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Earn more on what you buy every day. We’ve reviewed and selected our best rewards credit cards so you can easily choose one that fits your lifestyle and helps you get the most out of every purchase.
Featured Cards from Our Partners
For a modest annual fee of $95, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card provides a decent selection of perks, including a rewards rate of 2 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases. If you’re looking for rewards cards with a healthy balance of benefits and costs, the BofA Premium Rewards card is worth looking into.
The Citi Double Cash® Card boasts a market-leading unlimited cashback rate of 2%, plus an intro APR period of 18 months, which is comparable to some of the top balance transfer cards. With additional perks like no annual fee, convenient redemption options, and 24-hour fraud monitoring, this card could be a worthy addition to your wallet.
The Citi Rewards+® Card is a solid option for people who engage in frequent small transactions and want to get meaningfully rewarded. Every $1 you spend at supermarkets and gas stations earns you two points, with everything else garnering you one point. These rewards are rounded to the nearest 10, increasing the total value of your earnings.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers generous cash back rewards with no annual fee. It’s a great card if you spend a moderate amount on travel or dining and don’t want to manage rotating bonus categories. It also comes with 0% intro APR for 15 months, making this card a good choice if you want to pause interest on an existing credit card balance.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a cash back rewards card with no annual fee. It is a great credit card for individuals with low overall spending who want to benefit from high 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, gas, and online purchases (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%).
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card offers excellent international travel perks and flexible ways to earn rewards at an affordable price. It’s easy to earn rewards with 3x points offered on common purchases like restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores. Additionally, with no fees on foreign transactions, you don’t have to worry about racking up charges when you use your card while traveling abroad.
The Gold Card from American Express is best suited for anyone who dines out at restaurants frequently or spend a lot at U.S. supermarkets each year. The Gold Card's rewards more than pay for the $325 annual fee for many cardholders. Overall, the Gold Card is a great option if you dine out or travel frequently.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card is a premium travel rewards card that’s hard to beat for anyone who spends a lot on travel each year. The annual fee is expensive, but benefits like 10X points on travel purchases, free lounge access, and trip interruption insurance make the annual fee well worthwhile in subsequent years.
The Capital One Venture X card is a generous travel rewards card. It offers over $500 in annual statement credits, plus up to 10X miles on hotels and rental car purchases. You get perks like global lounge access, President’s Circle® status with Hertz, and rental car collision coverage. Overall, this card is great for frequent travelers with excellent credit.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a luxury travel rewards card with a steep annual fee but offsets it with more than $1,500 in annual statement credits. Overall, this is an excellent card for frequent travelers who can make use of the statement credits.
visited a credit card site this month
Rewards credit cards allow you to earn points, miles, or cash back when you make purchases. You can then redeem your credit card rewards for statement credits, cash deposits, gift cards, travel arrangements, and more.
Many rewards credit cards include valuable benefits and bonus rewards. If you want to earn points, miles, or cash back, consider adding a rewards card to your wallet. If you're wondering, "What are the best credit cards for rewards?, you're in the right place.
Our top picks for the best rewards credit cards include the following:
The Citi Double Cash® Card for simplified cash back rewards with no annual fee
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card and the Citi Strata Premier Card for travel benefits and travel rewards for a modest annual fee
The American Express® Gold Card for rewards and perks that appeal to foodies
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express and the Citi Rewards+® Card to earn rewards on everyday spending categories without an annual fee
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® because of its plentiful bonus rewards categories
The Platinum Card® from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card for premium travel perks and travel protections that appeal to frequent travelers
You can use rewards cards to earn points, miles, or cash back.
Many of the best credit cards with rewards include valuable benefits like purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, or travel insurance.
Some rewards cards earn rewards at a fixed rate, while others offer elevated bonus rewards in select spending categories.
It’s necessary to review a rewards card’s fees, perks, and how its rewards program functions so you can choose a card that meets your needs.
