Top 10 Rewards Credit Cards
Rewards credit cards are a type of credit card that offers incentives for making purchases. These incentives can come in various forms such as cashback, points, or travel miles, which can be redeemed for a variety of rewards.
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Rewards credit cards are designed to benefit users who regularly use their credit cards for everyday purchases and can pay off their balances in full each month. By doing so, cardholders can maximize the benefits offered by these cards while avoiding interest charges. Cashback rewards provide a percentage of the purchase amount back to the cardholder, either as a statement credit or direct deposit. Points-based rewards can usually be redeemed for merchandise, gift cards, or travel through the card issuer's rewards portal. Travel rewards, often associated with airline or hotel loyalty programs, can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses. Many rewards credit cards also come with additional perks such as travel insurance, purchase protection, and access to exclusive events. However, it's important to be aware of potential downsides, such as annual fees, higher interest rates, and specific redemption restrictions, which can affect the overall value of the rewards.
Chase Sapphire PreferredView AllChase Sapphire Preferred - Travel rewards card with valuable points and benefits.
American Express PlatinumView AllAmerican Express Platinum - Luxury credit card with premium rewards and exclusive benefits.
Citi PremierView AllCiti Premier - Versatile reward card with travel and dining benefits.
Capital One Venture RewardsView AllCapital One Venture Rewards - Travel rewards card with flexible redemption options.
Discover it Cash BackView AllDiscover it Cash Back - Credit card offering rotating 5% cash back categories.
Bank of America Travel RewardsView AllBank of America Travel Rewards - No-fee card; unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on purchases.
Wells Fargo Propel American ExpressView AllWells Fargo Propel American Express - No-annual-fee card with cash back on multiple categories.
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa InfiniteView AllU.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite - Premium travel rewards card with exclusive benefits and perks.
Hilton Honors American Express SurpassView AllHilton Honors American Express Surpass - Hilton Honors rewards with travel perks and bonus points.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.View AllMarriott Bonvoy Boundless. - Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: Premium hotel rewards credit card.
Top 10 Rewards Credit Cards
1.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular travel rewards credit card known for its valuable points system and flexible redemption options. Cardholders earn 2X points on travel and dining, and 1X on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel, gift cards, or statement credits, often at an enhanced value. The card offers a generous sign-up bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and various travel protections, making it ideal for frequent travelers.
Pros
Generous sign-up bonus- 2x points on dining/travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Flexible rewards redemption.
Cons
$95 annual fee- Requires good/excellent credit
- Limited lounge access
- No 0% intro APR
- Higher points value with Chase portal only.
2.
American Express Platinum
The American Express Platinum Card is a premium charge card known for its extensive travel and lifestyle benefits. It offers perks such as access to exclusive airport lounges, substantial travel credits, and elite status with various hotel and rental car partners. Cardholders also enjoy comprehensive travel insurance, concierge services, and rewards points on purchases. Designed for high spenders, it comes with a significant annual fee, but its extensive array of benefits often justifies the cost for frequent travelers.
Pros
- Extensive travel rewards
- Airport lounge access
- Hotel elite status
- Concierge service
- Annual travel credits
Cons
- High annual fee
- Limited acceptance
- Complicated rewards program
- No intro APR
- High spending requirement
3.
Citi Premier
The Citi Premier® Card is a versatile travel rewards credit card offering generous points on everyday purchases. Cardholders earn 3X points on air travel, hotels, and restaurants, as well as at supermarkets and gas stations, and 1X on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, and more. The card often includes a sign-up bonus and has an annual fee, but its comprehensive earning structure and flexible redemption options make it a strong choice for frequent travelers.
Pros
- Flexible rewards
- Broad earning categories
- Transfer partners
- Valuable sign-up bonus
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- High annual fee
- Points expiration
- Limited lounge access
- Poor redemption value for statement credits
- Requires good credit.
4.
Capital One Venture Rewards
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a straightforward and flexible rewards program, ideal for frequent travelers. Cardholders earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, with no caps or expiration. New users can benefit from a substantial sign-up bonus if they meet the spending requirement. Miles can be redeemed for travel expenses, including flights and hotels, or transferred to partner loyalty programs, providing valuable options for maximizing rewards. The card also includes travel benefits and no foreign transaction fees.
