Pile Up Points Easily with These Low Spend Card Offers
Various banks plug big welcome offers more frequently these days. One primary reason – such offers wow the masses. The catch with many involves the stout spending requirements in order to receive that huge points bonus. But more quietly, banks offer solid rewards on cards requiring only small spend amounts. Not coincidentally, the rewards return on spend is frequently greater on these offers than the big ones. Let’s dive into several low spend card offers which are currently available and review what makes them worth considering.
Some of these offers may have changed since posting.
Chase Freedom Flex
Chase is up first, as those eligible for their new card offers are probably concerned about the draconian 5/24 rule. This may still be the best all-around card offering from Chase, considering the solid welcome offer and ongoing return on spend without an annual fee. In my opinion, the Chase Freedom Flex card has something for everyone.
- Welcome Offer: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Target or Walmart purchases) on up to $12k spent in the first year.
- Earn 5% cash back on up to $1.5k in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate.
- For Chase Travel purchases, earn 5% cash back. Also earn 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases.
- Learn More
Chase Freedom Unlimited
If you’re well under 5/24, enjoy 1.5% cash back/Ultimate Rewards everywhere, and would like access to another first-year offer, you may want to consider picking up the no fee Chase Freedom Unlimited, as well. Also consider your other Chase card plans before committing to this one. That said, the welcome offer is excellent for the low spend requirement. Specifically, it’s the same $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first three months, grocery store offer, and 3% dining/drugstore categories, and 0% intro APR as the Chase Freedom Flex.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card
Southwest enthusiasts can amass a sizable chunk of Rapid Rewards points without much spend on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card. Of course, this is a hard pass for anyone else. And most should wait for the higher 60,000 point offers, but they often come with a higher spending requirement. But the rewards on low spend are sweet for frequent Southwest flyers. The $69 annual fee blow is softened by the 3k point anniversary bonus.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 40k points after you spend $1k on purchases in the first 3 months.
- Plus, earn 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year.
- 6k bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary each year.
- Earn 2x points on Southwest purchases.
- Earn 1x point on all other purchases.
- All points earned count towards Companion Pass.
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express
The Delta Gold card provides a solid welcome offer for low spend but also delivers bonus 2x earning in staple spend categories. Higher welcome offers have been available in the past, and most should wait for a 60,000+ point offer, but they come with more significant spend requirements. There is a $99 annual fee after the first year.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 40k bonus SkyMiles after you spend $1k in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Plus, earn up to $50 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at US restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
- Earn 2x SkyMiles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1x SkyMile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- $100 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10k in purchases on your card in a calendar year, receive a credit to use toward future travel.
Citi Custom Cash
I just picked up Citi’s 5% cash back card via product change, and I’m loving it. Those who apply for the welcome offer can do even better with this no fee card. It’s a great complement to other cards in the Citi portfolio, a group that I think is optimal for low spenders. Cardholders earn 5% cash back on the first $500 monthly spend in the top category of the following: restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment. The 5% cash back is automatic; there are no card enrollment requirements.
- Welcome Offer: Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $750 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20k ThankYou points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months.
TD Cash Visa
Certainly not a heavy hitter in the hobby, TD provides a solid offer with this cash back card requiring little spend. Savvy hobbyists may do better with other cards for ongoing spend, but casual fans will enjoy the reliable bonus categories. This is also a nice option for hobbyists who have gotten to the bottom of the card barrel with the bigger banks. Plus, there’s no annual fee.
- Welcome Offer: Earn $150 Cash Back when you spend $500 within 90 days after account opening.
- Earn 3% cash back on dining and 2% cash back at grocery stores.
- Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Conclusion
These are several, but certainly not all, low spend card offers currently available. And that’s a good thing! I prefer to have too many options to pick from than not enough. The big offers from splashier cards undoubtedly provide great rewards. But we can often fare similar or better on the same spend amount by putting together a few of these low spend offers. I’ll keep searching for other great low spend card offers to maximize. What have been your favorites?
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Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
