[Expired Offers]
There are a total of 7 credit card welcome bonuses that are expiring on January 13th.
Let’s take a look at which, if any, you should be considering.
In this article
Chase Freedom Flex / Chase Freedom Unlimited
Expiring offer: Get $200 (20,000 Ultimate Rewards points) when you spend $500 in your first 3 months + 5X on Groceries for one year.
Worth it? If you are under 5/24, like the Chase ecosystem, don’t already have one of the two cards and spend a lot on groceries in a year, I think it’s a great offer. The 3% on drugstores is great to have (prescriptions count!) and so while the bonus of 20k Ultimate Rewards isn’t up to par with the 60,000 points the Sapphire Preferred offers, I do think you need one of these cards in your wallet and it may as well be when you can get 5X on groceries for a year. I would just give 5/24 some thought in terms of if there was any other cards I wanted to get first, in the event getting one of these will put me over 5/24.
If you aren’t sure which is best for you, read my article Chase Freedom Flex vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited.
How to apply for the Chase Freedom Flex
How to apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase IHG Rewards Club Premier
Expiring Offer: 140,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 within three months of approval
Worth it? This offer has been around, I’d estimate, more than half of the last year. The card has some good benefits, like 4th night free on awards (and it can be the most expensive night – it won’t be averaged), IHG Platinum, and an annual free night. But there’s nothing mind blowing about this offer. If you want the card, then yes, get it now before the bonus drops. Otherwise, you can grab it next time. The $95 annual fee is waived year 1.
How to apply for the Chase IHG Rewards Club Premier credit card
IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card
Expiring offer: 75,000 bonus IHG points when you spend $2,000 within 3 months
Worth it? No. Despite not having an annual fee, I can’t think of a reason why you’d get this over the Chase IHG Rewards Club Premier credit card with much richer benefits and the annual fee waived the first year. You can always downgrade later.
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card
Expiring offer: Get 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 in your first 3 months + get up to $150 in statement credits for purchases on U.S. Advertising in select Media within your first 6 months + PLUS get Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status for one year (February 1, 2021-January 31, 2022)
Worth it? If you are a Marriott fan and expect to travel in the next year, this is a great way to get a year of Platinum status. Also, remember that you can earn 15 elite night credits each year from a maximum of one Personal and one Business Bonvoy card, so if you only have a personal card, that’s another reason. The $150 in ad credits is a bonus if you spend in that category.
Eligibility: Remember, the Bonvoy cards all come with confusing eligibility terms. In broad strokes, you can get this card if you don’t have any of the Chase Bonvoy cards. The other Amex cards are fine to have and still be eligible here.
How to apply for the Bonvoy Business American Express card
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 75,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply. | How to apply for this offer.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Expiring offer: Get 100,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 in your first three months + 25,000 bonus points after your 1st year as a cardmember (after next year’s annual fee is paid). You’ll also get Marriott Platinum status from 2/1/2021 until 1/31/2022.
Worth it? As above: If you are a Marriott fan and expect to travel in the next year, this is a great way to get a year of Platinum status. Also, remember that you can earn 15 elite night credits each year from a maximum of one Personal and one Business Bonvoy card, so if you only have a personal card, that’s another reason. Otherwise, I don’t think you need to rush on a new hotel card right now.
Eligibility: Remember, the Bonvoy cards all come with confusing eligibility terms. In broad strokes, you can get this card if you don’t have any of the personal Chase Bonvoy cards, but a legacy Chase Bonvoy Business card is OK. The other Amex cards are fine to have and still be eligible here. Having the $95 personal Amex Bonvoy card or the Amex Bonvoy Business won’t disqualify you.
How to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
United Explorer Credit Card
Expiring offer: 60,000 bonus MileagePlus miles when you spend $3,000 in your first 3 months + 10,000 more miles when you spend $6,000 total in your first 6 months.
Worth it? Technically, this is a best ever bonus offer. So, if
you really want the United card, sure, it’s a good deal. But United keeps devaluing their award chart and this card would burn a 5/24 slot. If you have one open, this isn’t your best move. One exception? If you find the card useful for the expanded award availability on United metal (economy only). Still, if you are eligible, I’d rather see you get the United Business Card and save the 5/24 slot.
How to apply for the United Explorer card
United Explorer Card Bonus Offer 40,000 bonus MileagePlus miles: when you spend $2,000 in your first 3 months | How to apply for this offer.
Summary
In order, I’d prioritize the Chase Freedom Unlimited / Freedom Flex offers if you do a lot of grocery spending, unless you’ve already signed up for an Amex Platinum bonus recently, which comes with 10x points at U.S. Gas Stations and U.S. Supermarkets on up to $15,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months. And if you don’t already have a Flex or Unlimited, you probably should for the bonus categories (3X drugstores and dining).
The Marriott Bonvoy credit cards, if eligible, are my next choices but only if you will get real value out of the year of Platinum status.
The IHG Premier offer will come back. You can get it or not get it.
Not sure what move you want to make? Unique situation? Just ask me.
Thoughts?
Let me know below in the comments, on Twitter, or in the private MilesTalk Facebook group. And don't forget to follow me on Instagram for all sorts of tips on miles, points, credit cards, and travel.
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You can find credit cards that best match your spending habits and bonus categories at Your Best Credit Cards.
New to all of this? My “introduction to miles and points” book, MilesTalk: Live Your Wildest Travel Dreams Using Miles and Points is available on Amazon and at major booksellers.
The following American Express cards were discussed in this article: Rates and Fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card | Rates and Fees for the Marriot Bonvoy(TM) Business Card from American Express
