These Credit Cards Currently Offer 100,000 Points or More

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Not so long ago, 100,000-point credit card offers were a novelty that might come around only every few years. These days, though, some of the best travel credit cards are regularly posting bonuses that high. While such deals might not be for everyone, if you are thinking of getting into the points game, or want to stock up on rewards for your next trip, you should seriously consider opening a new rewards card soon. That’s because these promotions are among the highest ever to be posted, and none of them is bound to last forever . . . or return.

While the value of travel rewards varies widely from program to program, if a credit card is offering more than 100,000 points or miles as part of its introductory offer, you should at least give it a second look. Here are eight of the best travel credit cards with welcome offers of 100,000 points or more and why you might want to apply for each.

1. The Platinum Card® from American Express

Though its ever-expanding roster of premium perks won’t be for everyone, if you’re a luxury traveler, this card has more to offer than ever.

Current welcome offer

Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership. (Terms apply.)

Annual fee

$695 (see rates and fees)

Earning

This card accrues:

• Five points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
• One point per dollar on everything else

Why apply now?

The Amex Platinum usually only offers between 60,000–75,000 bonus points as a welcome offer, so this is a substantial premium. It comes a vast array of perks, including access to Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and Priority Pass lounges at airports around the world, as well as the ability to register for both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status so you can enjoy benefits like room upgrades. 

The card also just added a slew of new advantages, including statement credits toward an annual Clear membership worth up to $179 per year, up to $300 in annual statement credits (split into $25 per month) toward Equinox memberships, up to $240 per year ($20 per month) toward digital entertainment subscriptions with select services, up to $200 in statement credits toward hotel bookings made through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts and Amex’s the Hotel Collection, and up to $155 in annual statement credits (12.95 per month) toward a Walmart+ membership.

>> Read more: 8 Reasons You Should Apply for an Amex Platinum Card Right Now

2. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Plenty of points and perks at a relatively low cost make this one of the top hotel credit cards around.

Current welcome offer

Earn up to 180,000 bonus points—earn 130,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months and an additional 50,000 bonus points after you spend $10,000 total on purchases in the first six months. This card usually does not offer the chance to earn those 50,000 extra points, so if you can hit the higher spending requirement, you could be looking at a much bigger bonus.

Annual fee

$95 (see rates and fees)

Earning

Keep on raking in Hilton points thanks to the following earning rates:

• 12 points per dollar on purchases at Hilton portfolio resorts and hotels
• Six points per dollar on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery
• Six points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets
• Six points per dollar at U.S. gas stations
• Three points per dollar on all other purchases

Why apply now?

This card’s welcome offer along with the points you earn by meeting it should be enough for two award nights at most of Hilton’s top properties around the world and more than enough for several nights at its mid- and budget-range hotels. 

Cardholders can also count on automatic Hilton Honors Gold elite status, with perks like room upgrades and dining credits at most Hilton properties. Plus, those who spend $15,000 or more in a calendar year get a free weekend night reward that can be redeemed at pretty much any Hilton hotel around the world, including ultra-luxurious hotels like the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam.

>> Read more: New Hilton Credit Card Offers Could Lead to Free Nights at Waldorfs and Conrads

3. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

You can leverage this hotel card to earn lots of bonus points without much effort.

Current welcome offer

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is offering applicants 125,000 bonus points and a free night award worth up to 50,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. This offer expires November 3, 2021.

Annual fee

$95

Earning

You won’t earn many category bonuses, but you can still pad your points account at a good clip thanks to the following earning rates:

• Six points per dollar at Marriott Bonvoy properties
• Two points per dollar on all other eligible purchases

Why apply now?

If you can leverage this card’s welcome bonus offer to its full potential, it could be worth up to 150,000 points total–three free nights worth 50,000 points apiece. But this card has other ongoing benefits that make it worthwhile, too.

Cardholders receive 15 elite night credits per calendar year, which is enough for Silver status, or makes for a healthy boost toward a higher echelon (you can also earn Gold status by spending $35,000 or more on purchases in a calendar year). Perhaps its best benefit, however, is an annual free night award worth up to 35,000 points. That can save you hundreds of dollars each year, depending on where you redeem it, more than making up for the card’s annual fee.

>> Read more: Why the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Is Worth the Annual Fee

4. IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card

This third hotel card qualifies for our list on points alone, but an added perk included with the introductory offer makes it even better.

Current welcome offer

Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. 

Annual fee

$0 intro annual fee the first year, then $89

Earning

This card earns bonus points in the following categories:

• 10 points per dollar at IHG hotels and resorts (in effect, this is really 25 points per dollar since you earn 10 points for being a member and an additional five for Platinum status, which the card confers)
• Two points per dollar at gas stations
• Two points per dollar at grocery stores
• Two points per dollar at restaurants
• One point per dollar on everything else

Why apply now?

The intro bonus offer is enough points for two nights at most of IHG’s higher-end hotels including many Intercontinental properties. Cardholders can use it to receive up to $100 in statement credits for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee once every four years and will also enjoy a fourth night free on award stays of four nights or more. The card bestows automatic IHG Rewards Platinum status, too, with perks like room upgrades and late checkout priority.

5. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® and Chase Sapphire Reserve® tend to get more attention, but their business counterpart is offering a relatively high bonus, too.

Current welcome offer

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases within the first three months. 

Annual fee

$95

Earning

This card is a great all-round earner, especially on work-related purchases. It accumulates three points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in the following categories each account anniversary year:

• Travel (this includes flights and hotels, but also things like parking and rideshares)
• Shipping purchases
• Internet, cable, and phone services
• Advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines

It earns one point per dollar on everything else.

Why apply now?

If you already have either the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, opening the Ink Business Preferred is a great way to keep accumulating valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, not just with that outsize sign-up offer, but also thanks to its many bonus purchase categories. The initial 100,000 points alone are worth $1,250 toward travel, although you can also transfer them to 11 airlines and three hotels, same as with the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Getting a business card is also a good idea for folks who want to keep personal and work purchases separate. This card is one of only a handful that extends cell phone protection when you use it to pay your monthly bill. You can file claims of up to $600 against theft or damage, with a maximum of three claims per 12-month period and a $100 deductible per occurrence. 

>> Read more: How to Win at Travel With Chase Ultimate Rewards

With travel in the United States back to near prepandemic levels, now is the moment to think about where your travel rewards strategy should take you next. There are almost too many excellent credit card welcome bonus offers to consider. Rather than getting overwhelmed by the numbers, though, think about which airlines or hotels you travel with the most, and then take a closer look at which of their cobranded credit cards are offering the most points or miles as part of their welcome offers. Take advantage of those first, and then think about what other cards might suit your near-term travel goals. 

While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they are subject to change at any time, and may have changed or may no longer be available. This article was originally published in April 2021; it was updated on September 13, 2021, and again on October 8, 2021, with current information.

>> Next: The Best Travel Credit Cards to Apply for in 2021