While we here at Credit Card Pro believe the rewards and benefits of our core premium credit cards justify the annual fees (and then some), sign-up bonuses often give us that extra push to add yet another card to our wallets. In the last year, the premium credit card industry has scaled back on these bonuses to provide more valuable rewards and benefits to long-term cardholders (versus “churners” who notoriously cancel cards after receiving sign-up bonuses). That said, there are several current promotions in the new year to help entice new cardholders, especially those who have a hard time initially stomaching a large annual fee. Here’s what our core cards are offering (in alphabetical order) and a few details to note before applying.
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Sign-up bonus: 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months as a cardmember.
Annual Fee: $95 (but waived for first year)
Note if considering this card: You cannot apply for this card if you already have another Sapphire card product (e.g. the Reserve). The new card member bonus will post only if you have not applied for any Sapphire card in the past 24 months. Moreover, this card falls under Chase’s 5/24 rule, meaning you will not be approved if you have applied for more than five credit cards in the past 24 months (regardless of credit card company and whether you are a primary or secondary cardholder).
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Sign-up bonus: 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. (Pro Tip: If you are considering this card and you are holding out for the return of the Reserve’s 100,000-point bonus from its launch in 2015, you will be disappointed—it’s not coming back. While consumers loved this bonus, it cost Chase over $300 million and resulted in a major executive shake-up.)
Annual Fee: $450
Note if considering this card: You cannot apply for this card if you already have another Sapphire card product. The new card member bonus will post only if you have not applied for any Sapphire card in the past 24 months. Moreover, this card falls under Chase’s 5/24 rule, meaning you will not be approved if you have applied for more than five credit cards in the past 24 months (regardless of credit card company and whether you are a primary or secondary cardholder).
Citi Prestige® Card
Sign-up bonus: None
Annual Fee: $450
Note if considering this card: The Citi Prestige carried out a big push for new cardholders in mid-2017, offering a 75,000 ThankYou points sign-up bonus. That bonus disappeared in September 2017 and has not returned since (and we don’t believe it will return in 2018).
Mastercard® Black Card™
Sign-up bonus: None
Annual Fee: $495
Note if considering this card: In 2016 Luxury Card stopped offering sign–up bonuses to focus on greater benefits for its loyal card members–Don’t hold out for the return of the card’s 2015 sign-up bonus, which at one point reached 50,000 points.
Mastercard® Gold Card™
Sign-up bonus: None
Annual Fee: $995
Note if considering this card: In 2016 Luxury Card stopped offering sign–up bonuses to focus on greater benefits for its loyal card members–Don’t hold out for the return of the card’s 2015 sign-up bonus, which at one point reached 50,000 points.
Mastercard® Titanium Card™
Sign-up bonus: None
Annual Fee: $195
Note if considering this card: In 2016 Luxury Card stopped offering sign–up bonuses to focus on greater benefits for its loyal card members–Don’t hold out for the return of the card’s 2015 sign-up bonus, which at one point reached 50,000 points.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Sign-up bonus: 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $5,000 on purchases in your first three months of card membership.
Annual fee: $550
Note if considering this card: The sign-up bonus is not applicable to those who have or previously had this credit card product.
Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express
Sign-up bonus: 25,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
Annual Fee: $195 (but waived for first year)
Note if considering this card: The sign-up bonus is not applicable to those who have or previously had this credit card product.
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
Sign-up bonus: 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,500 in purchases in the first 90 days of card membership.
Annual Fee: $400
Note if considering this card: Applicants must have an eligible U.S. Bank account relationship open and active for a minimum of five business days prior to submitting an application. Such accounts include checking account, loans, and other U.S. Bank credit cards.
