One of the biggest reasons we hear people give for not participating in the points and miles hobby is that they don't spend enough money to earn the big bonuses offered by the most popular credit cards.
And let's be honest: some of our favorite cards definitely require a lot of spending — several thousand dollars in some cases — to earn the huge welcome offers they extend. Are they worth it? Definitely. But only if the spending is within your abilities.
What about consumers whose spending habits are more modest, though? Can they still earn enough points and miles for a free vacation when they have less disposable income? Absolutely.
Generally, we think of these offers as great for students, retirees, those on a fixed income and people who don't have many expenses each month. But now, the cost of living has a lot of us decreasing our spending but still looking to maximize our perks. Regardless of your reason for wanting a low spend requirement, you have an extensive number of excellent credit card welcome offers available to you. Moreover, some of these can even be achieved with a single purchase.
Here are some of the best current welcome offers you can earn by spending $1,000 or less within a few months. With these low spending requirements, you'll have your bonuses in time to book your fall travel.
American Express
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Welcome offer: Earn 10,000 bonus Delta SkyMiles after spending $1,000 on purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership.
The Delta SkyMiles Blue card earns 2 miles per dollar spent with Delta, 2 miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, 2 miles per dollar on takeout and delivery in the U.S. and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. The card's annual fee is $0 (see rates and fees).
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Blue Amex
Bank of America
Allways Rewards Visa® card
Welcome offer: Earn 15,000 Allways Rewards bonus points after you make $1,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. That's equivalent to $150 off a future Allegiant trip.
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The Allegiant Airlines credit card earns 3 points per dollar spent on Allegiant purchases (including air, hotel, car rental and attractions partners), 2 points per dollar on qualifying dining purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The card has a $59 annual fee.
The information for the Allegiant World Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Welcome offer: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
The Customized Cash Rewards card earns 3% cash back in the category of your choice: dining, drugstores, gas and EV charging stations, home improvement/furnishings, online shopping (including cable, streaming, internet, and phone services) or travel. Cardmembers also earn 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% back on all other purchases. The 3% and 2% earning categories are limited to your first $2,500 in combined spending in these categories each quarter. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members will earn their respective boosted earning rates. The card has no annual fee.
Apply here: Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
Welcome offer: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
The Customized Cash Rewards for Students card earns 3% cash back in the category of your choice: dining, drugstores, gas, home improvement/furnishings, online shopping or travel. Cardmembers also earn 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% back on all other purchases. The 3% and 2% earning categories are limited to your first $2,500 in combined spending in these categories each quarter. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members will earn their respective boosted earning rates. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the Customized Cash Rewards for Students card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Welcome offer: Earn 25,000 bonus points if you make purchases of $1,000 or more on your new card within 90 days of account opening.
The Travel Rewards card earns 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members will earn their respective boosted earning rates. The card has no annual fee.
Apply here: Bank of America Travel Rewards
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
Welcome offer: Earn 25,000 bonus points if you make purchases of $1,000 or more on your new card within 90 days of account opening.
The Travel Rewards for Students card earns 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the Travel Rewards for Students card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
Welcome offer: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
The Unlimited Cash Rewards card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members will earn their respective boosted earning rates. The card has no annual fee.
Apply here: Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
Welcome offer: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
The Unlimited Cash Rewards for Students card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members will earn their respective boosted earning rates. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the Unlimited Cash Rewards for Students card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Free Spirit® Travel More World Elite Mastercard®
Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 Free Spirit bonus points plus a $100 Companion Flight Voucher after making at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
The Free Spirit card earns 3 points per dollar spent on eligible Spirit purchases, 2 points per dollar on eligible dining and grocery store purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Cardmembers also receive a $100 Companion Flight Voucher on each card anniversary if they made at least $5,000 in purchases on the card in the previous cardmember year. The Free Spirit card also offers World Elite Mastercard perks. The card has an introductory annual fee of $0 during the first year, then $79 thereafter.
