Top 10: Best Credit Cards for Rewards

Whether you’re new to credit cards or seeking to boost your rewards game, there are some top contenders to add to your wallet. In this list, we’ve rounded up the best credit cards for 2024. You’ll find a variety of options, each with its own set of rewards and annual fees, including some with no fees at all. We’ve laid out all the perks and benefits to make your decision easier. So, who’s got the winning credit card for you?
Best Credit Cards for Rewards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
✦ BEST FOR TRAVEL ✦
There are plenty of good reasons this card is hailed as one of the best rewards credit cards on the market, and one of our favorites. With its exceptional travel benefits, versatile transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards®, and added perks—it’s consistently a top choice travel rewards card for beginners.
Apply now
🎉 Welcome Bonus 🎉
Get 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earning Rewards
Chase Ultimate Rewards® is a loyalty program offered by Chase that allows cardholders to earn and redeem points for a wide range of rewards, including travel, cash back, gift cards, and more.
Earn 5x
points per dollar on Travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Earn 3x
points per dollar on Dining at Restaurants Worldwide, and Online Grocery Purchases.
Earn 2x
points per dollar on Travel Purchases Worldwide, which includes Airfare, Hotels, Transit and more.
Earn 1x
points per dollar on Everything Else.
Redeeming Rewards
When it comes to redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards®, it’s really simple to do on the Chase app or website.
- Get 25% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. This includes airfare, car rentals, hotels, and cruises. This means that 1 point will be worth 1.25 points.
- Transfer your points to any of their top-tier travel partners.
- Redeem points for cash back or gift cards.
Travel Perks
When you charge purchases for a trip to your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, your trip qualifies for travel coverages.
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance applies if your trip is cancelled or cut short by sickness, severe weather and other covered situations.
- Baggage delay and lost luggage coverage reimburses for essentials like toiletries and clothing when delayed over 6 hours or luggage is damaged or lost by the carrier.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver allows you to decline the rental company’s collision insurance when you charge the rental to your card, and you’ll get primary coverage.
- $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit when you book a hotel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Additional Incentives
Additional Incentives:
When you use the additional incentives included with this card, along with all the other perks we’ve mentioned—you’ll more than cover the annual fee.
- Complimentary 1-year DashPass membership, which includes $0 delivery and reduced service fees on DoorDash.
- Complimentary 6-month Instacart+ membership, plus $15 per quarter in statement credits on Instacart purchases.
- Rotating shopping deals with Chase Offers, where you can get cash back in the form of statement credit on related purchases.
- 10% Anniversary points boost on total purchases made the previous year.
No Foreign Transaction Fees when using the card internationally.
Annual Fee: $95.
Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.
American Express Gold Card
✦ BEST FOR DINING ✦
In the competitive world of rewards credit cards, the American Express Gold Card stands out as a top contender. It earns highly valued Membership Rewards® and a range of benefits. With robust earning on Dining and Groceries, along with great earning on Airfare—there’s good reason this card gets a ton of swipes.
Apply now
🎉 Welcome Bonus 🎉
Get 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening.
Earning Rewards
If earning great reward rates on high spend categories like Dining, Grocery, and Airfare is important to you, this card excels at all of them.
Earn 4x
Membership Rewards per dollar on Dining (including Takeout and Delivery in the U.S.).
Earn 4x
Membership Rewards per dollar on Grocery at U.S. Supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, 1x thereafter).
Earn 3x
Membership Rewards per dollar on Airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel.
Earn 1x
Membership Rewards per dollar on Everything Else.
Redeeming Rewards
This card earns Membership Rewards, which ranks among the highest valued reward program currency on the market. You can get outsized value from your points when using transfer partners.
- Transfer your points to any of their top-tier travel partners.
- Redeem points for statement credit, Amazon.com, Membership Rewards online shopping mall, and more.
Dining Perks
In addition to all the earning potential when dining out, you can also get these monthly credits which nearly offset the annual fee.
- $120 Uber Cash when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account. You’ll automatically get a $10 credit in your Uber account each month to use on Uber Eats or Uber rides in the U.S.
- $120 Dining Credit in the form of up to $10 monthly statement credit when you use your Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations.
Additional Incentives
When you take full advantage of these extra benefits, in addition to the perks we’ve already highlighted, you can see why this card brings so much value.
- $100 experience credit to use during your stay when you book a two-night minimum The Hotel Collection stay through American Express Travel.
- Complimentary ShopRunner membership for free 2-day shipping on eligible items at 100+ online stores.
- Rotating shopping deals with Amex Offers, where you can get cash back in the form of statement credit on related purchases.
No Foreign Transaction Fees when using the card internationally.
Annual Fee: $250
Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
✦ BEST FOR EVERYDAY ✦
If you like to keep life simple, this card might be for you. That’s because the reward structure is easy to remember—Earn 2x on all your swipes. While some other cards have outsized rewards on select categories, you be assured that you are always getting an elevated return.
