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The information about the Capital One Spark Cash for Business, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card credit card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
How to choose and use a rewards credit card
With a rewards credit card you can earn cash back, points or airline miles on the purchases you already make, usually at a set percentage of your spending. You can redeem your rewards for statement credits, cash back, airline tickets, hotel nights, gift cards and more.
When choosing the best rewards credit card for you, it pays to do some research and reflection. In general, you should ask yourself:
- What types of purchases you spend the most on – grocery stores, travel, dining out, etc.
- What kind of rewards you’re interested in – travel, cash back, etc.
- How much effort you’re willing to put into maximizing your earnings.
Check out our guide to choosing and using the best rewards credit card for you, along with in-depth profiles of the top rewards cards available from our partners.
Bankrate’s picks for 2021’s best rewards credit cards
| Card Name |
Rewards Highlights |
Bankrate Review Score |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express |
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% cash back on transit.
3% cash back at U.S. gas stations |
4.6 / 5
(Read full card review) |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card |
Unlimited 2X miles per dollar |
4.7 / 5
(Read full card review) |
| Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card |
Unlimited 1.5% cash back |
4.7 / 5
(Read full card review) |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® |
5% on travel (purchased through Chase)
3% on dining and drugstores
1.5% on all other purchases. |
4.6 / 5
(Read full card review) |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card |
Unlimited 1.25X miles per dollar |
4.4 / 5
(Read full card review) |
| Discover it® Cash Back |
5% cash back on rotating bonus categories (on up to $1,500 in combined purchases per quarter, then 1%. Activation required) |
4.7 / 5
(Read full card review) |
| Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card |
Unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment.
Unlimited 2% cash back at grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target) |
4.6 / 5
(Read full card review) |
| Citi® Double Cash Card |
Unlimited 2% cash back (1% as you purchase, 1% as you pay) |
4.7 / 5
(Read full card review) |
| Alliant Visa Platinum Rewards Credit Card |
Unlimited 2 rewards points per $1 |
(Coming soon) |
| Chase Freedom Flex℠ |
3% cash back at restaurants
3% cash back on drugstore purchases |
4.5 / 5
(Read full card review) |
| Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express |
3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores |
4.5 / 5
(Read full card review) |
| Citi Rewards+℠ Card |
2x ThankYou Points per dollar at supermarkets and gas stations (on up to $6,000 in combined purchases per year) |
4.6 / 5
(Read full card review) |
| American Express® Gold Card |
4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (Annual Fee: $250) |
4.4 / 5
(Read full card review) |
| American Express Cash Magnet® Card |
Unlimited 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases |
4.4 / 5
(Read full card review) |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card |
2X points per dollar on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide |
4.8 / 5
(Read full card review) |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® |
3X points per dollar on dining and travel worldwide (after earning your $300 travel credit)
1X point per dollar on everything else |
5.0 / 5
(Read full card review) |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express |
5X Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (Annual Fee: $550) |
4.8 / 5
(Read full card review) |
A closer look at our top-rated rewards credit cards
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Why we rate it best for travel rewards
You’ll earn 2X miles per $1 on all purchases along with 60,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $600 in travel.
How to maximize this card’s rewards
You’ll get the most value redeeming miles through the Capital One portal. However, you do have the freedom to transfer Capital One Miles to many travel loyalty programs, usually getting 1.5 airline miles for every two Capital One Miles.
Our final thought
Though this isn’t one of the elite few credit cards that offer airport lounge access, a major perk offered by competitors including Chase, American Express and Mastercard, the Capital One Venture is an exceptional rewards card with plenty of perks for the frequent traveler.
Read the full review and apply on Capital One’s secure website.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Why we rate it best for flat-rate cash back rewards
Unlike some other flat-rate rewards cards, the Capital One Quicksilver doesn’t have an annual fee, a foreign transaction fee or complicated mechanisms that control how you earn your rewards.
How to maximize this card’s rewards
Since this is a flat-rate card with no limits or categories, there’s no real strategy involved. Just spend responsibly and continue earning 1.5 percent cash back.
Our final thought
If you want a low-maintenance cash back card that makes earning rewards simple, the Capital One Quicksilver is well worth your consideration.
