Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Trying to choose the right rewards credit cards can be overwhelming. You have to consider not only the rewards but also the annual fee, credit score requirement and other benefits. There is no one-size-fits-all card, but there's likely to be an option that's just right for you.
To help streamline your search, CNBC Select has organized the top rewards credit cards based on each card's strengths. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best rewards cards.)
Best rewards credit cards of May 2025
- Best for welcome bonus:Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best for dining:American Express® Gold Card
- Best for no annual fee:Citi Double Cash® Card
- Best for flat-rate cash back:Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Best for drugstores:Chase Freedom Unlimited® (See rates and fees)
- Best for paying rent:Bilt Mastercard®
- Best for travel rewards:Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (See rates and fees)
- Best for bad credit:Capital One Quicksilver Secured Credit Card
- Best for college students:Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for airport lounge access:The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best for balance transfers:Citi Simplicity® Card
- Best for groceries:Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best for luxury travel:Chase Sapphire Reserve® (See rates and fees)
- Best for online shopping:Prime Visa (See rates and fees)
- Best for entertainment:Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for rotating bonus categories: Chase Freedom Flex®
Best for welcome bonus
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a reasonable annual fee and earns flexible travel rewards, which makes it a great travel card for beginners or heavy travelers.
- 5 miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- No introductory APR
- There’s a $95 annual fee
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that's equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Balance transfer fee
$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Who's this for? The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is ideal if you're seeking a welcome bonus with a manageable spending requirement and reasonable annual fee.
Standout rewards: This card earns bonus miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, as well as an above-average return on all other purchases. Rewards can be redeemed at a fixed value or transferred to various airline and hotel partners, including Emirates Skywards, Avianca LifeMiles and Wyndham Rewards.
Best for dining
The American Express Gold Card is great for earning valuable Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.
- You can earn $400+ in dining and rideshare credits every year (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Exceptionally rewarding for eligible restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Larger annual fee
- Credits are more complicated, you earn them monthly or semi-annually
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That's up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made at restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Foreign transaction fee
None
Who's this for? The American Express® Gold Card is ideal for earning travel rewards on everyday spending categories like dining and groceries.
Standout rewards: Whether you like to dine out or cook at home, you'll earn bonus points on restaurant and U.S. supermarket spending. Travelers also benefit from earning bonus points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amextravel.com.
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
3.70% APY as of 2/21/2025
Min balance to open = $0
1.00% APY as of 06/24/2024
Min balance to open = $0
Best for no annual fee
The Citi Double Cash® Card is one of the best no-annual-fee cash-back cards thanks to its straightforward rewards structure.
- Long intro-APR for balance transfers
- High flat-rate cash-back rewards structure
- No annual fee
- Has a foreign transaction fee
- Intro APR doesn't apply to purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Who's this for? The Citi Double Cash® Card is a solid choice if you're looking to maximize your money without worrying about rotating rewards categories or joining a credit union.
Standout rewards: The Citi Double Cash Card earns at least 2% cash back on every purchase with 1% back when you buy, plus an additional 1% back when you pay for those purchases. This straightforward rewards structure allows you to earn double what most cards offer on everyday purchases.
Best for flat-rate cash back
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Rewards
Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
Regular APR
19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR
Balance transfer fee
Intro balance transfer fee of 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%, min: $5
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Pros
- High flat-rate return on purchases
- Intro-APR for purchases and qualifying balance transfers for a year
- No annual fee
- Cell phone protection
Cons
- Has a foreign transaction fee
- Limited redemption options unless you pair it with a Wells Fargo card that allows point transfers
Who's this for? The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is one of the best options for earning cash back without having to navigate limited bonus categories.
Standout benefits: You'll earn 2% in cash rewards on every purchase with no caps on the amount you can earn. Plus, it's easy to redeem your rewards to offset purchases, gift cards or a deposit into an eligible Wells Fargo account.
Best for drugstores
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-annual-fee card that earns generous cash-back on everyday purchases and a lucrative welcome bonus.
- Valuable welcome bonus and high rewards rates
- Long intro APR for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Has a foreign transaction fee
- Few rewarding ongoing benefits
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Limited Time Intro Offer: Earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Who's this for? The Chase Freedom Unlimited®, our top cash-back card, is ideal for anyone looking for a simple way to maximize cash back at drugstores.
Standout rewards: You'll earn bonus cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, as well as at drugstores and on dining at restaurants (including takeout), plus an above-average return on all other purchases.