Pros
- Flexible rewards
- No foreign transaction fees
- Easy redemption options
- High earning rate
- Sign-up bonus
Cons
- Annual fee
- Limited transfer partners
- No intro APR
- Potential for overspending
- Requires good credit
5.
Discover it Cash Back
The Discover it® Cash Back is a popular credit card offering 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories, such as groceries, gas, or dining, up to a quarterly maximum, after activation. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. It features no annual fee, a dollar-for-dollar match of all cash back earned in the first year, and includes benefits like free access to your FICO® credit score. The card is ideal for users seeking to maximize rewards through strategic spending.
Pros
- Cashback match first year
- no annual fee
- 5% rotating categories
- flexible redemption options
- free FICO score.
Cons
- Rotating categories require activation
- 5% limited to $1
- 500 per quarter
- international transaction fees
- limited acceptance abroad
- average base cashback rate.
6.
Bank of America Travel Rewards
The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card offers a straightforward rewards program, earning 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases without any annual fee. Points can be redeemed for travel expenses, such as flights, hotels, vacation packages, and more. The card also features no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for international travelers. New cardholders can benefit from a generous sign-up bonus after meeting a minimum spending requirement, enhancing its appeal for frequent travelers.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Unlimited 1.5 points per dollar
- No foreign transaction fees
- Flexible redemption options
- Introductory APR offer.
Cons
- No travel partners
- Limited travel perks
- High APR after intro period
- Requires good credit
- Limited bonus categories.
7.
Wells Fargo Propel American Express
The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card is a no-annual-fee rewards credit card offering significant value through its points system. Cardholders earn 3x points on a wide range of categories including dining, travel, gas stations, and streaming services, and 1x points on all other purchases. Additionally, it provides a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months. The card also includes benefits like cell phone protection and no foreign transaction fees.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Generous rewards on multiple categories
- Cell phone protection
- Travel benefits
- Intro APR on purchases.
Cons
- Limited acceptance of American Express
- High credit score requirement
- Foreign transaction fee
- Potentially high APR after intro period
- Limited premium perks.
8.
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite
The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite is a premium travel rewards credit card offering extensive benefits for frequent travelers. It features a generous rewards program with 3x points on travel and mobile wallet purchases, a $325 annual travel credit, and complimentary airport lounge access through Priority Pass Select. Cardholders also enjoy perks like TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee credit, premium travel protections, and no foreign transaction fees. The card carries a $400 annual fee, justified by its robust travel and purchase benefits.
Pros
- 50000-point sign-up bonus
- 3X points on travel and mobile wallet purchases
- $325 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass lounge access
- TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit.
Cons
- $400 annual fee
- Limited to U.S. Bank customers
- No intro APR
- Limited travel partners
- High credit score required.
9.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a rewards credit card designed for frequent travelers. It offers generous Hilton Honors points on hotel stays, dining, and eligible purchases. Cardholders enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, priority pass for airport lounges, and a free weekend night reward after spending a specified amount annually. With no foreign transaction fees and a competitive annual fee, it's ideal for those looking to maximize their Hilton hotel stays and travel benefits.
Pros
- High rewards rate
- Complimentary Gold status
- Free weekend night
- Priority pass
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Annual fee
- Limited airline transfer partners
- High APR
- Limited point redemption options
- Restrictions on free night use
10.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, issued by Chase, is a travel rewards card designed for frequent travelers who prefer Marriott properties. Offering six points per dollar spent at over 7,000 Marriott Bonvoy hotels and two points per dollar on all other purchases, the card also provides a free night award every year after account anniversary. Additional benefits include automatic Silver Elite status, no foreign transaction fees, and various travel and purchase protections.
Pros
- Generous rewards program
- No foreign transaction fees
- Complimentary Silver Elite status
- Annual free night award
- Broad hotel network.
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Limited airline transfer partners
- High APR
- Rewards expire without activity
- Limited elite benefits.