Best Rewards Credit Cards

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Review) is a much-loved travel credit card, popular for its transfer partners and benefits.

There’s a great introductory bonus, and the points you earn can be transferred at a 1:1 rate to a variety of airlines and hotels, giving you the flexibility to redeem with your favorite travel brands.

• 5X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on Lyft rides (through March 2020)
• 2X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on:
  • Travel
  • Dining at restaurants
• 1X Ultimate Rewards point per dollar spent everywhere else
• 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points for spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening
  • Value: $600–$1,200 (assuming 1–2 cents per point)
  • Return on spend: 15%–30%

The points you earn are typically worth 1 cent each, but you’ll get a 25% point bonus if you redeem for travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal. That would give you 1.25 cents per point.

But the more valuable way to use your points is to transfer them to a partner loyalty program, where they could be worth as much as 2 cents per point or more. That’d give you a cash back equivalent of 4% on travel and dining, and 2% for everything else.

• 25% point bonus: When redeeming for travel expenses through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
• Point transfer: Transfer points at a 1:1 rate to leading airline and hotel frequent travel programs, like Marriott Bonvoy or United MileagePlus.
• DoorDash membership: A free membership (DashPass) for at least a year, which provides free delivery and reduced service fees on orders over $12
• 15,000-point referral bonus: Get 15,000 points for every friend you refer who applies for the card and is approved, up to 75,000 bonus points per year.
• Luxury Hotel Collection: Book eligible rooms to get perks like daily breakfast for two, complimentary WiFi, room upgrades, early check-in or late check-out, and unique gifts.
• Shop through Chase: Earn more points by shopping at participating retailers with the Shop through Chase marketplace.
• Visa Signature Concierge: Call to speak with your Visa Signature Concierge, any time, day or night.
• Premium Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Get primary coverage on eligible rental cars so you don’t have to pay for rental insurance and your premiums won’t go up after an accident.
• Annual fee: $95

Flat-rate cards offer the same spending reward for every purchase, and the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card (Review) offers a hefty signup bonus to go along with a good deal on general spending.

• 2X miles per dollar on all purchases
• 50,000 bonus miles for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months after account opening
  • Value: $500–$1,000 (assuming 1–2 cents per point)
  • Return on spend: 16.67%–33.33%

Your miles are worth 1 cent each when redeeming for travel purchases, but you can also transfer them to a selection of airline partners where they might be worth more than that.

If you’re getting 1 cent per point, you’d get a cash back equivalent of 2% back on all spending. But if you get a good value by transferring your rewards, like 2 cents per point, you’d be earning the equivalent of 4% cash back on all purchases.

• Point Transfer: Transfer points to a variety of airline partners at a rate of either 2:1.5 or 2:1, depending on the airline.
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Application Fee Credit: A statement credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85), once every four years.
• Luxury Hotel Collection: Get perks for eligible hotel stays, including a $25 food and beverage credit, room upgrades when available, complimentary in-room WiFi, and more.
• Visa Signature Concierge: Call any time for non-emergency assistance, like help making reservations or finding gifts.
• Shopping and Travel Protections: Including Extended Warranties, Travel Accident Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waivers, Lost Luggage Reimbursement, and more.
• No foreign transaction fees
• Annual fee: $0 intro for first year; $95 after that

The Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card (Review) is the top no fee travel card because it offers a decent reward rate for every purchase you make, with the ability to transfer your miles to a variety of airline partners.

It can help you travel for free without putting an extra strain on your wallet, as long as you avoid interest and other fees.

• 1.25X miles per dollar on all purchases
• 20,000 bonus miles for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months after account opening
  • Value: $200–$400 (assuming 1–2 cents per point)
  • Return on spend: 20%–40%

The miles you earn with this card are typically worth 1 cent each, unless you transfer them to an airline partner where they could be worth more.

If you’re getting the standard 1 cent per point, you’ll be earning a cash back equivalent of 1.25%, which is kind of mediocre.

If you get a good point transfer deal, and get 2 cents per point for example, you’d be getting a cash back equivalent of 2.5% everywhere you spend. That’s a much better deal, of course, so aim for high-value point redemptions through transfers.