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
$0
With over 4,700 branches, Chase has the largest branch network in the U.S. plus access to more than 15,000 ATMs.
$0
Bank from anywhere with access to more than 15,000 Chase ATMs, more than 4,700 Chase branches, the Chase Mobile® app and Chase.com.
Best for paying rent
Bilt Mastercard®
Rewards
Earn 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year, 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and 1x points on other purchases. Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points.
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
None
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
See Terms
Balance transfer fee
Up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5.
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates/fees and rewards/benefits; terms apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Solid rewards on broad spending categories
- Ability to pay your rent with no transaction fees
- Transfer points to leading frequent traveler programs at a 1:1 rate, including United and World of Hyatt®
Cons
- No welcome offer
Who's this for? The Bilt Mastercard® is ideal if you rent your home or apartment. It allows you to pay rent and earn versatile transferable points without extra fees.
Standout rewards: You can use Bilt points to book travel, pay for dining, shopping and fitness classes or redeem them toward rent or a down payment on a home. On top of all that, you can also transfer Bilt points to many valuable airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Best for travel rewards
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Long list of travel and shopping protections
- $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit
- Has an annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a versatile card with a strong suite of benefits and a generous rewards program.
Standout rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card members earn bonus points on travel, streaming services, online grocery purchases and dining. When you factor in how valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points can be when you redeem them for travel, it places this card firmly in the conversation for the best travel credit card.
Best for bad credit
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Credit Card is an unusually rewarding card because you earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
- Simple rewards structure with no caps or categories to track
- Available if you have fair credit
- High APR
- Has an annual fee
Who's this for? Anyone who wants to build or rebuild their credit, will appreciate the rewards you can earn withthe Capital One Quicksilver Secured Credit Card.
Standout benefits: A typical rewards credit card earns at least 1% on all purchases and secured credit cards often offer no rewards. All this makes earning 1.5% cash back on every purchase with this card that much more special.
Best for college students
The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a card designed for students with rewards rates that match many of the top cash-back credit cards.
- Excellent cash back categories on broad spending categories
- Exclusive access to curated experiences in sports, dining and entertainment
- Unlimited cash back that doesn't expire for the life of the account
- Pick the monthly due date that works best for you
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
- Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
Balance transfer fee
4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Who's this for? The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the most rewarding student credit cards, especially for groceries, entertainment and dining.
Standout benefits: If this wasn't a Student credit card, it would still be a great option for certain purchases because you earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target). You also receive 8% cash back on entertainment purchase through Capital One Entertainment and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Best for airport lounge access
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium card loaded with annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and more. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Access to 1,400+ airport lounges, including Priority Pass™ Select lounges (enrollment required) and Amex Centurion lounges
- Statement credit offers worth up to twice what the annual fee costs
- Elite status perks for hotels and rental cars (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High annual fee
- Many statement credit offers are complicated and are earned in increments or limited to specific purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- With American Express Global Lounge Collection® you can enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including The Centurion® Lounge, Unlimited Delta Sky Club® Access when flying an eligible Delta flight, Escape Lounges, Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass™ Select Lounges, & Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges subject to visit limitations. Lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees, and for Priority Pass Select, you need to enroll and there are unlimited airport lounge visits for Card Members. With Delta Sky Club Access, Card Members will receive 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in a calendar year. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express® App or visit http://www.americanexpress.com/findalounge#/loungefinder.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Who's this for? The Platinum Card® from American Express is a top-tier card, that's loaded with all sorts of perks.
Standout rewards: The Amex Platinum card is hard to beat if you want access to airport lounges. Cardholders get access to Priority Pass™ Select lounges (enrollment required), American Express Centurion Lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, Lufthansa lounges, Escape Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs.
Best for balance transfers
The Citi Simplicity® Card may not earn rewards, but it can still save you money due to its amazing intro-APR offers.
- One of the longest intro-APR offers for balance transfers
- No annual fee
- No rewards
- No welcome bonus
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
- 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and for 12 months on purchases; after that, the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock
Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Who's this for? If you have credit card debt and are looking to save on interest, the Citi Simplicity® Card is one of the best options for intro APR balance transfer offers.
Standout rewards:The Citi Simplicity Card doesn't provide any rewards, but its intro-APR period for balance transfers is exceptionally generous.
