Skip to Main Content

Best rewards credit cards of November 2024

Updated November 06, 2024

Advertiser Disclosure: The listings that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which Bankrate receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Here's an explanation for and how we rate our cards.

Filter by

Showing 15 results

Best for entertainment

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
5.0
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Capital One's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

$250 Cash Back

Rewards rate

1% - 8%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: Its boosted cash back rate in popular spending categories makes it a great standalone option.

LIMITED-TIME OFFER

Best for point value

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
5.0
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Chase's secure site

Intro offer

$300 Chase Travel℠ Credit + 60,000 bonus points

Rewards rate

1x - 5x

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

20.99% - 27.99% Variable

Why you'll like this: It boasts terrific rewards value with its annual bonus points, practical bonus categories, high-value points and redemption flexibility.

Best for flat-rate cash rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.3
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Wells Fargo's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

$200 cash rewards

Rewards rate

2%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR

Best for groceries

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.4
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

Earn $250

Rewards rate

1% - 6%

Annual fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

APR

18.74%-29.74% Variable

Why you'll like this: It boasts the highest cash back rate available at U.S. supermarkets.

Best for online shopping

Prime Visa

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.1
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Amazon's secure site

Intro offer

Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card

Rewards rate

1% - 10%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.99% - 28.74% Variable

Why you'll like this: It boasts a terrific rewards rate on Amazon purchases, which can cover a slew of household items, entertainment, gifts, food and more.

Best for hotel bookings

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.6
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Citi's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

70,000 bonus points

Rewards rate

1X - 10X

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

20.74% - 28.74% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: It has a valuable welcome offer and an annual hotel credit that can easily offset its annual fee.

Best for luxury travel

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.8
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

Earn 80,000 points

Rewards rate

5X - 5X

Annual fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Why you'll like this: It’s perfect for luxury-minded travelers who spare no expense when booking airfare or hotels and want the most with every experience.

Best for gas

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.4
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Citi's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

$200

Rewards rate

1% - 5%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

18.74% - 28.74% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: It offers a top cash back rate in several everyday categories and is flexible enough to fit with nearly any rewards strategy.

Best for travel bonus

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.9
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Capital One's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

75,000 miles

Rewards rate

2 Miles - 5 Miles

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: It boasts solid short- and long-term value with its flat rewards rate and new welcome offer, which offers a terrific return on spend.

Best no-annual-fee travel card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.1
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Capital One's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

20,000 miles

Rewards rate

1.25 Miles - 5 Miles

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: Earning travel rewards is simple and low risk thanks to its solid flat rewards rate and $0 annual fee.

OFFER ENDS 11/6/24

Best for food and travel

American Express® Gold Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.9
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

60,000 points + earn up to $100 back

Rewards rate

1X - 4X

Annual fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Why you'll like this: Along with its terrific perks for foodies, it offers valuable rewards on everyday spending.

Best for paying rent

Bilt Mastercard®

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.0
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Bilt's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

N/A

Rewards rate

1X Points - 3X Points

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

See Terms

Best for category variety

Discover it® Cash Back

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.4
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Discover's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

Cashback Match

Rewards rate

1% - 5%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

18.74% - 27.74% Variable APR

Why you'll like this: It offers the best rewards rate you can get in several popular categories over the course of the year.

Best for affordable travel perks

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
5.0
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(740 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Capital One's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

75,000 miles

Rewards rate

2 Miles - 10 Miles

Annual fee

$395

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: You’ll get access to a handful of the most useful and valuable travel perks out there without breaking the bank.

Best for everyday travel

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.0
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Wells Fargo's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

20,000 bonus points

Rewards rate

1X - 3X

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR

compare
Compare

Compare Bankrate’s top rewards credit cards

Card name Our pick for Rewards highlights
Annual fee
Bankrate review score

Entertainment + Best overall

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, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)

Bankrate’s rewards value: 1.7 cents per point*

 
 
$0

5.0 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Capital One's secure site

Rewards value

5X points on Chase Travel℠ and Lyft rides (Lyft offer through March 31, 2025)
 
3X points on dining (including eligible delivery services), select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs)
 
2X points on all other travel purchases
 
25% increased redemption value toward travel through Chase Travel
 
Bankrate’s rewards value: 2.0 cents per point*
 
$95

5.0 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Chase's secure site
Flat-rate cash rewards

2% cash rewards on purchases

Bankrate’s rewards value: 1.0 cents per point*

 

 

 

 
$0

4.3 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Wells Fargo's secure site
Groceries

6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in supermarket purchases, then 1%)

3% cash back on U.S. gas station and transit purchases

Bankrate’s rewards value: 2.0 cents per point*

 
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

4.4 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Online shopping

5 percent back on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and Chase Travel purchases

2 percent back on restaurant, gas station, local transit and commuting purchases (including rideshares)

Baseline rewards value: 1 cent per point

$0

4.1 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Amazon's secure site
Hotel bookings
10X points on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com
 
3X points on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas and EV charging stations.
 
Bankrate’s rewards value: 1.6 cents per point*
$95

4.6 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Citi's secure site
Luxury travel
5X points on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 spent per calendar year) 
 
1X points on all other purchases 
 
Bankrate’s rewards value: 2.0 cents per point*
 
$695

4.8 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Gas

5% cash back on purchases on the top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent each cycle, 1% cash back thereafter)

 1% cash back on all other purchases

Bankrate’s rewards value: 1.0 cents per point*

$0

4.4 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Citi's secure site

Travel bonus

5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
 
2X miles on every purchase
 
Bankrate’s rewards value: 1.7 cents per mile*
 
$95

4.9 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Capital One's secure site
No-annual-fee travel card
5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
 
1.25X miles on all other purchases
 
Bankrate’s rewards value: 1.7 cents per mile*
 
$0

4.1 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Capital One's secure site

Food and travel

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.

4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.

3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.

Bankrate’s rewards value: 2.0 cents per point*

 
$325

4.9 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Paying rent
3X Points on dining
 
2X Points on travel
 
1X Points on rent payments (up to a maximum 100,000 points per year) and other purchases
 
 Use the card five times each statement period to earn points. See Rewards and Benefits terms
 
(Bilt Rent Day doubles all rewards rates on the first day of each month for 2X points to 6X points on non-rent purchases, up to 1,000 points per the first day of the month)
 
Bankrate’s rewards value: 2.1 cents per point*
 
$0

4.0 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Bilt's secure site

Category variety

5% cash back on rotating bonus categories after activation (on up to $1,500 in combined purchases per quarter, then 1%)
 
$0

4.4 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Discover's secure site
Affordable travel perks
10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
 
5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel and Capital One Entertainment purchases
 
2X miles on all other purchases
 
10,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary
 
Bankrate’s rewards value: 1.7 cents per mile*
 
$395

5.0 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Capital One's secure site
Everyday travel
3X points on restaurant, travel, transit, gas station, phone plan and popular streaming service purchases
 
1X points on all other purchases
 
Bankrate’s rewards value: 1.0 cents per point*
 
$0

4.0 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Wells Fargo's secure site
Image of American Express Green Card®
American Express Green Card®
Transit

3X points on eligible dining, transit and travel purchases (including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, vacation rentals and travel purchases through third-party travel websites and the American Express Travel portal)

Bankrate’s rewards value: 2.0 cents per point*
$150

The information about the My GM Rewards® Mastercard® has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

*Bankrate’s points and miles valuations are based on an average of the issuer’s five highest-value transfer partners (if available).

Expert advice for choosing the best rewards card

Navigating the wide range of rewards card options available can be difficult but tips and insights from Bankrate experts can help you narrow your options and choose a card that’s right for you. We asked Bankrate writer, Garrett Yarbrough, about his own reward card journey and his advice has provided some key takeaways for choosing a rewards card.

  • Calendar Money Icon

    Figure out where you spend the most each month

    You can match your spending habits with a fitting rewards card once you know your major monthly categories, where you often shop and how much you typically spend.

    “My biggest expenses tend to be everyday purchases like groceries, gas and dining. I love to cook, too, so I’d probably lean on a grocery rewards card more than one with a restaurant category,” explains Yarbrough. “On paper, my spending habits meant a card with a high rewards rate at grocery stores would be helpful. But in practice, I’d likely rack up more rewards with a flat-rate card since grocery store categories usually don’t include wholesale clubs and superstores like Walmart.” 

