It’s tax-payment season again. If you have a large tax bill to pay, you may want to apply for a credit card with a high spending requirement. By paying your taxes with a credit card and covering a small processing fee, you can earn a bigger welcome bonus!
A common question in our WeChat reader group is: if you have a big purchase coming up, which credit card should you apply for? So today we’re putting together a dedicated post on this topic. We’ll start with a few recommendations, and the detailed explanation is at the end for those who want to dig deeper.
Contents [Hide]
- 1 Personal Cards
- 2 Business Cards
- 2.1 Chase Sapphire Reserve Business ($30,000/200,000)
- 2.2 Capital One Venture X Business ($30,000/200,000)
- 2.3 Capital One Spark Cash Plus ($30,000/200,000)
- 2.4 AMEX Business Platinum ($20,000/200,000-300,000)
- 2.5 AMEX Business Gold ($10,000/100,000-200,000)
- 2.6 Capital One Spark Cash ($10,000/100,000)
- 2.7 AMEX Marriott Business ($9,000/125,000)
- 2.8 Chase Ink Preferred ($8,000/100,000)
- 2.9 AMEX Hilton Business ($8,000/175,000)
- 2.10 AMEX Delta Business Gold ($8,000/100,000)
- 2.11 AMEX Delta Business Gold ($6,000/90,000)
- 2.12 Capital One Spark Cash Select ($6,000/75,000)
- 2.13 Chase Ink Unlimited ($6,000/75,000)
- 2.14 Chase Ink Cash ($6,000/75,000)
- 3 About Large Spending
Personal Cards
The numbers in parentheses show the minimum spending requirement and the bonus. For example, $10,000/200,000 points means you can earn a 200,000-point welcome bonus after spending $10,000. Here, we only count the welcome bonus and the rewards earned from spending, while ignoring card benefits and annual fees. The list is sorted by spending requirement from low to high.
Capital One Venture X ($4,000/75,000)
- The 75,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $900, so the return on $4,000 of spending is 22.5%
- In addition, all spending on this card earns 2x points, worth 2.4%
- That brings the total return on $4,000 of spending to 24.9%
Capital One Venture X Credit Card
A premium card that can more than pay for itself each year
- Welcome bonus: 75,000 Capital One points (spend $4,000 in the first 6 months)
- Rewards: 2x on all purchases, plus 10x/5x through the Capital One Travel portal
- Redemption: 100 points = $1 toward travel purchases; 1:1 transfers to airline miles
- Annual fee: $395
- Apply now>>
Citi Strata Elite ($6,000/75,000)
- The 75,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $1,125, so the return on $6,000 of spending is 18.75%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 1.5x points, worth 2.25%
- That brings the total return on $6,000 of spending to 20%
New premium card with a $300 annual hotel credit, $400 in statement credits, and complimentary airport lounge membership
- Welcome bonus: 75,000 Thank You Points (3-month spend $6,000)
- Rewards: 12x on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel; 6x on airfare; 6x at restaurants and on delivery on Friday and Saturday evenings; 3x on dining at other times; 1.5x on all other purchases
- Redemption: Points can be transferred 1:1 to airline and hotel partners, or redeemed for cash back
- Annual fee: $595（Discount available for Citi Gold and Private clients）
- Apply now>>
Chase Sapphire Reserve ($6,000/125,000)
- The 125,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $1,870, so the return on $6,000 of spending is 31%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 1x points, worth 1.5%
- That brings the total return on $6,000 of spending to 32.3%
Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card
Premium perks included! Up to $2,300 in annual statement credits!
- Welcome bonus: 100,000 points (spend $6,000 in the first 3 months)
- Rewards: 8x on flights, hotels, car rentals, and activities booked through Chase Travel; 4x on flights and hotels booked directly; 1x on other purchases
- Redemption: Can be redeemed for cash back; can be transferred 1:1 to airline and hotel partners; up to 1:2 redemption for premium hotels and flights; value 1.6 cents/point
- Annual fee: $795
- Apply now>>
AMEX Hilton Aspire ($6,000/150,000)
- The 175,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $870, so the return on $6,000 of spending is 12.5%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 3x points, worth 1.5%
- That brings the total return on $6,000 of spending to 14%
AMEX Hilton Aspire Credit Card
Complimentary top-tier Hilton Diamond status! Up to $600 in annual airline and hotel credits, plus a free night reward every year!