Best for groceries
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a low-fee card with generous cash-back rewards and useful ongoing benefits, such as a monthly Disney Bundle credit. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High cash-back earnings for U.S. supermarkets and streaming services
- Intro-APR offer for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee for the first year
- It's less rewarding after the first year because of the annual fee
- Bonus rewards for U.S. supermarkets are capped
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments with a fixed fee. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
- Low Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 20.24% - 29.24%.
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
Who's this for? The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a great choice for anyone who regularly spends big at grocery stores and gas stations.
Standout rewards: If you've cut the cord, you'll appreciate earning 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions and 6% back on the first $6,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets per year, (then 1%). You'll also earn bonus cash back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) and at U.S. gas stations.
Best for luxury travel
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee.
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations
- Up to $300 in annual travel credit
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Top-tier travel and shopping protections
- High annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase TravelSM. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority PassTM Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater
Who's this for? If you're a frequent traveler looking to make your flights and hotel stays more luxurious, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® should be on your radar.
Standout rewards: This card is geared toward frequent travelers, offering bonus points on dining and travel, plus benefits like a $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge access and no foreign transaction fees. The points you earn with this card are worth 1.5 cents apiece when redeemed through Chase Travel℠, or potentially more when taking advantage of Chase's hotel and airline partners.
Best for online shopping
The Prime Visa is only available to Amazon Prime members ($139 for an annual membership and $14.99 for a monthly membership) but is very rewarding for Amazon purchases.
- High rate of return at Amazon and Whole Foods
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- Requires an Amazon Prime membership
- If you choose the promo APR you won't earn rewards on those purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
- Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
- No annual credit card fee
- No more waiting. Redeem daily rewards at Amazon.com as soon as the next day
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Who's this for? Frequent Amazon and Whole Foods shoppers will want to look into the Prime Visa. The card also offers a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members.
Standout rewards: All Prime Visa purchases at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods earn a generous 5% cash back. Cardholders also get bonus cash back at gas stations, restaurants, on local transit and commuting (including rideshare) and Chase Travel℠ purchases.
Best for entertainment
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the most rewarding options for earning cash back in categories such as entertainment and dining without paying an annual fee.
- One of the most rewarding cash-back cards for entertainment and streaming services
- No annual fee
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- High APR
- Requires a good to excellent credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
Balance transfer fee
3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time
Who's this for? If you need to relax, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card earns cash back where it matters most.
Standout rewards: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Card members earn bonus cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming services and at grocery stores. No matter how you like to unwind, this card can make it more affordable.
Best for rotating bonus categories
The Chase Freedom Flex® is an excellent cash-back card for maximizing your spending in a variety of categories.
- Long intro APR for purchases and balance transfers
- Rewarding quarterly bonus categories
- No annual fee
- Bonus categories are capped each quarter
- Has a foreign transaction fee
Rewards
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate (then 1%)
- 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
- 3% on drugstore purchases and on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Who’s this for? If you’re looking to maximize cash-back rewards, consider a rotating bonus category card like the Chase Freedom Flex®.
Standout rewards: Chase Freedom Flex cardholders earn 5% on the first $1,500 in combined purchases in different categories each quarter. You'll need to activate the categories to earn the bonus cash back. In addition to rotating rewards, you can earn bonus cash back on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, dining and drug store purchases.
