Dining Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses: What to Apply for Now
Sign-up bonuses are often worth more than an entire year of dining rewards. The Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire Preferred both offer 60,000 points ($1,000+ value) for meeting a spend requirement. Here is every current bonus ranked by effective value.
Current Sign-Up Bonus Table
| Card | Bonus | Spend Required | Time Limit | Cash Value | Value per $1 Spent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Gold Premium | 60,000 MR pts | $4,000 | 6 months | $1,080 | $0.27 |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred Mid-Tier | 60,000 UR pts | $4,000 | 3 months | $1,020 | $0.26 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve Premium | 60,000 UR pts | $4,000 | 3 months | $1,350 | $0.34 |
| Capital One SavorOne No Fee | $200 cash | $500 | 3 months | $200 | $0.40 |
| Capital One Savor Mid-Tier | $300 cash | $3,000 | 3 months | $300 | $0.10 |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Go No Fee | 20,000 pts | $1,000 | 3 months | $200 | $0.20 |
| Citi Custom Cash No Fee | $200 cash | $1,500 | 6 months | $200 | $0.13 |
| Wells Fargo Autograph No Fee | 20,000 pts | $1,000 | 3 months | $200 | $0.20 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited No Fee | $200 cash | $500 | 3 months | $200 | $0.40 |
Values as of April 2026. Point values: Amex MR at 1.8cpp, Chase UR at 1.7cpp (Preferred) / 2.25cpp (Reserve). Cash bonuses at face value. Terms apply.
How to Hit the Spend Requirement with Normal Dining
If you spend $600/month on dining and put it all on a new card, here is how quickly you hit each bonus threshold:
| Card | Spend Required | Months to Hit (at $600/mo dining) |
|---|---|---|
| SavorOne / Freedom Unlimited | $500 | 1 month |
| Altitude Go / Autograph | $1,000 | 2 months |
| Citi Custom Cash | $1,500 | 3 months |
| Capital One Savor | $3,000 | 5 months |
| Amex Gold / Sapphire cards | $4,000 | 7 months |
For the $4,000 requirements, consider timing your application before a high-spending period (holidays, vacation, moving) to hit the threshold faster. You can also put other recurring expenses (subscriptions, utilities) on the card temporarily.
Is This a Good Offer? Decision Framework
Excellent Offer (Apply Now)
- 60,000+ points for Amex or Chase cards
- $200+ cash back for no-fee cards
- Spend requirement you can hit with normal spending
- 6+ months to meet the requirement
Wait for Better (Check Back Later)
- Under 50,000 points for premium cards
- $100 or less for no-fee cards
- Spend requirement over $5,000
- Only 90 days to meet the requirement
FAQ
When is 60,000 points worth $600 vs $900+?
60,000 Amex MR points are worth $600 if redeemed as statement credits (1cpp) or $1,080+ if transferred to airline partners (1.8cpp+). 60,000 Chase UR points are worth $750 through the travel portal with a Preferred card (1.25cpp) or $1,020+ through Hyatt transfers (1.7cpp). The redemption method determines the value.
Can I get the sign-up bonus on a card I already have?
Generally no. Chase has the 5/24 rule (no approval if you opened 5+ cards in 24 months) and a 48-month cooldown on Sapphire bonuses. Amex has a lifetime bonus rule (one welcome offer per card, ever). Citi has a 24-month cooldown. Capital One has a 48-month rule on some cards.
Should I apply for the card with the highest bonus or the best ongoing rewards?
Consider both. A $1,000 sign-up bonus is worth about 3 years of the difference between a 3% and 4% card at $500/month. If you plan to keep the card long-term, ongoing rewards matter more. If you are strategic about cycling through new cards, bonuses can be the bigger prize.
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Updated 9 April 2026