Picking the right rewards credit card can feel overwhelming with all the choices out there. Each card has different reward rates, types of rewards, and rules for earning and using those rewards. If you don’t choose the best rewards card for your needs, you could miss out on great benefits or savings. Here are our top 10 recommendations for the best rewards cards:
**Chase Sapphire Preferred Card**
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is great for those who spend a lot on travel and dining. It has a good annual fee and is known for its generous sign-up bonus and flexible reward options.
Pros:
– High rewards on various spending
– Multiple travel and shopping protections
Cons:
– Annual fee
– No introductory APR offer
**American Express Platinum Card**
Luxury travelers will love the American Express Platinum Card. It’s packed with premium travel benefits, access to airport lounges, and offers Membership Rewards points.
Pros:
– Bonus categories
– Transfer partners
– Luxury benefits
Cons:
– High annual fee of $695
– Complex rewards
– Requires good credit
**Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card**
The Capital One Venture Card is a top travel card offering up to 5 miles per dollar spent and a big 75,000 miles bonus if you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. It’s easy to earn and use miles with this card.
Pros:
– Lower annual fee compared to similar cards
– Annual travel credit and anniversary miles
– Easy to earn and use miles
Cons:
– Few partnerships with domestic airlines and luxury hotels
– No hotel status benefits
**Citi Premier Card**
The Citi Premier Card is perfect for travel and non-travel spending. It gives 3X points on air travel, hotels, and other popular categories like restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
Pros:
– Bonus categories
– Rewards don’t expire
Cons:
– Annual fee
– Requires good/excellent credit
**Discover It Cash Back**
The Discover It Cash Back card is great for moderate spenders who are okay with activating 5% rotating categories and keeping track of quarterly spending limits. There’s no annual fee, and it offers decent constant rewards.
Pros:
– 5% cash back on rotating categories (activation required)
– Discover matches all cash back earned in the first year
– No minimum cash back redemption
Cons:
– 5% bonus cash back capped at $1,500 per quarter
– Rotating categories need activation
– Base rewards rate is just 1%
**Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card**
This card is great for frequent travelers looking for flexible rewards. It offers a strong rewards program and travel benefits.
Pros:
– Set-up reward
– More points on travel and dining
– Premium travel benefits
Cons:
– Annual fee
– Requires good credit
**Wells Fargo Active Cash Card**
The Wells Fargo Active Cash card gives you 2% cash rewards on purchases without an annual fee, making it a strong contender among flat-rate cash back cards.
Pros:
– High rewards rate
– No annual fees
– Introductory APR period
Cons:
– No bonus categories
**Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card**
Ideal for Hilton regulars, it provides high points on Hilton spending and additional perks. It’s designed for frequent Hilton guests with benefits like free Diamond status.
Pros:
– Over $600 in yearly statement credits
– Free night awards with no category limits at participating properties
Cons:
– High annual fee with no first-year waiver
– High standard and penalty APR
– Points are less valuable than others
**Chase Freedom Unlimited**
This card has a straightforward cash back program with a flat rate on all purchases and no annual fee. It offers useful bonus categories, flexible rewards, and a great welcome offer.
Pros:
– No annual fee
– Introductory APR period
– High rewards rate
Cons:
– Requires good credit
**Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card**
Perfect for frequent Southwest flyers, it offers bonuses like points and anniversary rewards. With perks including a $75 annual travel credit, the rewards and benefits outweigh the annual fee.
Pros:
– No foreign transaction fees
– Earn points towards A-list status
– Unrestricted reward seats with no blackout dates
Cons:
– High standard APR
– No introductory APR offer
– Annual fee
In conclusion, always consider how you spend, where you travel, and your financial goals when selecting a card. Terms and benefits can change, so check the latest details on the card issuer’s website.