Read the full review and apply on Capital One’s secure website.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Why we rate it best as a first rewards credit card
Very few rewards cards make cash back this easy. You can just sit back and earn at least 1.5% cash back with every eligible purchase — no rotating categories or minimum requirement for redeeming cash back.
How to maximize this card’s rewards
Pairing a flat-rate card with one or more tiered rewards cards is truly the best strategy — you’ll earn boosted rewards in your favorite categories while having a catch-all rewards card for purchases that don’t fit into any bonus categories. Just be sure the tiered cards don’t have annual fees that cut into your rewards. If you’re not interested in using multiple cards, you’ll still earn a fair amount of cash back by making the Chase Freedom your primary method of payment.
Our final thought
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is a great option for your first rewards card because it requires very little effort on your part to earn cash back and redemptions are easy. Overall, this card is a great no-hassle option with a lot of flexibility, all for no annual fee.
Read the full review and apply on Chase’s secure website.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Why we rate it best for rewards on everyday purchases
The rewards rates in the U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations categories are particularly well-suited for busy families. The 6 percent cash back on select U.S. streaming services can also benefit households that have cut the cable cord. Don’t overlook the 3 percent earnings on transit, including rideshares, tolls and parking.
How to maximize this card’s rewards
Remember that most wholesale clubs won’t qualify in the U.S. supermarket category, so be sure to do your grocery shopping at more traditional supermarkets to maximize the 6 percent cash back (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1 percent). You can sometimes get around this with grocery delivery apps. You also need to ensure that your spending habits can offset the $95 annual fee.
Our final thought
The Blue Cash Preferred Card offers exceptional cash back rewards for keeping your family fed and your vehicles fueled. It’s one of the best options on the market for on-the-go families.
Read the full review and apply on the American Express secure website.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Why we rate it best for travel rewards with no annual fee
An annual fee is sometimes the price you have to pay for generous travel rewards and benefits, but not in the case of the Capital One VentureOne. The rewards rate of 1.25x miles per dollar on every purchase might not be that exciting but the broad travel category definition and flexible redemption options sweeten the deal. Perks including Travel & Emergency Assistance give the card’s value a nice boost (Benefits only available to accounts approved for the Visa Signature card. Terms apply).
How to maximize this card’s rewards
The redemption option with the highest value will usually be booking travel through the Capital One travel portal.
Our final thought
You’d have to travel far and wide to find a rewards card that offers this kind of earning potential without charging an annual fee. The Capital One VentureOne is a solid choice among travel rewards cards.
Read the full review and apply on Capital One’s secure website.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Why we rate it best for dining and entertainment with no annual fee
For those who frequent places like movie theaters, tourist attractions and restaurants, this card is a solid option. The SavorOne offers 3 percent cash back on dining and entertainment, 2 percent at grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target) and 1 percent on everything else. Its sister card, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, earns a higher rewards rate on dining and entertainment (4 percent), but the SavorOne still offers ample opportunities to rack up cash back minus the Savor’s $95 annual fee.
How to maximize this card’s rewards
If your interests also include travel, consider pairing this card with the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card. The combination of the SavorOne and the VentureOne will help you earn cash back and travel miles without having to pay an annual fee on either card.
Our final thought
The Capital One SavorOne is well-suited for people who enjoy food and fun but don’t quite spend enough on either to justify paying an annual fee.
Read the full review and apply on Capital One’s secure website.
Discover it® Cash Back
Why we rate it best for rotating category rewards
If you enroll in the rotating bonus categories every quarter and target your spending on those qualifying purchases, your cash back rewards can add up quickly. Discover’s cash back calendar typically includes categories such as restaurants, gas stations and popular retailers.
How to maximize this card’s rewards
The rotating bonus categories do require some effort on your part. You’ll need to activate the bonus categories every quarter and adjust your spending patterns to take full advantage.
Our final thought
The Discover it Cash Back is a desirable rewards card for earning cash back on many different kinds of purchases. If you take full advantage of the rotating bonus categories, you can really cash in.
