Best Credit Cards to Churn in 2026
Not all credit cards are created equal for churning. The best cards to churn have high bonuses relative to their spending requirements, reasonable annual fees, and repeatable bonus eligibility. This guide ranks the top cards by their net churning value so you can focus on the offers that matter most.
How We Rank Cards for Churning
Our rankings are based on five key criteria that determine how valuable a card is specifically for churning, not just for everyday use. A card might be excellent for daily spending but mediocre for churning if its bonus is small or unrepeatable.
Bonus-to-Spend Ratio
How many points or dollars do you earn per dollar of minimum spend? A 100,000 point bonus on $8,000 spend (12.5 points per dollar) is more efficient than 50,000 points on $5,000 spend (10 points per dollar), but the total value matters too.
Net Bonus Value
The bonus value minus the first-year annual fee. A $1,250 bonus with a $95 fee nets $1,155. A $1,500 bonus with a $695 fee nets only $805, even though the gross bonus is higher.
Ease of Approval
Some issuers are stricter than others. Chase has 5/24, Amex is generally lenient, and Capital One limits you to two cards. Cards that are easier to get approved for rank higher when all else is equal.
Bonus Repeatability
Can you earn the bonus again? Chase allows repeat bonuses after 48 months. Citi has a 48-month window. Amex is once-per-lifetime. Cards you can churn repeatedly have much higher long-term value.
Points Flexibility
Transferable points (Chase UR, Amex MR, Citi TYP, Capital One miles) are worth more than fixed-value points because you can transfer them to airline and hotel partners for outsized value. A card earning transferable points ranks higher than one earning fixed-value rewards at the same bonus level.
Tier 1: Start Here (Best for New Churners)
These are the highest-value, most accessible cards for anyone starting their churning journey. They offer large bonuses with manageable spending requirements, reasonable fees, and flexible points currencies. If you're new to churning, work through this tier first.
Chase Ink Business Preferred
The single best card to churn. 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points is one of the largest bonuses available from any issuer. As a business card, it doesn't count toward Chase's 5/24 rule, meaning it won't block you from getting personal Chase cards later. Points transfer to Hyatt, United, Southwest, and dozens of other partners. You can apply with any legitimate business activity, including freelancing or selling items online.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The best personal card for new churners. The $4,000 spending requirement is manageable for most people, the $95 fee is low, and Ultimate Rewards points are among the most versatile currencies in the game. You can churn the Sapphire every 48 months, and downgrade to a no-fee Freedom card in between. Start here while you're under 5/24.
Capital One Venture X
The $395 annual fee looks steep, but a $300 annual travel credit effectively reduces it to $95 in the first year. You also get Priority Pass lounge access and 10,000 anniversary miles each year. Capital One miles transfer to partners like Air Canada Aeroplan, Turkish Airlines, and Avianca LifeMiles. The Venture X is a strong keeper card, but also works well as a churn target for the upfront bonus.
Tier 2: Intermediate Cards
Once you've tackled the Tier 1 cards, these offer excellent bonuses with slightly higher fees or more complex redemption strategies. These cards are best for churners who are comfortable with transferable points and have a plan for meeting higher spending thresholds.
The Amex Platinum has the highest potential bonus in the game when targeted offers are available. Membership Rewards transfer to a huge network of airline and hotel partners including ANA, Singapore Airlines, and Marriott. The $695 fee is partially offset by over $200 in annual statement credits (airline, digital entertainment, Uber, and more). The once-per-lifetime restriction means you need to make this one count — wait for the highest available offer.
The Amex Gold is one of the best everyday spending cards with 4x MR on restaurants and groceries. The $250 annual fee is partially offset by $120 in dining credits and $120 in Uber Cash annually. The 6-month timeframe for meeting the spending requirement is more relaxed than most cards. While the once-per-lifetime restriction limits repeat churning, the combination of a strong bonus and excellent daily earning categories makes it worth the slot.
