Top-Rated Credit Cards for Points
Credit cards for points are financial products that reward cardholders with points for every dollar spent on purchases. These points can be redeemed for a variety of benefits, such as travel, merchandise, gift cards, or statement credits, offering an incentive for consumers to use their credit cards regularly.
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These cards often come with varying reward structures and bonus categories, allowing cardholders to earn points faster on certain types of purchases like dining, travel, or groceries. Some credit cards for points also offer sign-up bonuses, which can provide a significant number of points if a certain spending threshold is met within the first few months of account opening. Additionally, many of these credit cards come with extra perks such as travel insurance, purchase protection, and access to exclusive events. However, it's important for consumers to be mindful of annual fees and interest rates, as the costs can sometimes outweigh the benefits if the card isn't used strategically. Comparing different credit card offers and understanding one's spending habits are crucial steps to maximizing the value of a points-based credit card.
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 VentureView AllCapital One Venture - Capital One Venture: Travel rewards card with flexible redemption options.
Discover it MilesView AllDiscover it Miles - Travel rewards card with unlimited 1.5x miles on purchases.
Bank of America Premium RewardsView AllBank of America Premium Rewards - Travel rewards card offering points, travel credits, and perks.
Wells Fargo PropelView AllWells Fargo Propel - Rewards credit card with no annual fee.
U.S. Bank Altitude ReserveView AllU.S. Bank Altitude Reserve - U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve: premier travel rewards credit card.
Hilton Honors American Express AspireView AllHilton Honors American Express Aspire - Premium travel rewards card with luxury Hilton benefits.
Marriott Bonvoy BoundlessView AllMarriott Bonvoy Boundless - Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: Travel rewards credit card with hotel perks.
Top-Rated Credit Cards for Points
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
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a popular travel rewards card that offers 2X miles on every purchase, with no blackout dates or restrictions. Cardholders can redeem miles for travel expenses such as flights, hotels, and car rentals. The card often comes with a generous sign-up bonus, travel benefits like travel accident insurance, and no foreign transaction fees. It has a $95 annual fee, waived for the first year, making it an attractive option for frequent travelers.
Pros
- Unlimited 2x miles
- Easy redemption process
- No foreign transaction fees
- Flexible transfer partners
- Travel insurance benefits
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Limited travel perks
- No introductory 0% APR
- Requires good credit
- Limited premium benefits
5.
Discover it Miles
The Discover it® Miles credit card is a travel rewards card that offers unlimited 1.5x miles on every dollar spent on purchases. Ideal for frequent travelers, the card features no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and an easy-to-use rewards system. New cardholders benefit from an introductory offer where Discover matches all miles earned in the first year. Additional perks include flexible redemption options and access to FICO® credit scores for better financial management.
Pros
- Unlimited 1.5x miles
- No annual fee
- First-year miles match
- $0 foreign transaction fees
- Flexible redemption options.
Cons
- Limited travel perks
- No airport lounge access
- Limited transfer partners
- No introductory APR on purchases
- Requires good credit.
6.
Bank of America Premium Rewards
Bank of America Premium Rewards is a high-value credit card designed for frequent travelers and high spenders. It offers 2 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases, and 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases. Cardholders benefit from up to $200 in annual travel statement credits, including $100 for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Additional perks include no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance, and concierge service, making it an attractive option for premium card users.
Pros
- Generous rewards rate
- Travel credits
- No foreign transaction fees
- Sign-up bonus
- Access to luxury travel benefits.
Cons
- High annual fee
- Requires excellent credit
- Limited travel partners
- Rewards redemption options
- Complex rewards structure.
7.
Wells Fargo Propel
The Wells Fargo Propel is a popular no-annual-fee credit card that offers generous rewards and benefits. Cardholders earn 3X points on dining, travel, transit, and popular streaming services, and 1X points on other purchases. It also features a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months. With no foreign transaction fees and comprehensive travel and purchase protections, the Wells Fargo Propel is a versatile and valuable option for everyday spending and travel.
Pros
- No annual fee
- 3x points on various categories
- intro APR on purchases
- cell phone protection
- no foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- Limited travel transfer partners
- points value varies
- requires good credit
- no sign-up bonus
- limited premium benefits.
8.
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve
The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is a premium travel rewards credit card offering high-value benefits. It provides 3x points on travel and mobile wallet purchases, a $325 annual travel credit, and access to Priority Pass airport lounges. Cardholders also enjoy TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee reimbursement, luxury hotel benefits, and no foreign transaction fees. While it carries a $400 annual fee, the extensive travel perks and rewards can significantly offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Pros
- High rewards on travel
- $325 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass Select membership
- TSA PreCheck fee credit
- Real-Time Mobile Rewards.
Cons
- $400 annual fee
- Limited transfer partners
- High APR
- No intro APR offer
- Requires excellent credit.
9.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is a premium travel rewards credit card tailored for frequent travelers. It offers a wealth of benefits, including complimentary Hilton Diamond status, a free weekend night reward annually, and up to $250 in Hilton resort credits each year. Cardholders also earn a high rate of Hilton Honors points on purchases, particularly at Hilton properties. Additional perks include priority airport lounge access and up to $250 in airline fee credits annually.
Pros
- Complimentary Diamond status
- $250 Hilton resort credit
- Free weekend night reward
- Priority Pass membership
- 14X points on Hilton purchases.
Cons
- High annual fee
- Limited lounge access
- Limited point transfer partners
- High spend requirement for bonus
- Not all benefits useful.
10.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is a premium travel rewards credit card offered by Chase. It provides cardholders with generous benefits, including six points per dollar spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, and two points per dollar on all other purchases. Perks include a free night award annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and no foreign transaction fees. Ideal for frequent travelers, it offers extensive opportunities to earn and redeem points across Marriott's vast global portfolio of hotels and resorts.
Pros
- Generous rewards rate
- Free anniversary night
- Elite status benefits
- No foreign transaction fees
- Extensive hotel network.
Cons
- High annual fee
- Limited airline transfer partners
- Requires good credit
- Few luxury perks
- Points may devalue over time.