Navigating the market for credit cards can feel like wading through a sea of plastic. With hundreds of options, it's easy to drown in an ocean of fine print.
That's why I've curated this list of standout credit card offers for the month. My focus? Cards with limited-time welcome bonuses or unique perks that caught my eye.
February’s picks blend travel and cash back options. You'll find cards best suited to globetrotters chasing the jet set, and others that are perfect for the folks at home who prefer cold, hard cash back on their everyday spending.
Remember, the best card for you isn't always the one with the biggest bonus. It's about finding the right match for your spending habits and financial goals. I've broken down the key features of each card to help you spot a diamond in the rough that could level up your spending.
Best overall offer: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
My vote for the best credit card offer of February 2025 goes to my favorite hotel card: the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.
This travel credit card is making waves with its latest welcome bonus, offering a hefty 170,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. This eye-catching offer is a significant step up the card’s usual offer of 140,000 points, giving travelers a substantial boost to their IHG Rewards balance right out of the gate.
But the card's appeal goes beyond just the initial bonus. Take a look at its key features:
The IHG Premier Card packs a punch with perks like an anniversary free night certificate, fourth night free on award stays, and automatic Platinum Elite status. For frequent IHG guests, these benefits can easily outweigh the $99 annual fee. I easily get $500 in value out of this card each year from the Free Night Certificate and the fourth award free benefits alone.
Chris Butsch, credit cards expert and writer, is also a fan of the IHG Premier. “When deciding which of the major hotel brands to “marry”, I ended up with IHG,” he says. “The IHG One Rewards Premier card came with better status than the World of Hyatt card (Platinum vs. Discoverist) and unlike with Marriott, I can earn higher status with points or nights.”
Best premium travel card offer: The Platinum Card® from American Express
I have a love/hate relationship with the Amex Platinum Card, but its latest welcome bonus, offering up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first six months, earns it a spot on this month’s list.
This eye-catching offer represents a significant boost from standard bonuses which are usually around 80,000 points. Amex Membership Rewards are powerful due to their versatility, with over 20 transfer partners allowing you a plethora of redemption options. 175,000 points could get you two round-trip tickets to Europe in business class if redeemed strategically.
Add in the extensive airport lounge access, a bevy of elite travel statuses, and a large variety of credits and it’s easy to see why many love the card. Here's a snapshot of the Platinum Card's key features:
I said I have a love/hate relationship with the Amex Platinum, and this table shows why: Many of Amex’s credits are doled out in use-or-lose increments. I don’t like credit cards that make me feel stupid, but I’ve let credits slip away more times than I care to admit. But if you are looking to travel in style and you’re willing to put in the work, the Amex Platinum is definitely worth a look.
Best airline card offer: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card
My most recent card acquisition is the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card, even though I’ve never flown Alaska Airlines and have no immediate plans to. The card has long been a cult favorite, with appealing rates on premium cabin flights to Europe and Asia, but I’ve only recently jumped onto the bandwagon.
Here’s why: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan has extremely competitive rates on domestic American Airlines flights. I’ve used Alaska miles, transferred in from my Bilt card, for trips to Chicago, Austin, and the Midwest to visit family just in the past year. Here’s a breakdown of the card’s key features:
One of the card’s most compelling features is the annual Companion Fare, which allows you to book a second ticket for as little as $121 ($99 plus taxes and fees). This benefit alone can easily offset the card’s modest $95 annual fee.
Additionally, cardholders enjoy perks like a free checked bag for themselves and up to six passengers on the same reservation, priority boarding, and a 20% rebate on in-flight purchases such as food, beverages, and Wi-Fi.
Best cash-back card offer: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a versatile cash-back card that offers a compelling mix of rewards, flexibility, and no annual fee. I use it as part of the Chase Trifecta with the Freedom Flex and the Sapphire Preferred, which allows you to transfer points for even greater redemption value.
New cardholders can earn an additional 1.5% cash back on all purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year), which can amount to up to $300 in bonus cash back. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking to maximize rewards in their first year without committing to a card with an annual fee.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the key features:
Beyond the welcome bonus, the card shines with its category-based earning structure: 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery), 3% on drugstore purchases, and 1.5% on all other purchases. These categories cover a wide range of everyday spending, making it easy to rack up rewards. It’s good to have in your wallet as your “everything else” card for purchases that don’t fit a bonus category.
Butsch likes the Freedom Unlimited, not only as part of the Chase Trifecta but on its own, too.
“Though it’s often overshadowed by its big brother, the Chase Sapphire Preferred, the Freedom Unlimited makes for a surprisingly solid travel rewards card in its own right,” he says. “I get 3X on dining, 5X on Chase Travel and every booking is protected by free Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance. The cherry on top is free rental car insurance, which helps save me $40 per day – all this for no annual fee.”
Additionally, the card includes a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 19.49%-28.24%, offering flexibility for larger purchases or debt consolidation. Add to that a robust set of protections for a no-annual-fee card and you’ve got a winner.
