Introductory credit card bonus offers for 2024

Some introductory offers come with specific requirements in order to qualify, and some are offset by a card’s ongoing rewards, rates and fees, which can be less appetising. In this guide we break down everything you need to know about introductory offers and gathered cards with promotional deals.

Comparison of intro bonuses and ongoing rewards

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Name	Product	Finder Score	Finder score	Max. intro bonus	Earn-rate with brand	Default earn-rate	Annual/monthly fees	Representative APR	Incentive	Link
M&S Bank Credit Card Purchase Plus Offer Mastercard		4.1 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	N/A	1 point per £1 spent	1 point per £1 spent	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card. Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).	Check eligibility Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
M&S Bank Credit Card Transfer Plus Offer Mastercard		3.9 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	N/A	1 point per £1 spent	1 point per £5 spent	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card. Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).	Check eligibility Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
British Airways American Express® Credit Card Finder Award		4.0 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	5,000 points	1 point per £1 spent	1 point per £1 spent	£0	31% APR (variable)	New Cardmembers collect 5,000 bonus Avios when you spend £2,000 in the first 3 months of your Cardmembership. T&Cs Apply, 18+, subject to status. Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).	Check eligibility Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express® Rewards Credit Card Finder Award		3.9 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	10,000 points	1 point per £1 spent	1 point per £1 spent	£0	31% APR (variable)	Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every £1 spent thereafter. Earn up to 90,000 bonus points per year through refer a friend, 4,000 points awarded for every friend approved. 1 point = 0.45p (min 1,000 points) to shop, other rewards have differing conversions. Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).	Check eligibility Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Yonder 'No Fee' Credit Card Finder Award		4.0 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	N/A	5 points per £1 spent	1 point per £1 spent	£0	32.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 32.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 32.9% APR (variable).	Check eligibility Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Nectar Credit Card Finder Award		3.8 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	20,000 points	3 points per £1 spent	2 points per £1 spent	Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £30 per annum	37.8% APR (variable)	New welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus Nectar points when you spend £2,000 in your first 3 months. Earn a minimum of 3 Nectar points for virtually every £1 spent at Nectar partners, and 2 Nectar points for virtually every £1 spent elsewhere. Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a. with a fee of Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £30 per annum, your representative rate is 37.8% APR (variable).	Check eligibility Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card Finder Award		4.0 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	20,000 points	6 points per £1 spent	2 points per £1 spent	£95 per annum	54.8% APR (variable)	Earn 20,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy ® points when you spend £3,000 in the first 3 months of Cardmembership. 18+, subject to status. Terms apply. Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £95 per annum, your representative rate is 54.8% APR (variable).	Check eligibility Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Yonder Credit Card Finder Award		4.5 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	10,000 points	25 points per £1 spent	5 points per £1 spent	1 month for £0, £15 per month thereafter	66.7% APR (variable)	First month free for new members, £15 p/m thereafter. Plus, 10,000 bonus points. Earn 5 points per £1 spent and up to 25 points per £1 at selected partners. Membership includes worldwide travel insurance, no FX fees and use your points towards any flight. Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.94% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £15 per month, your representative rate is 66.7% APR (variable).	Check eligibility Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card Finder Award		4.0 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	20,000 points	3 points per £1 spent	1 point per £1 spent	Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £195 per annum	88.8% APR (variable)	New Cardmembers earn 20,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend £3,000 in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Terms Apply. 18+, subject to status. Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a. with a fee of Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £195 per annum, your representative rate is 88.8% APR (variable).	Check eligibility Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card Finder Award		4.0 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	30,000 points	3 points per £1 spent	1.5 points per £1 spent	£300 per annum	139.9% APR (variable)	New Cardmembers collect 30,000 bonus Avios when you spend £6,000 in the first 3 months of your Cardmembership. T&Cs Apply, 18+, subject to status. Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31.0% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £300 per annum, your representative rate is 139.9% APR (variable).	Check eligibility Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How do credit card introductory offers work?

Most intro offers are only available to new customers who apply and are approved for a specific credit card during the promotional period. These deals usually offer extra value to you in the form of a lump sum of reward points or an elevated points/cashback/air miles earn rate for a limited period.

Reward card fees and interest

The biggest rewards usually come in return for an annual fee. This puts some people off straightaway, but it’s simply a question of doing the maths – if you’ll earn enough rewards to justify the spend, then the fee can be worth paying. Cards with an annual fee typically come with other perks too, like complimentary travel insurance or airport lounge access.

As you’d expect, the benefits of sign-up offers only last for a limited time. You’re generally not tied in to these deals, so there’s nothing stopping you from just using them while the going’s good. However, some card issuers will try to retain customers by offering anniversary bonuses or by negotiating with customers who request to cancel their card. American Express frequently offers an enhanced earn rate once your spending amount on the card has reached a specified threshold.