• Point transfer: Transfer points to a variety of airline partners at a rate of either 2:1.5 or 2:1, depending on the airline.
• Luxury Hotel Collection: Get perks for eligible hotel stays, including a $25 food and beverage credit, room upgrades when available, complimentary in-room WiFi, and more.
• Visa Signature Concierge: Call any time for non-emergency assistance, like help making reservations or finding gifts.
• Shopping and Travel Protections: Such as Purchase Security, Roadside Dispatch, Lost Luggage Reimbursement, and more.
• Purchase APR: 0% intro on purchases for 12 months, then 13.49% - 23.49% Variable
• No foreign transaction fees
• Annual fee: $0

Frequent travelers can get a lot out of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review). Cardholders enjoy an excellent rewards rate on travel and dining, valuable travel benefits that are easy to take advantage of, and diverse travel partners for point transfers.

Wondering if you should go with the Sapphire Reserve or the less-expensive Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Review)? Read our comparison of the Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Sapphire Preferred.

• 10X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on Lyft rides (through March 2020)
• 3X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on:
  • Travel (after using the full $300 travel credit)
  • Dining
• 1X Ultimate Rewards point per dollar spent on all other purchases
• 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points for spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening
  • Value: $500–$1,000 (assuming 1–2 cents per point)
  • Return on spend: 12.5%–25%

Take note that you’ll only begin earning points on travel after you use up the entire $300 travel credit.

Ultimate Rewards points are typically worth 1 cent each, but the Reserve provides a 50% point bonus if you redeem for travel expenses. That makes it easy to get a good value for Chase points, with a cash back equivalent of 4.5% for travel and dining and 1.5% everywhere else.

But the best point values will come from point transfers to partner airlines and hotels. These could yield 2 cents per point or more, depending on the deal you choose, which would give you a cash back equivalent of at least 6% on travel and dining and 2% everywhere else.

Anyone who travels several times per year should be able to get a lot out of the Reserve’s benefits, especially the $300 travel credit, Priority Pass Select airport lounge access, and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.

• Point transfer: Transfer your points at a 1:1 rate to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs, like United, JetBlue, and Marriott.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit: A $300 travel credit every year that will be automatically applied toward a broad range of travel-related expenses charged to the card.
• Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership: Provides access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide plus a selection of restaurants. The cardholder and two guests can enter for free; additional guests cost $27 each.
• Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection: Provides complimentary services and benefits at participating hotels and resorts, including room upgrades, daily breakfast for two, and special gifts.
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Application Fee Credit: Get a statement credit to offset the cost of applying for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85), once every four years.
• Elite Hotel Benefits at Relais & Châteaux: Accelerated progress towards Club 5C member status with Relais & Châteaux luxury hotel and resort properties.
• Visa Infinite Concierge: Call for non-emergency help of all kinds, like making dinner reservations or finding good tickets to a show.
• Lyft Pink membership: One free year of Lyft Pink, which includes 15% off rides, relaxed cancellations, surprise offers, and priority airport pickup.
• DoorDash membership: A free membership (DashPass) for a year, which provides free delivery and reduced service fees on orders over $12.
• $60 annual DoorDash credit: Get $60 in DoorDash credits in 2020, and $60 in credits in 2021.
• Special Car Rental Privileges: Rental upgrades, discounts, and promotional offers at Avis, Silvercar, and National Car Rental.
• Shopping and Travel Protections: You’ll get Purchase Protection, a Primary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Trip Delay Reimbursement, and more.
• No foreign transaction fees
• Annual fee: $550

The Platinum Card® from American Express (Review) is the king of travel perks. Not only will its rewards program earn you a high rate for eligible travel expenses, you’ll also get the best airport lounge access available on a credit card, and a variety of credits that can potentially offset the high annual fee completely (Rates & Fees).

• 5X Membership Rewards points per dollar on:
  • Flights booked directly through airlines or through American Express Travel
  • Prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel
• 2X Membership Rewards points per dollar on other eligible travel expenses booked through American Express Travel
• 1X Membership Rewards point per dollar on all other purchases
• 60,000 Membership Rewards points for spending $5,000 in the first 3 months after account opening
  • Value: $600–$1,200 (assuming 1–2 cents per point)
  • Return on spend: 12%–24%

You’ll want to save up your points until you can get a good point transfer deal, because otherwise your points are only worth a maximum of 1 cent each (and that’s just for eligible flight redemptions). Statement credits will only provide 0.6 cents per point, so definitely avoid using that redemption option.