Read the full review and apply on Discover’s secure website.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Why we rate it best for family rewards with no annual fee
You won’t find many cards that can earn this much cash back in family-friendly spending categories year-round, especially with no annual fee.
How to maximize this card’s rewards
For families, it’s easy — make sure you’re always charging your U.S. supermarket and U.S. gas station purchases to your Blue Cash Everyday. That way, you can take full advantage of the 3 percent cash back (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
Our final thought
With the Blue Cash Everyday Card, American Express offers the opportunity to earn exceptional cash back rewards without having to pay an annual fee. Budget-conscious families, take note.
Read the full review and apply on the American Express secure website.
Citi® Double Cash Card
Why we rate is best for cash rewards
The Citi Double Cash offers one of the richest card rewards offers out there: Earn 2 percent cash back (1 percent back when you make a purchase, then another 1 percent back when you paid for that purchase).
How to maximize this card’s rewards
This card is as straightforward as they come. If your goal is to keep your rewards strategy simple, this card makes it easy – no spending categories to worry about. Simply use this card for all of your spending and earn generous, flat-rate rewards.
Our final thought
In addition to a superior cash rewards offer, this card also offers 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (it’s 13.99%-23.99% variable after that). Also, this card offers no annual fee.
Read the full review and apply on Citi’s secure website.
Chase Freedom Flex® by Mastercard
Why we rate it best for cash back in multiple categories
This card’s cash back categories include travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® (5 percent), restaurants (3 percent) and drugstore purchases (3 percent), as well as 5 percent cash back in Chase’s rotating bonus categories (on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter you activate).
How to maximize this card’s rewards
The ongoing travel, restaurant and drugstore categories will also require some targeted spending on your part, as will Chase’s rotating bonus categories — don’t forget to activate each quarter.
Our final thought
The potential cash back earnings with this card are huge. The Chase Freedom Flex is definitely worth a look if your spending patterns align with all the various categories, including those in the rotating bonus categories that Chase updates every quarter.
Read the full review and apply on Chase’s secure website.
Citi Rewards+℠ Card
Why we rate it best for rewards on small purchases
This card has something that competitors currently don’t offer: the Round Up feature, which automatically rounds up rewards to the nearest 10 points on every purchase. A short trip to the supermarket, for example, is likely to result in more ThankYou Points than you’d expect.
How to maximize this card’s rewards
The 2X ThankYou Points at supermarkets and gas stations (on up to $6,000 in combined purchases per year, then 1X) will serve the practical consumer well. However, the points you earn with the Citi Rewards card are considered “basic” ThankYou Points. If you really want to redeem for maximum travel points, you’ll need to pair it with a Citi Premier® Card or Citi Prestige® Card.
Our final thought
The Round Up feature boosts your earning potential even with small purchases, making the Citi Rewards Card an intriguing option for people whose spending habits tend more toward “forage” than “splurge.”
Read the full review and apply on Citi’s secure website.
Alliant Visa® Platinum Rewards Credit Card
Why we rate it the best credit union rewards card
This card earns unlimited two rewards points per dollar spent on eligible purchases, which is quite generous for a flat-rate rewards program.
How to maximize this card’s rewards
Take full advantage of Alliant’s Points Program, which offers several redemption options including travel, merchandise, cash back and charitable contributions. You can also earn bonus points through exclusive online and in-store retail offers and promotions.
Our final thought
As a highly rated credit union, Alliant provides benefits that include high-rate checking accounts. With this card, Alliant also offers an intriguing credit card rewards program.
Alliant Visa® Platinum Rewards Credit Card review coming soon.
American Express® Gold Card
Why we rate it best for travel rewards for dining purchases
Foodies who want to stockpile travel rewards can’t go wrong with the Amex Gold: You’ll earn 4X points per dollar at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X). Even if you don’t spend much on travel, you can quickly rack up Membership Rewards points on everyday purchases and transfer them to one of Amex’s airline partners to potentially boost their value.
How to maximize this card’s rewards
Your points are most valuable when you transfer to one of the American Express travel partners or book airfare through the American Express travel portal, rather than redeeming for statement credits or shopping online.