The information for the Free Spirit Travel More Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Susan G. Komen® Customized Cash Rewards Visa® credit card from Bank of America
Welcome offer: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
The Susan G. Komen Customized Cash Rewards card earns 3% cash back in the category of your choice: dining, drugstores, gas, EV charging, home improvement/furnishings, online shopping including cable, internet, phone plans and streaming; dining or travel. Cardmembers also earn 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% back on all other purchases. The 3% and 2% earning categories are limited to your first $2,500 in combined spending in these categories each quarter. Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members will earn their respective boosted earning rates. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the Susan G. Komen Customized Cash Rewards card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Barclays
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
The Aviator Red card earns 2 miles per dollar spent with American Airlines and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. Cardmembers also earn 1 Loyalty Point toward American Airlines AAdvantage elite status per dollar spent with the card. The card also has World Elite Mastercard benefits.
The information for the Aviator Red card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays
Welcome offer: Earn a $100 cash-back bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 90 days.
The AARP Essential Rewards card earns 3% cash back on gas and drugstore purchases (excluding Target and Walmart), 2% back on eligible medical expenses and 1% back on all other purchases. Additionally, Barclays will donate $10 to the AARP Foundation for every new account opened, plus a further donation of 1% of all eligible purchase amounts. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the AARP Essential Rewards card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The AARP® Travel Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays
Welcome offer: Earn a $100 cash-back bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 90 days.
The AARP Travel Rewards card earns 3% cash back on airfare, hotel stays and car rentals, 2% cash back on restaurant purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Additionally, Barclays will donate $10 to the AARP Foundation for every new account opened, plus a further donation of 1% of all eligible purchase amounts. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the AARP Travel Rewards card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Carnival® World Mastercard®
Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 Carnival FunPoints after your first purchase or balance transfer, worth $200 toward your next cruise.
The Carnival card earns 2 FunPoints per dollar spent with Carnival and with the World's Leading Cruise Lines and 1 FunPoint per dollar spent on all other purchases. Balance transfers made within the first 30 days of account membership will receive 1 FunPooint per dollar, up to a maximum of 5,000 FunPoints. You can also receive 10% back as a statement credit when using your card to pay for a Carnival shore excursion. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the Carnival card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Frontier Airlines World Mastercard®
Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus Frontier miles after spending $500 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full within the first 90 days.
The Frontier Airlines card earns 5 miles per dollar on Frontier purchases made at flyfrontier.com, 3 miles per dollar at restaurants and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. Cardmembers also earn 1 Qualifying Mile toward Frontier Airlines' elite status with each dollar spent on the card. Card membership also unlocks the ability to share miles with friends and family, plus a $100 flight voucher on each cardmember anniversary if you spend $2,500 or more on the card over the course of the year. The card has an $89 annual fee.
The information for the Frontier Airlines card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Holland America Line Rewards Visa® Card
Welcome offer: Earn 10,000 Holland America Rewards points after spending $500 within the first 90 days of account opening.
The Holland America card earns 2 points per dollar spent on Holland America purchases, including onboard purchases, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the Holland America card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
JetBlue Card
Welcome offer: Earn 10,000 bonus JetBlue TrueBlue points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
You'll earn 3 points per dollar on JetBlue purchases, 2 points per dollar at restaurants and eligible grocery stores and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Cardmembers also receive 50% inflight savings on food and co*cktail purchases. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the JetBlue Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
JetBlue Plus Card
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus TrueBlue points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days of account opening.
The JetBlue Plus Card earns 6 points per dollar on JetBlue purchases, 2 points per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. You also receive 5,000 bonus points each year on your account anniversary. The card has a $99 annual fee.
The information for the JetBlue Plus Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Priceline VIP Rewards™ Visa® Card
Welcome offer: Earn a $100 statement credit plus 5,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days after account opening.
The Priceline VIP card earns 5 points per dollar spent on Priceline bookings, 2 points per dollar on gas and restaurant purchases (including delivery services) and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Cardmembers also receive automatic VIP Gold Status with Priceline. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the Priceline VIP card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Princess Cruises® Rewards Visa® Card
Welcome offer: Earn 10,000 bonus points after you spend $500 in the first 90 days of account opening.
