The best credit card welcome bonuses of May 2026

If you haven't evaluated your credit card portfolio lately, now is a great time to do so.

That's because we regularly update this roundup to feature top welcome bonuses from cards that made the cut for our best credit cards list. Earning new card bonuses is the fastest way to accumulate a stash of points and miles, so if you're working on building up your travel rewards balance, it's likely that one of the options below might be a good fit for you.

Since many issuers have restrictions on how often you can earn a bonus on a card, it's important to time your application for when there's a solid offer. Also, higher bonuses don't always stick around for long, so if you're considering one of these offers, you'll want to hop on it sooner rather than later.

If you're not ready to add a higher-end card, consider these great starter cards or even one with a 0% introductory annual percentage rate.

The best rewards card offers of May 2026

*The welcome offer value is determined using TPG's May 2026 valuations and is not provided by, nor reviewed by, the issuer.

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

This business card stands out not only for its extremely valuable welcome offer but also for travel perks that can easily cover the card's $895 annual fee.

Cardmembers enjoy automatic Gold status in both the Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programs (enrollment required), along with some of the best lounge access perks of any business card out there.

As far as earning rates go, cardmembers earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com and 2 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent).

To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Business Platinum.

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Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 300,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express

American Express Business Gold Card

The Amex Business Gold is a fantastic card for business owners looking to maximize earnings from a single card.

It has 4 points per dollar spent earning categories that automatically reflect your highest spending areas (on the top two eligible spending categories each billing cycle; capped at $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent).

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Business Gold.

Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 200,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Apply here: American Express Business Gold Card

American Express Platinum Card

Often referred to as the king of the premium travel rewards cards, the Amex Platinum offers a slew of benefits for an annual fee of $895.

Cardmembers enjoy perks like automatic elite status with Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy and Leaders Club from The Leading Hotels of the World (enrollment required), plus some of the best airport lounge access of any card for eligible cardmembers.

Cardmembers also enjoy 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent), 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per dollar spent on other eligible purchases.

To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Platinum.

Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $12,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Apply here: American Express Platinum Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase's premium rewards card earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points and provides an excellent suite of statement credits to elevate your travels.

Highlights of the Sapphire Reserve include airport lounge access, the card's flexible $300 annual travel credit and useful travel protections.

To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Reserve.

Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Capital One Venture Business

Capital One's all-new business card provides straightforward rewards and useful credits in exchange for a $95 annual fee.

The Venture Business earns:

• 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
• 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases

Plus, cardholders receive useful benefits, such as an annual $50 credit for Capital One Business Travel and a $50 experience credit on every Capital One Lifestyle Collection stay.

To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Venture Business.

Earn up to 150,000 bonus miles: 75,000 bonus miles after spending $7,500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 75,000 bonus miles after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.

Learn more: Capital One Venture Business

American Express Gold Card

The Amex Gold Card is a favorite of many TPG staffers, largely thanks to its terrific earning rates on dining at restaurants worldwide and groceries at U.S. supermarkets (subject to spending caps).

It earns at the following rates:

• 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App™
• 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent)
• 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent)
• 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked with directly with the airlines, on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App
• 2 points per dollar spent on car rentals booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App
• 2 points per dollar spent on cruises booked on amextravel.com
• 1 point per dollar spent on other eligible purchases

The card also offers multiple dining statement credits to help offset its relatively manageable $325 annual fee.

To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Gold.

Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Apply here: American Express Gold Card

Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite credit card

Right now, Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards' top card, the Atmos Summit, is providing a great offer for interested cardholders.

The Atmos Summit is the program's premium option, featuring two Alaska lounge passes each calendar quarter, free checked bags and priority boarding for you and up to six guests flying on the same reservation. It also earns an unrivaled 3 points per dollar spent on all foreign transactions.

To learn more, read our full review of the Atmos Rewards Summit.

Earn 100,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,500 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. Plus, receive a 50% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account.

Apply here: Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite credit card

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

One Marriott Bonvoy card is providing a standout welcome offer. If you maximize the Bonvoy Boundless' offer, you'll be able to get up to $1,700 in value, per TPG's May 2026 valuations.

The Bonvoy Boundless is a strong hotel card, offering an annual free night award worth up to 35,000 points and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.

To learn more, read our full review of the Bonvoy Boundless.

Earn three free night awards (valued at up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn an additional free night award (valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending a total of $4,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening. (Certain hotels have resort fees.) Additionally, earn up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases.

Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card

American Express recently introduced the Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card, a new business card that earns 2% cash back^ on most eligible purchases.

The card also provides a bonus category, earning 5% cash back^ on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel® Online.

That said, many business owners may struggle to justify holding this card, given its steep annual fee and limited benefits. Those who are loyal to Amex and to earning cash back will be the best fit for this card.

To learn more, read our full review of the Graphite Business Cash Unlimited.

^Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at amazon.com checkout.

Earn $1,500 cash back in the form of Reward Dollars after spending $50,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Reward Dollars can be redeemed as a statement credit and at amazon.com checkout.

Apply here: Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card

United Airlines cards

If you're a United Airlines loyalist, you have some excellent options when it comes to cobranded credit cards.

Most of United's credit cards provide high-value bonuses worth more than $1,000, per TPG's May 2026 valuations.

To learn more, read our full reviews of the United Business, the United Club, the United Quest and the United Explorer.

Apply here: United Business Card. Earn up to 110,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQPs: 100,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQPs after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.

Apply here: United Club Card. Earn up to 110,000 bonus miles and 3,000 PQPs: 100,000 bonus miles and 3,000 PQPs after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.

Apply here: United Quest Card. Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles and 3,000 PQPs: 90,000 bonus miles and 3,000 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.

Apply here: United Explorer Card. Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles: 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.

Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard

For those who aren't interested in paying a premium annual fee, the AAdvantage Globe offers solid perks for a midrange $350 annual price tag.

Cardholders enjoy benefits like an up to $100 annual Splurge credit to use with select brands (exclusions apply), four Admirals Club passes each year, a Loyalty Point head start each year for elite status and their first checked bag free.

To learn more, check out our full review of the AAdvantage Globe.

For a limited time, earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening.

Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard

Bilt Palladium Card

The premium Bilt Palladium Card is an excellent choice for those all-in on Bilt. Cardholders will earn 2 points per dollar and 4% Bilt Cash** (as long as you choose to earn Bilt Cash) on everyday purchases, which guarantees a sky-high 4.4% return on everyday purchases, per TPG's May 2026 valuations.

You'll also receive a $400 Bilt Travel portal hotel credit each calendar year, split into two biannual $200 statement credits.

To learn more, read our full review of the Bilt Palladium Card.

**Up to $100 of Bilt Cash earned rolls over to the next year.

Earn 50,000 bonus points and Gold status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. Plus, receive $300 in Bilt Cash upon approval.

Apply here: Bilt Palladium Card

Bottom line

The quickest way to earn points and miles is by applying for a new credit card. If any of these offers interest you, act sooner rather than later, as several of these offers are only around for a limited time.

Remember that Chase's 5/24 rule means that it's often best to apply for Chase cards before other issuers' products. If you want some guidance on what card to go for next, here's some help on how to choose the best credit card for you.

For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Graphite card, click here.