, shipping, and technology purchases on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases per year.
This card earns the same points as both the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. If you hold either of them in conjunction with the Ink Preferred Card, you can combine the points into the same Ultimate Rewards account.
Read more: 8 Great Ways to Use a Big Chase Bonus.
11. The World of Hyatt Credit Card
Current Offer
The World of Hyatt Credit Card is offering 30,000 points after you spend $3,000 on the card in the first three months of card membership. You can earn another 30,000 points (60,000 total) by earning 2x points on all spending up to $15,000 in the first six months of card membership.
Annual Fee: $95
Click Here to learn more about the World of Hyatt Credit Card.
Why This Offer Makes the List
The points are great, but it’s all about earning Hyatt status.
Hyatt has halved the requirements for earning status next year. That means you’ll only need to hit half of the elite qualifying nights to earn status and keep it all the way into early 2023.
That provides an easy avenue to climb the status ladder from Hyatt Discoverist to Explorist to Globalist – one of the best status levels in the world of hotels thanks to suite upgrade certificates, free lounge access, waived resort fees, and two free night stays a year. Here’s how it looks for earning Hyatt status next year:
- Discoverist: Stay five tier-qualifying nights OR earn 12,500 base points
- Explorist: Stay 15 tier-qualifying nights OR earn 25,000 base points
- Globalist: Stay 30 tier-qualifying nights or earn 50,000 base points
New cardholders will get 5 of those tier-qualifying nights in 2021.
This is a big reason why we think now is the best time to open the card. Just for opening it, you’ll be well on your way to earning their top-tier Globalist status.
Read our full review of the World of Hyatt Card.
Bottom Line
April is already a huge month in terms of elevated credit card offers. These are some of the best that are currently available. And make sure to check our Top Credit Cards Page, as offers are always changing.