    Learn more: How to choose a credit card for everyday spending

  • Credit Card With Dollar Sign Icon

    Consider effort versus rewards

    Some cards are valuable because of their simplicity, but others have complicated terms for earning rewards, such as spending caps or requirements. Overall, there are three main types of rewards credit cards:

    • Flat-rate rewards cards: The easiest to manage since they earn rewards at the same rate on almost all purchases (usually 1.5 percent or 2 percent back). They’re a great fit if you value simplicity but cards with tiered rates can be more rewarding.
    • Tiered category cards: Great standalone cards since they earn anywhere from 2 percent to 6 percent rewards in popular bonus categories like groceries, dining and travel but often lack value for less common spending categories.
    • Rotating category cards: Earn chart-topping 5 percent rewards on categories that change each quarter, but these high-maintenance options may be better suited as supplementary cards for rewards strategists.

    The right card for you will reward you at a high rate in your most common spending categories and won’t require you to feel like you’re jumping through hoops to access its best rates. If you value simplicity and want to keep things straightforward, choosing a rewards card isn’t the right time to start complicating your card strategy. Pick the card with a rewards program that matches the amount of effort you’re comfortable with.

  • Dollar Reload Icon

    Determine how you’d like to redeem your rewards

    Cash back cards are generally easiest if you want to put your rewards back into your everyday spending. If you don’t mind strategizing and complicating your rewards experience, you could earn more than the standard 1 cent per point or mile with a travel rewards card with redemption options like transfer partners.

    Learn more: How to maximize your credit card rewards

  • Credit Card Search Icon

    Look at the card's fees

    Foreign transaction fees and APR are worth keeping an eye on in case you need to use your card abroad or carry a balance in a pinch, but the annual fee is the most important. You'll need to decide whether the card’s benefits and potential rewards can help offset the yearly cost. This was less of an issue for Yarbrough: “APRs weren’t a huge concern since I already had a low-interest card from my credit union and I avoid carrying a balance, so I focused on rewards.”

    Generally, it’s a good idea to pay your balance in full every month to avoid snowballing interest charges that will quickly outpace the rewards you earn.

  • Rewards Icon

    Consider intro APR offers or sign-up bonuses

    Many no-annual-fee rewards cards carry sign-up bonuses worth around $200 (usually after spending $500 to $1,000 in the first three months), plus 12 to 15-month 0 percent intro APR periods on balance transfers and new purchases. Although premium rewards cards typically don’t carry intro APR offers, they often pack stronger sign-up bonuses worth $600 to $750+ (usually after spending $4,000 in the first three to six months).

    Make sure to choose a card that matches your needs or carries a sign-up bonus with a realistic spending requirement. A card that asks you to spend $4,000 in three months might not be a good fit if you never spend $4,000 in any given quarter.

  • Credit Card With Star Icon

    Factor in valuable perks

    Perks that come with a card can play a key role in determining its overall value — ideally recouping the annual fee with valuable benefits without dipping into your hard-earned rewards. Many premium cards carry flashy perks like annual travel credits, airport lounge access and automatic loyalty status, but be sure to read the fine print and calculate whether you’ll actually get enough value out of these perks to consistently offset the yearly cost.

    “Knowing I wanted a future-proof, flat-rate rewards card with diverse redemption options and plenty of pairing opportunities helped me quickly narrow my search to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®,” Yarbrough notes. “The Freedom Unlimited card’s trip cancellation and interruption insurance plus limited-time rideshare and delivery service benefits added enough extra personal value to give it a leg up over similar cards for me.”

    Learn more: Top credit card perks for 2024

  • Credit Card Transfer Icon

    Consider future pairing opportunities

    If you’re planning on expanding your card roster eventually, knowing how to best pair your cards can help make your decision.

    Garrett kept his rewards card endgame in mind when choosing the Freedom Unlimited: “I can eventually boost the value of the Freedom Unlimited card’s rewards by adding the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to my wallet and redeeming points for travel. Until then, the Freedom Unlimited gives me a stellar foundation to build my rewards strategy.”

Bankrate's image file
Weigh the pros and cons of rewards cards

Are rewards credit cards worth it?

Arrow Right Icon

Staff Picks: Our experts' favorite rewards programs


Lead Writer, Credit Cards

“I have the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which earns incredibly flexible travel rewards. I'm not big on rewards transfers, so I appreciate that Capital One miles hold consistent value whether I book travel through the issuer's portal or use miles to cover recent travel purchases. Plus, I convert my Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card’s cash back into miles to earn free travel faster. It's really simple and convenient!"

