Best bank account & credit card sign-up bonuses of 2026 — updated monthly

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Quick picks

Picks go by what you get, not what I earn.

Personal: Bank accounts · Credit cards · Payment apps

Business: Business cards

Last updated: November 2026

Each card shows the date it was last verified.

First, bank account and credit card sign-up bonuses are among the easiest ways to earn a few hundred dollars. In most cases, most require opening an account and meeting a direct deposit or minimum spend threshold. Often, you’d hit those with normal usage anyway. However, read the terms before you start. Bonus timelines, qualifying activity definitions, and holding periods vary a lot between issuers, so the details really matter.

This page is updated monthly so you always see fresh offers.

As with everything on Refer for Good, every commission earned from your sign-up goes directly into Kiva.org microloans for entrepreneurs in developing countries. In short, your bonus-hunting also helps fund real businesses. Learn more →

Personal

Bank accounts

Best bank bonus

Capital One 360 Checking

Bonus: $300

WHAT YOU DO: Open a new 360 Checking account and make at least 2 qualifying direct deposits of $500 or more.

TIME TO BONUS: Within 75 days of account opening.

ANNUAL FEE: No monthly fees.

VERIFIED: October 26, 2026

See offer on Capital One’s site

Tips

There are no monthly fees. There are also no minimum balance requirements. Capital One’s 360 product is one of the better no-fee checking accounts on the market, and the bonus just makes it a no-brainer.

Chime

Bonus: $100

WHAT YOU DO: Open a Chime account and make a first direct deposit of $200 or more.

VERIFIED: October 26, 2026

See offer on Chime’s site

Tips

Chime is a solid fee-free bank with early direct deposit (up to 2 days early), a decent savings product, and a consistently well-reviewed app. Overall, a 50% return on day one is hard to beat.

Credit cards

[Varies]

Amex Platinum

Bonus: Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points

WHAT YOU DO: Spend $12,000 in purchases in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for the maximum offer.

VERIFIED: October 26, 2026

See offer on American Express’s site

Tips

The welcome offer changes often, so always check the link for the latest before applying. It’s worth it if the current offer is strong and you’ll use the travel benefits: $600 hotel credit ($300 back semi-annually), $200 airline fee credit, lounge access, and more.

One referral link covers all three cards.

Best no-fee card

Chase Freedom Flex

Bonus: $250

WHAT YOU DO: Spend $500 on purchases.

TIME TO BONUS: First 3 months from account opening.

ANNUAL FEE: $0

VERIFIED: October 26, 2026

See offer on Chase’s site

Tips

One referral link covers all three cards — compare and choose on Chase’s page. To qualify, you must not currently hold this card and must not have received its new-cardmember bonus in the past 24 months. Flex is a strong pick if you want the highest cash bonus for that $500 spend, with no annual fee.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Bonus: $200

WHAT YOU DO: Spend $500 on purchases.

TIME TO BONUS: First 3 months from account opening.

ANNUAL FEE: $0

VERIFIED: September 24, 2026

See offer on Chase’s site

Tips

One referral link covers all three cards — compare and choose on Chase’s page. To qualify, you must not currently hold this card and must not have received its new-cardmember bonus in the past 24 months. Offer verified live on September 24, 2026; no end date shown. Unlimited also earns 1.5% flat cash back on everything with no annual fee — a solid everyday card for anyone who wants simplicity over category optimization.

Chase Freedom Slate

Bonus: 0% intro APR for 21 months

WHAT YOU DO: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers — there is no cash welcome bonus.

TIME TO BONUS: 21 months from account opening.

VERIFIED: November 2026

See offer on Chase’s site

Tips

One referral link covers all three cards — compare and choose on Chase’s page. To qualify, you must not currently hold this card and must not have received its new-cardmember bonus in the past 24 months. Offer verified live on September 24, 2026; no end date shown. Slate is a good fit if you want to pay down a balance interest-free.

Best travel card

Capital One Venture X

Bonus: 75,000 miles ($750 in travel)

WHAT YOU DO: Spend $4,000.

TIME TO BONUS: First 3 months.

ANNUAL FEE: $395

VERIFIED: October 26, 2026

See offer on Capital One’s site

Tips

For example, that’s worth $750 toward any travel purchase. The $395 annual fee sounds steep. However, in practice, it’s largely offset. A $300 travel credit plus 10,000 anniversary miles (~$100 value) brings the effective cost close to $0 for anyone who travels occasionally.