Point transfers could provide 2 cents per point or quite a bit more. At those rates you’d be earning a cash back equivalent of 10% or more in the 5X spending categories, which is quite a deal. You’ll also get a 4% cash back equivalent on other eligible purchases from Amex Travel, and 2% for everything else.

• Global Lounge Collection: Complimentary access to Priority Pass, Centurion, American Express International, Delta Sky Club, Escape, Airspace, Lufthansa, and Plaza Premium Lounges.
• $200 annual airline fee credit: Good for incidental costs like checked bags and inflight food (not flight tickets) at your selected airline.
• $200 annual Uber credits: $15 in statement credits for Uber rides each month, except for December which gets $35.
• $100 annual Saks credit: Up to $100 in statement credits each year for Saks Fifth Avenue: $50 from January through June, and $50 from July through December.
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: A statement credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100 every four years) or TSA PreCheck ($85 once every four and a half years).
• The Hotel Collection: A $100 hotel credit and room upgrades when available for every eligible two-night stay.
• Fine Hotels & Resorts: Daily breakfast for two, room upgrades when available, amenities valued at $100, and more at eligible properties.
• Complimentary elite hotel statuses: Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status.
• No foreign transaction fees
  
• Annual fee: $550
• Charge card: You must pay your balance in full each month.

The Citi Prestige® Card (Review) is well-known for its “4th night free” perk for eligible hotel stays.

It used to be more valuable because that perk was unlimited, but Citi recently changed the terms to cap it at two uses per year. It’s not as good as it once was, but it still has the potential to save you quite a bit of money each year, especially if you’ll be staying at expensive properties.

• 5X ThankYou points per dollar spent on:
  • Air travel
  • Restaurants
• 3X ThankYou points per dollar spent on:
  • Hotels
  • Cruise lines
• 1X ThankYou point per dollar spent on everything else
• 50,000 ThankYou points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months after account opening
  • Value: $500–$1,000 (assuming 1–2 cents per point)
  • Return on spend: 12.5%–25%

Your ThankYou points are typically worth 1 cent each when redeemed for travel expenses, which would give you a 5% cash back equivalent in the 5X categories and a 3% cash back equivalent in the 3X categories.

But point transfers are a better redemption method because you can get more value per point. If you get 2 cents per point, for example, you’d be earning a 10% cash back equivalent in the first case and a 6% cash back equivalent in the second, and those are very competitive rates.

• Point transfer: To a variety of airline loyalty programs, including Etihad Guest, JetBlue TrueBlue, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
• Annual $250 travel credit: Good for airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, and other travel expenses.
• Complimentary 4^th Night Stay: Get your fourth night free when booking four nights in a row through ThankYou.com and paying with your card, ThankYou points, or a combination of both. Capped at twice per year.
• Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership: Access to over 900 Priority Pass airport lounges and restaurants around the world.
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: A credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85), once every five years.
• Citi Prestige Concierge: Call for non-emergency help any time you need it.
• World Elite Car Rental Program: Elite memberships at Avis, Silvercar, and National.
• No foreign transaction fees
• Annual fee: $495

There aren’t many general-use point cards without annual fees, but the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card (Review) is our pick for number one.

Not only will you get a point bonus for using the card more, you’ll also enjoy a long promotional APR period and no balance transfer fees for the first 60 days.

• 2X Membership Rewards points at U.S. Supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent annually)
• 1X Membership Rewards point on all other purchases
• 20% point bonus for making 20 or more purchases in a billing period
• 10,000 Membership Rewards points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months after account opening
  • Value: $100–$200 (assuming 1–2 cents per point)
  • Return on spend: 10%–20%

This card offers a way to get Amex Membership Rewards points without paying an annual fee. It has a rare feature that rewards you more for spending more often: Make 20 or more purchases in a billing period to get a 20% bonus on the eligible points you earned.

That would give you a total of 2.4X points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, and 1.2X points everywhere else.

