One of the greatest perks of having a travel credit card is the huge welcome bonus that comes with it. The amount you receive and the time it takes for the points or miles to hit your bank account varies from bank to bank. Some issuers will immediately pay out the bonus the day after your statement closes while others may wait until the next billing cycle.
For more information on how long points and miles take to post to your account, keep reading!
See our best credit card bonuses here.
When Do Points & Miles Hit Your Account?
Welcome Bonus: Although Chase states that they’ll pay out your welcome bonus within six to eight weeks after you meet the minimum spend, it’s been found that the bank will delay posting to your account if you meet the spend requirement too close to your statement closing date.
If you’re depending on your bonus points, don’t wait until the last minute to meet your spending requirement.
Regular Spend: The Ultimate Rewards Activity Dashboard allows you to track your points. Your rewards are “pending” points until the statement closes. They’ll hit your Chase Ultimate Rewards account usually the day after statement close.
Editor’s Pick for Best Chase Credit Card:
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase TravelSM. You'll earn: • 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM • 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries • 2x on all other travel purchases • 1x on all other purchases • $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase TravelSM This card carries a $95 annual fee. |
Welcome Bonus: Amex notes that they’ll pay your welcome bonus within eight to twelve weeks after you meet the minimum spend. However, it’s been found that the bank pays out bonuses on all their cards – both American Express Membership Rewards cards and cobranded ones – within only a few days.
Regular Spend: For Membership Rewards cards, your points will go into a “pending” state for a month before they post to your account when the following statement closes. So the points you earned before statement closing on January 30 won’t hit your account until the end of February.
For co-branded cards, airline miles or hotel points are paid out at the statement close date.
Editor’s Pick for Best AmEx Credit Card:
The Platinum Card® from American Express offers 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. You'll earn: • 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. • 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. This card comes with an annual fee of $695 (See Rates & Fees), but you cardholders can enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member and Additional Centurion Cards only. Terms Apply. Terms Apply. |
Welcome Bonus & Regular Spend: Capital One states that they’ll pays out their welcome bonuses within two billing cycles of meeting the minimum spend. However, the bonus and your regular spending rewards are paid out the day after the statement closes, or soon after.
Editor’s Pick for Best Capital One Credit Card:
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a one-time bonus of 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. You're able to earn: • 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. • 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel This card does come with a $95 annual fee. Enjoy no foreign transaction fees and receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®. |
Welcome Bonus: Citi states that they’ll pay welcome bonuses eight to ten weeks after you meet purchase requirements. However, most people get their bonuses – for both Citi ThankYou Rewards cards and cobranded ones – within two days after statement closing.
Regular Spend: The points you earned will usually hit your ThankYou account the day after your statement closes.
Editor’s Pick for Best Citi Credit Card:
CITI PRESTIGE CARD
The Citi Prestige Card has a 50,000 bonus points offer. Spend $4,000 within 3 months of account opening to qualify. These 50k bonus points are worth $500 in travel.
For the most value out of your points, redeem for flights through Citi, where your bonus will be worth 1.33 cents per point. This is another card that competes in the premium travel category, and the annual fee will signify that at $495.
In effect, this card is only a good option for frequent travelers who can take advantage of the premium benefits : 5X points on air travel & restaurants, 3X points on hotels & cruise lines, $250 Air Travel Credit annually, and free access to 1,300+ airport lounges with Priority Pass Select. For those in this niche market, this card will provide high perceived value.
Welcome Bonus: Bank of America claims that welcome bonuses are paid out in approximately six to eight weeks after you meet the minimum spend. In reality, most people see their bonuses post right after the statement close date.
Regular Spend: Your points or miles will immediately show up as “pending” and will hit your account the next billing cycle.
Editor’s Pick for Best BOA Credit Card:
BANK OF AMERICA PREMIUM REWARDS CREDIT CARD
The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card offers a sign-up bonus of 50,000 points when you spend at least $3,000 within the first 90 days. These points have a $500 redemption value.
The card offers unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. Also, consider the Bank of America Cash Rewards credit card if you would like the following travel benefits:
- $100 Airline Incidental Statement Credit annually.
- $100 Airport Security Statement Credit towards TSA Pre? or Global Entry Application fee, every four years.
It’s especially worthwhile if you’re a Preferred Rewards client, where being a loyal customer translates into attractive relationship bonuses.
There are no foreign transaction fees and the annual fee is $95 for this card.
Welcome Bonus & Regular Spend: U.S. Bank states that your points will hit your account in six to eight weeks. However, it is typically found that rewards are paid out when the monthly statement closes.
Welcome Bonus: Wells Fargo will pay out welcome bonuses within one to two billing periods after you meet the spend requirement.
Regular Spend: Your rewards will show as “pending” in your account until the day after your billing cycle ends. So points earned before January 15 for a billing cycle ending January 30 should be available on January 31.
The information above was gathered from public sources. The time it takes for points or miles to hit your account varies from bank to bank and is subject to change without notice.
Bottom Line
It’s easier to plan out your spendings when you are more informed. Hopefully this post was able to shed some light about how long it takes for points and miles to hit your account. Be sure to check back here the next time you apply for a credit card with a welcome bonus!
Additionally, you can check out how to earn free money through this extensive list of bank bonuses!
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