03 Best Sign Up Bonus Card

Considering applying for one of the best sign up bonus card available on the market? There are many options, and a realistic (unbiased) analysis is necessary to make the right choice and use a truly good card.

Finding the best sign up bonus card isn’t just about the bonus value itself. It’s about how that value fits into your financial life and goals.

This article focuses on presenting an objective and direct analysis of the main options, helping you decide which is the best sign up bonus card for your spending profile and use in Ireland.

Here, you will learn about the distinctions between cashback bonuses and travel benefits. By the end of the reading, you will have all the information to choose a card that maximizes your initial gains without compromising your long-term financial health. Keep reading.

Types of Sign-Up Bonuses: Cash vs. Travel Rewards (Best Sign Up Bonus Card)

The credit card market focused on sign-up incentives in Ireland is divided into two clear categories: those offering cash rewards (cashback) and those offering travel benefits (miles or flights).

Your choice should be based on what you value most. You must choose between immediate liquidity or perceived value in travel benefits.

Cards with cashback are the most popular option among consumers seeking liquidity and ease of quantification. In this case, the bonus credited directly to the account in cash, making the benefit tangible and immediate.

On the other hand, travel reward cards offer a higher perceived value, such as airline tickets or access to airport lounges. They are ideal only for frequent travelers who can spend high amounts.

Analyzing the main sign up bonus cards

To determine the best sign up bonus card, we need to look at specific offers, comparing the bonus value with the effort and cost to obtain it.

Below, we present a direct analysis of the most relevant options, highlighting the ideal audience for each.

1 – Avant Money One Card

The Avant Money One Card offers the most direct and accessible sign-up bonus.

Avant Money, being the Irish agency of Bankinter, has a reputation for stability and innovation in products.

The main bonus is €150.00 Cashback credited to the account.

The condition to qualify is easy. You must perform a Balance Transfer (BT) of at least €1,000.00 within the first 90 days after account opening. The amount is credited within six months.

In addition to the easy bonus, the card offers 0% interest fixed on Money Transfers for 12 months.

It has an Annual Fee of €0 (excluding the annual Government Tax of €30) and offers up to 56 days of interest-free credit on purchases if the balance is paid in full.

Undoubtedly, it is the ideal card for customers seeking immediate liquidity and debt management.

It is the best sign up bonus card for those who want to consolidate balances from other cards or need cash with zero interest for a year.

2 – Bank of Ireland Aer Credit Card

The Bank of Ireland (BoI), one of Ireland’s traditional financial institutions, offers this card in partnership with Aer Lingus, focused on high-value travel benefits.

In this case, the main bonus is Two Return Tickets (round trip) to Europe.

To obtain it, you need to spend a minimum of €5,000.00 on eligible transactions within 12 months after account opening. It is important to know that, although the tickets are free, you pay taxes, fees, and government charges.

You will also have Worldwide Multi-trip Travel Insurance (with an estimated annual value of €332.30 for a family). In addition to 2 Lounge access Passes operated by Aer Lingus per reward year.

It also allows for continuous accumulation of Avios per euro spent and offers 0% on purchases for 6 months or 0% on Balance Transfers for 7 months as an introductory offer.

This card has a Monthly Fee of €6.50 (totaling €78 annually) and charges a Cross-Border Handling Fee of 2.25% on non-Euro transactions, which can negate the savings for those who use it frequently outside the Eurozone.

3 – AIB Platinum Visa Card (Best Sign Up Bonus Card)

The AIB Platinum Visa Card, from Allied Irish Banks (AIB), has a different approach.

It does not focus on an initial sign-up bonus, but rather on being the card with the lowest credit cost on the market.

As a rule, this card does not have a sign-up bonus comparable to the others. Its reward is 0.5% continuous Cashback on all purchases, with an annual earning potential of up to €225.

The biggest advantage is the Typical APR (Variable) of 17.0%. This is the lowest interest rate among the reward cards analyzed, well below the regulatory ceiling of 23% in Ireland.

Furthermore, it has no Annual Fee, and the introductory offer is 3.83% on purchases and Balance Transfers for 12 months. The card also requires a minimum annual salary of €40,000.

Comparative Table of the best sign up bonus cards

Card (Issuer)	Sign-Up Bonus (Value)	MSR / Condition	Typical APR (Variable)	Annual Fee (Excl. Tax)	FX Fee (Non-Euro Transaction)
Avant Money One Card	€150 Cashback	BT of €1,000 in 90 days	22.9%	€0	Not Disclosed
BoI Aer Credit Card	2 Return Flights Europe	Spend of €5,000 in 12 months	22.7%	€78 (€6.50/month)	2.25%
AIB Platinum Visa	0.5% Continuous Cashback	N/A (No sign-up bonus)	17.0%	€0	Not Disclosed

Conclusion (Best Sign Up Bonus Card)

When looking for the best sign up bonus card, the right choice depends on your profile: debt manager, frequent traveler, or someone who avoids high interest rates.

The Avant Money One Card is the easiest to get the cash bonus. Ideal for those seeking liquidity.

The Bank of Ireland Aer Credit Card offers the best travel benefits but charges higher fees. The AIB Platinum, in turn, is the most stable option, with the lowest interest rates on the market.

The sign-up bonus can be tempting, but the real challenge lies in the APR. Evaluate whether the bonus value truly compensates for the interest and fees over time.

Here’s a tip! For those who don’t travel frequently, simple cashback cards and 0% interest offers usually provide more advantage. If liquidity is your priority, the Avant Money One Card is the best starting point.