Before redeeming rewards, explore your redemption options and calculate the value of each redemption method to get the most value.
| Card | Our Pick for … | Consider other cards if … |
|---|---|---|
Best for simplified, flat-rate rewards | You want to earn bonus rewards in select purchase categories. | |
Best for everyday spending | You spend more than $6,000 per year on gas and supermarket purchases. | |
Best for earning bonus rewards without paying an annual fee | You would find value in a card with more premium perks. | |
Best for U.S. gas station, U.S. supermarket, and U.S. online retail purchases | Your top purchase categories don’t align with the bonus rewards categories. | |
Best for travel and dining spending, plus generous welcome bonus | You value premium travel perks like complimentary airport lounge access. | |
Best for hotel spending | You’re looking for a card that provides more travel perks. | |
Best for U.S. supermarket and worldwide restaurant spending | You want food and dining perks and rewards without an annual fee. | |
Best for bonus rewards and premium travel perks | Your typical spending habits don’t align with the bonus rewards categories. | |
Best for travel portal perks | You don’t typically make bookings through travel portals. | |
Best for luxury travel perks and airport lounge access | You want a travel rewards card with an affordable annual fee. |
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: This card has a $95 annual fee, earns 2X points on travel and dining, and earns 1.5X points on other purchases. Eligible Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members qualify for a 25% to 75% rewards boost.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: This rewards card has no annual fee, a $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first three months, and earns an unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases.
Chase Freedom Flex: This cash back rewards card features quarterly rotating bonus categories and earns elevated rewards on dining, drugstore, and travel purchases — all for a $0 annual fee.
It's helpful to review first-hand perspectives as you explore rewards card options. This research helps you understand how existing cardholders feel about a particular card. We compiled feedback from other rewards cardholders and financial experts so you can make a more informed decision when choosing your ideal rewards credit card.
We reviewed experiences shared by cardholders in online communities and forums. Here’s what they had to say about rewards cards.
Many cardholders find success in having multiple rewards cards in their wallets. This strategy allows them to earn rewards in various spending categories to accumulate rewards faster. To maximize rewards without spending money, consider a multi-card approach that only uses no-annual-fee rewards cards.
One Reddit user shared their approach to maximizing their rewards in the r/creditcards community:
“I only use cards without annual fees. I have a flat-rate 2% card, plus cards that specialize in specific spending categories. I use the card that gives me the most cash back for any specific category.”
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a favorite rewards card among many travelers in the r/creditcards community. One Reddit user shared:
”I really like the Capital One Venture X because it offers at least 2X miles on all spending. Plus, you can offset the annual fee with the $300 travel credit and 10K anniversary miles. I also really like the airport lounge access and travel and purchase protections.”
We asked financial experts to share their thoughts regarding rewards credit cards. Here’s what they had to say.
Noah Damsky, financial analyst and founder of Marina Wealth Advisors, recommends the American Express® Gold Card. He finds this rewards credit card especially valuable because Membership Rewards® Points can be transferred to participating travel partners, which can be a great strategy to get more value from your rewards.
Damsky explains, "I like the large menu of travel partners because it allows for lots of flexibility when booking flights and hotels. Different partners can be great in different situations, such as when they're offering bonus transfer points or when a specific airline is best for a travel route."
Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and personal finance writer Robin Hartill finds value in the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card.
Hartill notes, "The Chase Sapphire Preferred card delivers great value, considering that the annual fee is only $95. You earn 5X points on hotel purchases when you book through the Chase portal and 2X points on other travel, plus several valuable protections like trip cancellation insurance."
A rewards credit card is a credit card that earns rewards when you make purchases. Some credit cards earn cash back, while others net points or miles.
You can redeem your rewards in multiple ways, depending on your card and its rewards program. Here are some redemption options that may be available:
Statement credit
Cash back
Gift cards
Travel
It's crucial to learn how a card earns rewards, the redemption options, fees, and benefits when researching potential rewards credit cards to choose one that aligns with your goals. There are many rewards credit cards, and they differ in how they function.
We’ve outlined a few notable advantages of rewards credit cards.
Help You Build Credit
Credit cards, including rewards credit cards, can be a fantastic credit-building tool. When you use credit cards for everyday purchases and pay your entire balance off regularly, you'll show creditors that you are financially responsible.
Maintaining a reasonable credit utilization ratio is another habit that can help your credit. This ratio is the percentage of available credit that you're using. So, monitoring your credit usage when using rewards credit cards is wise.
Many experts recommend keeping your credit utilization below 30%. Continued responsible credit card usage helps you build credit and increase your credit score over time.
Earn Rewards
Earnings rewards on purchases can feel like a win, especially as life gets more expensive. Some people like to redeem their rewards for cash back to pay themselves back for everyday purchases.
You can earn rewards quickly using your credit card to pay for most purchases. But it's imperative that you only spend what you can afford.
Welcome Bonus
Many rewards credit cards have attractive welcome bonuses that eligible new cardholders can earn. You can earn a sizable stash of points, miles, or cash back by meeting the minimum spending requirements outlined for these offers. Welcome bonus opportunities are a great way to earn rewards quickly.