The Princess Cruises card earns 2 points per dollar spent on all Princess Cruises purchases, including onboard purchases, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the Princess Cruises card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Upromise® Mastercard®
Welcome offer: Earn $100 bonus cash-back rewards after spending $500 on purchases in the first 90 days.
The Upromise card earns 1.529% cash back on purchases if your Upromise Program account is linked to an eligible College Savings Plan; you will earn 1.25% back on purchases if it's not linked. You can also choose to round up your purchases by a set amount, which will be converted to cash-back rewards. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the Upromise card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card
Welcome offer: Earn 30,000 bonus Wyndham Rewards points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
The Wyndham Rewards Earner Card earns 5 points per dollar spent with Wyndham hotels, 5 points per dollar on gas, 2 points per dollar on dining and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. You'll also receive automatic Wyndham Rewards Gold status and an annual bonus of 7,500 points on your cardmember anniversary if you spend $15,000 or more on the card within your anniversary year. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the Wyndham Rewards Eaner card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card
Welcome offer: Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
The Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card earns 6 points per dollar spent at Wyndham hotels, 6 points per dollar on gas, 4 points per dollar on dining and grocery purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. You'll also receive automatic Platinum status with Wyndham Rewards and an anniversary bonus of 7,500 points each year. The card has a $75 annual fee.
The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Capital One
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome offer: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
The Quicksilver card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases. The card has no annual fee (see rates and fees).
Apply here: Capital One Quicksilver
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome offer: Earn $50 when you spend $100 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
The Quicksilver Student card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases. The card has no annual fee (see rates and fees).
Apply here: Capital One Quicksilver Student
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome offer: Earn a one time $200 cash bonus welcome bonus after spending $500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
The SavorOne card earns 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, select streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) and 1% back on all other purchases. The card has no annual fee (see rates and fees).
Apply here: Capital One SavorOne
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome offer: Earn $50 when you spend $100 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
The SavorOne Student card earns 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, select streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) and 1% back on all other purchases. The card has no annual fee (see rates and fees).
Apply here: Capital One SavorOne Student
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus Capital One miles once you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
The VentureOne card earns 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked with Capital One Travel and 1.25 miles per dollar on other purchases. It has no annual fee (see rates and fees).
Apply here: Capital One VentureOne
Chase
Chase Freedom Flex
Welcome offer: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
The Freedom Flex card earns 5% back on rotating quarterly categories (on up to $1,500 spending in these categories each quarter), 5% back on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, 3% back on dining at restaurants — including takeout and delivery services — 3% back at drugstores and 1% on all other purchases. The card has no annual fee.
Related: TPG reader question: How do I turn my Freedom and Ink cash back into Chase Ultimate Rewards?
Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex
Chase Freedom Rise credit card
Welcome offer: Earn a $25 bonus after enrolling in autopay within the first three months from account opening.
The Freedom Student card earns 1% cash back on all purchases, and cardmembers receive a $20 good-standing bonus on each account anniversary for up to five years. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the Chase Freedom Student card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Disney Visa Card
Welcome offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $500 on your card within the first three months from account opening.
The Disney card provides 10% in savings on select purchases from DisneyStore.com and 10% in savings on select merchandise purchases at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Cardholders also earn 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all purchases. The card has no annual fee.
Apply here: Disney Visa
Disney Premier Visa Card
Welcome offer: Earn a $400 statement credit after spending $1,000 on your card within three months of account opening.
The Disney Premier card provides 10% in savings on select purchases from DisneyStore.com and 10% in savings on select merchandise purchases at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Cardholders also earn 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on purchases from disneyplus.com, hulu.com or espnplus.com, 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars on purchases at grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and most Disney U.S. locations and 1% on all other purchases. The annual fee on the card is $49.
Apply here: Disney Premier Visa
Instacart Mastercard
Welcome offer: $100 Instacart credit and free delivery for a year upon approval.