If you don’t expect to clear your balance in full each month, then generally what you’ll end up paying in interest will outweigh the potential earnings. But if you expect to use your card a fair bit and to clear your balance in full each month (don’t forget you can set up a direct debit to do this), then this guide can help you to capitalise on reward points, cashback or air miles to make your money go a bit further.

Crucially, don’t forget that when it comes to credit cards, there’s a good chance that the best deal for you right now probably won’t be the best deal in a couple of years’ time.

How can I get a promotional credit card offer?

You usually have to meet specific requirements to get your hands on an introductory offer on a credit card. These conditions vary but usually include the following:

• New customers. These offers are designed to recruit new customers. As such, you’ll usually have to be a new customer – holding no other credit cards issued by the company (or even banking group) with which you are applying.
• Credit card approval. You’ll need to apply and be approved for the credit card by a certain date in order to take advantage of the introductory offer. This will involve a credit check and affordability assessment. With many credit cards, the interest rate offered at this point can vary depending on the issuer’s assessment of the applicant’s situation. This is known as risk-based pricing and essentially means that the advertised APR may be reserved for those with excellent credit – check any offer you receive carefully before accepting.
• Spend requirements. When a bonus points offer is available, often you’ll be required to meet a minimum spend requirement by a set date to receive the points.
• Keeping up with repayments. Missing a repayment is a bad idea at the best of times (it’ll hurt your credit score and cost you in fees or additional interest), but many people don’t realise that doing so can invalidate any introductory offers.
• Redemption terms. Getting a bunch of points is one thing, but redeeming them is another. Make sure you’re aware of any restrictions around redeeming your hard-earned points.

Before you apply for a card, make sure you fully understand these terms and conditions to ensure you can get the full value from the offer.

What types of intro rewards deals are out there?

• Lump sum of points/cashback. Get a lump sum either on sign-up or after a specified period. A minimum spend requirement will usually apply.
• Enhanced earn rate. Earn points, air miles or cashback at a better rate for a limited period. A minimum spend requirement may apply.
• Gift cards. Enjoy complimentary gift cards for an affiliated store or brand. You’ll rarely need to meet any minimum spend requirements in these cases.
• Discounted purchases. Enjoy a discount on specific transactions. For example, a frequent flyer credit card could offer 10% off flight bookings made with the affiliated airline during the promotional period.
• Waived or reduced fees. Enjoy a discount on account fees for a specified period. You’ll rarely need to meet any minimum spend requirements in these cases.

Some common mistakes to avoid with credit card offers

While credit card introductory offers can help you get more value from your card, there are some mistakes to avoid to ensure the card costs don’t outweigh the offer’s benefits. Here are some of the common mistakes cardholders make and how you can avoid them:

• Ignoring the offer terms and conditions. Introductory offers have specific eligibility requirements you have to meet, so make sure you understand the fine print before you apply.
• Wasting the promotional offer time period. With a balance transfer or purchase rate offer, the promotional period (such as 12 months) will begin as soon as your application is approved, rather than when you make the transfer or your first purchase.
• Not looking at the card’s ongoing features. While introductory offers can give you short-term benefits, the standard features of a credit card determine its ongoing value. Always check these features before you apply for a credit card to decide if it’s worth it for you.
• Not using the card enough. To get the most out of your card, you’ll usually need to spend big, but clear your balance monthly. Consider what regular payments you could put through the new card to maximise your rewards.
• Carrying a balance from month to month. If you don’t clear your balance each month, you’ll probably pay more in interest than you earn in rewards.
• Not using the card correctly after the introductory period. If you decide you don’t want the card you applied for after getting a sign-up offer, you could end up paying more credit card fees and adding to your debt. Make sure you consider this before you apply, choose an appropriate card or cancel the account if you no longer want to use it.

The bottom line

Introductory offers have the potential to provide you with more value when you get a new credit card. While almost anyone can benefit from these deals, the value they provide really depends on your individual circumstances.

It’s also important to remember that this card’s benefits only last for a set amount of time before reverting to the standard features. So being aware of how credit card offers work and considering both the introductory offer and the ongoing card features means you can choose a card that offers you value now and in the future.

Written by

Chris Lilly

Head of publishing

Chris Lilly is Head of publishing at finder.com. He's a specialist in personal finance, from day-to-day banking to investing to borrowing, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their money. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more. See full bio

Chris's expertise

Chris has written 612 Finder guides across topics including:

• Loans & credit cards
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• Financial health