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Sign-Up Bonus
Also known as: SUB · Welcome Offer
What it is
A one-time chunk of points, miles, or cash the issuer pays you for opening a card and spending a set amount within a set window (usually 3 months).
What it really means
The single biggest reason to open a card. Everything else — earn rates, perks, transfer partners — is background noise compared to a well-timed SUB.
The story
The trick isn't chasing every bonus. It's opening one card during a quarter you were already going to spend the minimum organically — a wedding, a home project, a new baby year — and letting the natural spending clear the hurdle for you.