The Instacart Mastercard earns 5% cash back on Instacart and the Chase Travel Center, 2% cash back on restaurants, gas stations, and on select streaming services and 1% back on all other purchases. This card has no annual fee.
Apply here: Instacart Mastercard
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card
Welcome offer: Earn 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after using their card to spend $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months.
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold card earns 3 points per dollar spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 2 points per dollar on other travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The card has no annual fee.
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Bold
Prime Visa
Welcome offer: Earn a $100 Amazon gift card upon approval.
The Prime Visa earns unlimited 5% cash back on Amazon, Amazon Fresh, Chase Travel purchases and Whole Foods purchases, unlimited 2% cash back on gas stations, restaurants and local transit and commuting and 1% cashback on all other purchases. This cash back can be redeemed on Amazon, cash back, gift cards or travel at chase.com. This card has no annual fee but requires an Amazon Prime membership, or your earning rate on Amazon, Amazon Fresh, Chase Travel purchases and Whole Foods purchases will be 3%.
Apply here: Prime Visa
United Gateway Card
Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
The United Gateway card earns 2 miles per dollar spent on United purchases, 2 miles per dollar at gas stations, 2 miles per dollar on transit and commuting — including ride-hailing services, taxis, train tickets, tolls and mass transit — and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. The card has no annual fee.
Apply here: United Gateway
Citi
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®
Welcome offer: Earn 10,000 bonus American Airlines miles and receive a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
The MileUp card earns 2 miles per dollar spent with American Airlines, 2 miles per dollar at grocery stores (including delivery) and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. Cardmembers also earn 1 Loyalty Point toward American Airlines AAdvantage elite status per dollar spent on the card. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
PNC
PNC Cash Rewards® Visa® Credit Card
Welcome offer: You can earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 on your card in the first three billing cycles as a new cardmember.
The PNC Cash Rewards card offers 4% cash back on gas station purchases, 3% back on dining and 2% back on grocery store purchases — limited to the first $8,000 in combined purchases in these categories each cardmember year. You'll also earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the PNC Cash Rewards card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
The Altitude Go card earns 4 points per dollar on dining, takeout and restaurant delivery, 2 points per dollar at grocery stores, grocery delivery, streaming services, gas stations and EV charging stations and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Welcome offer: Earn a $200 bonus after you apply online and spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
The Cash+ Visa card earns 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined purchases each quarter on two categories you choose, 2% cash back on one category of your choosing and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Eligible 5% categories include furniture stores, electronic stores, department stores, select clothing stores, sporting goods stores, home utilities, cellphone providers, gyms/fitness centers, ground transportation, movie theaters, fast food and TV, internet and streaming services. Eligible 2% categories include grocery stores and grocery delivery, restaurants or gas stations and EV charging stations. The card has no annual fee.
The information for the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card review: Choose your own 5% cash-back categories
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees)
Welcome offer: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus when you make $500 in purchases in the first three months after opening your new card.
The Active Cash card earns 2% cash rewards on purchases. The card has no annual fee.
Apply here: Wells Fargo Active Cash
Bottom line
All of these bonuses are available by spending $1,000 or less, showing that you don't need to be a big spender to earn one. If you're a student, a retiree, or just looking to cut your credit card spending in our current economic climate, these are excellent options that can help offset the cost of your upcoming travel.
Related reading:
- Are you a low spender? Here's how to travel the world anyway
- Maximizing credit cards during retirement
- Your guide to paying college tuition with a credit card
- Your guide to responsible credit card use for college students
For Capital One SavorOne rates and fees, please click here.
For Capital One Quicksilver rates and fees, please click here.
For Capital One Quicksilver student rates and fees, please click here.
For Capital One SavorOne student rates and fees, please click here.
For Capital One VentureOne rates and fees, please click here.
For Delta SkyMiles Blue Amex rates and fees, please click here.
For Wells Fargo Active Cash rates and fees, please click here.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