Always check to see if you qualify for a welcome offer before you apply for a new card. Some credit card issuers have strict eligibility requirements. You may be ineligible to earn a welcome bonus if you previously earned it for a particular card within the last few years or have had the card before. Not all applicants are eligible for every welcome bonus offer.
Also, make sure you don’t have to overspend to earn the bonus.
Valuable Benefits
Many rewards cards have valuable perks. Some examples include purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and cell phone protection. Some travel credit cards provide travel protections like trip delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and rental car insurance.
The benefits vary from one credit card to another, so review benefit details before applying. Credit card perks can save you money and add value to your life.
Flexible Redemption Options
Many rewards credit cards provide flexible redemption options. You can often redeem your rewards for cash back, a check, or a statement credit. But some cards offer even more flexibility with how you put your rewards to use.
For example, some credit card rewards programs let you redeem your points or miles for bookings through a travel portal or by transferring your rewards to select airline or hotel partners. Having flexibility in how you redeem your rewards gives you more control.
We've outlined a few rewards credit card disadvantages you should know.
High Interest Rates
Many of the best rewards credit cards have high interest rates. If you want to earn rewards, only use your card for purchases you can pay off immediately. If you carry a balance on your rewards card, your credit card issuer will charge you interest fees.
These fees can add up and may lead to credit card debt. Before getting a rewards card, review all costs – including the annual percentage rate (APR), so you know what to expect if you carry a balance on your card.
The best strategy is to avoid credit card interest fees. You can do this by paying your card's statement balance monthly.
Annual Fees
Some premium rewards credit cards that earn rewards at higher rates and provide more plentiful benefits have an annual fee.
Be sure to verify whether a card has an annual fee and consider whether the yearly fee fits your budget before applying for a new card. It’s worth noting that there are rewards cards without annual fees.
Foreign Transaction Fees
Some rewards credit cards charge foreign transaction fees on purchases made in a foreign currency. Such fees are typically around 3% per transaction. Verify whether a rewards card has foreign transaction fees before traveling abroad.
Many of the best travel rewards cards have no foreign transaction fees, so keep this in mind if you like to travel internationally.
Credit Score Requirements
Many popular rewards credit cards are intended for people with good to excellent credit. If your credit score isn't ideal, take some time to improve your credit score before applying for a rewards credit card.
While there are no guarantees, having a higher credit score could increase your odds of approval for a new rewards credit card.
Rewards credit cards earn points, miles, or cash back as you make purchases. You can then redeem your rewards in a variety of ways. Redemption methods vary by card, but most cards allow you to redeem your rewards for a statement credit or cash back.
Another way you can earn rewards with these cards is through welcome bonus offers, also called sign-up bonuses. Many card issuers promote welcome offers to attract new customers. If you're an eligible new cardholder, you can earn a welcome bonus by meeting the minimum spending threshold within the timeline outlined in the welcome offer.
Here’s an example: A rewards credit card may require eligible new cardholders to spend $4,000 within three months to earn a $750 welcome bonus.
A welcome bonus can be a great way to boost your rewards quickly. But using a rewards card for everyday purchases is an excellent strategy to earn credit card rewards regularly.
There are a variety of rewards credit cards and how they earn rewards differ. Below is a breakdown of a few types of rewards credit cards you can add to your wallet.
Cash back cards earn cash rewards on purchases. You can often redeem your rewards for a statement credit, cash out your earnings to a checking or savings account, or get a check mailed to you.
Some cash back cards earn fixed or flat-rate rewards for every purchase. For example, you might earn 2% cash back every time you swipe your card. This structure makes for a simplified approach to using a credit card to earn rewards.
Other cash back cards earn rewards at varying rates, depending on the purchase. Cards like this provide bonus rewards in select purchase categories. For example, you might earn 3% cash back on travel and dining purchases but only 1.5% on purchases outside those categories.
Many people like the simplicity of cash back credit cards because they can easily redeem their rewards with little effort. If you value cash rewards, a cash back card may be your ideal rewards card.
Some rewards cards earn points on purchases. The number of points you earn varies on the card. Some cards earn points at a fixed rate regardless of the purchase category. For example, a card may offer 2X points on every purchase.
Others earn bonus rewards at an elevated rate for select purchase categories, like travel or dining. For example, you may earn 3X points when using your card for dining and online grocery purchases. Understanding the reward structure of a particular card is essential.