Ends November 4, 2026

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express

Bonus: Up to 80,000 bonus miles

WHAT YOU DO: Spend $3,000 in purchases, plus a $250 statement credit once you meet the same spend requirement.

TIME TO BONUS: First 6 months.

ANNUAL FEE: $0 intro first year, then $150

VERIFIED: October 26, 2026

See offer on American Express’s site

Tips

As high as 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months, plus a $250 statement credit once you meet the same spend requirement. Limited-time offer ends 11/4/2026.

[Varies]

United cards

Bonus: Gateway — up to 50,000 miles (40,000 + 10,000 for adding an authorized user); Explorer — up to 80,000 miles (70,000 + 10,000 for adding an authorized user); Quest — up to 90,000 miles + 500 PQP (80,000 + 10,000 for adding an authorized user); Club — up to 100,000 miles (90,000 + 10,000 for adding an authorized user)

WHAT YOU DO: Gateway: spend $1,000 in purchases and add an authorized user; Explorer: spend $3,000 in purchases and add an authorized user; Quest: spend $4,000 in purchases and add an authorized user; Club: spend $5,000 in purchases and add an authorized user.

TIME TO BONUS: First 3 months.

ANNUAL FEE: Gateway — $0; Explorer — $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150; Quest — $350; Club — $695

VERIFIED: October 26, 2026

See offer on Chase’s site

Tips

One referral link covers all United MileagePlus cards — compare and choose on Chase’s page. Offer verified October 26, 2026; no end date shown. You must not currently hold this card and must not have received its new-cardmember bonus in the past 24 months. Quest also includes 500 Premier Qualifying Points.

Payment apps

Venmo

Bonus: $5

WHAT YOU DO: Join Venmo and send your first payment.

VERIFIED: November 2026

See offer on Venmo’s site

Tips

Five dollars free for two minutes of setup is a quick win.

Cash App

Bonus: $10

WHAT YOU DO: Create an account with code LZSWJFX and send money.

TIME TO BONUS: Within 14 days.

VERIFIED: November 2026

See offer on Cash App’s site

Tips

Code: LZSWJFX. As a result, you get a $10 bonus on top of your first transfer.

PayPal

Bonus: 1,000 Rewards points

WHAT YOU DO: Sign up for PayPal, link a bank account or card, and spend at least $5.

TIME TO BONUS: Within 30 days of signup.

VERIFIED: November 2026

See offer on PayPal’s site

Tips

Sign up for PayPal, link a bank account or card, and spend at least $5 within 30 days of signup — you earn 1,000 Rewards points.

Business

Business cards

Best business pick

Chase Ink Preferred — for business owners only

Bonus: 100,000 points

WHAT YOU DO: Spend $8,000 on purchases.

TIME TO BONUS: First 3 months after account opening.

ANNUAL FEE: $95

VERIFIED: October 26, 2026

See offer on Chase’s site

Tips

For business owners only. Offer as shown on Chase’s business credit cards page on October 26, 2026: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening. Annual fee $95.

One referral link covers both Spark cards.

Capital One Spark Cash (Business)

Bonus: $750

WHAT YOU DO: Spend $6,000.

TIME TO BONUS: First 3 months.

VERIFIED: October 26, 2026

See offer on Capital One’s site

Tips

This is best for business owners who pay their card off monthly and want a simple flat-rate cash back card.

Capital One Spark VentureOne Business

Bonus: 50,000 miles ($500 travel)

WHAT YOU DO: Spend $4,500.

TIME TO BONUS: 3 months.

VERIFIED: November 2026

See offer on Capital One’s site

Tips

Same application link as above. Additionally, you earn 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 in 3 months. This is a better fit if your business spending is lower, or if you prefer travel rewards over cash back.

💡 Which should you open first?

Need a new checking account? Capital One 360 ($300) is the clear answer. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a travel card with strong long-term value, go with Venture X. If you want the simplest no-annual-fee cash back card, Chase Freedom Flex ($250) is it. That said, don’t open multiple bank accounts at once. Banks do soft or hard pulls, and several new accounts in a short window can affect your credit score.

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Verified October 26, 2026. ← Back to all bonuses