Best rewards credit cards comparison
| Credit score requirement | Annual fee | Rewards | Standout benefits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Good to excellent | $95 | 5X miles on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles on every other purchase | Up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck; Travel and purchase protections |
| American Express® Gold Card | Good to excellent | $325* | 4X points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on prepaid hotels and other eligible travel booked through Amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases | Dining credits, *Uber credits (enrollment required) |
| Citi Double Cash® Card | Fair to excellent | $0 | 2% cash back on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% cash back as you pay for those purchases. | Intro-APR offer |
| Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | Good to excellent | $0 | 2% cash rewards on eligible purchases | Intro-APR offer, cell phone protection |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Good to excellent | $0 | 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. | Intro-APR offer, shopping and travel protections |
| Bilt Mastercard® | Good to excellent | $0 | 1X points on rent payments without a transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year, 3X points on dining, 2X points on travel, and 1X points on other purchases. You must make five or more purchases with the card each statement period to earn points | Travel and purchase protections; Earn points on rent payments with no fee |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Good to excellent | $95 | 5X points on travel purchase through Chase TravelSM; 3X points on dining, online groceries and select streaming services; 2X points on all other travel; 1X points on all other purchases | $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit; 10% anniversary points boost; Travel and purchase protections |
| Capital One Quicksilver Secured Credit Card | Limited to fair credit | $0 | 1.5% cash back on every purchase | No foreign transaction fees |
| Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card | Limited to fair credit | $0 | 8% cash back on entertainment purchased through Capital One Entertainment; 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services; 1% back on all other purchases | No foreign transaction fees |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | Good to excellent | $695 ** | Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 2X points on prepaid hotels and other eligible travel booked through Amextravel.com and 1X points on all other eligible purchases | Travel credits, Uber credits*, shopping credits*, airport lounge access, trusted traveler program credits (*enrollment required) |
| Citi Simplicity® Card | Good to excellent | $0 | None | Intro-APR offer |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | Good to excellent | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.*** | 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 3% cash back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) and 1% cash back on other purchases*** | Intro-APR offer, statement credit offer |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Excellent | $550 | 5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 3X points on other travel and dining, 1X points on all other purchases | Travel credit, airport lounge access, trusted traveler programs credit |
| Prime Visa | Good to excellent | $0 | 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), unlimited 1% back on all other purchases | No foreign transaction fee, shopping and travel protections |
| Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card | Good to excellent | $0 | 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; Terms apply, 3% cash back on dining and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), 3% cash back on popular streaming services and entertainment, and 1% cash back on all other purchases | No foreign transaction fee |
| Chase Freedom Flex® | Good to excellent | $0 | 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate (then 1%), 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 3% on drugstore purchases and on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services), 1% cash back on all other purchases | Intro-APR offer |
*For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
**For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
***For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, click here. (For the Blue Cash Preferred, cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout)
More on our best rewards credit cards
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Best for welcome bonus
Rewards
- 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One travel
- 2X miles on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first cardholder year – that's equal to $1,000 in travel.
Annual fee
$95
Notable perks
Every four years, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a credit of up to $120 to cover Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership. This card has no foreign transaction fees and comes with a bunch of additional travel perks, such as access to extended warranty protection*, Travel Assistance Services*, Purchase Assurance*, MasterRental Insurance*, Master RoadAssist®*, and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage*.
Capital One miles can be used to book flights, hotels, rental cars and more directly through Capital One Travel, or to offset recent travel purchases at a fixed value of one cent per point. Alternatively, they can be transferred to various hotel and airline partners including Accor Live Limitless, Air Canada Aeroplan, Etihad Guest and others to get even more value from your miles.
*Benefit available to accounts approved for the World Elite Mastercard product, subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions in the World Elite Mastercard Guide to Benefits. See Account Terms or Application Terms for more details. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.
American Express® Gold Card
Best for dining
Rewards
- 4X points at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X)
- 4X points on up to $25,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets per year, then 1X
- 3X points on flights you book directly with an airline or on AmexTravel.com
- 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
$325 (see rates and fees)
Notable perks
With the American Express® Gold Card, you can receive an annual dining statement credit of up to $120 (up to $10 a month in statement credits) at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys (enrollment required). You can also receive up to $120 in Uber Cash per year ($10 a month) after adding the card to your Uber account (you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. The Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States). An Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit. Terms apply.
Every year, you can also earn up to $84 in Dunkin' credit each year when you pay with your American Express® Gold Card (up to $7 in statement credits back per month; Enrollment required) at U.S. Dunkin' locations, and up to $100 in Resy credit each year (up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually) for in-person dining at U.S. Resy restaurants and other eligible Resy purchases (Enrollment required).
Gold Card members can also participate in Amex Offers, which allow targeted cardholders to earn statement credits or bonus Membership Rewards® points at select retailers. These limited-time offers are location-based and additional terms apply.
You can redeem Amex points for statement credits, gift cards, and when checking out at retailers like Amazon. However, you'll get the most value from your Membership Rewards points when redeeming for travel through transfer partners.