- Welcome bonus: 150,000 Hilton points (spend $6,000 in six months)
- Rewards: 14x on Hilton hotel purchases, 7x on flights, dining, and car rentals, and 3x on all other purchases
- Redemption: Redeemable at Hilton properties worldwide
- Annual fee: $550
- Apply now>>
AMEX Platinum ($8,000/80,000-175,000)
- The 80,000-175,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $1,200-$1,870, so the return on $8,000 of spending is 15%-32.8%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 1x points, worth 1.5%
- That brings the total return on $8,000 of spending to 16.5%-34.3%
Up to $2,600 in annual statement credits; plus a wide range of premium perks!
- Welcome bonus: Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards (spend $12,000 in 6 months)
- Rewards: 5x on airfare and select hotel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Redemption: Transfer 1:1 to many airline miles and hotel points programs
- Annual fee: $895（Changes for existing cardholders in 2026）
- Apply now>>
Up to $2,600 in annual credits, plus a large set of premium perks!
- Welcome bonus: 80,000 Membership Rewards (spend $12,000 in six months)
- Rewards: 5x on flights and select hotel purchases; 1X on all other purchases
- Redemption: Points can be transferred to a Schwab brokerage account at 1:1.1 for cash redemption; also transferable at 1:1 to many airline miles and hotel points programs
- Annual fee: $895（Changes for existing cardholders in 2026）
- Apply now>>
Business Cards
Chase Sapphire Reserve Business ($30,000/200,000)
- The 200,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $3,000, so the return on $30,000 of spending is 10%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 1x points, worth 1.5%
- That brings the total return on $30,000 of spending to 11.5%
Chase Sapphire Reserve Business Credit Card
Packed with statement credits and perks worth $2,500!
- Welcome bonus: 200,000 Ultimate Rewards (spend $30,000 in six months)
- Rewards: 8x on flights, hotels, rental cars, and activities booked through Chase Travel; 4x on flights and hotels booked directly; 3x on advertising; 1x on all other purchases
- Redemption: Redeem for cash back at 1:1; points can also be transferred to airline miles and hotel points
- Annual fee: $795
- Apply now>>
Capital One Venture X Business ($30,000/200,000)
- The 200,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $2,400, so the return on $30,000 of spending is 8%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 2x points, worth 2.4%
- That brings the total return on $30,000 of spending to 10.4%
Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card
A premium business credit card that can more than pay for itself each year
- Welcome bonus: 150,000 points (spend $30,000 within three months of card opening)
- Rewards: 2x on all purchases, plus an extra 10x/5x through the Capital One Travel portal
- Redemption: 100 points = $1 toward travel purchases; 1:1 transfers to airline miles
- Annual fee: $395
- Apply now>>
Capital One Spark Cash Plus ($30,000/200,000)
- The 200,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $2,400, so the return on $30,000 of spending is 8%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 2x points, worth 2.4%
- That brings the total return on $30,000 of spending to 10.5%
Capital One Spark Cash Plus Business Credit Card
Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases!
- Welcome bonus: $2,000 cash back + $500 travel reimbursement (spend $30,000 in the first three months)
- Rewards: 2% on all purchases
- Redemption: Redeem directly for cash back; can transfer to points
- Annual fee: $150
- Apply now>>
AMEX Business Platinum ($20,000/200,000-300,000)
- The 200,000-300,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $3,000-$4,500, so the return on $20,000 of spending is 15%-22.5%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 1x points, worth 1.5%
- That brings the total return on $20,000 of spending to 16.5%-24%
Over $1,300 in annual statement credits; comes with a large set of premium benefits!
