New to Amex? Best Intro Bonuses Without High Annual Fees

If you’re new to American Express and want a strong welcome offer without paying a hefty annual fee, you have good options—both inside and outside the Amex ecosystem. A welcome bonus (also called a sign-up or intro offer) is a one-time reward—points, miles, or cash—earned after meeting a minimum spend within a set timeframe; issuers and guides use these terms interchangeably, and offers change frequently, so always check current terms on the application page for the best Amex intro bonus available to you. For some beginners, a no annual fee card is the right start; for others, a low first-year fee with rich categories wins. We’ll help you find the fit, explain cash back vs points trade-offs, and spotlight 0% intro APR windows that can ease timing as you work toward the minimum spend, typically 12–15 months on many cards according to recent roundups from major outlets.

Points and Perks Guide

We take a neutral, educational approach focused on converting welcome bonuses into real trips—using frequent flyer fundamentals, alliance sweet spots, and simple redemption pathways. Learn more about our approach at Points and Perks Guide. Our guides emphasize clear terms, current offers, and redemptions you can actually book.

How we evaluate cards:

• First-year value relative to fees (including $0 intro year then a fee in year two), and the size of the bonus compared with the minimum spend.
• Fit with your everyday categories, and whether the ongoing rewards justify keeping the card.
• Complexity: cash-back simplicity versus the planning effort of transferable or hotel points.
• Transparency around APRs, fees, and redemption options—key factors card rating sites routinely weigh for consumers.

Most top bonuses require good to excellent credit, and many beginner-friendly cards include a 0% intro APR window that adds planning flexibility—handy if you’re timing larger expenses as you work toward the bonus.

1. Hilton Honors American Express Card

As a $0 annual fee entry point to travel, the Hilton Honors American Express Card often delivers a big points haul for first-timers. A recent public example has been 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after $2,000 in purchases within 6 months (offers vary and change). That’s enough for a couple of weekend nights at lower- to mid-tier Hilton brands or to “top off” an award you’re close to booking. Hotel points can be powerful when paired with Hilton sales and standard-room availability.

Pros:

• Large upfront points total on a no annual fee card.
• Easy-to-understand value for domestic getaways.

Cons:

• Hilton award pricing is variable, so value per point can swing.
• Requires planning and flexibility around availability.

Prefer simplicity? A flat cash-back card may be better if you don’t want to think about award charts or blackout dates.

2. Blue Cash Preferred from American Express

If your spending lines up with U.S. supermarkets and streaming, this low first-year fee card can deliver outsized value. The card has a $0 intro annual fee in year one, then $95 after; starter bonuses often land around $250, and many lineups show a 0% intro APR on purchases for around 12 months—always confirm live terms on the application page.

Best fit:

• Households with heavy grocery and streaming bills who can clear the minimum spend through normal purchases.
• Willing to reassess in year two: if category value no longer outweighs the fee, consider a product change to a no-fee alternative.

Definition: 0% intro APR means no interest accrues on eligible purchases and/or balance transfers during the promotional period; interest applies to any remaining balance after the window ends.

3. Amex EveryDay Card

This is the no annual fee gateway to Membership Rewards points—ideal if you want to start building transferable points without premium fees. Its intro bonus is typically modest compared with Amex’s premium cards, but it unlocks airline and hotel transfer partners later if you decide to level up.

• Who it’s for: Beginners who want to learn the ropes of points without committing to a fee.
• How to use: Earn MR on everyday spend now; when ready, pair with a higher-earning MR card to accelerate transfers and redemptions.
• Expectation setting: Travel-related bonuses often deliver the highest value for points and miles seekers, but simplicity may trump complexity for many users.

4. Blue Cash Everyday from American Express

A straightforward, fee-free cash-back option that’s easy to hold long term. Compared with Blue Cash Preferred, the Everyday version has:

• No annual fee and typically a smaller bonus.
• Lower category caps and fewer perks—but also no second-year fee to justify.

If-then fit:

• If you spend moderately at U.S. supermarkets and don’t want fees down the road, Blue Cash Everyday is a better starter.
• If you’ll maximize grocery and streaming categories, Blue Cash Preferred’s first-year structure can win—just reevaluate before year two.

Rule of thumb: Confirm you can meet the minimum spend through normal expenses before applying; don’t stretch just to chase a bonus.

5. Discover it Miles

An accessible non-Amex benchmark with unusually strong first-year value. Discover matches, mile-for-mile, all miles you earn at the end of your first year—no signup required, no minimum spend, and no cap. In plain terms, Cashback Match means Discover will double your year-one rewards after your first 12 billing cycles. Many Discover cards also include a 0% intro APR window that can be useful for timing large purchases while you earn.

