Before you apply: a few quick checks
- Am I going to spend this money anyway?
If you need to buy extra just to hit the bonus, the points aren’t worth it and the balance can turn into interest very fast.
- Can I comfortably pay the balance in full?
A big offer only makes sense if you can clear the statement every month without stress.
- Is the annual fee really worth it for my lifestyle?
Look at the credits and benefits and ask if you would actually use them in a normal year, not just once to “make it worth it.”
- Can I actually get this card from this bank right now?
If you opened five or more personal cards in the last 24 months, most new Chase cards will be very hard to get, so it may make more sense to look at Amex, Citi or Capital One instead. Each bank has its own rules on how often you can get bonuses, so checking that first can save you hard inquiries and a lot of frustration.
Quick Overview: Top 10 Offers December 2025
The Platinum Card® from American Express
– Welcome bonus: targeted offers as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after $8,000 in 6 months (your offer may differ).
– Annual fee: $895.
– Welcome bonus: targeted offers as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after $6,000 in 6 months (offer varies by user).
– Annual fee: $325.
Prime Visa (Amazon / Chase)
– Welcome bonus: limited-time $250 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval for eligible Prime members (no minimum spend).
– Annual fee: $0 for the card; eligible Amazon Prime membership required.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® (personal)
– Welcome bonus: 125,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points after $6,000 in 3 months (with higher targeted offers for some).
– Annual fee: $795.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
– Welcome bonus: 100,000 Capital One miles after $10,000 in 6 months (limited-time highest publicly available offer).
– Annual fee: $395.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® for Business
– Welcome bonus: 200,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after $30,000 in 6 months.
– Annual fee: $795.
– Welcome bonus: 60,000 Citi ThankYou® Points after $4,000 in 3 months.
– Annual fee: $95.
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
– Welcome bonus: 100,000 Citi ThankYou Points after $6,000 in 3 months (online limited-time offer).
– Annual fee: $595.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
– Welcome bonus: 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after $5,000 in 3 months.
– Annual fee: $95.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Chase)
– Welcome bonus: up to 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after $8,000 in 3 months (many links now show 100,000; some still show 90,000).
– Annual fee: $95.
At-a-Glance Comparison Table
| Card | Welcome Offer (summary) | Annual Fee | Top Rewards |
| Amex Platinum | Up to 175,000 MR (targeted) after $8k/6mo | $895 | 5x flights; 5x prepaid hotels; 1x other |
| Amex Gold | Up to 100,000 MR (targeted) after $6k/6mo | $325 | 4x dining; 4x U.S. supermarkets; 3x flights |
| Prime Visa | $250 Amazon Gift Card instantly (Prime only) | $0 (Prime needed) | 5% Amazon/Fresh/Whole Foods/Chase Travel |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | 125,000 UR after $6k/3mo | $795 | 8x Chase Travel; 4x flights/hotels; 3x dining |
| Capital One Venture X | 100,000 miles after $10k/6mo | $395 | 10x hotels/cars; 5x flights; 2x all else |
| CSR for Business | 200,000 UR after $30k/6mo | $795 | 8x Chase Travel; 4x flights/hotels; 3x ads |
| Citi Strata Premier | 60,000 TY after $4k/3mo | $95 | 10x Citi Travel; 3x dining/supermarkets/gas |
| Citi Strata Elite | 100,000 TY after $6k/3mo | $595 | 12x hotels/cars/attractions; 6x flights |
| Sapphire Preferred | 75,000 UR after $5k/3mo | $95 | 5x Chase Travel; 3x dining/streaming/grocery |
| Ink Business Preferred | 100,000 UR after $8k/3mo | $95 | 3x travel/shipping/internet/ads |
Detailed Breakdown of Each Offer
The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Welcome offer: many applicants see targeted language “as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after $8,000 in the first 6 months.” Your offer may be lower or you may not see any welcome offer at all, so always check what appears for you.
- Annual fee: $895.
Key earning and benefits:
- Rewards: 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to the cap); 5x on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel; 1x on all other purchases.
- Large package of calendar-year credits across airlines, hotels, Uber, dining and digital services (terms apply).
- Extensive lounge access: Centurion, Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta) and Priority Pass.
- Strong set of travel protections and purchase coverage compared to many competitors.
Why I like this card:
- If you fly often and can realistically use several of the credits, the overall value can easily outweigh the annual fee.
- For many people this is the core premium travel card that anchors an Amex Membership Rewards setup.
American Express® Gold Card
- Welcome offer: many people see targeted language “as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after $6,000 in the first 6 months.” Your personal offer may be different, so rely on the exact terms you see when you log in.
- Annual fee: $325.
Key earning and benefits:
- Rewards: 4x points at restaurants worldwide; 4x points at U.S. supermarkets up to the yearly cap, then 1x; 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel; 1x on everything else.