The Citi Premier offers solid value with a low annual fee and the ability to earn the bonus again every 48 months. ThankYou Points transfer to partners like Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and JetBlue. The 48-month repeatability window means you can cycle through this card over time. It's not subject to Chase's 5/24 rule, so it's a good option to pick up at any point in your churning journey.
The United Explorer is one of the easiest cards to churn. The $3,000 spending requirement is the lowest among premium travel cards, the annual fee is waived the first year (then $95), and United miles are easy to redeem for domestic and international flights. Perks include a free checked bag, priority boarding, and two United Club passes per year. Subject to 5/24, so get this while you can.
Tier 3: Advanced and Niche Cards
These cards are best suited for experienced churners who have already covered the high-value options above. They offer unique advantages — an incredibly low spending requirement, niche loyalty program value, or generous credits that offset high annual fees — but come with trade-offs.
The easiest bonus in churning: 60,000 American Airlines miles after making just one purchase of any amount and paying the $99 annual fee. Buy a pack of gum and you've earned 60,000 miles. AA miles are valuable for domestic flights and partner redemptions on airlines like Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific. The catch is the $99 fee and the fact that Barclays can be inquiry-sensitive, sometimes denying applicants with too many recent hard pulls.
US Bank's premium card offers 50,000 points worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed for travel through their Real-Time Rewards program. The $400 annual fee includes a $325 annual travel credit, effectively making it a $75 fee card. Points also transfer to a small but growing set of airline partners. The main drawback: US Bank is very strict about applications. You generally need an existing US Bank relationship (checking account) and a clean credit profile with few recent inquiries.
The Marriott Boundless offers 3 free night awards (each worth up to 50,000 points) after $3,000 in spending. If you regularly stay at Marriott properties, these free nights can easily be worth $200-$300 each. The card also earns a free night certificate each cardmember year (worth up to 35,000 points), which alone can justify the $95 fee. Subject to 5/24, so plan accordingly.
No Annual Fee Cards Worth Churning
These cards have smaller bonuses, but with no annual fee the bonus is pure profit. Even better, you should keep these cards open indefinitely to build your credit history and maintain a higher total credit limit. They're perfect for filling gaps between premium card applications.
The Freedom Unlimited earns $200 after $500 in spending in the first 3 months, plus 1.5% cash back on all purchases. When paired with a Chase Sapphire card, those 1.5% earnings become Ultimate Rewards points that transfer to travel partners. This is a keeper card — open it, earn the bonus, and never close it. It builds your credit history and feeds points into the Chase ecosystem.
Discover matches all cash back you earn in your first year, effectively doubling your rewards. With 5% rotating categories (up to $1,500 per quarter) and 1% on everything else, an active user can earn $300-$500+ in the first year with no annual fee. Discover is also one of the easiest issuers to get approved by, making this a great option for newer churners building up their card count.
The SavorOne offers $200 after $500 in spending within 3 months, with no annual fee. It earns 3% on dining, entertainment, grocery stores, and popular streaming services. Like other no-fee cards, the strategy is simple: earn the bonus, keep it open forever for credit history, and use it for dining and groceries when you don't have a higher-earning card active.
Cards NOT Worth Churning
Not every credit card with a sign-up bonus deserves your time and a hard inquiry. These categories of cards generally aren't worth the effort for churners.
Store Credit Cards
Store cards (Target RedCard, Amazon Store Card, etc.) typically offer small bonuses of $25-$50 in store credit. They also count toward your 5/24 total with Chase, meaning a $25 Kohl's bonus could cost you a $1,000+ Chase bonus. The math never works out. Avoid store cards entirely if you're churning.
Once-Per-Lifetime Cards with Low Bonuses
Some cards have once-per-lifetime restrictions AND offer modest bonuses. If a card has a $200 bonus and you can never earn it again, it might still be worth getting — but prioritize it below repeatable cards with similar or higher bonuses. Your lifetime bonus slots with Amex are especially precious.