Citi Double Cash® Card
Best for no annual fee
Rewards
- 5% back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through the Citi travel site
- 2% back on all other purchases, 1% back when you buy and 1% back when you pay
Welcome bonus
Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
The Citi Double Cash® Card offers cardholders a competitive intro APR on balance transfers.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Best for flat-rate cash back
Rewards
- 2% cash rewards on eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers cell phone protection, roadside dispatch, travel and emergency assistance services and rental car insurance. To qualify for cell phone coverage, you need to pay your monthly phone bill with the card.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Best for drugstores
Rewards
- 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3% back at drugstores
- 3% back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services)
- 1.5% on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus
Limited Time Intro Offer: Earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers new cardholders an introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers. Freedom Unlimited cardholders also receive six free months of DashPass and a $10 discount on a non-restaurant DoorDash order once per quarter. (activate by Dec. 31, 2027)
Bilt Mastercard®
Best for paying rent
Rewards
- 1X points on rent payments with no transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year)
- 3X points on dining
- 2X points on travel
- 1X point on all other purchases
To earn points with the Bilt card, you need to make at least five transactions per billing cycle.
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0 See rates and fees
Notable perks
When you consider that the Bilt Mastercard has no annual fee, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the insurance benefits it has. You're covered by trip delay reimbursement*, trip interruption/cancellation protection*, rental car collision insurance* (primary), cell phone protection* and purchase protection*.
*Please review the Bilt Mastercard® Guide to Benefits for details.
You can also earn a $5 Lyft credit when you take three Lyft rides in a month (through Sept. 30, 2025) and take advantage of a range of Mastercard perks. You have access to Mastercard ID Theft Protection, Mastercard Airport Concierge, Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle Services and more.
With Bilt, you can also earn bonus points at Walgreens and link your HSA/FSA to simplify reimbursements. You can earn 2X Bilt points on Walgreens-branded items and 1X Bilt points on all other eligible Walgreens purchases. On top of that, you can earn 100 bonus Bilt points on prescription refills (subject to exclusions; activation required).
The value of a Bilt Rewards point depends on how you use it. The best options for redeeming points include booking travel through the Bilt Travel Portal for 1.25 cents per point or receiving 1.5 cents per point toward a down payment on a home. To get even more value, consider taking advantage of Bilt's transfer partners which include World of Hyatt, United MileagePlus, Emirates Skywards and many more.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best for travel rewards
Rewards
- 5X on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining
- 3X points on online grocery purchases
- 3X points on select streaming services
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee
$95
Notable perks
On every account anniversary, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card members receive a 10% bonus based on the total purchases from the previous year. If you spent $50,000 on the card, at the end of that year you'd receive a 5,000-point bonus. You can also earn up to a $50 Annual Chase Hotel Credit each year for hotel stays you purchase through Chase Travel℠.
This card has no foreign transaction fees and offers insurance such as trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption coverage and primary rental car insurance. You can also enroll to receive a minimum of one year of free DashPass membership (activate by Dec. 31, 2027) and a $10 discount for one non-restaurant order each month.
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Credit Card
Best for bad credit
Rewards
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Credit Card gives you a path to upgrading to an unsecured version of this card after you demonstrate responsible use. You will also be automatically considered for a credit line increase six months after you open the account. If you're approved for a higher credit limit, you don't need to make an additional deposit.
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for college students
Rewards
- 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 3% back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)
- 1% back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
You can earn $50 after spending $100 in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card comes with built-in protections such as *extended warranty protection and *travel accident insurance.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Best for airport lounge access
Rewards
- 5X points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
- 5X points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Annual fee
$695 (see rates and fees)
Notable perks
The Platinum Card® from American Express has an incredible list of statement credit offers that can be worth over $1,500 when maximized, including:
- Up to $300 in Equinox credit (enrollment required)
- Up to $200 in airline fee statement credits (enrollment required)
- $200 in Uber Cash each year (use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction)
- Up to $155 in Walmart+ credits (subject to auto-renewal). Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay. Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
- Up to $240 in digital entertainment statement credits (enrollment required)
- Up to $100 in Saks 5th Avenue statement credits each year (enrollment required)
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 in statement credits back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
On top of excellent airport lounge access, cardholders can enroll for Marriott Bonvoy Gold status (enrollment required), Hilton Honors Gold status (enrollment required) and rental car perks with National, Avis and Hertz (enrollment required). It also has all of the built-in protections you'd want from a premium travel card, including trip delay reimbursement*, trip cancellation/interruption coverage*, return protection*, purchase protection** and extended warranty coverage**. (Terms and limitations apply. Enrollment required)
*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
**Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Citi Simplicity® Card
Best for balance transfers
Rewards
None
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
In addition to this card's balance transfer intro APR, the Citi Simplicity® Card offers an introductory APR on purchases.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Best for groceries
Rewards
- 6% back on up to $6,000 per year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets (then 1%)
- 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% back on transit
- 3% back at U.S. gas stations
- 1% back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of account opening.
