Some of the best welcome bonuses out there offer as many as 200,000 points, but ask for thousands or even tens of thousands in spending in just a few months to earn them.
Whether you’re a student, young professional, retiree or someone else in a situation that calls for a fixed budget, these welcome offers may just not be realistic to attain. It’s easy to think you need to give up on points and miles as a hobby because you can’t meet the spending requirements for the best bonuses.
Thankfully, that’s far from the truth. You can absolutely get involved in points and miles without spending thousands on welcome bonuses. There are a number of cards with great bonuses that require $1,000 or less in spending.
Even if you’re a avid travel rewards enthusiast with all of the top cards, these welcome offers can still boost your points and miles stash.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Welcome offer: Earn $200 bonus cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
My take on this card: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) has had a spot in my wallet for three years. It’s one of my favorite cards to use for everyday spending, since it earns at least 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
This isn’t as high a rate as you’ll see on some other cards, but since I also hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), I’m able to turn my rewards into transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. That, along with no annual fee, makes up for the lower earning rate.
Even if you don’t have a higher-tier Chase card, your rewards can still be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards and purchases through Amazon (among other options).
To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
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Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase Freedom Flex
Welcome offer: Earn $200 bonus cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
My take on this card: My second-ever credit card was the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees). I still use it regularly to take advantage of its biggest strength: earning 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories (on up to $1,500 in spending, then 1% back; activation required).
Like the Freedom Unlimited, the Freedom Flex’s rewards can become transferable Ultimate Rewards points with a premium Chase card. Without this option, its rewards can be redeemed for the same options as the Freedom Unlimited. Also like the Freedom Unlimited, this card has no annual fee.
Many of the Freedom Flex’s rotating quarterly categories, such as PayPal and Amazon purchases, charitable donations and pet supply stores, are not easy to find as bonus categories on other cards.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Freedom Flex.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex
Wells Fargo Autograph
Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
According to TPG’s June 2026 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $350.
My take on this card: The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card (see rates and fees) is an underrated card, in my opinion. It’s often overshadowed by cards from giants like Chase and American Express, but it deserves your consideration — especially since it has no annual fee.
It’s not too common to see a no-annual-fee card that offers access to transfer partners, especially without reduced transfer ratios. Wells Fargo Autograph cardholders can transfer points to any of Wells Fargo’s 10 transfer partners, including popular choices such as Air France-KLM Flying Blue and Iberia Club.
I also love that this card earns bonus points on a lot of categories, including dining, travel, gas, transit and streaming services. That makes it a great choice for a beginner seeking simplicity.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Wells Fargo Autograph.
Apply here: Wells Fargo Autograph
Citi Strata Card
Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
According to TPG’s June 2026 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $380.
My take on this card: The Citi Strata℠ Card (see rates and fees) is another great beginner card, since it offers access to Citi’s transfer partners for no annual fee (albeit at reduced transfer ratios). That includes American Airlines AAdvantage, a TPG favorite.
Like the Wells Fargo Autograph, the Citi Strata offers a range of bonus categories. Those categories include a self-select bonus category, allowing you to earn 3 points per dollar spent in one of the following categories:
- Cosmetic stores/barber shops/hair salons
- Fitness clubs
- Live entertainment
- Pet supply stores
- Select streaming services
Most of those categories are difficult to find as bonus categories on other cards, so that’s a unique strength of the Citi Strata.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi Strata.
Apply here: Citi Strata Card
United Gateway
Welcome offer: Earn up to 40,000 bonus miles:
- 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- 10,000 additional miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.
According to TPG’s June 2026 valuations, this welcome offer is worth up to $540.
My take on this card: If you’re interested in an airline card but don’t want to pay an annual fee, the United Gateway℠ Card (see rates and fees) may be a good pick for you.
You’ll earn bonus miles on United purchases and receive 25% back as a statement credit on inflight food, beverage and Wi-Fi purchases. It may not be a card that offers free checked bags and award ticket discounts by default, but it’s a great entry point to see what airline cobranded cards can offer.
To learn more, check out our full review of the United Gateway.
Apply here: United Gateway Card
Frontier Airlines World Mastercard
Welcome offer: Currently, new Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full in the first three months from account opening.
According to TPG’s June 2026 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $780.
My take on this card: If you fly Frontier at least a couple of times each year, this card easily pays for itself. Checked bags on Frontier start at $29, but you’ll receive two free checked bags with the Frontier Mastercard. Assuming you check one bag, you’ll be able to cover this card’s $99 annual fee in just two roundtrip flights.
As long as you make a purchase with your card in the first three months from account opening, you’ll automatically receive Frontier Gold Elite status. This comes with perks like free seat upgrades and a complimentary carry-on bag.
Holding the Frontier Mastercard can make up for the shortcomings that low-cost airlines like Frontier choose to have in exchange for cheap airfare.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Frontier Airlines Mastercard.
The information for the Frontier Airlines 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.
Bottom line
It’s possible to earn solid welcome bonuses without spending thousands of dollars. All of these welcome offers can be earned with $1,000 or less in spending, making them great options for anyone interested in travel rewards.
Whether you’re a beginner, living on a fixed budget or just looking for an easy welcome bonus to boost your rewards balance, consider one of these six cards the next time you open a card.
Just remember to check the card’s application requirements before hitting “Submit”.
Related: Getting started with points, miles and credit cards to travel
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