- Welcome bonus: Up to 300,000 Membership Rewards (spend $20,000 in 3 months)
- Rewards: 5x on flights and select hotel purchases; 1.5x on purchases of $5,000 or more; 1x on everything else
- Redemption: Transfer 1:1 to many airline miles and hotel points programs; get 35% points back when redeeming for eligible flights
- Annual fee: $895（Changes for existing cardholders in 2026）
- Apply now>>
AMEX Business Gold ($10,000/100,000-200,000)
- The 100,000-200,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $1,500-$3,000, so the return on $10,000 of spending is 15%-30%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 1x points, worth 1.5%
- That brings the total return on $10,000 of spending to 16.5%-31.5%
Automatically earn 4x points, plus up to $240 in annual shipping statement credits
- Welcome bonus: Up to 200,000 Membership Rewards (spend $15,000 in 3 months)
- Rewards: Earn 4x on your top two spending categories, including: transit, wireless phone services, electronic goods, advertising, gas stations, and computer hardware/software/cloud solutions (on the first $15k in purchases, then 1x thereafter)
- Redemption: Redeem for gift cards, cash, and travel; transfers to airline miles offer the best value
- Annual fee: $375
- Apply now>>
Capital One Spark Cash ($10,000/100,000)
- The 100,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $1,200, so the return on $10,000 of spending is 12%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 2x points, worth 2.4%
- That brings the total return on $10,000 of spending to 14.5%
Capital One Spark Cash Credit Card
2% cash back on all purchases!
- Welcome bonus: $1,000+$250 travel reimbursement (spend $10,000 in 3 months)
- Rewards: 2% cash back on all purchases; 5% on Capital One Travel purchases
- Redemption: Redeem for cash back
- Annual fee: $95（No annual fee for the first year）
- Apply now>>
AMEX Marriott Business ($9,000/125,000)
- The 125,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $875, so the return on $9,000 of spending is 9.7%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 2x points, worth 1.4%
- That brings the total return on $9,000 of spending to 11.1%
AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business Credit Card
Complimentary Gold elite status; one luxury hotel free night every year!
- Welcome bonus: 75,000 points (spend $6,000 in 6 months) + 50,000 (spend another $3,000 in 6 months)
- Rewards: 6x at SPG/Marriott hotels, 4x on dining, gas, and wireless phone service, 2x on all other purchases
- Redemption: Redeem at SPG/Marriott/Ritz-Carlton properties, or transfer to airline miles at up to a 3:1.25 ratio
- Annual fee: $125
- Apply now>>
Chase Ink Preferred ($8,000/100,000)
- The 100,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $1,500, so the return on $8,000 of spending is 18.7%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 1x points, worth 1.5%
- That brings the total return on $8,000 of spending to 20.2%
Chase Ink Preferred Business Credit Card
A strong choice for people with heavy spending in specific categories, Chase business card
- Welcome bonus: 90,000 Ultimate Rewards (Spend $8,000 in the first 3 months after opening)
- Rewards: 3x on travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone services, and advertising (Travel, Shipping purchases, Internet, Cable and Phone services, Advertising), on up to the first $150k; all other purchases 1x
- Redemption: Redeem for cash at 100 UR = $1; can transfer 1:1 to airline miles or hotel points; can redeem at 1:1.25 toward travel purchases; value 1.6 cent/points
- Annual fee: $95
- Apply now>>
AMEX Hilton Business ($8,000/175,000)
- The 175,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $875, so the return on $8,000 of spending is 10.9%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 3x points, worth 1.5%
- That brings the total return on $8,000 of spending to 12.4%
AMEX Hilton Business Credit Card
Complimentary Hilton Gold status + up to $240 in hotel credits each year + premium car rental status
- Welcome bonus: 130,000 Hilton points (spend $6,000 in six months)
- Rewards: 12x on Hilton hotel purchases; 5x on other purchases (on the first $100k in purchases, then 3x)
- Redemption: Redeemable at Hilton properties worldwide
- Annual fee: $195
- Apply now>>
AMEX Delta Business Gold ($8,000/100,000)
- The 100,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $1,200, so the return on $8,000 of spending is 15%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 1x points, worth 1.2%
- That brings the total return on $6,000 of spending to 16.2%
AMEX Platinum Delta Business Card
First two checked bags free; $440 in annual statement credits + one companion ticket, a card with generous Delta business benefits
- Welcome bonus: 70,000 Delta miles (spend $6,000 in first 6 months)
- Rewards: 3x on Delta purchases and hotel purchases; 2x on restaurants and supermarkets; 1.5x on transportation, shipping, and large single purchases; 1x on everything else
- Redemption: Can be redeemed for Delta flights and SkyTeam partner airline tickets
- Annual fee: $350（$250 for some existing cardmembers）
- Apply now>>
AMEX Delta Business Gold ($6,000/90,000)
- The 90,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $1,080, so the return on $6,000 of spending is 18%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 1x points, worth 1.2%
- That brings the total return on $6,000 of spending to 19.2%
AMEX Gold Delta Business Credit Card
First two checked bags free; Delta flight perks, $150 hotel reimbursement each year
- Welcome bonus: 60,000 Delta miles (spend $4,000 in the first 6 months)
- Rewards: Delta purchases, supermarkets, restaurants, shipping, advertising 2x; other purchases 1x
- Redemption: Can be redeemed for Delta flights and SkyTeam partner flights; redemptions get 15% off
- Annual fee: $150（No annual fee for the first year）
- Apply now>>
Capital One Spark Cash Select ($6,000/75,000)
- The 75,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $90, so the return on $6,000 of spending is 15%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 1.5x points, worth 1.8%
- That brings the total return on $6,000 of spending to 16.8%
Capital One Spark Cash Select Business Credit Card
1.5% cash back on all purchases!
