The basic deal
A welcome bonus (also called a sign-up bonus or new cardmember offer) is a lump of points, miles or cash you get after spending a set amount on purchases within a set time after opening the account. On the issuer pages we checked on October 22, 2026, Chase, Capital One and Wells Fargo all used a 3-month window.
What counts as spending
Normal purchases count. Issuers typically exclude balance transfers, cash advances, cash-like transactions (gift cards and money orders, for example), fees and interest. Chase's and Wells Fargo's offer terms list exclusions like these. Read the full list before you count on a purchase.
Who is eligible
- Chase says the card is unavailable if you currently have it open, and the bonus may not be available if you previously held the card or got its bonus; it may also consider how many cards you've opened and closed.
- Capital One says you're not eligible for the Venture bonus if you received a new cardmember bonus for Venture or Venture X in the past 48 months.
- Wells Fargo says you may not get bonus offers if you have or opened the same card in the last 48 months, and may not qualify for another Wells Fargo card if you opened one in the last 4 months.
- Citi says the Strata Premier bonus isn't available if you have or had a Citi Strata Premier or Citi Premier account.
Offers differ depending on where you apply
Issuers say this outright. Chase: offers "may vary depending on where you apply". Wells Fargo: offers "depend on the marketing channel". Capital One: the bonus is available by applying through that page. We saw this on October 22, 2026: the bonus shown for one card on a comparison site differed from the one on the issuer's page. Always confirm the offer on the page where you actually apply.
When the bonus posts
- Chase: allow 6 to 8 weeks after you qualify.
- Capital One: within two billing cycles after you qualify.
- Wells Fargo: bonus points show as redeemable within 60 days after they're earned.
How to avoid the traps
- Never overspend for a bonus. Interest on a balance you can't pay off can wipe out the bonus quickly.
- Time applications for big purchases you were going to make anyway, like a trip you're booking.
- Keep a note of the deadline and your spending.
- Check the annual fee and whether it's charged in year one.
- Read the terms on closing the account. Chase, for example, says it may reverse statement credits if you close the account within 90 days of receiving one.