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees)
Notable perks
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers up to $84 in Disney bundle credit (spend $9.99 or more a month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription to receive a $7 statement credit a month, enrollment required. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.)
You can also save money on their purchases by taking advantage of Amex Offers (enrollment required).
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Best for luxury travel
Rewards
- 10X points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 5X points on Lyft rides plus a new $10 monthly in-appp Lyft credit (through September 30, 2027)
- 5X points on flights purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on travel
- 3X points on dining
- 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee
$550
Notable perks
Every card anniversary year, Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders get a $300 travel credit, which automatically applies to eligible purchases. Plus, cardholders can get a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit worth up to $120 every four years. Both of those credits are on top of the complimentary Priority Pass Select™ membership (valued at roughly $469 a year), which grants you unlimited visits to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
This card also comes with a host of top-notch travel and purchase protections, including:
- Return protection
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty protection
- Trip delay reimbursement
- Baggage delay insurance
- Lost luggage insurance
- Rental car coverage
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Travel accident insurance
Having this card also increases the value of your points by 50% when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruise reservations when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. This is a good way to boost the value of your Chase points. You can also take advantage of complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027. In addition, you can take advantage of two monthly $10 discounts for non-restaurant orders and $5 off one restaurant order each month.
Prime Visa
Best for online shopping
Rewards
- 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods and on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 2% back at gas stations, restaurants and on local transit
- 1% back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Receive an instant $100 Amazon gift card upon approval.
Annual fee
$0 (requires an Amazon Prime membership)
Notable perks
The Prime Visa has no foreign transaction fees, purchase protection and extended warranty protection. It also has valuable travel insurance including, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and rental car coverage.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for entertainment
Rewards
- 10% back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases
- 3% back on dining
- 3% back on entertainment
- 2% back on eligible streaming services
- 3% back at grocery stores
- 1% back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a one-time $200 bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has no foreign transaction fees and grants you access to exclusive events and experiences through Capital One Entertainment and Capital One Dining.
Chase Freedom Flex®
Best for rotating bonus categories
Rewards
- 5% back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in rotating quarterly categories
- 5% back on travel purchases through the Chase Ultimate Rewards site
- 5% back on Lyft rides (through Mar. 31, 2025)
- 3% back on dining
- 3% back at drugstores
- 1% back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first three months from account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
The Chase Freedom Flex® offers a competitive intro APR on new purchases and balance transfers. You can also enroll to receive six complimentary months of DashPass and a $10 discount on a non-restaurant order once per quarter.
Should you open a rewards credit card?
Whether you should open a rewards credit card depends on your spending habits and how you plan to use the card.
If you're going to carry a balance, even the best rewards credit cards won't be worth it for you. High interest rates will cancel out any value from the rewards you earn.
Next, consider how complex you want your credit card strategy to be. If you enjoy chasing the best value and don't mind putting some thought into managing your cards, a rewards card with bonus rewards or rotating categories may be a good fit. If you'd rather keep things simple, you might do better with a flat-rate rewards card that earns the same rate on all purchases.
You'll also want to ensure that the card's bonus categories align with your everyday spending. If groceries are a big part of your budget, look for a card that earns an elevated rewards rate at grocery stores. If you have a long daily commute, you may benefit from a credit card that offers bonus rewards at gas stations. Consider perks and benefits as well since they may increase the card's value. This may be especially important if you're considering cards with annual fees.
All in all, if a rewards credit card matches your spending habits and offers perks you can easily take advantage of to offset the annual fee, that card may be worth it for you. At the very least, if you never carry a balance and treat spending on a credit card like a debit card, even a no-annual-fee cash-back card can offer rewards for purchases you were already planning to make.
How to choose a rewards credit card
Rewards credit cards come in all shapes and sizes, so it's important to choose the card that best matches your spending habits. You want a card that will reward you for your everyday purchases without having to adjust your spending to maximize card rewards.
You should decide if you're willing to pay an annual fee for a card since this can help narrow down choices. Rewards cards can have annual fees of up to $550, which can be worthwhile, but not for everyone. Calculate if an annual fee is within your budget and can be outweighed by the card's benefits.
Don't want to pay your credit card's annual fee? Here's how to ask for a retention offer
Next, you should figure out what type of rewards you want to earn and if you want a simple rewards program or one that may require some work. If you want a straightforward card, some generic rewards cards offer the same rewards on all purchases, which require little planning. But if you want to maximize rewards in common spending categories, such as travel, dining and gas, consider bonus rewards cards that offer over 5% back on purchases and may require activation.