Our final thought
If you want to earn travel rewards but don’t already spend a ton of money on travel, the Amex Gold could be a great fit. Home cooks and restaurant-goers alike will appreciate this card’s outsized rewards rate at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.
Read the full review and apply on the American Express secure website.
American Express Cash Magnet® Card
Why we rate it best for cash back with payment flexibility
The Plan It® and Pay It® features from American Express can help you devise an efficient, economical strategy for paying off purchases large and small. Meanwhile, you’ll enjoy reliable rewards with 1.5 percent cash back on eligible purchases, no categories or activation involved.
How to maximize this card’s rewards
Your best option for using your Rewards Dollars is to redeem them for statement credits instead of merchandise or gift cards.
Our final thought
For some consumers, flexibility in how they manage their balances can be its own reward. The American Express Cash Magnet offers that opportunity, along with steady cash back rewards.
Read the full review and apply on the American Express secure website.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Why we rate it best for flexible rewards points
With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you’ll enjoy 1-1 point transfer with travel partners (nine airlines and four hotel brands). Some rewards portals make it difficult to get your money’s worth, but Chase Ultimate Rewards offers a refreshing contrast.
How to maximize this card’s rewards
The rewards portal is what really makes this card special — the points you earn with your Chase Sapphire Preferred receive a 25-percent bump in value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
Our final thought
Unlike some travel cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred does not require massive spending to be rewarding. The combination of the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal can make this card valuable even for the casual traveler.
Read the full review and apply on Chase’s secure website.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Why we rate it best for pairing with another rewards card
Pairing the Chase Sapphire Reserve with another card that earns Ultimate Rewards points will allow you to maximize your rewards on everything you buy, not just travel and dining.
How to maximize this card’s rewards
If you have another card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards, moving points to the Chase Sapphire Reserve can boost their value by as much as 50 percent when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal.
Our final thought
Though the annual fee is a head-turner for most, the Chase Sapphire Reserve makes it easy to earn outsized rewards on travel and dining and to transfer or pool points to make the most of your rewards.
Read the full review and apply on Chase’s secure website.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Why we rate it best for luxury rewards
Few cards can compete with the Amex Platinum when it comes to luxury perks and travel benefits. The card gets you hundreds of dollars worth of credits for airline fees, expedited security screening, rideshares, high-end shopping and more. It’s also your ticket to all Priority Pass, Delta Sky Club and Airspace airport lounges, as well as Amex’s ultra-posh Centurion Lounges.
How to maximize this card’s rewards
Book your flights and hotels with American Express Travel to earn 5X Membership Rewards® points. You’ll also earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines.
Our final thought
The Amex Platinum has long been a top choice for rewards-savvy travelers, and assuming you’ll take advantage of them, the card’s unparalleled credits and luxury perks should eclipse its $550 annual fee.
Read the full review and apply on the American Express secure website.
What is a rewards credit card?
A rewards card can earn you points, miles or cash back for purchases made with the card. The card can be flat-rate — meaning it offers the same percentage back for every purchase — or offer rotating bonus categories — meaning you’ll earn different percentages depending on the category in which your purchase falls.
Depending on the issuer, rewards cards offer distinct rewards programs and have specific rules concerning how you can redeem your rewards. Some issuers require you to redeem your rewards through their portal. There can also be restrictions on what you can redeem your rewards for, such as cash back, statement credit, gift cards, shopping, travel and more.
In some cases, redeeming through the portal adds value to your rewards. A prime example is using the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal with the Chase Sapphire Preferred. When you use the portal to redeem points earned with this card for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises, the value increases 25%.
If you redeem 60,000 points (earned when you spend 4,000 in the first 3 months) for travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, those points will be worth $750 instead of $600.
Types of rewards credit cards
Navigating all the rewards card options available to you can be difficult. That’s why we broke out some of the most common types, along with more detailed recommendations from our team on the best cards in each category.
With a cash back card, you’ll be rewarded with a percentage of your purchases paid back to you. Your cash back will typically be applied as a statement credit toward your account, but some cards can directly deposit the cash back into your checking or savings account. Here are the three main types of cash back.
