Getting ahead with travel credit cards is all about timing: Getting 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 right now, this is the place to start.
A handful of banks are out with some eye-popping bonuses of points and miles on their best travel cards in March 2023. Some of these offers are for a limited time and won't last much longer, so it could pay to act fast.
Just as we do every month, we've assembled a list of the absolute best credit card offers for March 2023 that are currently available – plus 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.
For more information on the best current offers, make sure to head to our Top Credit Cards Page.
- 1. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- 2. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- 3. Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card
- 4. Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards
- 5. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- 6. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- 7. The Chase Freedom Flex℠ & Freedom Unlimited®
- 8. The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
- 9. The American Express® Gold Card
- 10. The Platinum Card® from American Express
1. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Current Offer
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is currently offering 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of card membership. These points are worth a minimum of $750 for future travel.
Annual Fee: $95
Click Here to Learn More About the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Why This Offer Makes the List
While it's not the biggest offer we have ever seen on this card, getting 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points is still a very solid deal – especially if you don't want to pay huge, $550-plus annual fees on premium travel cards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best places to get started with points and miles.
Those 60,000 points can be used to book at least $750 in travel through the Chase Travel Portal, as every point is worth 1.25 cents apiece. But you can easily get double that (or more) by using Chase transfer partners like United, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, or Hyatt. Not bad for a card with an annual fee of only $95, right?
There are some restrictions you'll need to be aware of. First and foremost, there's 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.
Read more: Are You Eligible for the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
2. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Current Offer
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is currently offering 75,000 Venture Miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months. Considering you earn 2x for every dollar you spend on the Venture X Card, you'll earn a total of at least 83,000 Venture Miles right off the bat.
Annual Fee: $395
Click Here to learn more about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Why This Offer Makes the List
Because it's one of the most exciting travel credit cards to hit the market in years – if ever.
Capital One first unveiled the card in early November 2021. It's a souped-up version of the ever-popular Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card that's chock full of extra benefits: Access to Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, a $300 annual travel credit, a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, great travel and rental car insurance protection, and more.
And all that comes with a price tag of just $395 a year. While that may seem steep, that automatically makes this card a compelling alternative to premium competitors like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Platinum Card® from American Express, which cost as much as $695 per year (see rates & fees).
Sure, a $395 annual fee may still immediately turn off many travelers. But it's a mirage – in practice, it's actually far cheaper. Consider the fact that you get an automatic $300 credit a year towards travel booked through the Capital One Travel portal. Then, starting in year two, you get a 10,000-point bonus every year: these points are worth a minimum of $100.
Are you the kind of person who plans to spend $300 a year or more on travel? If so, do the math and you’ll see that in reality, you’re paying $95 a year for this card – or much less when you add in the other perks and welcome bonus.
3. Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card
Current Offer
You can now earn 70,000 bonus Miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
This is a limited-time offer!
Annual Fee: $95, which is not waived in the first year
Click Here to learn more about the Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card
Why This Offer Makes the List
Because while they can be harder to earn, Alaska Mileage Plan miles are some of the most valuable miles on the planet. And this offer is one of the best we've ever seen to pile up a bunch of them in one fell swoop.
While bonuses have gone as high as 100,000-miles, those have required spending a whopping $15,000 within the first few months. In this case, you can earn 70,000 miles spending just a fraction of that amount.
On one hand, Alaska's mileage program has lost some of its luster after a recent change to its award chart raised the prospect of some possible increases. But that hasn't happened yet: You can still book Cathay Pacific business class to Asia for 50,000 miles or fly Qantas business class all the way to Australia for just 55,000 miles each way.
Plus, this bonus also includes one of Alaska's Famous Companion Fares™ from $122 (you pay just a $99 fare plus taxes and fees, from $23) to bring a buddy on any Alaska flight. After that, cardholders can earn another companion fare each year on their account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior year.
4. Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards
Current Offer
The suite of Delta SkyMiles® American Express credit cards are out with limited-time increased welcome bonus offers of up to 90,000 SkyMiles through March 29, 2023. Just what you can earn with each depends on which version you choose.
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is offering 70,000 SkyMiles after spending $2,000 in the first six months of card membership.
Annual Fee: $99 Annual Fee is waived for the first year (see rates & fees)
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is offering 90,000 SkyMiles after spending $4,000 in the first six months of card membership.
Annual Fee: $250 (see rates & fees)
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is offering 90,000 SkyMiles after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership.
Annual Fee: $550 (see rates & fees)
Why This Offer Makes the List
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 Delta SkyMiles flash sales. Just take a look at some of the SkyMiles flash sales we’ve found and sent to Thrifty Traveler Premium+ members.
- 32,000 SkyMiles roundtrip to Europe!
- 10,000 SkyMiles from Seattle (SEA) to Hawaii roundtrip!
- Nationwide flights to Hawaii from just 14,000 SkyMiles total
- 10,000 SkyMiles to Mexico roundtrip!
- 5,000 to 10,000 SkyMiles to Alaska roundtrip!
- Costa Rica for 11,000 SkyMiles!
- A flash sale to Argentina for just 30,000 SkyMiles roundtrip
And it gets even better for travelers with one of these Delta cards in their wallets thanks to a new benefit: TakeOff 15. Rolled out late last month, this gets you an automatic 15% discount on any Delta flight booked using your SkyMiles. That means these big bonuses are really worth even more.
Critically, SkyMiles never expire. With the ability to easily cancel award tickets and get your miles back – plus any taxes and fees (as long as you book a main cabin ticket or higher) – we think SkyMiles are one of the best ways to book travel. It’s a great time to apply if you are eligible.
Keep in mind, just because you’ve already got a Delta credit doesn’t mean you can’t open another one. For example, if you’ve already got the Gold Delta card in your wallet, you can still open the Platinum or Reserve cards and earn these bonuses.
5. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Current Offer
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is currently offering 75,000 Venture Miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months. Considering you earn 2x for every dollar you spend on the Venture X Card, you'll earn a total of at least 83,000 Venture Miles right off the bat.
Annual Fee: $95
Click Here to learn more about the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Why This Offer Makes the List
Last summer, Capital One increased the welcome offer bonus on the standard Venture Card from 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months to 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months. That now puts it on par with the more expensive Venture X card listed above at a much smaller annual fee price point. Capital One has indicated that this isn't a limited-time offer, but rather the new standard offer.
You won't get all the perks you'll get with the Venture X card, but you won't pay $395 out of pocket each year, either. So if it's just the miles you're after, this could make a compelling alternative.
Read More: Bigger Bonus: Earn 75k Bonus Miles With the Capital One Venture Card
6. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Current Offer
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is currently offering 95,000 Bonvoy points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months of card membership.
Annual Fee: $650 Annual Fee (see rates & fees)
Click Here to learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Why This Offer Makes the List
Marriott and American Express rolled out some big changes to the card in September that make it worth your attention.
First and foremost, Bonvoy Brilliant cardholders will now get complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status just for holding the card. Platinum status opens up hotel club lounges, space-available room upgrades, late checkout (when available), and free breakfast at most Marriott hotel brands.
You'll also get up to $300 in statement credits for restaurants around the globe. But rather than giving cardholders a lump $300 sum to use each year at restaurants, Amex is doling it out in monthly credits of $25. Much like credits on other American Express cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card, these $25 monthly restaurant credits are a use-it-or-lose-it benefit.
Next, the card has improved the annual free night certificate you get when you renew your card each and every year. Previously, this certificate could be redeemed at properties costing 50,000 points or less each night. Starting with new certificates earned on Sept. 22, they can be redeemed at properties that cost up to 85,000 Bonvoy points each night. That makes it usable for a free night at most Marriott properties around the world.
Finally, every year you hold the card, you'll earn 25 elite night credits towards Bonvoy elite status. That's up from the 15 nights the card previously earned.
7. The Chase Freedom Flex℠ & Freedom Unlimited®
Current Offer
New Chase Freedom or Freedom Unlimited card applicants who apply directly through Chase will now earn 5% cashback (or 5x points if you've got a Sapphire card) on purchases at grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart) on up to $12,000 spent in your first year of card membership.
Annual Fee: $0
Click Here to Learn More About the Chase Freedom Flex Card.
Why This Offer Makes the List
It's an outstanding bonus, adding another $600 cashback (or 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points) through a major source of everyday spending for many Americans – and all that adds up to 80,000 Chase points. Chase rolled out a similar bonus last year, and we're glad to see it return.
Unfortunately, this bonus isn't available for existing Freedom Cardholders. But if you don't yet have one, it might be a great opportunity to pick one up. You'll just need to make sure you apply directly on Chase's website.
8. The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
Current Offer
Just by opening the card and making a single purchase of any dollar amount, you'll earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles.
Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee, then $99 each year after that.
Apply Here (for full disclosure this is not an affiliate link).
Why This Offer Makes the List
No other card makes it so easy or cheap to earn a huge stash of miles. Whether it's a pack of gum, a cup of coffee, or something more, just make one purchase and you're done: You'll have 60,000 AAdvantage miles in your account a few weeks later. Best of all, Barclay's is even waiving the annual fee for the first year – it's $99 a year after that.
There's nothing in this for us: We don't make any money if you get this card. But it's a fantastic value and one of the easiest way to get miles for some incredible travel – and not just with American Airlines, but with amazing partner airlines like Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, and many more.
Thankfully, even if you close the card before your second year, the miles you've earned will be safe and sound in your account.
Read more: 7 Reasons American AAdvantage Miles Have Huge Value
9. The American Express® Gold Card
Current Offer
Earn at least 60,000 American Express Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first six months of card membership. You'll also get six months to meet that spending requirement, twice as long as most card offers.
Be sure to check if you're eligible for an even better 75,000-point offer via CardMatch, or an even better 90,000-point offer via a referral link.
Annual Fee: $250 (see rates & fees)
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 cards. Here's what you need to know: The real value of the Gold card goes far beyond that initial bonus – though a 60,000- to 90,000-point bonus or more sure doesn't hurt.
That's because the Gold Card earns 4x points for every dollar you spend at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 annually then 1x) and 4x points per dollar spent at restaurants, making it arguably the best card to use at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants.
You'll also get up to $120 in dining credits each year and up to $120 annually in credits to use at both Uber and Uber Eats. These credits are given out in $10 monthly increments and any amount you don't use at the end of the month will be forfeited. Just add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S.
But 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.
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.
10. The Platinum Card® from American Express
Current Offer
There is currently a targeted welcome offer available through creditcards.com's CardMatch tool to earn 150,000 American Express Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership.
Not targeted through CardMatch? You can still get a 100,000-point welcome offer through a personal referral link.
At the very least, you'll earn a welcome offer of at least 80,000 American Express points after spending $6,000 within the first six months.
Annual Fee: $695 (see rates & fees)
Click Here to learn more about the Platinum Card from American Express.
See if you're eligible for the 150,000-point offer via CardMatch.
Why This Offer Makes the List
The Platinum Card® from American Express got a big refresh last year, bringing new benefits and a 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 bonus currently available. That takes the cake for the best offer we have ever seen on the Platinum Card … and it's not even close.
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 welcome bonus for 150,000 points. That said, this offer won’t be available for all users.
Check out some of the best ways to use your bonus from the Amex Platinum card.
Bottom Line
March is a big month in terms of elevated credit card offers … but many of these may be ending soon! 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.
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
“
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).