It's also a good idea to consider the card's welcome offer. Some of the best rewards credit cards come with large welcome bonuses for new cardholders worth hundreds of dollars. And if you're planning a big purchase, look for cards with a 0% APR offer — this way, you can still earn rewards but will have more than a year without interest charges to pay off the purchase.
Rewards aside, consider the added card perks, such as annual statement credits, lounge access and 0% APR periods, that can provide enhanced value.
How to compare rewards credit cards
There's a wide range of rewards credit cards, so it can feel difficult to compare your options. To simplify the process, focus on three key factors: cost, rewards and benefits.
Cost
The main cost to pay attention to is the card's annual fee. If you plan on adding authorized users or employee cards to your account, there could be an additional fee. While interest and late fees are avoidable if you pay your bill on time and in full each month, a lower APR may be worth considering if you anticipate carrying a balance.
Rewards
Comparing credit card rewards can sometimes be like comparing apples to oranges, especially when considering travel rewards. Cash-back rewards are straightforward — $1 in rewards generally equals $1 in cash. However, flexible travel rewards can vary in value dramatically depending on the program and how you redeem your points or miles.
In addition to the value of the rewards, compare the rate at which you'll earn rewards for various purchases. Many cards offer bonus rewards for common expenses like dining, groceries, or gas, while others provide a flat-rate return on all purchases. Choose a card that aligns with how you typically spend.
Benefits
Credit card perks can provide significant value and often offset the annual fee. Tangible benefits like annual statement credits are easy to quantify, while other perks like airport lounge access and travel insurance depend on how often you use them.
Consider every perk you'll have access to with each card and what they're worth to you.
How different types of rewards credit cards work
There are several different kinds of reward cards. Rewards credit cards typically provide one of three reward structures: cash back, points or miles. How you earn and redeem rewards varies based on the type of credit card you open.
- Cash back: Receive a percentage of spending back, directly related to how much you spent. Spend $100 on a 1% cash-back card and earn $1 in cash-back.
- Points and miles: Earn points or miles on purchases. The value of one point or one mile doesn't always equal one cent. They might be worth more or less than a penny depending on the credit card you have and the way you redeem rewards. Typically, you can earn points and miles on travel rewards credit cards.
Additionally, rewards cards can be broken down into three groups based on how you earn rewards:
- Flat-rate rewards: This type of rewards credit card comes with a single rewards rate that applies to all purchases.For example, the Citi Double Cash® Card earns 2% cash back on everything you buy (earn 1% cash back on all purchases and 1% when you pay off your bill)
- Bonus categories: These credit cards offer an elevated rewards rate in certain spending categories. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® from our list of the best travel rewards credit cards offers 10X points on hotels and car rentals and 5X points on flights booked through Chase Travel℠, plus 3X points on dining and all other travel purchases. Any purchases outside of these categories only earn 1X points.
- Rotating categories: This type of card offers a higher reward rate in specific bonus categories that change every quarter. The Chase Freedom Flex® is a great example. This cash rewards credit card earns 5% back in rotating categories on up to $1,500 in purchases made each quarter (then 1%). You need to activate the categories every quarter to earn bonus cash back.
In addition to the value of cash back, points and miles varying, redemption options also fluctuate. You may be able to redeem for a statement credit, travel, gift card, merchandise or more, depending on your card.
What are travel rewards and how do they work?
Travel rewards are the type of credit card reward, typically either points or miles, that travel cards earn. With a travel card, you'll also usually earn more points or miles for travel purchases and be protected by different types of credit card travel insurance.
Travel rewards can be the most valuable type of credit card rewards to earn, but how you redeem them will determine the value you receive. Most travel rewards programs offer flat-rate redemptions, such as for cash back, gift cards or booking travel. You'll typically get around one cent per point in value for these redemptions.
The most lucrative travel programs offer flexible (or transferable) points or miles. These programs allow you to convert your travel rewards to airline miles or hotel points. While this type of redemption can be more complicated, it provides an opportunity to dramatically boost the value of your rewards. Some of the best airline loyalty programs allow you to book international business class flights that normally cost thousands of dollars for 70,000 miles, so you can easily receive two to four cents per mile or more in value.