- Flat-rate cash back cards offer a fixed percent back — usually between 1 and 3 percent — on all purchases. For those who prefer to set and forget, a flat-rate credit card is an excellent, no-fuss option. The American Express Cash Magnet® Card, for example, earns 1.5 percent cash back on all eligible purchases.
- Tiered cash back cards reward specific types of purchases at a higher rate. For instance, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 4 percent cash back on dining and entertainment purchases, 2 percent cash back at grocery stores and 1 percent on all other purchases. If you’re willing to spend strategically, you’ll likely find the most value in a tiered cash back card. Families, for example, may use the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express to earn 6 percent cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1 percent, while using a different card for dining out.
- Rotating category cash back cards like the Discover it® Cash Back are similar to tiered cash back cards in that they reward certain purchases at a higher rate. The difference is that the spending categories change, usually each quarter. The categories will often align with seasonal trends. For example, you might earn 5 percent cash back on gas station purchases after activation (up to the quarterly spending limit of $1,500 and 1 percent after) in the summer months when people often take road trips.
Read our full guide to cash back for a comprehensive look at how cash back works.
With a travel rewards card, you can expect perks like discounted trips, seat upgrades, travel insurance benefits, statement credits and more. There are two main types of travel rewards credit cards: co-branded and general-purpose. The way you earn and redeem rewards depends on which type you have:
- A co-branded travel card will offer boosted rewards on purchases with a particular airline or hotel. Airline cards will offer airline miles as rewards, while hotel credit cards usually offer reward points that can be redeemed for free nights and other perks. Co-branded credit cards are less flexible than general-purpose travel cards because you can only redeem your rewards through the specific airline or hotel associated with your card.
- General-purpose travel cards will only be tied to a card issuer, like Chase, rather than a single airline or hotel brand. You’ll earn points on every purchase, which can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays and more through a variety of brands. When redeeming reward points for travel, you can use the card issuer’s travel portal. Some cards offer the flexibility of transferring your points to a favorite airline or hotel loyalty program. If you’re a brand loyalist, this can often yield the highest point value.
With a business rewards card, you can earn rewards for any business-related spending. The Capital One Spark Cash for Business, for example, will earn you an unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase for your business.
These cards may offer perks like free employee cards, travel and car rental insurance, travel statement credits and more. If you’re interested in applying for a business credit card, read our tips on how to choose the right business credit card.
What is the highest-earning rewards card?
Of course, the card you can earn the most rewards with depends on your spending habits. Ideally, you should pick a credit card with a high rewards rate in a category that you spend a lot in. Here are some of the highest-earning rewards cards for various spending categories.
Comparison of top rewards cards
| Card |
Rewards rates |
Potential drawbacks |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express |
- 6 percent cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually, then 1 percent)
- 6 percent cash back on select U.S. streaming services
- 3 percent cash back on transit (including rideshares, tolls, taxis and buses)
- 3 percent cash back at U.S. gas stations
- 1 percent on everything else
- Terms apply.
|
- 2.7 percent foreign transaction fee
- $95 annual fee
- 6 percent cash back applies to only the first $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets per year, then 1 percent
- 6 percent cash back at U.S. supermarkets does not include superstores (like Target), warehouse clubs (like Costco), specialty stores or convenience stores.
|
| Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card |
- 4 percent cash back on dining and entertainment purchases
- 2 percent cash back at grocery stores
- 1 percent on everything else
|
- 2 percent cash back at grocery stores does not include purchases made at superstores like Walmart or Target.
|
| Citi® Double Cash Card |
- Unlimited 2 percent cash back on all purchases: 1 percent as you buy, 1 percent as you make a payment
|
- 3 percent foreign transaction fee
- 3 percent or $5 balance transfer fee, whichever is greater
- No sign-up bonus
|
How to redeem your credit card rewards
A stash of rewards is only meaningful if you redeem them in a way that’s valuable to you. Thankfully, many cards offer unlimited redemption and rewards that don’t expire. Before you apply, however, it’s still important to consider all the ways rewards can be used.
