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Stop Missing Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses: Track Your Progress for Free with Kudos
July 1, 2025
Picture this: You've just opened that shiny new Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card with its incredible 75,000-point welcome bonus. The clock is ticking. You have 3 months to spend $5,000 to earn those valuable points. But two months in, you're scratching your head wondering: How much have I actually spent? Am I on track?
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If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Credit card sign-up bonuses (SUBs) are one of the easiest ways to earn substantial rewards, but keeping track of your progress can be surprisingly tricky. Miss the deadline or spending requirement by even a dollar, and you’ve left hundreds - if not thousands - of dollars on the table.
The Problem with Traditional Tracking
Most people try to track their sign-up bonuses using:
- Mental math (spoiler alert: this rarely works)
- Spreadsheets (tedious and easy to forget)
- Banking apps (often unclear about bonus progress)
- Sticky notes (that mysteriously disappear)
The result? According to industry estimates, millions of dollars in sign-up bonuses go unclaimed every year simply because cardholders lose track of their progress.
Enter Kudos: Automatic Sign-Up Bonus Tracking
Here's where Kudos changes the game. Instead of juggling multiple apps and mental calculations, you can track all your sign-up bonus progress in one centralized dashboard.
Here's how it works:
- Sign Up for a Free Kudos Account: Kudos is available on the web or mobile for iOS (Android coming soon)
- Add Your Cards to your Kudos wallet
- Connect your cards inside Kudos so we can track the spend
- Click on the card with the active sign-up bonus inside your Kudos wallet
- Track Your Progress: See exactly how much you've spent and how much you have left to go
It's that simple. No more guesswork, no more spreadsheets, no more missed bonuses. Without proper tracking, you might have continued spending unnecessarily or, worse, missed the deadline entirely. With Kudos, you can see at a glance that you've not only met but exceeded your requirement. Time to start working on your next bonus!
The Satisfaction of It
Beyond the practical benefits, there's something deeply satisfying about watching those progress bars fill up. Kudos' dashboard doesn't just track your current bonuses. It shows you all the rewards you've earned over time.
Seeing those numbers add up provides tangible proof of your rewards optimization strategy. It's like having a personal scoreboard for your credit card game.
Pro Tips for SUB Success
- Set Up Tracking Immediately: As soon as you're approved for a new card, add it to your Kudos wallet
- Check Weekly: Make it a habit to check your progress every week
- Plan Your Spending: Use the tracking data to pace your spending appropriately
- Celebrate Milestones: When you hit that goal, take a moment to appreciate the free money you've earned! What trips are you planning with those sweet rewards?
The Bottom Line
Sign-up bonuses are essentially free money, but only if you actually earn them. With free tools like our bonus tracker making it easier than ever to track your progress, there's no excuse for leaving these bonuses on the table. Ready to take control of your credit card rewards? Check out your Kudos wallet and start tracking those bonuses like a pro. Your future self will thank you.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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