- Welcome bonus: $750 cash back (spend $6,000 in the first three months)
- Rewards: 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Redemption: Redeem for cash back; if you have a Venture card, you can transfer points
- Annual fee: $0
- Apply now>>
Chase Ink Unlimited ($6,000/75,000)
- The 75,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $1,125, so the return on $6,000 of spending is 18.7%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 1.5x points, worth 2.25%
- That brings the total return on $6,000 of spending to 12%
Chase Ink Unlimited Business Credit Card
1.5x points on all business purchases; no annual fee!
- Welcome bonus: 100,000 Ultimate Rewards (UR) (spend $8,000 in four months)
- Rewards: 1.5x on all purchases, unlimited
- Redemption: Redeem for cash back at 100 UR = $1; if you also hold a premium card, points can be transferred 1:1 to airline miles or hotel points, or redeemed for travel at 1:1.25/1.5; point value: 1.6 cents/point
- Annual fee: $0
- Apply now>>
Chase Ink Cash ($6,000/75,000)
- The 75,000-point bonus on this card is worth about $1,125, so the return on $6,000 of spending is 18.7%
- In addition, spending on this card earns at least 1x points, worth 1.5%
- That brings the total return on $6,000 of spending to 20.2%
Chase Ink Cash Business Credit Card
5x at office supply stores, internet, cell phone, landline, and cable TV; no annual fee!
- Welcome bonus: 100,000 Ultimate Rewards (UR) (spend $8,000 in 4 months)
- Rewards: 5x at office supply stores and on internet, cell phone, landline, and cable TV bills (on up to the first $25k in purchases); 2x at gas stations and restaurants (on up to the first $25k in purchases); 1x on all other purchases
- Redemption: Redeem for cash back at 100 UR = $1; if you also hold a premium card, points can be transferred 1:1 to airline miles or hotel points, or redeemed toward travel at 1:1.25/1.5; point value: 1.6 cent/point
- Annual fee: $0
- Apply now>>
About Large Spending
First, if you have a very large expense coming up, the best strategy is actually to apply for multiple credit cards that are offering either all-time-high bonuses or limited-time offers. Maximizing multiple welcome bonuses will usually give you the highest overall return. For more details, see these two rankings:
- Best US Credit Card Welcome Offers (Personal Cards) "Updated Monthly"
- Best US Small Business Credit Cards "Updated Monthly"
If you don’t want to apply for multiple cards, you can match your spending needs to the cards in this post. For each card, we explain the value of the welcome bonus and the value of ongoing spending rewards, then calculate the overall return based on the required spending. You can use both the spending requirement and the return rate to decide which one to apply for.
- Formula: Return rate = welcome bonus × point value / required spending + earning rate × point value
Here, we only use the lowest earning rate in our calculations. If you spend heavily in specific bonus categories, you should calculate based on that card’s particular earning structure. We use the lowest earning rate because many large expenses—such as property taxes, paying taxes with a credit card, large medical bills, and so on—do not fall into any category that earns bonus rewards, so we use the base rate instead. For point valuations, we assume Membership Rewards, Ultimate Rewards, and ThankYou Points are all worth 1.5 cents per point, while Capital One, Delta, and similar programs are valued at 1.2 cents per point.
Also, the return rates here do not factor in card benefits or annual fees. That’s because the value of benefits varies from person to person, and annual fees also differ from card to card, making them hard to quantify consistently. To simplify things, we temporarily assume that annual fee = benefits.
As for our filtering criteria, we looked at mainstream credit cards with a return rate of at least 10% and a total minimum spending requirement of at least $6,000.