Apply now
🎉 Welcome Bonus 🎉
Get 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earning Rewards
For anyone who doesn’t want to remember the rewards advantage of every card in their wallet, this card is an easy catch-all that earns 2x on all your purchases.
Earn 5x
miles per dollar on Hotels and Rental Cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Earn 2x
miles per dollar on Every Purchase.
Redeeming Rewards
This card earns flexible rewards that are amongst the highest valued in the market
- Transfer your miles to any of their top-tier travel partners.
- Redeem miles for Travel—including Airfare, Hotels, Cruises, and more, either as a statement credit or through Capital One Travel.
- Redeem miles with PayPal on eligible purchases at millions of online stores, and at Amazon.com.
Additional Incentives
Aside from valuable miles you’ll get, this card will also help you save time at the airport and pad your hotel stay
- $100 TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry Credit. With either, you can move faster through security at airports (every 4 years on renewal you’ll get a statement credit).
- Access to the Lifestyle Hotel Collection with benefits such as a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more.
No Foreign Transaction Fees when using the card internationally.
Annual Fee: $95
Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
✦ BEST FOR LUXURY PERKS ✦
Get ready to experience a world of luxury benefits with the The Platinum Card from American Express. While it’s not the biggest points earner, this top-tier credit card is designed to elevate your travel and lifestyle. It comes with a hefty annual fee, but some will find the perks outweigh the cost.
Apply now
🎉 Welcome Bonus 🎉
Get 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening.
Earning Rewards
If earning rewards on travel expenses like Airfare and Hotels is important to you, this card gives you ample opportunity to maximize on that spend.
Earn 5x
Membership Rewards per dollar on Airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year).
Earn 5x
Membership Rewards per dollar on Hotels booked through Amex Travel.
Earn 1x
Membership Rewards per dollar on Everything Else.
Redeeming Rewards
This card earns Membership Rewards, which ranks among the highest valued reward program currency on the market. You can get outsized value from your points when using transfer partners.
- Transfer your points to any of their top-tier travel partners.
- Redeem points for statement credit, Amazon.com, Membership Rewards online shopping mall, and more.
Luxury Perks
Indulge in luxury with a lengthy list exclusive Platinum Card perks and statement credits
- $200 Hotel Credit. Get up to $200 statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select a qualifying airline to get up to $200 statement credits per calendar year on incidental airline fees.
- $189 CLEAR Credit. With a CLEAR Plus Membership you can move faster through security at select airports.
- $100 TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry Credit. With either, you can move faster through security at airports (every 4 years on renewal you’ll get a statement credit).
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit. Get up to $20 monthly statement credit when you subscribe to any of Disney+, Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal.
- $200 Uber Cash when you add your Platinum Card to your Uber account. You’ll automatically get a $15 credit in your Uber account each month ($20 in December) to use on Uber Eats or Uber rides in the U.S.
- $300 Equinox Credit. Choose between Equinox+ subscription or Equinox club membership.
- $100 Saks Credit when you shop online or in-store at Saks (up to $50 statement credit each Jan-Jun and Jul-Dec).
Additional Incentives
In addition to these fantastic perks, you’ll get access to lounges, status upgrades, and more.
- Premium Airport Lounge Access, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Lounges, Airspace Lounges, Escape Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and Delta Sky Clubs (limitations apply for Delta Sky Clubs).
- Complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott. Get Gold status with both Hilton Honors and Marriot Bonvoy for enhanced loyalty rewards at thousands of hotels worldwide.
- Complimentary car rental status. Get Hertz Gold Plus President’s Circle, Avis Preferred Plus and National Emerald Club Executive statuses for many perks including upgrades and savings.
- Complimentary Walmart+ monthly membership, which includes shopping and shipping perks online and in-store (statement credits valued at $155).
- Rotating shopping deals with Amex Offers, where you can get cash back in the form of statement credit on related purchases.
No Foreign Transaction Fees when using the card internationally.
Annual Fee: $695
Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
✦ BEST FOR PREMIUM TRAVEL ✦
As the lowest annual fee premium travel credit card on the market, the Capital One Venture X gives you a double-header of features: It’s both an excellent travel card with lots of perks, and a card you’ll want to carry everywhere because it earns at least 2x on every swipe.
Apply now
🎉 Welcome Bonus 🎉
Get 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earning Rewards
In addition to fantastic travel earning, this card serves as an everyday earner since it gets 2x on all your purchases, making it a staple of many wallets.
Earn 10x
miles per dollar on Hotels and Rental Cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Earn 5x
miles per dollar on Airfare booked through Capital One Travel.
Earn 2x
miles per dollar on Everything Else.
Redeeming Rewards
This card earns flexible rewards that are amongst the highest valued in the market.
