The best rewards credit cards to add to your wallet

Credit cards with rewards programs offer an excellent way to earn cash back, travel perks, or other valuable benefits on everyday spending. With so many options available, choosing the right rewards credit card can be overwhelming.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best rewards credit cards across different categories—including cash back, travel, and premium perks—so you can maximize your earnings and get the most value from your wallet.

Why Use a Rewards Credit Card?

Rewards credit cards allow you to earn points, miles, or cash back on purchases. Depending on the card, you can redeem rewards for:

• Statement credits (cash back)
• Travel bookings (flights, hotels, rental cars)
• Gift cards & merchandise
• Exclusive experiences (concert tickets, VIP events)

The key to maximizing rewards is choosing a card that aligns with your spending habits and lifestyle.

Best Cash Back Credit Cards

If you prefer straightforward rewards, cash back cards are a great choice. Here are the top options:

1. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

• Rewards: 1.5%–5% cash back
• Sign-up bonus: $200afterspending$500 in the first 3 months
• Annual fee: $0
• Best for: Everyday spending

Why it’s great:

• Earn 5% on travel booked through Chase
• 3% on dining & drugstores
• 1.5% on all other purchases
• No annual fee makes it a solid all-around card.

2. Citi® Double Cash Card

• Rewards: 2% cash back (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay)
• Sign-up bonus: None
• Annual fee: $0
• Best for: Simple, flat-rate cash back

Why it’s great:

• No bonus categories to track—just 2% on everything
• No annual fee
• Rewards never expire

3. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

• Rewards: 6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year), 6% on streaming, 3% on transit & gas
• Sign-up bonus: $250afterspending$3,000 in 6 months
• Annual fee: $95
• Best for: Grocery & streaming purchases

Why it’s great:

• Highest cash back rate on groceries (6%)
• Includes Disney+, Hulu, and Netflix in the 6% streaming category

Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards

Frequent travelers should consider cards that earn transferable points or airline/hotel rewards.

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• Rewards: 3x on dining, online groceries, & streaming; 2x on travel
• Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points ($750intravel)after$4,000 spend in 3 months
• Annual fee: $95
• Best for: Flexible travel rewards

Why it’s great:

• Points transfer to 13+ airline & hotel partners (United, Hyatt, etc.)
• 25% more value when redeeming through Chase Travel
• No foreign transaction fees

2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

• Rewards: 2x miles on every purchase
• Sign-up bonus: 75,000 miles ($750intravel)after$4,000 spend in 3 months
• Annual fee: $95
• Best for: Easy travel redemptions

Why it’s great:

• Simple 2x miles on all spending
• Transfer partners include Emirates, Air Canada, and more
• Earn 5x miles on hotels & rental cars booked via Capital One Travel

3. The Platinum Card® from American Express

• Rewards: 5x on flights & hotels (via Amex Travel)
• Sign-up bonus: 80,000 points after $8,000 spend in 6 months
• Annual fee: $695
• Best for: Luxury travel perks

Why it’s great:

• $200 annual airline fee credit
• $200 Uber Cash annually
• Access to 1,400+ airport lounges (Centurion, Priority Pass)
• Elite hotel status (Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold)

Best Premium Rewards Cards (High Annual Fees, High Perks)

If you want VIP treatment, these cards deliver exceptional value—if you can justify the cost.

1. Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• Rewards: 5x on flights & 10x on hotels via Chase Travel; 3x on dining & travel
• Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points ($900intravel)after$4,000 spend in 3 months
• Annual fee: $550
• Best for: Frequent travelers who want luxury perks

Why it’s great:

• **$300annualtravelcredit\ast \ast (effectivelylowersannualfeeto$250)
• Priority Pass lounge access
• 1:1 point transfers to airlines & hotels

2. American Express® Gold Card

• Rewards: 4x at restaurants & U.S. supermarkets; 3x on flights
• Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points after $6,000 spend in 6 months
• Annual fee: $250
• Best for: Foodies & frequent diners

Why it’s great:

• 120 dining credit
• 4x at restaurants & supermarkets (up to $25,000/year)
• Points transfer to Delta, Emirates, and more

How to Choose the Best Rewards Credit Card for You

Consider these factors when picking a card:

1. Spending Habits – Do you spend more on groceries, travel, or dining?
2. Reward Preferences – Do you want cash back, travel points, or flexible rewards?
3. Annual Fee – Can you offset the cost with rewards?
4. Sign-Up Bonus – A big bonus can jumpstart your rewards.

Final Thoughts

The best rewards credit card depends on your lifestyle and spending. Here’s a quick recap: