Sign-up Bonus (SUB)
A one-time bonus of points awarded for opening a credit card and meeting the minimum spend requirement.
Full definition
The sign-up bonus (SUB) is the headline points offer on a new credit card, usually 60K-100K points after spending $3-$6K in the first 3-6 months. Sign-up bonuses are the primary way serious points earners accumulate currency — a single SUB on the right card can fund a round-trip business class to Europe.
Strategy: earn SUBs in sequence, not all at once. Most banks have restrictions (Chase 5/24, Amex once-per-lifetime, etc.) that limit how frequently you can re-earn the same card's SUB.
Also known as: welcome offer, welcome bonus
Related terms
Minimum Spend
The required spending threshold (typically $3-$6K over 3-6 months) to earn a credit card's...Chase 5/24 Rule
Chase's policy of denying credit card applications if you've opened 5 or more personal acc...Churning
The practice of opening, earning the bonus on, and sometimes closing credit cards in rapid...
The required spending threshold (typically $3-$6K over 3-6 months) to earn a credit card's...Chase 5/24 Rule
Chase's policy of denying credit card applications if you've opened 5 or more personal acc...Churning
The practice of opening, earning the bonus on, and sometimes closing credit cards in rapid...
Put it to use
AwardLocker shows live award availability across major airlines. Verify any redemption before transferring points.
Search awards →