High Fee Cards Where the Bonus Barely Covers the Fee
If a card has a $450 annual fee and a 40,000 point bonus worth $500, your net gain is only $50 for the effort of applying, meeting the spend, and managing the card for a year. That's not worth a hard inquiry and the organizational overhead. Look for cards where the net value (bonus minus fee) is at least $300-$400 to justify the effort.
Cards with Unreasonable Spending Requirements
Some business cards require $10,000-$15,000+ in spending over 3 months. If you can't meet that organically, the temptation to overspend or manufacture spend can erode or eliminate the bonus value. Only target cards where you can comfortably meet the spend requirement with your normal budget.
Building Your Churning Plan
The order in which you apply for cards matters enormously because of issuer-specific rules. Here's the optimal sequence for maximizing total bonus value over time.
Start with Chase
Chase's 5/24 rule is the most restrictive rule in churning, so prioritize Chase cards first. Aim to get 2-3 Chase cards while you're under 5/24. Start with the Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred (business cards don't count toward 5/24 but are subject to it). Space applications 2-3 months apart. Read our Chase Ink churning guide for business card strategies.
Move to Amex
Once you've gotten your Chase cards, move to American Express. Amex has a once-per-lifetime restriction on bonuses, but the bonuses themselves are huge. The Platinum and Gold should be your top priorities. Wait for elevated offers — Amex frequently runs targeted promotions with higher-than-normal bonuses. Since you can only earn each bonus once, patience pays off.
Then Citi and Everyone Else
Citi's 48-month rule is more forgiving than Amex's lifetime language, and there's no equivalent of 5/24. The Citi Premier is the main target. After that, work through Barclays, US Bank, Capital One, and Bank of America cards based on the best available bonuses. At this stage, you have the freedom to pick and choose based on current offers rather than following a strict order.
For a complete walkthrough of this strategy, including specific card recommendations and timing, read our complete credit card churning guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best credit card to churn right now?
The Chase Ink Business Preferred is widely considered the best card to churn right now. It offers 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points (worth $1,250+) after $8,000 in spending, has a $95 annual fee, and doesn't count toward Chase's 5/24 rule. For personal cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers the best combination of bonus value, low annual fee, and flexible points.
How many credit cards can you churn at once?
Most experienced churners work on 1-2 new cards at a time to comfortably meet minimum spending requirements. You can technically apply for multiple cards on the same day (especially useful for Chase to combine hard pulls), but spreading applications out by 2-3 months per issuer reduces the risk of denials and makes it easier to manage spending organically.
What credit score do you need for churning?
A credit score of 720 or higher gives you the best approval odds for premium rewards cards. Scores between 680-720 can still get approved for many cards but may face more denials. Below 680, focus on building credit before churning. Each application temporarily lowers your score by 5-10 points, but this recovers within a few months.
Are business cards worth churning?
Absolutely. Business cards are some of the best churning targets because most don't report to personal credit bureaus and don't count toward Chase's 5/24 rule. The Chase Ink Business Preferred (100,000 UR), Amex Business Gold (70,000 MR), and Capital One Spark Cash Plus ($1,200 bonus) all offer excellent value. You can apply with any legitimate business activity, including freelancing, selling items online, or consulting.
Can you churn the same card more than once?
It depends on the issuer. Chase allows you to earn the Sapphire bonus again after 48 months. Citi has a 48-month restriction on the same card family. American Express has a once-per-lifetime policy per card product, though enforcement has varied. Capital One generally allows repeat bonuses. Always check the specific card's terms before applying for a second bonus.
How much can you earn from credit card churning per year?
A disciplined churner opening 6-10 cards per year can reasonably earn $5,000 to $10,000+ in travel rewards or cash back annually. Beginners focusing on 3-4 cards in their first year can expect $2,000 to $4,000. The exact amount depends on which bonuses are available, your ability to meet minimum spending requirements organically, and how you redeem your points.