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.
Just as we do every month, we've assembled a list of the best credit card offers for August 2023 that are currently available – plus everything you need to know if you are thinking about taking advantage of these offers. A handful of banks are out with some eye-popping bonuses on their best travel cards this month. Some of these offers are mainstays while others are only available for a limited time and won't last much longer, so it could pay to act fast.
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, make sure to head to our Top Credit Cards Page.
- 1. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- 2. Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- 3. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- 4. The American Express® Green Card
- 5. Chase Ink Business Cash® & Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Cards
- 6. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- 7. The American Express® Gold Card
- 8. The Platinum Card® from American Express
- 9. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
- 10. Citi Premier® Card
1. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Current Offer
The *chase sapphire preferred* 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 – if not much, much more.
Annual Fee: $95
Learn more about the *chase sapphire preferred*
Why This Offer Makes the List
While it's not the biggest bonus we've ever seen on this card, earning 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards while only paying a $95 annual fee is still a phenomenal offer – especially if you don't want to pay huge, $550-plus annual fees on premium travel cards. The 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 value (or more) by using Chase transfer partners like United, Virgin Atlantic, 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. Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Current Offer
The *chase ink preferred* is currently offering 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first three months of card membership. These points are worth a minimum of $1,250 for future travel – if not much, much more. It's the best offer we have ever seen on this card.
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), you won't find a better welcome bonus offer right now than the current offer on the Chase Ink Preferred.
Back in June, Chase halved the spending requirement to earn the huge 100,000-point welcome offer bonus. Previously, you needed to spend $15,000 in the first three months of card membership to earn the big bonus. Now, you only have to spend $8,000 in the first three months of card membership to earn that same 100,000-point bonus. Chase has indicated this isn't a limited-time offer – it should be available for the foreseeable future.
Beyond a stellar welcome bonus, the Ink Business Preferred is one of the best 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 More: A Review of the Chase Ink Business Preferred Card: 100K Points & A Low Annual Fee
3. The 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 earn a total of at least 83,000 Venture Miles right off the bat.
Annual Fee: $395
Learn more about the *capital one venture x*
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 back in November 2021. It's a souped-up version of the ever-popular *capital one venture 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 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.
Read More: Capital One Venture X Card Review: Get 75K Miles, Lounge Access & More
4. The American Express® Green Card
Current Offer
The *amex green card* is currently offering 60,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend just $3,000 in the first six months of card membership. Plus, you can earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during your first six months of card membership for up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit.
Annual Fee: $150 (see rates & fees)
Learn more about *amex green*
Why This Offer Makes the List
The Amex Green Card has long sat in the shadow of more popular cards like *amex platinum card*, and the *amex gold card*. Even after a major refresh back in 2019 with new benefits and better earning categories, it still doesn't get much attention from consumers – or even Amex itself.
But that's all changing after the card recently relaunched with a shiny new welcome offer.
On its own, the Amex Green is an extremely well-rounded credit card worth its place in any traveler's wallet. But with the current 60,000 Membership Rewards point welcome offer and the ability to earn up to $200 back on travel and transit purchases, paying the card's $150 annual fee should be a no-brainer for most.
You'll also get six months to meet that spending requirement – twice as long as most card offers. And beyond getting the initial welcome offer, this is a card you're going to want to continue using for its 3x Membership Rewards point earning on all dining and travel expenses.
This card also comes packed with benefits to help get you through the airport faster and make your time there more enjoyable. First off, there's an annual $189 credit for CLEAR Plus – consider this your fast pass to skip to the front of the security line. And then once you're on the other side of security, you get up to $100 of LoungeBuddy credit each year to purchase lounge access and help kill time while you wait for your flight.
Read More: A Full Review of the American Express Green Card
5. Chase Ink Business Cash® & Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Cards
Current Offer
Whether you opt for the *chase ink business cash* or the *chase ink business unlimited*, you'll get the same welcome bonus offer.
You'll earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. But if you also have a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, that $750 cash back can instantly become another 75,000 Chase points.
Annual Fee: $0
Learn more about the *chase ink business cash*
Learn more about the *chase ink business unlimited*
Why This Offer Makes the List
Small business owners who already have a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve should give these two Ink Business cards a long, hard look. With one of these cards in your wallet, the cashback from these two Ink cards can be turned into Ultimate Rewards points making the rewards much more valuable – especially if your ultimate goal is travel.
