What Fidelity offers new cardholders

Fidelity offers sign-up bonuses on two main credit cards: the Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Fidelity Investment Rewards American Express Card. The bonus structure differs between them. The Visa card typically offers cash back after you spend a certain amount in the first few months, while the American Express card offers a similar cash-back bonus tied to spending thresholds. The exact bonus amount and spending requirement change periodically, so the current offer may differ from what you see in older articles or comparisons.

Both cards are issued through partnerships — Visa through a major bank, American Express through American Express itself — and both route rewards into a Fidelity brokerage account if you have one, or to a statement credit if you don't. This matters because the bonus lands as a statement credit or account deposit, not as a separate check or transfer.

Key Takeaways

  • Fidelity's sign-up bonuses are cash-back rewards tied to spending within a set timeframe, usually the first three to six months.
  • You must meet a minimum spending threshold to receive the bonus — typically $500 to $2,500 depending on the card and current offer.
  • The bonus posts as a statement credit or deposits into a linked Fidelity account; it does not arrive as cash you can withdraw when ready.
  • Both the Visa and American Express versions carry annual fees, so compare the bonus size against the fee to see if the first year nets positive value.

How the spending requirement works

To earn the sign-up bonus, you must charge a certain dollar amount to the card within a defined window — usually three to six months from account opening. This spending must be on the card itself; balance transfers and cash advances typically do not count. If you spend $1,500 and the requirement is $1,500, you trigger the bonus. If you spend $1,400, you do not, and the bonus does not post.

The key is that this is real spending you control. You are not required to spend money you would not otherwise spend. Many people meet the threshold by timing large planned purchases — a car repair, insurance premium, or travel — to fall within the bonus window. Others redirect regular bills like utilities or insurance to the card if the issuer accepts it. The spending must post to your account during the window; a charge made on the last day of the period may not post until after the window closes, which means it would not count.

When the bonus posts and what form it takes

After you meet the spending requirement, the bonus does not appear when ready. Most issuers take one to three billing cycles to review the account and post the reward. You will see it either as a statement credit (reducing your balance owed) or as a deposit into a linked Fidelity brokerage or cash management account if you have one set up.

If you have a Fidelity brokerage account, the bonus typically lands there as cash that you can leave in the account, invest, or transfer out. If you do not have a Fidelity account, the bonus appears as a statement credit on your card bill. Either way, the bonus is yours to keep once it posts — you do not have to maintain the card or meet any ongoing spending to keep it.

Annual fees and whether the bonus covers them

Both Fidelity cards carry an annual fee, which is charged once per year. The fee amount varies by card and changes over time. Before you open an account, check the current fee against the current bonus offer. If the bonus is $200 and the annual fee is $95, the net value in year one is $105. If the bonus is $150 and the fee is $95, the net is only $55.

Many cardholders close the card after earning the bonus if they do not plan to use it for ongoing rewards. There is no penalty for closing a card after the bonus posts. If you do keep it open, the annual fee renews each year, so you would need to earn enough in ongoing rewards to justify the cost, or you would be paying out of pocket for the privilege of holding the card.

Comparing Fidelity cards to other sign-up bonuses

Fidelity's bonuses are competitive but not always the largest available. Other issuers sometimes offer higher cash-back bonuses or lower spending thresholds. The real advantage of a Fidelity card is the integration with a Fidelity brokerage account — if you already invest through Fidelity, the bonus lands directly in your account and you can deploy it when ready. If you do not use Fidelity for investing, the bonus is straightforward a statement credit, which is no different from what other cards offer.

When comparing offers, look at the bonus amount, the spending requirement, the annual fee, and the ongoing rewards rate on purchases you actually make. A $200 bonus with a $95 annual fee and 1.5% cash back on all purchases might be better than a $300 bonus with a $0 annual fee and 1% cash back, depending on how much you spend and how long you keep the card.

How sign-up bonuses affect your credit

Opening a new credit card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily. The new account also lowers your average account age and increases your total available credit, both of which affect your score. These effects are usually small and fade within a few months as the account ages and you build payment history.

The bonus itself does not affect your credit score — it is straightforward a reward for meeting the spending threshold. Your payment history and credit utilization (how much of your available credit you use) matter far more. If you open the card and then carry a high balance to meet the spending requirement, the utilization hit may outweigh the benefit of the bonus.

Things to know before you open the account

Read the terms carefully before explore. The bonus offer, spending requirement, and annual fee are all subject to change, and the terms you see online may not match the terms in the account agreement. Some offers are only available to new customers who have not held a Fidelity card in the past. If you have closed a Fidelity card before, you may not be may be able to access for the bonus on a new one, or there may be a waiting period.

Make sure you can meet the spending requirement without overspending or carrying a balance. If you spend $1,500 to earn a $200 bonus but then pay interest on a carried balance, you have lost money. The bonus is only worth pursuing if you can meet the threshold with spending you were already planning to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the bonus if I already have a Fidelity card?

Most issuers limit bonuses to new customers only. If you already hold a Fidelity card, you are usually ineligible for a bonus on the same card. Some issuers allow a bonus on a different card in their product line, but there may be a waiting period — often 24 months — between bonuses. Check the terms of the specific offer you are considering.

What happens if I don't meet the spending requirement?

If you do not spend the required amount within the timeframe, the bonus does not post. There is no partial bonus or second chance. You keep the card and can continue using it for ongoing rewards, but you forfeit the sign-up bonus. This is why it is important to confirm you can meet the threshold before opening the account.

Can I use the bonus to pay off debt?

The bonus posts as a statement credit or account deposit, so it reduces what you owe on the card or lands in your Fidelity account. You cannot redirect it to pay off a separate debt. If you have a balance on another card, you would need to use the statement credit to pay down the Fidelity card balance, then pay that card off separately.

Do I have to keep the card open after I get the bonus?

No. Once the bonus posts, it is yours to keep. You can close the card when ready without penalty. Many people close cards after earning the bonus to avoid paying the annual fee in future years. Closing the card does not reverse the bonus or affect your credit score negatively beyond the normal effects of closing any account.

How does the bonus compare to ongoing rewards?

The sign-up bonus is a one-time reward for new customers. After the bonus period, you earn ongoing rewards on every purchase — typically 1.5% to 2% cash back depending on the card. The bonus is usually much larger than what you would earn in ongoing rewards in the same timeframe, which is why it is attractive. However, if you do not plan to use the card regularly after the bonus, the annual fee makes it uneconomical to keep.