- Monthly dining and Uber-style benefits that can offset much of the fee if you already use those services.
- Pairs very well with Platinum for people building a deeper Membership Rewards ecosystem.
Why I like this card:
- One of the best everyday cards for people who spend heavily on groceries and dining, without jumping into the highest premium fee tier.
Prime Visa (Amazon / Chase)
- Welcome offer: limited-time offer for eligible Prime members: a $250 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval, loaded to your Amazon account, with no minimum spend required.
- Annual fee: $0 for the card itself (eligible Amazon Prime membership required).
Key earning and benefits:
- Rewards: 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership; 2% back at gas stations, restaurants and on local transit and commuting; 1% back on all other purchases.
- Occasional 10% or higher rotating Prime Card Bonus offers on select items at Amazon.
- No annual fee on the card, so it can be a long-term keeper if you remain a Prime member.
Why I like this card:
- One of the simplest welcome offers available because the $250 gift card triggers on approval, not spending.
- An easy recommendation for households that put a lot of their budget through Amazon or Whole Foods anyway.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® (personal)
- Welcome offer: public offer of 125,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. Some targeted channels show higher offers, but 125,000 is the widely available bonus.
- Annual fee: $795 (authorized users are an extra fee).
Key earning and benefits:
- Rewards: 8x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel (including The Edit); 4x on flights and hotels booked directly; 3x on dining worldwide; 1x on everything else.
- $300 annual travel credit that is easy to use on most travel purchases.
- Extra value through Chase Travel with The Edit hotel benefits and elevated redemption value on select bookings.
- Priority Pass and Chase Sapphire Lounge access plus very strong travel and purchase protections.
Why I like this card:
- A huge flexible-points bonus on top of strong ongoing earn for travel and dining.
- Great for people who travel several times a year and want one main premium card in the Chase ecosystem.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Welcome offer: limited-time increased welcome offer of 100,000 Capital One miles after you spend $10,000 in the first 6 months.
- Annual fee: $395.
Key earning and benefits:
- Rewards: 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5x miles on flights via Capital One Travel; 2x miles on all other purchases.
- $300 annual Capital One Travel credit that can cover a big portion of the annual fee.
- 10,000 anniversary miles every year you keep the card, which can be worth at least $100 in travel.
- Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass access for you and additional cardholders.
Why I like this card:
- One of the easiest premium cards to keep long term because the travel credit and anniversary miles can effectively offset the fee.
- Simple flat 2x earning on everything makes it a great all-around card even if you don’t want a complicated setup.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® for Business
- Welcome offer: 200,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $30,000 in purchases in the first 6 months from account opening.
- Annual fee: $795 (no additional fee for employee cards).
Key earning and benefits:
- Rewards: 8x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4x on flights and hotels booked directly; 3x on eligible social media and search engine advertising purchases; 1x on other business purchases.
- $300 annual travel credit and up to $500 per year in The Edit hotel credits.
- Access to Sapphire Lounges and Priority Pass for business travel.
- Strong protections for trip delay, cancellation and other disruptions that can affect business trips.
Why I like this card:
- Designed for businesses that legitimately spend heavily on ads and travel and want to consolidate that spend into powerful Ultimate Rewards.
- The bonus is one of the largest on the market, but it only makes sense if your business can meet the $30,000 requirement with real expenses.
Citi Strata Premier® Card
- Welcome offer: 60,000 Citi ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Annual fee: $95.
Key earning and benefits:
- Rewards: 10x points on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel; 3x points on air travel, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and EV charging; 1x on everything else.
- $100 annual hotel credit when you book a single stay of $500 or more through Citi Travel.
- Pairs well with other Citi cards like Double Cash when you combine ThankYou balances.
Why I like this card:
- Great mix of 3x categories that match real life: food, gas and travel.
- Easy annual fee to justify if you use the $100 hotel credit even once a year.
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
- Welcome offer: online limited-time welcome bonus of 100,000 Citi ThankYou points after you spend $6,000 in the first 3 months.
- Annual fee: $595.
Key earning and benefits:
- Rewards: 12x points on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel; 6x points on flights booked through Citi Travel; elevated earn on dining, including extra points on Friday and Saturday nights.
- $300 annual hotel credit plus a flexible “splurge” credit and chauffeur credits if you use participating partners.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit and access to Admirals Club day passes (subject to terms) plus Priority Pass lounge access.
Why I like this card:
- A very strong choice for people who are comfortable booking a lot of travel through Citi Travel and want to build a serious ThankYou strategy.
- Works best when combined with Citi’s no-fee earners so you can funnel points into one premium account.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Welcome offer: 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Annual fee: $95.
Key earning and benefits:
- Rewards: 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 3x on dining, select streaming and online grocery (excluding big-box stores); 2x on other travel; 1x on everything else.
- Access to Chase transfer partners like Hyatt, United and Southwest once you hold at least one Sapphire card.