Many rewards cards that earn points provide multiple redemption options. You can redeem your rewards for travel purchases, get a statement credit, or cash in points for gift cards. Verify the value of each redemption so you can choose a method that maximizes your rewards.
Some travel rewards credit cards earn miles. Similarly to cards that earn cash back or points, how you earn miles can differ from card to card. Review the rewards structure to know whether you'll earn miles at a fixed rate or if some purchases qualify for an elevated reward rate.
You may be able to redeem your miles for cash back or a statement credit to your credit card account. Alternatively, you may be able to redeem them for flights, hotels, or car rentals through a designated online travel portal.
Some premium rewards cards allow travelers to redeem their miles for flights by transferring their rewards to participating airline partners. This strategy is favored among frequent travelers because it can be a great way to maximize the value of their rewards.
Related: Check out our top picks for travel rewards credit cards.
If you're familiar with using credit cards, you can benefit from adding a rewards card to your wallet. You can earn points, miles, or cash back with minimal effort. But it's crucial to consider your financial situation before getting a new credit card.
Rewards cards are best for people who have good spending habits. You'll want to pay off your entire statement balance regularly to avoid expensive credit card interest charges and debt.
You should also consider your budget. Some credit cards with the best rewards have annual fees. But the good news is there are no annual fee credit cards that earn rewards.
Here are a few key features for a rewards credit card.
Some rewards cards offer bonus rewards in select spending categories and earn rewards on everyday purchases. You can maximize the rewards by choosing a card with bonus rewards that align with your typical spending.
For example, a card might offer 3% cash back on travel and dining purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. You could benefit from this rewards card if you make travel and dining purchases often.
A good rewards credit card will have valuable benefits. If the card has an annual fee, the benefits should be worth the yearly fee. As you explore card options, review the included benefits.
Here are some credit card perks that may be available:
Purchase protection
Extended warranty coverage
Cell phone protection coverage
Travel protections
Some rewards cards offer statement credits. If you make eligible purchases with your card, you can earn monthly or yearly statement credits to your account. This feature could help you save money.
Some of the best travel rewards credit cards offer travel credits that help frequent travelers save money on travel expenses.
Look for a rewards card that provides multiple ways to redeem your rewards. This feature gives you more flexibility. Many of the best credit cards with rewards offer multiple ways to "cash out" your credit card points or miles.
It's important to understand the value of your points, miles, or cash back because some redemption options may be more advantageous if you want maximum value from your rewards.
Many of the best rewards credit cards have generous welcome bonus offers. You can earn a sizable stash of points, miles, or cash back by meeting the minimum spending requirement within a set timeframe.
If you're eligible to earn the welcome bonus and can afford to meet the spending requirements, this offer can be a great way to earn credit card rewards quickly.
There are many rewards credit cards, but not every one will align with your goals. Here are some considerations to make to help you choose your ideal card.
Choose a rewards credit card that aligns with your typical spending patterns. By doing this, you can maximize your rewards.
Expert tip: “People should be looking at credit card rewards as a way to offset rising costs. They can benefit from owning and using rewards cards that earn large perks on their main spending categories, such as cash back, points, or miles on spending they are already doing.” — John Garner, credit card rewards expert and CEO of Odynn
Not all rewards credit cards offer the same redemption options. If you have a preferred way of using rewards, look for a card that aligns with your preferences.
As an example, some travelers prefer using a points or miles-earning card so they can redeem their rewards through a travel portal or by booking travel through select travel partners. Some cash back cards may not offer this option. Determine your redemption goals and then explore rewards card options that align with them.
Many of the best rewards cards provide useful card perks. But not every benefit offered will appeal to you or add value to your life. Review ancillary card benefits when comparing rewards credit cards so you can choose a card with perks you’ll use. This step is especially important if you’re considering a rewards credit card with an annual fee.
Garner suggests asking yourself whether the card's perks are ones you'll use and whether the benefits outweigh the cost of the annual fee.
“Taking that a step further, which card provides the largest value to you over the cost of the annual fee?” Garner says. “This can help you choose your ideal card.”
Many of the best credit cards for rewards are intended for people with good to excellent credit. Before choosing a card, consider your credit history and credit score. You should also research recommended credit score ranges for rewards cards to know which cards will be ideal.
Some credit card issuers publish a recommended sore range or suggested credit type (fair, good, excellent) on their website. If you can't find this information, you can learn more about suggested credit scores by reading credit card reviews online or reading experiences shared by other cardholders at communities like myFICO® Forums.