Writer, Credit Cards

“I base my cards strategy around earning flexible rewards on everyday spending while minimizing the number of cards I need to use. In all my years of reviewing credit cards, I’ve found the Chase Ultimate Rewards program still strikes the best balance between versatility and value. It’s hard to beat a program that offers top-shelf rewards value through transfer partners, a full 1-cent-per-point cash back redemption value and a unique rewards value boost toward issuer-booked travel.”

Writer, Credit Cards

“I like to maximize my rewards on every purchase, no matter how large or small. I get the best value from Chase Ultimate Rewards points, particularly when transferring to World of Hyatt or Southwest Airlines rewards. Whether it's spending towards an annual bonus or using the best bonus multiplier for almost any category, my arsenal of Chase cards bring the largest possible return for the best possible value. Combining my points boosts the value earned by each card, making my Chase cards a well-oiled rewards machine that facilitates great travel experiences for my family.”

Our data: Low approval rates in spring, summer 2024

A 2024 Bankrate survey found that credit card applicants are still experiencing stiff approval odds since issuers tightened underwriting in 2023. September’s rate cut could change the credit cards landscape a bit, but it may be a while before cardholders feel the effects. 

We dug into our proprietary data on the approval rates of Bankrate’s top rewards cards. Our data on Bankrate credit card applications shows that the average approval rate for rewards cards peaked in February 2024 at about 68 percent. However, this rate dropped sharply to 54 percent in March, and by July 2024, it had gone down to 47 percent. This data covers both flat-rate and category rewards cards. 

Even cards like the Citi Strata Premier Card and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card experienced sharp drops in approvals. Both launched in May 2024, with the Citi Strata approving 60 percent of Bankrate applicants and the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey approving almost 55 percent of applicants. However, in July, these cards’ approval rates were down to 34 percent and 46 percent, respectively.

People tend to spend heavily on expenses like vacations in the spring and summer, and the holiday season is only a few months away. However, based on our approval data, it may be better to wait until next year to apply for a new card. In the meantime, you can focus on paying down debts and building your credit score to give yourself better approval odds. 

Data like this never gives the full picture, though. Your credit profile, income and other personal and financial information are what’s most important when applying for a new credit card. You can also use tools like CardMatch™ to see which cards you may be approved for.

Ask the experts: What's your go-to method for maximizing credit card rewards?


Financial Educator, Debt and Credit

As someone who travels a lot, I focus on travel rewards, mostly hotel accommodations, with no hotel brand affinity. I use an online discount travel site’s branded card, using promo codes at the point of sale. I earn the most points on travel booked through the site, and I also get a bonus on points I’ve redeemed toward past travel purchases. The points can also be used to purchase trips on the site, and points are earned on those purchases as well. I also use the Upromise.com browser extension that lets you know when you can earn an additional 5 percent cash back shopping online that goes automatically into a 529 college savings account.

Contributor, Personal Finance

Most people focus their credit card strategy on how to earn the most points possible and then later think about what they might be able to redeem them for. I think this is backwards. I like to start by knowing what reward I’m working toward, then reverse engineer my earning strategy. I’m not just earning points — I’m earning the right points, and I know I’m going to be able to put them into use! This is much more motivating.

Contributor, Credit Cards

I spend naturally, but use my credit cards for almost every expense. I don't look at how many rewards I have earned monthly because I like being surprised by how many I have to redeem.

Frequently asked questions about rewards credit cards

Learn more about rewards credit cards

How we assess the best rewards credit cards

Document Icon
150+
cards rated
Congrats Icon
50+
rewards programs valued
Search Icon
1800
data points analyzed
Credit Card Reviews Icon
40+
perks evaluated

When evaluating the best rewards cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards in popular categories to scoring a large sign-up bonus or high-value perks. Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points. 

We analyzed over 150 of the most popular cards and scored each based on its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup of the best rewards cards.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key factors in our rewards card scoring methodology and details we considered when putting together our list of the best rewards cards.  

5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Overall Score
  • Value 65%
  • Flexibility 15%
  • Perks 15%
  • Customer experience 5%