18 best rewards credit cards of September 2023

If you prefer a low-maintenance card that fits almost any budget,  this card might be a perfect match. Since it comes with no annual fee and unlimited 2 percent cash rewards, you can use it as your one and only rewards card and redeem your rewards when you’re ready — no bonus categories or spending caps to worry about.

Read our full Wells Fargo Active Cash Card review.

This is a top-tier option for earning rewards on everyday spending. Since this card offers perhaps the highest year-round rewards rate at U.S. supermarkets and a solid rate on U.S. gas station and transit purchases, it should be easy to offset the annual fee after the first year. 
 
 Read our full Blue Cash Preferred Card review.

For a modest annual fee, this card packs in a ton of value — especially if you pair it with other Chase rewards cards or redeem for travel though the Chase portal. Along with its terrific bonus, the card carries excellent everyday rewards rates for non-travel categories that should help you earn plenty of points.
 
Read our full Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review.

This card’s rotating bonus categories, unique first-year Cashback Match offer and low rates and fees make it a smart choice for deal hunters looking to save money and earn rewards across many categories. Discover’s quarterly bonus categories include popular everyday expenses, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to adapt your rewards strategy for maximum earnings. 
 
Read our full Discover it® Cash Back review.

The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card is great for saving on travel and dining purchases, which earn you 2 points for every dollar spent. You also earn 1.5 points on all other eligible purchases, but Preferred Rewards members can earn up to 75 percent more in rewards with this card. 

Read our full Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card review.

No fuss, flat-rate rewards are a key feature to look for when picking your first rewards card, and the Quicksilver card is one of the best. You earn unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases, with no need to track spending or enroll in bonus categories. Make things even simpler with automatic rewards redemption. On top of that, the card carries an accessible sign-up bonus, solid intro APRs and no annual or foreign transaction fees.
 
 Read our full Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card review.

This no-annual-fee card offers not only one of the best cash back rates on dining and groceries, but also a comprehensive entertainment bonus category that covers everything from general purchases like movie tickets to cardholder VIP packages booked through Capital One Entertainment.   

Read our full Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card review.

This premium card offers one of the best rewards rates you can get with a single card on both dining and U.S. supermarket purchases. It has a pricey annual fee, but travelers who love to eat out might find the yearly credits on eligible dining, Uber and hotel purchases well worth it.
 

Read our full American Express Gold Card review.

This card ’s unique rewards program automatically adjusts to fit your spending, earning perhaps the highest year-round rewards rate you can get in several of its 10 eligible bonus categories, including gas purchases. As gas prices fluctuate, this card should deliver some of the best reward savings available on a no-annual-fee card.

Read our full Citi Custom Cash Card review.

Thanks to its practical mix of everyday bonus categories, the Autograph card makes for a solid low-maintenance rewards card. Long-distance commuters and frequent road-trippers will appreciate the card’s bonus rewards at gas stations and on transit, making it easy to earn travel points even if you’re not a jet-setter.
 
Read our full Wells Fargo Autograph card review.

This card offers higher rewards rates on a wider range of travel-related categories than its biggest competitors, and its excellent perks make it easy to offset the $550 annual fee. Its several high-value redemption options include transferring points to travel partners or redeeming for travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal, which increases the value of your points by 50 percent.

Read our full Chase Sapphire Reserve review.

This is the only card out there that not only earns rewards on rent payments, but also waives the fees you typically face when paying rent with a credit card. Add in rewards on dining and travel and an impressive list of airline and hotel partners and this card should offer a ton of value to renters and travelers alike.

Read our full Bilt Mastercard review.

This card's relatively low annual fee and simple flat-rate travel rewards make it an especially great fit for occasional travelers and people looking for a low-maintenance way to earn miles across categories with a single card. 
 
 Read our full Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review.

The VentureOne offers a lot of flexibility for a no-annual-fee travel card. You can not only earn miles at a flat rate on every purchase, but also transfer those miles to airline and hotel partners to potentially boost their value. This makes the VentureOne a solid option if you’re looking for a well-rounded, general-purpose travel card with a decent sign-up bonus and intro APR offers.
 
Read our full Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card review.

This card’s rewards, rocksteady travel protections and rich travel perks are a great match for frequent flyers and hotel guests that enjoy a journey’s lavish side. However, you’ll need a game plan to cover the card’s high annual fee, as some of its perks may be hit-or-miss for the average cardholder.
 
 Read our full Platinum Card from American Express review.

If you own, hope to own or currently lease a GM car, this card might be for you. Along with its boosted rewards rate on eligible GM purchases, it offers one of the highest base rates on general purchases out there, making it easy to rack up points you can use toward a future car purchase or to cover lease payments.
 
 Read our full My GM Rewards Card review.

This is a stellar standalone card for both online shopping and everyday spending. Thanks to the variety of items available on Amazon.com, this card can earn a top cash back rate on nearly any online purchase you can imagine, including groceries via Whole Foods or Amazon Fresh and travel via Chase. Plus, Amazon Prime members can earn rewards at boosted rates.

Read our full Prime Visa review.

If you’re a frequent flyer looking for a luxury travel experience without the lavish annual fee, the Venture X may be a perfect match. Sticking to the most practical travel perks, the card comes with complimentary Priority Pass Select airport lounge access, a $300 annual Capital One Travel credits and an account anniversary bonus worth $100, the value of which can easily cover the card’s $395 annual fee.
 
 Read our full Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.