Normal redemptions will get you a maximum of 1 cent per point, but you can do better with point transfers. If you get 2 cents per point through a transfer, for example, you’ll be earning a cash back equivalent of 4.8% at U.S. supermarkets when earning at the 2.4X rate, and 2.4% cash back on all other purchases at the 1.2X rate.

• Amex Offers: Discounts or extra points at specific retailers, like (at the time of publication) Shutterfly.com, Harry’s Razors, Contacts Direct, and many more.
• Complimentary ShopRunner membership: Register with ShopRunner for free two-day shipping and returns at select online retailers.
• Entertainment Access: Exclusive discounts to events, concerts, sporting events, and shows.
• Shopping and Travel protections: Like Extended Warranties, Return Protection, Global Assist Hotline, and others.
• Purchase and Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 months (for transfers made in the first 60 days), then 14.99%–25.99% Variable
• No balance transfer fee
• Annual fee: $0

You can’t beat The Business Platinum® Card from American Express (Review) when it comes to business rewards cards. Amex raised the annual fee from $450 to $595 (Rates & Fees), but you’ll still have all the same benefits, plus two more that could be very useful for some businesses.

• 5X Membership Rewards points per dollar on:
  • Flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel
  • Eligible prepaid hotels booked with the Amex Travel portal
• 2X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases from Amex Travel
• 1.5X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on purchases of $5,000 or more
• 1X Membership Rewards point per dollar spent everywhere else
• 50,000 Membership Rewards points for spending $10,000 in the first 3 months of card membership
  • Value: $500–$1,000 (1–2 cents per point)
  • Return on spend: 5%–10%
• 25,000 Membership Rewards points for spending an additional $10,000 in the first 3 months of card membership
  • Value: $250–$500 (1–2 cents per point)
  • Return on spend: 1.67%–3.33%

Amex Membership Rewards points are best used for point transfers to partner airlines and hotels, where the value you get will depend on how you redeem them.

If you get 2 cents per point, a pretty good rate, you’d be earning a cash back equivalent of 10% in the 5X categories, which is quite good. And you’d be earning a 3% cash back equivalent on purchases of $5,000 or more, but you may want to use a different card that earns more rewards for those purchases.

• Global Lounge Collection: Complimentary access to Priority Pass, Centurion, American Express International, Delta Sky Club, Escape, Airspace, Lufthansa, and Plaza Premium Lounges.
• $200 annual airline fee credit: Good for incidental costs like checked bags and inflight food, not tickets, at your selected airline.
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: A statement credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85).
• Complimentary elite hotel statuses: Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.
• $200 Dell statement credit: Enroll to get an annual $200 statement credit for U.S. purchases with Dell: $100 from January through June, and $100 from July through December.
• The Hotel Collection: A $100 hotel credit and room upgrades when available for every eligible two-night stay.
• Fine Hotels & Resorts: Daily breakfast for two, room upgrades when available, amenities valued at $100, and more at eligible properties.
• Point transfer: To a selection of airline and hotel partners.
• No foreign transaction fees
  
• Annual fee: $595
• Charge card: You must pay your balance in full each month.

If you expect your business expenses to change from month to month or you’re never quite sure what they’ll be, the American Express® Business Gold Card (Review) could be the perfect card for you.

It provides 4X points in the two categories (out of six) your business spends the most in each month, letting you earn points at a high rate even with unpredictable spending patterns.

• 4X Membership Rewards points per dollar in the two categories you spend the most in each month, up to $150,000 per year (then 1X):
  • Airfare purchased directly from airlines
  • U.S. purchases for advertising in select media
  • U.S. computer hardware, software, and cloud computing purchases made directly from select providers
  • U.S. purchases for shipping
  • U.S. purchases at gas stations
  • U.S. purchases at restaurants
• 2X Membership Rewards points per dollar on eligible purchases from Amex Travel
• 1X Membership Rewards point per dollar on all other purchases
• 35,000 bonus points for spending $5,000 in the first 3 months

The value of your Amex Membership Rewards points will depend on how you redeem them. Point transfers can provide the highest rate per point, but you’ll typically need to do a bit of searching to find good deals.

You may get 2 cents per point or more through transfers; at that rate you’d be earning a cash back equivalent of at least 8% in the 4X categories, and 4% in the 2X categories. That’s a solid return on your purchases, and the fact that this card adjusts for your spending as it changes makes it all the better.

