Understanding the sign-up bonus

When applying for a credit card, it's important to understand that the sign-up bonus offer you see on the website may not be the best one available. Some institutions, like Amex, track your activity and may present you with lower sign-up bonus offers without you realizing it. To ensure you're getting the best offer, here are some tips:

1. Clear your cookies and search history, then open an incognito tab to browse the website. This can often give you better results.

2. If you have time before applying, log in to your Amex account and use the prequalify tool. This allows the bank to have all your information without accepting any card offers. Sometimes, the bank may send targeted emails or direct mail with better offers.

3. Use a site like USCreditCardGuide.com to find the best available sign-up link at the time. They provide a historical chart showing the current offer and the all-time high offer for each card. For example, the Amex Gold Card is currently at an all-time high offer of 90K points.

4. Prequalification tools are used to test the waters and see if the bank would offer you a card you're interested in. You don't have to submit your application through the prequal tool, but it can help you determine your eligibility. For Chase, Amex, and Bilt, it's recommended to use the prequal tool and then find the best link available. For NFCU, it's recommended to apply via the prequalify tool for the higher limit.

5. It's okay to use the prequal tool to find out if you're eligible for a card and then use a referral link or a special targeted offer if it's better. It won't affect your odds of approval as long as you apply within the same day.

6. Different types of offers are available, such as online/homepage offers, in-branch offers, email offers, physical mail offers, call-in offers, "My Offers" in-app targeted offers, and referral links. Each type has its own advantages, so explore all options. To access online/homepage offers discreetly, clear your cookies and search history and make sure you're logged out.

7. Beware of using "1 person-specific" targeted links from other people. These links may be meant for only one individual, and using them could risk getting your application rejected or your account shut down.

Remember, it's important to do your research, compare offers, and choose the one that suits you best.

9 comments