Need points for spring and summer travel next year? Apply for a new credit card now
Editor's Note
If you're planning to travel for spring break, Easter or summer vacation next year, now is a great time to start racking up points and miles for your trip.
At TPG, we believe it's never too early to start earning. If you can earn travel rewards now, you'll be in a better position to start making your 2027 travel plans early, when you may have more hotel and airline award availability to choose from.
Here's our step-by-step guide to earning rewards now and putting them toward your spring and summer travels.
Cash in on timely welcome offers
First, applying for the best welcome offers on new cards right now can give you a sizable stash of points or miles to put toward upcoming travel.
Most cards give you three to six months to meet their minimum spending requirements, which can require thousands of dollars in spending. If you have larger purchases coming up this fall or during the holiday season, opening a card now could make it easier to meet that requirement through spending you were already planning.
For example, if you open a card in October and have three months to meet its spending requirement, you could earn your welcome bonus early in 2027. That could give you a fresh stash of rewards to put toward spring break, Easter or summer travel.
And even if you haven't finalized your plans yet, earning rewards now means you'll have more options when you're ready to book.
Related: 10 ways to meet the spending requirements and earn the bonus on a new card
Best welcome offers right now
If you're wondering which card to get, here are just a few of our favorite welcome offers available right now.
| Card | Welcome bonus | Bonus value* | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Find out your offer and see if you're eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $12,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. | Up to $3,500 | $895 (see rates and fees) | |
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $2,050 | $795 | |
For a limited time, earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first five months from account opening. | $1,813 | $695 | |
Find out your offer and see if you're eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. | Up to $2,000 | $325 (see rates and fees) | |
Earn 180,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,080 | $150 | |
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, receive a $300 credit to use on hotel and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel in the first cardholder year upon account opening. | $1,688 (including the Capital One Travel credit) | $95 |
*Per TPG's October 2026 valuations.
Related: These 10 welcome offers are stealing the spotlight in October 2026
Use card perks for spring and summer travel
It's not just about welcome offers, though. The right card can also provide valuable perks that can make your spring and summer travels more comfortable.
Depending on the card, benefits such as travel credits, airport lounge access, expedited security credits and hotel elite status can improve your travel experience. Plus, using your new card for travel and everyday purchases in the months ahead can help you continue earning rewards for future trips.
For instance, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers up to $300 in flexible travel credits annually, a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, access to Sapphire Lounges and a Priority Pass membership.
Meanwhile, the Amex Platinum offers hotel elite status with Marriott, Hilton and Leaders Club, which can enhance your stay if you stay at one of those brands. Enrollment required.
Plus, eligible cardmembers can get into the best airport lounges on the market with access to the Global Lounge Collection.
Any or all of these cards help ensure your next trip goes smoothly, even before you factor in the welcome offers involved.
Related: Traveling these holidays? Here are the best cards for making your trip more comfortable
Start planning your spring and summer travel early
Once you've earned your rewards, don't wait too long to start thinking about how you'll use them.
Booking earlier can give you more flight and hotel options, particularly if you're traveling during popular periods such as spring break, Easter or summer vacation. Award availability can fluctuate, so it pays to start searching early and take advantage of a good redemption when you find one.
Starting to earn points and miles now gives you time to build your balances before you're ready to book, and potentially more flexibility when it's time to turn those rewards into a trip.
Related: 7 mistakes to avoid when redeeming hotel points
Bottom line
If spring or summer travel is on your calendar for 2027, now can be a good time to start building your points and miles balances.
Opening a new rewards credit card this fall could allow you to use upcoming purchases, including planned holiday spending, to work toward a valuable welcome bonus.
The sooner you start earning, the more time you'll have to build your rewards balance and plan how to use it.
Related: How to choose a credit card for airport lounge access
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold card, click here.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.