• 25% airline bonus: Get 25% of your points back when booking eligible airfare through American Express Travel using Membership Rewards Pay with Points.
• The Hotel Collection: A $100 hotel credit and room upgrades when available for every eligible two-night stay.
• Point transfer: To a selection of airline and hotel partners.
• No foreign transaction fees (Rates & Fees)
  
• Annual fee: $295
• Charge card: You must pay your balance in full each month.

If food is your thing, the American Express® Gold Card (Review) might be your card.

You’ll earn points at a high rate at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, which is rare to see on a credit card (you usually only see one of these categories at a time, or one is significantly better than the other). And there are also some cost-saving benefits you can use each year to help offset the $250 annual fee (Rates & Fees).

• 4X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at:
  • Restaurants worldwide
  • U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 per year in purchases
• 3X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on:
  • Flights booked directly through airlines
  • Flights booked through American Express Travel
• 1X Membership Rewards point per dollar spent on all other purchases
• 35,000 Membership Rewards points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months after account opening
  • Value: $350–$700 (assuming 1–2 cents per point)
  • Return on spend: 8.75%–17.5%

This might not seem like a travel card from the spending rewards, but it has a few benefits that make it suited for that purpose. In particular, the best way to redeem your Amex Membership Rewards points is through point transfers to partner airlines and hotels.

Depending on how you redeem, you can get upwards of 2 cents per point. That would give you a cash back equivalent of 8% at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. restaurants, which is probably the best you’ll currently find on any credit card.

• $100 annual airline fee credit: Use this to pay for incidental airline fees, like baggage and in-flight food and drinks. Does not apply to flight tickets.
• $120 annual dining credit: Earn up to $10 in statement credits per month for purchases at eligible restaurants and food delivery services.
• Point transfer: To airline and hotel loyalty programs, like JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Marriott, and Hyatt.
• The Hotel Collection: Provides up to $100 in credits for every eligible hotel stay of two nights or more.
• Amex Offers: Find significant discounts at a changing selection of merchants and websites, like (at the time of publication) TurboTax, SamsClub.com, Etsy, and many more.
• Annual fee: $250
• Charge card: You must pay your balance in full each month.

If you’re looking for a solid, no-fee card that earns points on gas, the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card (Review) might be right for you.

In addition to gas stations you’ll also get a few other useful bonus categories — including streaming services, which is rare — a nice welcome bonus, and a pretty long introductory APR.

• 3X points per dollar spent on:
  • Dining
  • Gas
  • Travel
  • Streaming services
• 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
• 20,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
  • Value: $200
  • Return on spend: 20%

Every point is worth 1 cent when redeemed, so you’ll be earning a 3% cash back equivalent when spending in the 3X categories.

• Entertainment Access: Get access to special offers and ticket presales for events in big U.S. cities.
• Free FICO Credit Score: Check your FICO Score 9 whenever you’d like, based on your Experian credit report.
• Cell Phone Protection: Pay your cell phone bill with this card to get coverage against damage and theft, up to $600 with a $25 deductible.
• Shopping and Travel protections: Including Purchase Protection, Travel Accident Insurance, Travel Inconvenience Insurance, and more.
• Purchase and Balance Transfer APR: 0% Intro APR for 12 months (for transfers made in the first 120 days), then 15.49%-27.49% Variable
• Annual fee: $0

College students could do worse than the Citi Rewards+^℠ Student Card, an interesting reward card with some unique features.

You won’t earn a ton of points per dollar, but every purchase you make will round up to the nearest 10 points. So even a candy bar will net you 10 points. You’ll also get 10% of your points back, effectively raising the 2X reward rate to 2.2X.

• 2X points per dollar on up to $6,000 in purchases per year (then 1X), at:
  • Supermarkets
  • Gas stations
• 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
• Point Round Up: All purchases will round up to the nearest 10 points
• 2,500 bonus points for spending $500 in the first 3 months
  • Value: $25
  • Return on spend: 5%

• Citi Private Pass: Special access to purchase tickets and VIP packages for concerts, sports, dining, and movie screenings.
• Purchase APR: 0% for 7 months, then 15.99% - 25.99% (Variable)
• Annual fee: $0