- Primary rental car coverage, which many basic cards don’t offer.
Why I like this card:
- A great first travel card in the Chase ecosystem if the full Sapphire Reserve annual fee feels too high.
- Pairs well with Chase Freedom and Ink cards to build a strong Ultimate Rewards setup over time.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Chase)
- Welcome offer: up to 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $8,000 in the first 3 months (many public links now show 100,000, though some still show 90,000).
- Annual fee: $95.
Key earning and benefits:
- Rewards: 3x points on the first $150,000 each account year in combined purchases on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone and select online advertising; 1x on other purchases.
- Points can be combined with Sapphire cards for higher value redemptions and transfers to airline and hotel partners.
- Cell phone protection when you pay the bill with the card (subject to terms).
Why I like this card:
- One of the best business bonuses available for a relatively low annual fee.
- Fits naturally for many small businesses that already spend heavily on shipping, ads and connectivity.
FAQs About These Credit Card Offers
Q: I’m new to points. Which card on this list is the best place to start?
A: For most beginners, it usually comes down to Chase Sapphire Preferred® or the Amex Gold. Sapphire Preferred is a strong first travel card if you’re under 5/24 and want flexible points, while Amex Gold is ideal if most of your spending is on groceries and dining.
Q: Which cards here count as true “premium” travel cards?
A: The main premium options on this list are The Platinum Card® from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve® (personal), Capital One Venture X and Citi Strata Elite℠. These are the cards that come with lounge access, larger credit bundles and stronger built-in travel protections.
Q: If I only want one premium card, where should I start?
A: If you value Chase transfer partners like Hyatt and United and you’re under 5/24, Sapphire Reserve is often the first pick. If you prefer something simpler with a lower effective cost and easy 2x earning everywhere, Venture X is usually the more practical choice.
Q: What’s the most beginner-friendly offer on this list?
A: If you already pay for Prime, Prime Visa is very easy to work with: you get a $250 Amazon gift card on approval and 5% back at Amazon, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods and Chase Travel, without having to learn a complex points program.
Q: Which card is strongest if most of my spending is on food?
A: If you spend heavily at supermarkets and restaurants, the Amex Gold is usually the clear winner, thanks to 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to the cap) and 4x at restaurants worldwide.
Q: I want just one main travel card, not a whole setup. Which should I pick?
A: If you travel a few times a year and want one core card, I’d usually start by comparing Sapphire Reserve, Venture X and Citi Strata Premier®. Sapphire Reserve is best if you like Chase partners and protections; Venture X is great if you want simple earning and a low net fee; Strata Premier is strong if you like Citi’s 3x categories and ThankYou ecosystem.
Q: Which business card here makes the most sense for a typical small business?
A: For many small businesses, Ink Business Preferred® is the best first move: big welcome offer, modest annual fee and 3x points on core categories like online ads, travel, shipping and phone/internet.
Q: When does Sapphire Reserve for Business make more sense than Ink Business Preferred?
A: Sapphire Reserve for Business starts to make sense when your business is already spending heavily on travel and online advertising, you can comfortably hit the $30,000 requirement and you’ll actually use the lounges and travel credits. Otherwise, Ink Business Preferred is usually the better starting point.
Q: How does Chase 5/24 affect my ability to get these cards?
A: If you’ve opened five or more personal cards in the last 24 months, most new Chase approvals (including Sapphire, Ink and Prime Visa) will be very difficult. In that case, it often makes sense to focus on Amex, Citi or Capital One until a few older accounts age out of the 24-month window.
Q: Can I earn more than one welcome bonus from the same bank over time?
A: Sometimes, but the rules vary by issuer. Amex generally limits you to one bonus per card “per lifetime.” Chase usually has 24–48-month language for the same card family. Citi uses 48-month rules on several products. Always read the bonus-eligibility line on the offer page before you apply.
Q: How many of these cards should I apply for at once?
A: In practice, most people are better off applying for one card at a time, hitting the minimum spend comfortably, and then planning the next application once the bonus posts and the account has aged a bit.
Q: What if I’m not sure I can hit the minimum spend on a card I like?
A: If you’re not confident you can meet the requirement with normal spending, it’s usually better to pass. Forcing extra purchases just to get a bonus can lead to carrying a balance and paying interest that wipes out the value of the points.
Q: Does it really matter that these are “December” offers?
A: Not much. These are simply the strongest currently available or widely discussed offers at the moment. December can be a smart time if a card uses calendar-year credits (for example, Amex Platinum) or your spending is naturally higher, but the main thing that matters is whether the card and timing fit your situation.
Q: What should I do if this still feels overwhelming?
A: Step back and look at three things: your main goal (travel, cashback or rebuilding credit), your real monthly spending by category and your current 5/24 and credit situation. That usually narrows this list down to one or two realistic options instead of trying to chase every offer at once.