- Transfer your miles to any of their top-tier travel partners.
- Redeem miles for Travel—including Airfare, Hotels, Cruises, and more, either as a statement credit or through Capital One Travel.
- Redeem miles with PayPal on eligible purchases at millions of online stores, and at Amazon.com.
Travel Perks
You’ll get a premium set of travel benefits from this card which more than offset the annual fee.
- $300 Annual travel credit when you book your travel through Capital One Travel.
- Premium Airport Lounge Access for you and 2 guests per visit. Includes Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass Lounges, and Plaza Premium Lounges.
- Hertz President’s Circle Status. Skip the rental counter and enjoy the widest selection and complimentary upgrades.
- Auto rental collision coverage allows you to get reimbursed for damage or theft when you pay for a rental car with the Venture X card.
Additional Incentives
Because this is a premium reward card, we’re not stopping there. Here’s more…
- 10,000 miles anniversary bonus every year when you renew.
- Access to the Premier Hotel Collection with benefits such as a $100 experience credit, daily breakfast for 2 and other premium benefits.
- Access to the Lifestyle Hotel Collection with benefits such as a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more.
- $100 TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry Credit. With either, you can move faster through security at airports (every 4 years on renewal you’ll get a statement credit).
No Foreign Transaction Fees when using the card internationally.
Annual Fee: $395
Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.
Citi Strata Premier® Card
✦ BEST FOR TRAVEL ✦
The Citi Strata Premier Card is a simple travel card with easy to remember reward earning tiers, making it one of the best credit cards for rewards. Earn ThankYou Points on much of your essential spending, along with travel expenses, which are a versatile reward currency that gives you lots of options.
Apply now
🎉 Welcome Bonus 🎉
Get 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earning Rewards
With a really straightforward earning structure, you can count on rewards on many of your essentials and travel categories.
Earn 3x
points per dollar on Dining, Grocery, Gas, Airfare, and Hotels.
Earn 1x
points per dollar on Everything Else.
Redeeming Rewards
Cash Back is earned in the form ThankYou Points, which can be redeemed for a variety of rewards.
- Transfer your points to any of their top-tier travel partners.
- Redeem points for Travel—including Airfare, Hotels, Cruises, and more through ThankYou portal.
- Redeem points for Gift Cards and on Amazon.com and BestBuy.com.
Additional Incentives
If you’re staying over when traveling, you’ll want to cozy up to this extra benefit.
- $100 Annual hotel savings once per calendar year on a single hotel stay of $500 or more when booked through thankyou.com.
No Foreign Transaction Fees when using the card internationally.
Annual Fee: $95
Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
✦ BEST FOR GROCERY ✦
Prefer Cash Back rewards? You can effortlessly transform your routine spending into tangible benefits with this card. When your expenses are essentials like Grocery, Streaming, Gas, and Transit—the Blue Cash Preferred Card is a solid choice to help you maximize your savings through statement credit.
Apply now
🎉 Welcome Bonus 🎉
Get $250 Cash Back after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening (statement credit).
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening.
Earning Rewards
The Blue Cash Preferred Card has a great earning structure, helping you get more cash back out of daily expenses.
Earn 6%
cash back per dollar on U.S. Supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, 1% thereafter).
Earn 6%
cash back per dollar on Select U.S. Streaming subscriptions.
Earn 3%
cash back per dollar on U.S. Gas Stations
Earn 3%
cash back per dollar on Transit (includes Taxis, Rideshare, Parking, Tolls, Trains, Buses and more).
Earn 1% Cash Back per dollar on Everything Else.
Redeeming Rewards
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars, which keeps things straightforward.
- Redeem Reward Dollars as a statement credit or on Amazon.
Additional Incentives
In addition to the cash back earned, you’ll get some other useful savings having this card in your wallet.
- $84 Disney Bundle Credit. Get a $7 monthly statement credit on Disney Bundle or any other monthly subscriptions or add-ons purchased through Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+.
- Rotating shopping deals with Amex Offers, where you can get cash back in the form of statement credit on related purchases.
Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.
Citi Custom Cash® Card
✦ BEST FOR CUSTOM SPEND ✦
This is a really simple card that helps you maximize rewards in categories where you normally can’t get outsized return from your spending. When used strategically, you can expand your earning potential pairing this card with one that covers the essentials.
Apply now
🎉 Welcome Bonus 🎉
Get $200 Cash Back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening.
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening.
Earning Rewards
You can literally customize the credit card rewards that match your spending through any of the eligible categories with this card.
Earn 5%
cash back per dollar on your top eligible spend category each month (up to $500). Eligible categories include Dining, Gas, Grocery, select Travel, select Transit, select Streaming, Drugstores, Home Improvement Stores, Fitness Clubs, and Live Entertainment.
Earn 1%
cash back per dollar on Everything Else.