Redeeming cash back
Cash back redemption is usually pretty straightforward. One of the most common and convenient forms of redemption is a statement credit, which lowers your account balance. If you had a balance of $150 and redeemed your $25 in rewards as a statement credit, your balance would become $125. Redemption options vary by card and issuer, so make sure you have the full picture before applying. Other redemption options may include:
- Direct deposit to your bank account
- Check
- Charitable donations
- Actual cash
- Gift cards
- Travel
- Merchandise
- Credit toward qualifying loan balances
Redeeming travel rewards
Redeeming travel rewards usually requires some attention and comparison, especially if you’re trying to get the most out of your rewards. There are four main methods of redeeming travel rewards. Keep in mind that many travel credit cards will only allow you to redeem in one or two of these ways.
- Book travel through the issuer’s portal
- Convert your rewards to a statement credit, which can pay for travel purchases you’ve recently made
- Transfer your rewards to airline or hotel loyalty programs
- Book directly with an airline or hotel (if you have a co-branded travel credit card)
How to maximize your rewards
Developing a thorough credit card strategy doesn’t happen overnight. Here are a few ways you can maximize your rewards at every stage of your ownership.
Determine what your goals are
Before you apply for a card, decide what your goals are for using it. Would you like to do more traveling? Are you interested in saving money on everyday expenses like groceries and gas? Do you want to upgrade your airline or hotel status?
When you establish your long-term goals for your card use, you can then go on to develop a well-coordinated credit card strategy.
Take a look at your spending habits
The rewards card you choose should have a rewards structure centered around what you spend the most on. For example, if you manage a busy family of five, a rewards card that offers a high percentage of cash back on gas and groceries may be a good fit.
Should you already have one or more rewards cards, look for another that accomplishes a new goal or covers a segment of your budget not already accounted for.
Max out your spending categories
To get the most bang for your buck, you’re going to want to max out your card’s spending categories each quarter, should they have them. Cards with unlimited earning potential are an exception.
For example, if you owned the Discover it® Cash Back and spent $1,500 every quarter on the 5% cash back rotating category, you’d have successfully maxed out the category at the 5% rewards rate (1% thereafter, activation required).
Double up on cards to earn more
To earn even more rewards, you can pair rewards cards that earn rewards for different types of spending.
Our most important piece of advice when it comes to pairing cards is to start slowly. Applying for multiple cards at once will only hurt your credit score — instead, start with the one that has the widest rewards net and slowly move onto others with more limited rewards categories.
If you’re interested in learning more about pairing cards, read our guide to the best credit card combinations.
What are the best credit card rewards programs?
There’s a rewards program for everyone, from the brand loyalist to the thrifty traveler. When comparing rewards programs, it’s important to note that not all cards from an issuer are eligible. For example, not every American Express credit card will earn you American Express Membership Rewards points. If you like the sound of a rewards program, always check which credit cards are included before applying.
Overview of the best credit card rewards programs
| Rewards Program |
Highlights |
| American Express Membership Rewards |
- Transfer your points to 19 airlines and three hotel partners
- Use points to pay at checkout on Amazon.com, Paypal, Grubhub and more
|
| Bank of America Preferred Rewards |
Earn boosted rewards based on the amount in your eligible Bank of America or Merrill account balances:
- 25% rewards bonus for those with $20,000
- 50% rewards bonus for those with $50,000
- 75% rewards bonus for those with $100,000
|
| Chase Ultimate Rewards |
- Transfer points to 10 airline programs and three hotel programs at a 1:1 ratio
- Book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal
- Pay for Apple purchases through the Apple® Ultimate Rewards Store
|
| Citi ThankYou |
- Transfer your points to 16 partner airlines
- Use your points to make a payment on your student loan or mortgage
|
| Hilton Honors |
- Tiered membership status allows you to earn up to 100% bonus points on purchases
- Perks like digital check-in, free wifi and breakfast, executive lounge access and more
|
| Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards |
- Earn 2X-10X points shopping on the online shopping portal
- No option to transfer points
|
Survey points to millions of dollars in expired rewards
An estimated 29 percent of people who collect credit card rewards have let their rewards expire, according to a Bankrate.com survey. Those expired rewards translate to unknown amounts of money left on the table for thousands of consumers.
The survey also found that nearly half of travel loyalty program members have unintentionally forfeited valuable rewards by letting airline and hotel rewards expire.
In addition, the survey revealed a disconnect between the perceived value and the actual value of loyalty and credit card rewards, as well as a lack of awareness about the amount of rewards earned.
More than half of the people surveyed (53 percent) admitted that they didn’t know how much 10,000 rewards points/miles are worth. Generally, 10,000 points/miles are worth $100 to $199.
If you’re new to rewards cards, it’s easy to assume that accumulating points is always as simple as just using your card.
However, racking up enough rewards for free travel or substantial cash back can be more complicated than it might seem. Checking out the fine print can help you avoid disappointing detours on your way to earning substantial rewards.
Bonus spending categories
The advantage of a rewards card’s rotating category bonuses is that they are usually the highest bonuses you can get, but there may be limits and loopholes. Here are a few to consider:
- Spending definitions — Let’s say you have a rewards card that offers a bonus rate on grocery purchases. Some cards don’t include merchants such as Walmart or Target in their definition of grocery stores. Another example is gasoline purchases. If you buy gas at Costco, for example, remember that some bonus categories specify purchases at gas stations, not wholesale clubs.
- Earning caps — Many cards put a limit on how much you can earn in a specific period of time. With the Chase Freedom and Discover it Cash Back, for instance, bonus earnings apply to just the first $1,500 spent each quarter.
- Alternate payment methods — Third-party food apps, online gift cards and mobile wallet payment methods such as Apple Pay or Google Pay might not always count toward bonus spending.
Non-automatic perks
Some card benefits are automatically available when you sign up and use the card, such as earning cash back or getting consumer purchase protections, such as extended warranties. In other cases, you must be proactive. You’ll need to sign up or enroll.
Whether it’s elite status with a hotel or rental car chain, baggage fee credits for when you fly or concierge services, read your card’s fine print carefully to find out what you need to do to enroll. Usually it’s as easy as a one-time or yearly online registration.
Special redemption options
Once you’re comfortable with your credit card’s rewards program, you may be able to find some advanced strategies. One way to do that is to analyze your redemption options.
For example, points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred card are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for statement credits. But Chase offers cardholders 25 percent more value when they redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, boosting the point value to 1.25 cents.
Also, consider how your brand loyalty and affiliations could ramp up your points. Some banks reward card users for also having a checking account or retirement account with them.
Changes to rewards programs
Terms are subject to change at virtually any time. Make it a habit to skim your entire credit card statement (either online in PDF form, or the physical copy that arrives via mail) and any communication directly from the issuer to spot any upcoming program changes. You might come to realize that you’re not getting as much value from a card as you once did if it decides to drop or reduce a certain offer, for example.
How we chose the list of best rewards credit cards
Bankrate uses a 5-star system to assign scores to credit cards available from our partners. With rewards credit cards, we focus on factors including:
Rewards value
The cards on our list feature some of the industry’s finest rewards programs, with generous earning rates and consistently high value of points or miles.
Low cost of ownership
Is the card a good deal, money-wise? Do the benefits and rewards outweigh annual fees and other costs? With the best rewards credit cards, the answer to both questions needs to be yes.
Redemption options
The best rewards cards make it easy for you to redeem your cash back, travel miles or rewards points. Top cards that earn travel miles offer flexible options for using them, including transfers to travel partners.
Benefits and perks
Benefits such as discounts, purchase protection and travel insurance add value to your credit card even when you’re not using it to earn rewards.
More information on rewards credit cards
For more information on all-things rewards cards, continue reading content from our credit card experts:
Senior Editor Barry Bridges has been writing about credit cards, loans, mortgages and other personal finance products for Bankrate since 2018. His work has also appeared on websites including Nasdaq.com, Zillow.com and The Simple Dollar. He was previously an award-winning newspaper journalist in his native North Carolina. Send your questions about credit cards (and fantasy baseball) to bbridges@bankrate.com.
Bankrate.com writer Mariah Ackary is passionate about financial literacy for all, especially women and young consumers. An expert in rewards and small businesses, she does the research to make complicated financial topics more approachable for her readers. Send your questions to editors@bankrate.com.
Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.
