Credit card sign-up bonuses: Everything you need to know

Signing up for a new credit card can be a rewarding experience—especially when the credit card offers what you might think of as a sign-up bonus. 

These bonuses offer the opportunity to earn extra rewards for using the card. Learn more, including how they work at Capital One.

What you’ll learn:

• A credit card sign-up bonus offers a one-time rewards bonus. 

• Sign-up bonuses might also be referred to as welcome bonuses or early-spend bonuses.

• To earn a sign-up bonus, new cardholders typically must use the card and spend a certain amount of money within a specific time frame.

• Depending on the card issuer, bonuses could take the form of points, miles, cash back or other credits.

A credit card sign-up bonus is a one-time reward offered to new cardholders. To earn a welcome bonus, cardholders usually have to meet specific requirements, like spending a certain amount within a set time frame.

Sign-up bonuses are different from regular, ongoing credit card rewards.

Credit card bonuses and rewards generally come in three forms: cash back, miles and rewards points. But other credits are sometimes offered too.

Here’s a look at some Capital One credit card bonuses for new cardholders—plus a glimpse at regular rewards:

Bonus requirements vary by card and card issuer. But usually a cardholder must spend a certain amount of money on the card within a certain amount of time to earn the sign-up bonus. 

Not all credit card issuers offer welcome bonuses. And if an issuer does offer them, it might only be for certain cards.

Credit card welcome offers can certainly be worth it, but determining the value of a bonus depends on the individual. 

If you’re trying to judge how much a bonus is worth, weighing how much you have to spend with how much you might earn is a good place to start. You could do some budgets to determine if you normally spend that much or if you’ll have to stretch your budget. If a card has an annual fee, that might also be worth factoring in.

If you’re overspending or unable to make monthly payments on time, it could hurt your credit.

To make the most of a bonus opportunity, it pays to apply for the right card.

If you’re looking for a new card, it helps to select a rewards card that provides the type of rewards you want—rather than selecting a card only because it seems like an attractive bonus offer.

For instance, it might make sense for someone to pick a card that provides a sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles if they’re a frequent flier. Someone who doesn’t fly frequently might consider a card that offers a cash back bonus instead.

Some credit cards limit the amount of rewards someone can receive, whether it’s cash back, miles or points. So once a new cardholder has racked up a sign-up bonus, they may find the limits for ongoing rewards are too restrictive. Therefore, it might be wise to explore a card that offers unlimited ongoing rewards.

With Capital One, there’s no limit to how much you can earn. And your rewards won’t expire for the life of the account.

Still looking for more information about sign-up bonuses? These frequently asked questions might help.

The opportunity to earn a welcome bonus to boost credit card rewards can be enticing. These bonuses are generally worth hundreds of dollars. To earn a sign-up bonus, a cardholder typically must spend a certain amount with the new card within a set period of time. But it’s still important to use the card responsibly.

Looking for a credit card with an attractive sign-up bonus? See if you’re pre-approved for a Capital One credit card with a bonus offer. It’s easy to check. And it won’t hurt your credit scores.