Not sure which one to pick? Chase doesn’t restrict you from having both, so that’s always an option. But that’s too much for many travelers and small business owners … and while they offer some of the same benefits, there are other key differences to be aware of.
Best of all, these cards have no annual fee, so if you're eligible, it's a great way to keep racking up Ultimate Rewards points.
Read More: Ink Business Cash vs Ink Unlimited: Which is Best for You?
6. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Current Offer
The *capital one venture card* 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 card, you'll earn a total of at least 83,000 Venture Miles right off the bat.
Annual Fee: $95
Learn more about the *capital one venture 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 the welcome offer bonus on par with the more-expensive Venture X card listed above at a much smaller annual fee price point.
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. The card also provides a credit of up to $100 every four years to cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership. It's one of the most cost-effective ways to get this benefit from a credit card.
But if it's just the miles you're after, this could make a compelling alternative to Venture X.
Read More: Bigger Bonus: Earn 75k Bonus Miles With the Capital One Venture Card
7. The American Express® Gold Card
Current Offer
You can 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 card offers from most other banks.
Be sure to check if you're eligible for a 75,000-point offer via CardMatch!
Annual Fee: $250 (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.
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 75,000-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 to spend at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and select Shake Shack locations, and up to $120 annually in Uber cash 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.
Read our full review of the American Express Gold Card.
8. 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? If that doesn't work, you can also try using an incognito window on your browser and apply directly with American Express.
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)
Learn more about *amex platinum*.
Why This Offer Makes the List
The Platinum Card® from American Express 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 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. Still, you may be able to get that 150,000-point bonus through a friend or family member's referral link or by searching for the Platinum Card in an incognito browser.
Check out some of the best ways to use your bonus from the Amex Platinum card.
9. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Current Offer
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Annual Fee: $595
Learn more about the *citi aa executive card*
Why This Offer Makes the List
After flying under the radar for years with a modest annual fee and amazing lounge access policies, big changes have officially taken hold for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. But it's not all bad news.
To offset the sting of some negative changes like a higher annual fee and a new charge for authorized users to enjoy Admirals Club access, Citi and American have upped the ante with a bigger welcome bonus: You can now earn 100,000 AAdvantage miles after spending $10,000 in the first three months. That's double the card's previous welcome bonus and one of the best we've ever seen on American's flagship card, period.
It's clearly designed to lure in new applicants for the card and convince them to fork over nearly $600 for the annual fee. But it's a stellar bonus on a solid premium travel credit card and worth many travelers' attention – whether you're a frequent flyer or just want to pile up AAdvantage miles. Citi and American have also sweetened the card with some annual statement credits for select travel purchases and bigger bonus categories for ongoing spending.
If it's been on your radar and you're eligible to earn the welcome offer, you have until Sept. 6 to apply for the limited-time bonus!
Read More: The Citi AAdvantage Executive Card: Huge 100K Bonus & Higher Annual Fee
10. Citi Premier® Card
Current Offer
The Citi Premier Card is currently offering new card members the ability to earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
Annual Fee: $95, which is not waived in the first year
Learn more about the *citi premier*
Why This Offer Makes the List
Citi may not get the same attention from travelers as banks like Chase, American Express, or even Capital One. But this is still a great offer on an underrated card.
Beyond the welcome bonus, the Citi Premier card is an exceptionally well-rounded card that can help you earn even more points on some of your most frequent spending. The card offers 3x points on all dining, grocery, and gas station purchases, as well as 3x points on airfare and hotels. All other purchases earn 1x point per dollar. Foreign transaction fees are waived when using this card abroad, making it a great option for upcoming summer vacations.
This card also comes with a couple other, under-the-radar perks, such as an annual $100 hotel savings on stays of $500 or more when you book through thankyou.com. In addition to the annual hotel credit, the card also gets you access to Citi Entertainment – where cardholders get first dibs on presale concert and event tickets, as well as other exclusive experiences.
Check out our list of the best ways to redeem Citi ThankYou points!
Bottom Line
August is another big month in terms of elevated credit card offers – these are the best travel rewards card offers that are currently available.
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).