Redeeming Rewards
Cash Back is earned in the form ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for a variety of rewards.
- Redeem points for statement credit, direct deposit, or check.
- Redeem points for Gift Cards, Travel, and on Amazon.
Annual Fee: $0
Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.
Chase Freedom Flex
✦ BEST FOR ROTATING CATEGORIES ✦
Whether Cash Back is your thing or you’re already part of Chase’s ecosystem, the Chase Freedom Flex helps you maximize rewards on rotating bonus categories, along with great returns on essential categories like Dining and Drugstores. Combine with a Chase Sapphire card, and it becomes much more powerful.
Apply now
🎉 Welcome Bonus 🎉
Get a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening (statement credit).
5% Cash Back on Gas and Grocery for the 1st year.
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening.
Earning Rewards
You’ll get quarterly Cash Back boosts on certain categories, along with reliable ongoing Cash Back on some essentials.
Earn 5%
cash back per dollar on quarterly bonus categories like Gas, Grocery, and Select Online Merchants (up to $1,500 in combined purchases per quarter).
Earn 3%
cash back per dollar on Dining (includes Takeout and eligible Delivery services).
Earn 3%
cash back per dollar on Drugstores.
Earn 1%
cash back per dollar on Everything Else.
Redeeming Rewards
Cash back on the Chase Freedom Flex can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, and more to put money back in your pocket.
- Redeem Cash Back as a statement credit.
- Redeem Cash Back for Gift Cards or on Amazon.
- Redeem Cash Back through Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel.
- Convert to Chase Ultimate Rewards if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve card to get even more value and redemption options.
Additional Incentives
You’ll get even more savings with access to special offers from Chase Partners.
- 5% Cash Back on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025.
- Complimentary 3-month DashPass membership, which includes $0 delivery and reduced service fees on DoorDash.
- Complimentary 3-month Instacart+ membership, plus $10 per quarter in statement credits on Instacart purchases.
Annual Fee: $0
Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.
BILT Mastercard®
✦ BEST FOR RENTERS ✦
The Bilt Mastercard stands as the sole credit card on the market that empowers renters to get valuable rewards on their biggest monthly expense: rent. It’s a game-changer for renters looking to maximize rewards on spend without an annual fee, and gain some other valuable benefits along the way.
Apply now
Earning Rewards
When it comes to accumulating Bilt points, this card has you covered with a straightforward and rewarding system.
Earn 3x
points per dollar on Dining (including Takeout & Delivery in the U.S.)
Earn 2x
points per dollar on Travel booked directly with airlines, hotels, cruises, and car rentals.
Earn 1x
points per dollar on Rent Payments, without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year) after you make 5 non-rent transactions each month.
Earn 1x
points per dollar on Everything Else.
Redeeming Rewards
Bilt Points is a highly valued point currency due to it’s broad network of transfer partners, where you can get outsized value from your points.
- Transfer your points to any of their top-tier travel partners.
- Ability to earn higher transfer rates with Rent Day offers depending on your tier status (which is based on your yearly points earned or transactions amount).
- Redeem points on Amazon.com, the Bilt Collection, or Fitness classes.
Rent Perks
If you’re considering this card primarily for its rent-related advantages, you’re in for some impressive benefits and ease of use.
- Pay rent and earn points with your card at any apartment, no transaction fees. Even if your property only accepts checks, you can use your card. You’ll earn points fast, since it’s a significant monthly expense.
- Earn even more on Rent Day (1st of each month) with 6x on dining, 4x on travel, and 2x on other purchases (except rent).
Additional Incentives
Even though this card has no annual fee, it comes with some really beneficial coverages to give you peace of mind.
- Trip cancellation & interruption: Get up to $5,000 back if your non-refundable trip is canceled or interrupted when you book with your Bilt Mastercard.
- Trip delay: Covers expenses like meals when your trip is delayed over six hours due to reasons such as weather, transportation issues, or air traffic.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Enjoy auto coverage for damages or theft on most rental cars when you pay with your Bilt Mastercard.
- Cell phone protection. Pay your cell phone bill with your Bilt Mastercard for up to $800 protection (with a $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft.
No Foreign Transaction Fees when using the card internationally.
Annual Fee: $0
Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.
Wrapping Up: Choosing the Best Rewards Credit Card
There you have it. With all of the credit cards on the market, we narrowed down to these so there was something for everyone. We know it’s a lot to take in, but hopefully this has helped you find an option that you can feel good about knowing you are maximizing your spending by getting one of the best credits card for rewards. As with all credit cards, understand the terms related to each card, use responsibly, and protect your credit score. Don’t spend money you don’t have, and always pay your statement balance monthly to build good credit.
Related: Cash Kings: 5 Best Cash Back Credit Cards
These are our recommendations but it isn’t financial advice. We may receive a commission if you click through any of the links in this article.
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