Taking advantage of the best credit card welcome bonuses and offers is the fastest way to rack up travel rewards, in order to book first and business class flights, stay at luxury hotels, etc. The best offers are always changing, so it’s worth understanding what the best deals at any given point are.
Of course you’ll also want to consider picking cards that match your long term travel goals, as there’s lots of value to travel credit cards beyond just the welcome offers.
What's the best offer out right now, in your opinion?
The welcome bonus is an added benefit of the card. I think people should consider about the card's perks and benefits rather than the welcome bonus. Most cards have restrictions for the welcome bonus as to stop people from applying for it just for the welcome bonus. Most card companies have limitations if you hold other related credit cards.
I really like the way you've broken out the various cards by business, personal, hotels, and airlines - much more manageable this way, and I didn't realize I needed it like this until I saw it. 🙂
Don’t be shy, Willy! Which are you going for next? Personally, I’ve been waiting-it-out for C1VX. Got a taste of their lounge at JFK T4 thanks to SQ J, and have wanted to return. Plus, hearing good things about their new ‘Landing’ at LGA TB… feed us some deets, sir!
I'm not sure which one yet; I'm not in any hurry, but it's been some time since I signed up for a card with a bonus, so I definitely have the itch and will do so in the next few weeks.
Re: the Cap One lounge, I was there the day they opened ( https://onemileatatime.com/news/capital-one-lounge-new-york-jfk-airport/). I really like it, but when I'm flying out on SQ I usually just stick with the VS lounge as it's thisclose to the gate. BUT the VS lounge gets so depressingly dark; the good news is that I'm never really there for more than an hour.
Ooh lala! I take it that's because of First? (Or do you have their top-tier status?) I've usually been on the nonstop, JFK-SIN, so no F. Previously, J only got Air India or HelloSky/Primeclass, which was awful. Was better to just go to Centurion at that point. C1 is a major upgrade.
Yes, first. I fly SQ JFK-FRA-SIN with some regularity. I quite like the 777s tbh; the biggest downside is how dry the air gets. A couple of years ago on the route my nose started bleeding like a faucet about 30 minutes out of SIN; I made a right mess of the white Lalique duvet (mortifying, really), though the crew could not have been nicer. It's something I hope to soon forget in my old age... 🙂
I agree that the Hilton AMEX Aspire Card is the best Hotel Card. Sadly it took a while to get the card and within a month they stopped the Lounge Access. It was a great perk for those who travel occasionally domestically where first or business does not get lounge access nor is cost effective.
Obviously lounge access was a great perk that everyone used and cost them too much. I wish they would bring it back or at least allow access to AMEX lounges with the very expensive Aspire Card.
Since it's launch in 2018, it's only had one fee increase ($450 to $550 in 2023); unfortunately, it's probably due for another, even with the existing benefits, plus or minus a few more coupons.
Compare to Amex Marriott Brilliant, also launched 2018, also $450 AF, increased by $200 to $650 in 2023, and the main addition was the $25/mo ($300/yr) dining credit.
If Priority Pass was the thing that really mattered to you most, so many other cards have a Select membership included already, but I suppose if Aspire was your one and only premium credit card, then sure, that's a bummer.
Some useful data on the various lists.
I would also include the Choice Privileges no AF card.
60K points for $1K spending a pretty solid return plus the card does appear to offer some benefits although I haven’t used them yet.