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Earning a welcome bonus on a new credit card is something we are looking forward to, as that allows us to get a good chunk of rewards that may be enough for an award flight or a hotel stay.
Typically, it is required to spend a specific amount to qualify for a welcome bonus. But once you meet the spending requirement, how long will it take to see that bonus to post to your rewards balance?
Here is a closer look at how long you should wait before rewards post, broken down by issuer:
- Citi: Bonus points earned with Citi credit cards can take 8 to 10 weeks after you meet the purchase requirement to post to your ThankYou account. In practice, bonuses can be expected within a couple of days of your statement closing.
- Chase: Chase typically asks that you "please allow 6 to 8 weeks" for the bonus to post to your account after meeting the spending requirement. The rewards usually become available sooner than that, but in some cases it may take the full eight weeks for the bonus to post.
- Capital One: Per Capital One, they will add the bonus to your rewards balance within two billing cycles after qualifying for it. In reality, the bonus can post to your account sooner, within several days after the statement closes.
- Discover: Discover cards do not offer a welcome bonus per se. Cardholders simply get all of their earnings matched at the end of the first year (365 days). Matched rewards will post within two billing periods after your account anniversary.
- Bilt: With Bilt credit cards, the welcome bonus is typically credited to your Bilt Rewards account on or about the account open date, however, please allow up to 6-8 weeks for processing in certain circumstances (delays due to identity verification requirements or account setup processes).
- Bank of America: Bank of America usually pays out welcome bonuses within the next 1-2 billing cycles after you meet the minimum spending requirement. However, with some Bank of America cards, cardmembers see their bonuses right after the statement closes, within two to three days.
- Wells Fargo: Wells Fargo promises that bonus rewards "will show as redeemable within 60 days after they are earned." However, many cardholders report getting the bonus faster.
- U.S. Bank: U.S. Bank says to "allow 1-2 billing cycles after you have met the spend requirement for your bonus to be credited to your rewards balance." However, most of the time bonuses are paid out when your monthly statement closes.
- American Express: American Express posts bonuses within 8-12 weeks after you meet the threshold amount requirements. But in most cases, cardmembers see their welcome bonuses within a few days of completing the minimum spending requirements.
When you are planning to use a bonus to pay for your next trip, don't wait long with your credit card application. While major credit card issuers tend to post welcome bonuses rather quickly, delays may still occur, especially if you meet the minimum spending requirements too close to the statement closing date. So make sure you have enough time if you want to book your next ticket with rewards.