Making the most of your rewards card benefits
To maximize your rewards credit card, you'll want to look beyond the miles, points or cash back you earn on purchases. Many of the top credit cards offer additional perks beyond the rewards program. These benefits can often offset the cost of a card's annual fee, so it's important to understand every benefit you have access to.
Statement credits
Your rewards credit card may offer statement credits for specific purchases or a category of purchases. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® has an annual travel credit of up to $300 that applies to everything from flights to toll bridges and highways. Other cards have offers that apply to specific brands or services. Many of the top travel credit cards (one of the most popular types of rewards credit cardsofferff an application fee credit for trusted traveler programs such as Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Insurance perks
One easily overlooked benefit that's available with many of the best rewards credit cards is insurance coverage. Before you pay extra for an extended warranty or trip cancellation policy, check your credit card's benefits guide to see if you already have this coverage. Credit card insurance perks can include cell phone protection, trip delay reimbursement, rental car insurance, extended warranty protection, purchase protection and much more.
Brand-specific perks
If you're an extremely brand-loyal person or tend to book travel largely with one hotel chain or airline, opening a rewards credit card with brand-specific perks can make sense. Co-branded credit cards may offer automatic elite status, bonus rewards, brand-specific credits and fee credits. Many airline credit cards come with a free checked bag benefit, and hotel credit cards often grant free elite status to cardholders. The downside of these perks is that they only apply in specific circumstances, so they aren't as easy to maximize and won't make sense for everyone.
Find the best rewards credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.
Pros and cons of rewards credit cards
- Additional savings: With the right credit card, you can earn rewards on all of the purchases you were going to make anyway. As long as you don't spend more than you otherwise would, these rewards are an easy way to save on expenses.
- Built-in protections: Reward credit cards typically offer liability protection, so you won't be on the hook for unauthorized charges. You may also have additional shopping and travel insurance perks, which can save you money and provide peace of mind.
- Welcome bonuses: Rewards credit cards tend to have the best welcome bonus offers, which can be worth $500 or more when you meet the requirements.
- High APR: Rewards credit cards usually have exceptionally high interest rates, with APRs regularly topping 20%, which makes them extremely expensive if you carry a balance.
- Hard to get: Many of the most rewarding credit cards have stricter requirements, you'll typically need a good credit score or higher to qualify for the most lucrative offers.
- Annual fees: The credit cards with the highest rewards rates and best benefits, typically have annual fees, and premium credit cards can have annual fees of $400 or more.
FAQs
What is a rewards credit card?
A rewards credit card lets you earn cash back, points or miles when making purchases with that card. Beyond rewards, these cards sometimes come with additional perks like travel and purchase protections.
Are rewards credit cards worth it?
Rewards credit cards are worth it as long as you maintain good credit habits, such as paying off your balance each month. When used responsibly, rewards credit cards can save you hundreds of dollars annually.
Who should apply for a rewards card?
If you pay for purchases with cash or debit, you're leaving extra money on the table. Using a rewards credit card can earn you hundreds of dollars in rewards annually.
However, using a rewards card only makes sense if you pay off your credit card bill in full every month. Not even the most generous rewards rates can offset the high interest charges of credit cards. Additionally, rewards credit cards often require good or excellent credit (FICO scores above 670), so check your credit score before applying for one of these cards.
Do credit card rewards expire?
Credit card rewards usually don't expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. However, if you close your credit card, you could lose your rewards or have a certain amount of time to redeem them. It's also important to read the fine print to be aware of every caveat because each rewards program is different.
Are credit card rewards taxable?
Credit card rewards are typically not taxable because they are considered a discount or rebate. However, there are situations where miles and points could be taxable, for example, if you earned them for opening a bank account and there was no spending requirement. Always consult a tax professional if you're uncertain.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best rewards credit cards.
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Our methodology
To determine which cardsare the most rewarding, CNBC Select analyzed over 250 major credit cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions that are widely available in the U.S.
We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards (e.g., cash back, points and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cash back).
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
For the cards that offered a rewards program, we considered consumer spending data forecasts from location intelligence firm Esri to determine where U.S. consumers are spending the most money, like on dining and travel. We used this to help determine what bonus categories are most useful for consumers. Since the value of a point or mile varies based on what they can be redeemed for, we also considered things like transferability and the ability to redeem for cash-back.
When choosing the best rewards credit cards, we focused on cards that offer some type of return for your spending, including cash-back, travel points and other types of rewards.
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For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
