Credit card sign-up bonuses worth claiming

Open a new card, hit the spend requirement (e.g. $4,000 in 90 days) on regular purchases, and the issuer credits the bonus — points, miles, or a statement credit — usually 1–2 billing cycles after you meet the spend. The bonus is on top of any normal earning rate the card offers.

A new card application triggers a hard inquiry, which typically dings your credit score by 3–5 points for a few months. The bigger long-term impact is positive: a new account raises your average credit limit and lowers your utilization. Don't apply for cards you can't pay off in full each month.

Business cards (Ink Business Preferred, Amex Business Platinum, etc.) usually have higher bonuses and don't count toward Chase's 5/24 rule. They're available to anyone with a real or planned business — a sole proprietorship using your SSN as the EIN counts. Personal cards are simpler but cap out at lower bonuses.

Cash-back bonuses (statement credits) from credit card sign-ups are generally NOT taxable — the IRS treats them as a rebate on your spend. Bank account bonuses ARE taxable (you'll get a 1099-INT). Talk to a tax professional for your specific situation.

Chase will deny you for any new Chase card if you've opened 5 or more credit cards (any issuer) in the last 24 months. Most other issuers don't have a hard limit like this, but Amex and Capital One have their own quirks (Amex's 'pop-up jail', Capital One's 1-card-every-6-months rule).