Best Credit Card Intro Bonuses for Every Credit Level

In the market for a credit card and want a fat introductory bonus, but aren’t sure if you’ll qualify? Worry no longer — many card issuers have loosened their criteria for eligibility, which means even if you don’t have excellent credit, you can take advantage of some terrific intro bonus offers.

These bonuses can really help boost the rewards you receive from your card in your first year of ownership. Plus, some travel reward bonuses can get you a free flight or free hotel (or both), making your next vacation that much more pleasurable. The cash back rewards can also be very lucrative, putting some serious extra cash in your pocket. Some rewards cards even have no annual fee, allowing you to reap the benefits of the card without paying a fee each year.

We took a look at the top rewards credit cards on the market, checking the intro bonus values and what type of credit is required. To find out which cards have the biggest bang for your buck, see our list below which breaks down the cards between those for average credit (a credit score above 600), good credit (a credit score above 670) and excellent credit (a credit score of 750+).

Best for Those with Excellent Credit (credit score of 750+)

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card – $1,195*

Chase Sapphire Preferred is our No. 1 ranked travel rewards card due to its great reward earning value as well as its rewards flexibility. The intro bonus pretty amazing too — 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, you’ll get another 5,000 points after adding your first authorized user and making a purchase in the first 3 months. Put these two bonuses together and you have 55,000 bonus points, worth $1,195* in bonuses per our Travel Rewards Credit Card Analysis if you transfer the points over to the Hyatt Gold Passport frequent travel program, $500 in cash, or $687 when you redeem the points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. You’ll also earn 2 points per $1 spent on travel and dining and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. When it comes time to redeem your earned points, there are several options. If you use Chase’s online travel portal, you’ll get a 20% discount on your bookings. You can also redeem them for statement credit or electronic deposit into a savings/checking account. Or, you can transfer your points for free at a 1:1 value to other travel reward programs, like Marriot, Hyatt, United Airlines or Southwest Airlines. The card does have a $95 annual fee, but it’s waived the first year.

Best for Those with Good Credit (credit score of 670+)

Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express – $748*

Already great card for anyone who flies Delta Airlines, the current intro bonus makes it worth considering switching airline loyalties. You’ll earn 30,000 bonus points (equal to $698*), after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, you’ll get a $50 statement credit after making a Delta purchase with your card. Put these 2 bonuses together and you have a total value of $748 in intro bonuses. TheGold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express (a NextAdvisor advertiser) also earns 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases made directly with Delta and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases. Plus, you can check your first bag free (a savings of about $50!) and you’ll enjoy priority boarding. And this card is available to those with excellent or good credit (typically a credit score of 670+), which means you may qualify if you don’t have spotless credit. There is a $95 annual fee, but it’s waived for the first year of card ownership.

Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard – $440

This card is perfect for someone who is not only interested in booking their travel however they want, but also wishes to fly any airline or stay at whatever hotel they like. Featuring a 40,000 mile intro bonus after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months, it’s a strong intro bonus contender. The rewards are nice too, offering a straightforward 2 miles per $1 spent on all purchases. Plus, every single time you redeem your miles you’ll get a 5% bonus. That’s a pretty sweet deal and increases the value of the 40,000 mile intro bonus to $440 in travel. Rewards redemption is easy — just book your travel with theBarclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard, then redeem your earned miles as a statement credit against the travel cost. Have less-than-perfect credit? You may still qualify for this card, as it requires excellent or good credit for approval. The annual fee of $89 is waived the first year.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – $400

With terrific reward redemption flexibility and strong reward value, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card would be a good fit in your pocket. And you only need good credit to qualify for the card – usually considered to be a credit score above 670. It features a generous a 40,000 mile intro bonus after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months, equal to $400 in travel. Plus you’ll earn an unlimited 2 miles for every $1 you spend. Redeeming your rewards is simple, just pay for your travel arrangements with your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and then use your earned miles as a statement credit against the travel you booked. There is an annual fee of $59, but it’s waived in the first year of card ownership.

Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express – $404*

If you like to stay at Sheraton Hotels, The Westin, W Hotels, Le Meridien or the St. Regis, this card is for you, as it earns you a 25,000 intro bonus (worth $404*) after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. In addition, the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express earns up to 5 points per $1 at participating hotels (2 points as a cardholder and 2-3 points as a SPG member), and 1 point per $1 on everything else. The card is available to those with good, rather than excellent credit, which means you can earn great travel rewards even if your credit report has taken a hit or two. The annual fee is $0 for the first year of card ownership, thereafter it’s $95 each year.

Chase Freedom – $150

With a big $150 intro bonus, Chase Freedom is another cash back card winner. You’ll get the intro bonus after spending just $500 in the first 3 months, which is equivalent to getting a crazy 30% cash back on the first $500 you spend! Plus you’ll earn 5% cash back on categories that rotate quarterly(on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%) and an unlimited 1% on all other purchases. If you like to shop at Costco and wholesale clubs, you’re in luck because you’ll earn 5% back from now through the end of 2016. Even better, there is no annual fee and Chase Freedom is available to those with good (rather than excellent) credit.

Chase Freedom Unlimited – $150

If you want a cash back card that gives you a solid unlimited 1.5% back on all purchases, look no further because Chase Freedom Unlimited does exactly that. You’ll also get a $150 intro bonus after spending only $500 in the first 3 months — equal to 30% back on your first $500 in purchases! This card is best for those who don’t want to worry about signing up for quarterly categories or keeping track of what category they’re spending in. Instead you can use this card for all your purchases, knowing that you’ll get an unlimited 1.5% cash back. And if you have a hiccup or two on your credit report, you may still qualify since Chase Freedom Unlimited is available to those with just good credit. All this and there is no annual fee.

Best for Those with Average Credit (credit score of 600+)

Discover it – Cashback Match – unlimited, based on your spending

The name of this card says it all when it comes to bonuses, plus it has no annual fee and is available to those with just average credit, typically considered a credit score over 600. Discover it – Cashback Match will literally match all the cash back rewards you earn in the first year of card ownership. So if you earn $250 in the first 12 months, they will double that to $500! It’s easy to rack up the cash back too – you’ll get 5% back on categories that rotate quarterly (on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter, then 1%), and 1% back on everything else. These 5% back categories are worth 10% back in the first year you have the card, since Discover will double the 5% back you earn, thereby totaling 10% back. From now through Dec 31, 2016 Amazon.com is a 5% back category, so if you get the card now you can earn 10% back at Amazon through the end of the year! Just be aware you need to sign up each quarter to receive the 5% back rewards.