Best for: Users who want guaranteed doubled first-year rewards without tracking a minimum spend threshold.

6. Chase Freedom Unlimited

A well-rounded, no annual fee card that often features a low-bar welcome bonus. Current-style examples in coverage show a $300 bonus after $500 in purchases in the first 3 months, and it earns at least 1.5% back on all purchases. Beginners can treat it as simple cash back, while advanced users can later pair it with certain travel cards to unlock elevated redemption values.

Positioning: A strong generalist alternative if Amex categories or hotel points feel too complex.

7. Capital One Quicksilver

A flat cash-back classic with a consistent, easy-to-earn welcome offer: commonly $200 after $500 in purchases in the first 3 months, with no annual fee. The simple 1.5% back structure provides predictable value versus the variability of hotel or airline programs.

Who benefits: Anyone prioritizing simplicity, quick setup, and guaranteed cash value.

8. Wells Fargo Active Cash

A no annual fee, flat 2% cash-back card with a straightforward intro bonus and intro APR. Typical terms include a $200 cash rewards bonus and a 0% intro APR for about 12 months on purchases—solid for broad everyday spending where the 2% rate plus a low-bar bonus beats category juggling.

Pro tip: Check the ongoing APR after the intro period and avoid carrying balances to preserve the value you’ve earned.

How we chose these intro bonuses

We applied a consistent, beginner-friendly framework you can reuse:

• First-year value vs annual fee, including $0 intro year offers that jump in year two.
• Minimum spend difficulty and whether normal expenses can comfortably meet it.
• Category alignment with your real life (groceries, gas, travel, streaming).
• 0% intro APR length and whether it helps you time expenses.
• Redemption complexity: cash back simplicity vs the planning needed for points.

Definition: The minimum spend requirement is the amount you must charge to the card within a set period to unlock the welcome bonus; miss the deadline and you forfeit the bonus. Many cash-back cards earn between 1.5% and 5% in various categories alongside their bonuses, which works well for diversified spend. Most top offers require good to excellent credit, and approvals vary by applicant. At Points and Perks Guide, we use this framework consistently so you can compare across issuers without the guesswork.

How to match a welcome offer to your spending

Follow this quick decision flow:

1. Map 3 months of essential spend—groceries, gas, travel, streaming, utilities.
2. Choose the card whose minimum spend you can meet via normal purchases within the timeframe.
3. Prioritize long-term fit if an annual fee kicks in after year one (for example, $0 first year, then $95)—have a plan to downgrade or switch if needed.

Practical rules:

• Never spend extra just to earn a bonus.
• Calendar the deadline on day one and track progress weekly.
• If you crave simplicity or don’t want award planning, consider a flat 2% card or a first-year match structure.

Redemption paths and real-world value

Complexity versus simplicity:

• Amex and hotel points can deliver outsized value but require planning and award availability.
• Cash-back cards are straightforward—value hits your account as a statement credit or bank deposit.

Definitions:

• Redemption value is the cents-per-point or cash value you receive when you redeem rewards. Travel-focused bonuses can be among the most lucrative for points and miles enthusiasts, though they demand more effort.

Quick reference: ideal redemptions and risks

Timing tips and eligibility basics

• Time your application around planned large expenses and, where helpful, leverage a 0% intro APR window to spread payments while you meet the minimum spend.
• Many top offers require good to excellent credit; some cards waive the first-year fee and then charge in year two, so plan for that jump.
• Issuer rules vary: Always read the fine print for prior-cardholder restrictions and verify the current public offer before applying.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as “new to Amex” for welcome offers?

Being “new to Amex” generally means you haven’t had the specific Amex card before for a defined period, making you eligible for its welcome offer. At Points and Perks Guide, we always recommend confirming the current terms on the application page.

How hard is it to use hotel points versus cash back?

Cash back is simple and predictable; hotel points can unlock bigger trips but require flexible dates, research, and working around variable pricing. Points and Perks Guide helps you weigh simplicity versus potential upside.

Should I prioritize a no-fee card or a low first-year fee with bigger value?

If you’ll maximize bonus categories, a low first-year fee card can win on value; otherwise start with no fee for set-and-forget simplicity. Points and Perks Guide suggests reassessing before year two.

How do minimum spend requirements work without overspending?

Time your application to upcoming essential expenses and track progress weekly. Points and Perks Guide advises avoiding non-essential purchases and only prepaying bills when allowed and fee-free.

Do intro APR periods affect the value of a welcome bonus?

Intro APR can ease timing for large purchases while you earn the bonus, but interest applies after it ends. For best value, Points and Perks Guide recommends paying off the balance before the promo expires.