Doing this research before you apply for a particular card reduces your odds of denial. But keep in mind that there are no guarantees of approval. In addition to your credit, other factors, like your income and debt-to-income ratio, are considered during the application process.
Here are some suggestions to help you get the most out of using rewards credit cards.
Review the fees associated with your rewards card. You can make strategic moves to avoid some. One costly but avoidable fee is credit card interest. You can avoid interest by paying your credit card's statement balance off monthly.
You can also avoid foreign transaction fees. Many of the best travel rewards cards highlighted above don’t charge them as an added benefit.
Consider the best card to use when purchasing – especially if you have multiple rewards cards in your wallet. You can maximize the rewards by being selective about which card you swipe at checkout.
If you’re dining out and have a rewards credit card that earns 3X points on dining purchases, it wouldn’t be advantageous to use a flat-rate cash back card that earns 1.5% cash back. You’d want to use the card that earns bonus rewards on dining instead.
Research redemption options to get the most benefit from your credit card rewards. You may be able to cash out your points or miles for a statement credit, but that may not offer the most value.
If you like to travel and have a travel rewards card, check whether you can redeem your points or miles for hotel stays or flights.
Welcome bonuses can make it easier to earn rewards faster. But review the offer details for a sign-up bonus to ensure you can afford the minimum spending requirements.
Expert tip: “Before you chase a big welcome bonus, make sure you can meet the requirements with your regular spending. If your planned spending isn’t enough to hit the threshold, choose a card with a smaller welcome offer that you can realistically hit with your regular expenses.” — CFP and personal finance writer Hartill
If you're saving up your rewards for a specific redemption, that's great. But be mindful that you don't get into the habit of hoarding your points because you're indecisive or life is too busy. If you hold on to your points, they can lose value.
Credit card rewards programs can change anytime, and the points or miles required for some redemptions may become more expensive over time. It's better to use your rewards as soon as you can to maximize their value.
If a rewards credit card isn't the right fit for you, explore other options. Here are a few alternatives to consider.
You might not qualify for one of the best rewards credit cards, especially if you have limited credit. A secured credit card can be an alternative option for those with limited or no credit.
Most rewards credit cards are unsecured, meaning a security deposit isn't required to open an account. However, secured cards require the account holder to make a refundable security deposit as collateral.
Secured cards are a great option if you need to establish credit. However, many secured cards have minimal card perks and lack rewards.
If you need help financing a large purchase or paying down credit card debt, consider applying for a 0% APR credit card. These credit cards offer zero interest throughout an introductory promotional period – typically 12 to 18 months.
Some zero-interest credit cards have an introductory 0% APR for purchases, while other 0% APR offers apply to balance transfers. However, some credit card zero-interest introductory offers apply to both.
You could save money on interest charges with this kind of card. Having more time to chip away at your balance could make financing a large purchase or eliminating credit card debt more manageable. Just ensure you pay the entire balance off before the promotional period ends. Otherwise, you'll be charged interest fees.
Related: Review our top picks for the best 0% APR credit cards.
When evaluating the best credit cards for rewards, we examined several factors. They include rates and fees, such as annual fees, purchase APRs, promotional APRs, balance transfer fees, and foreign transaction fees.
We also analyzed card features, including benefits, sign-up bonuses, how each card earns rewards, redemption methods, and bonus rewards opportunities. We also considered security, user experience, and customer service for each credit card issuer.
There are many top-rated rewards credit cards, but not every card is the right fit for you. The best rewards credit card has benefits you will get value from, earns rewards on your typical purchases, and provides redemption choices that align with your goals.
The best credit card to accumulate points is one that earns rewards for your regular spending. Consider cards with bonus rewards opportunities that align with your top spending categories to maximize earnings. If your spending varies across multiple purchase categories, consider having more than one rewards card in your wallet.
Deciding how many credit cards to have in your wallet is a personal choice. Some people use multiple credit cards to maximize their rewards potential, while others feel comfortable using only one. You should only apply for a credit card if it fits your financial goals and budget, and you should only spend within your means.
Robin Hartill: Certified Financial Planner and personal finance writer
Noah Damsky: Financial analyst and founder of Marina Wealth Advisors
John Garner: Credit card rewards expert and founder and CEO of Odynn
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Writer bio: Natasha Etzel is a financial writer specializing in credit cards and credit card rewards. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including NerdWallet, USA Today, and Newsweek. Follow her on LinkedIn.