Rewards credit cards come in many different forms, with some offering flexible rewards and others offering straightforward cash back or statement credits.
Travel rewards credit cards are also a popular option considering they let consumers earn different types of “points” good for travel, or even airline miles they can use with their favorite frequent flyer program.
The type of rewards credit card that’s best for you will ultimately depend on how much you spend, how often you travel and whether you want some flexibility in how you redeem your rewards. This guide goes over the differences between different card types, as well as some of the top options to consider in each category.
Cash back
Cash back credit cards offer a percentage of cash back for each dollar you spend, with some cards in this category offering more points in some categories than in others. For example, there are popular cash back credit cards that offer a flat 1.5 percent in cash back for every purchase you make, but there are others that offer bonus rewards (up to 5 percent back) in fixed or rotating categories throughout the year.
Flexibility
One major benefit of cash back credit cards is the flexibility they offer when it comes time to redeem your rewards. Depending on the cash back card you sign up for, you may be able to redeem your rewards for a check in the mail or a statement credit to your account. Some cash back cards even let you cash in your rewards for gift cards, merchandise and travel rewards through their respective portal.
Redemption value
Most cash back credit cards dole out rewards based on a percentage of your spending. As an example, a card that lets you earn 2 percent back on all your purchases would net you $2 in rewards for every $100 you spend.
Pros and cons of cash back cards
Cash back credit cards tend to be a good value for consumers who rarely travel or don’t spend a lot on their credit cards each month. Here are some of the major advantages and disadvantages to consider when comparing them to points and miles credit cards.
Pros:
- Most cash back credit cards don’t charge an annual fee (although some do)
- You may have a handful of redemption options depending on the card you choose
- Many cash back credit cards offer generous welcome bonuses
- Some cash back credit cards come with consumer protections like extended warranties and purchase protection against damage or theft
Cons:
- Most cash back credit cards don’t come with any notable travel benefits
- Cash back credit cards tend to offer inferior rewards value when compared to travel credit cards
- You may have limited redemption options—or no options other than statement credits—depending on the card you sign up for
Cash back credit cards to consider
While any cash back credit card can help you rack up rewards on your spending, some cards can be more fruitful than others. Here are a few of the top cash back credit cards you should consider this year.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ doesn’t charge an annual fee, yet you can earn an initial cash bonus of $200 when you spend $500 on your card within three months of account opening. You’ll also earn 5 percent back on up to $1,500 spent in quarterly bonus categories when you activate (then 1 percent), 5 percent on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 5 percent on Lyft rides (through March 2022), 3 percent on dining and drugstore purchases and 1 percent on everything else. You can redeem your rewards for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, travel and more.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® lets cardholders earn at least a flat 1.5 percent back on all purchases they make. Cardholders also earn 5 percent back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 5 percent on Lyft purchases (through March 2022) and 3 percent on dining and drugstore purchases. There’s no annual fee, and you can redeem your rewards for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, travel and more. This card also comes with a welcome bonus of $200 in bonus cash when you spend at least $500 during the first three months of opening your account.
Citi® Double Cash Card
The Citi Double Cash Card lets cardholders earn a total of 2 percent back for each dollar they spend—1 percent when they make a purchase and another 1 percent when they pay it off. There’s no annual fee, yet you can also qualify for an introductory 0 percent introductory APR on balance transfers for 18 months, followed by a variable APR of 13.99 percent to 23.99 percent. You can cash in rewards earned with this card for a check, a statement credit or a credit to a linked account when your rewards balance reaches at least $25.
Points and miles
Many different types of rewards credit cards fall under the umbrella of “points and miles” cards. For example, points and miles cards include airline credit cards that let you earn miles in a specific frequent flyer program, but they also include flexible rewards cards that let you redeem points for travel in more than one way.
Points and miles cards may also come with important travel benefits like airport lounge access, credits for Global Entry or TSA Precheck membership or travel insurance—although cards with the most benefits tend to charge high annual fees.
Flexibility
Some of the best travel credit cards on the market today offer a ton of flexibility when it comes to cashing in your rewards. If you have a travel credit card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, for example, you can use your points for cash back, gift cards, statement credits, merchandise, travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal or even 1:1 transfers to Chase airline and hotel partners.
Redemption value
Travel points tend to be worth more than cash back, and some of the best travel rewards currencies are worth up to 2 cents per point or more. However, your redemption value depends on how you redeem your rewards. If you cash in flexible points for a statement credit to your account, you may only get 1 cent per point in value or less. For travel redemptions, the value tends to be significantly higher.
Pros and cons of points and miles cards
The pros and cons of points and miles cards can vary depending on the specific card you sign up for. However, there are some general rules of thumb when it comes to the advantages and disadvantages that come with choosing a points and miles card over cash back.
Pros:
- Travel rewards can provide more value than cash back if you travel often
- Many travel credit cards come with travel benefits like airport lounge access and travel insurance
- Travel credit cards often have higher rewards rates and better bonuses
Cons:
- Travel credit cards usually have higher annual fees than cash back credit cards (but not always)
- Airline credit cards and hotel credit cards often have limited redemption options
Point and mile-earning credit cards to consider
If you’re thinking about getting a points-and-miles card, there are options to consider across the spectrum. Here are some top cards you may want to add to your list:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card starts you off with 80,000 bonus points (worth $750 in travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards) when you spend $4,000 on your card within three months of account opening. Additionally, you can earn up to $50 in statement credits towards grocery store purchases (one-time statement credit; available for 12 months from account opening).
You’ll also earn 2X points on travel and dining and 1X points on other purchases. As an added bonus, get 2X points on up to $1,000 in grocery store and eligible delivery service purchases through April 30, 2021, 5X points on Lyft rides through March 2022 and 10X points on up to $500 of takeout orders and prepaid reservations via Chase Dining in the Ultimate Rewards portal (through June 30, 2021).
A $95 annual fee applies, and you can redeem your rewards for cash back, statement credits, merchandise, travel through the Chase travel portal or 1:1 transfers to Chase Ultimate Rewards airline and hotel partners.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
When you sign up for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you can earn 100,000 miles once you spend $20,000 on purchases within 12 months from account opening, equal to $1,000 in travel – our you can earn 50,000 miles if you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, equal to $500. You’ll also rack up 2X miles for each dollar you spend, and you’ll get a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck membership. A $95 annual fee applies, and you can redeem your rewards to cover travel purchases or transfer your miles to Capital One airline or hotel partners.
Citi Premier® Card
The Citi Premier® Card starts you off with 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 on your card within three months of account opening. You will also earn 3X points on restaurant, supermarket, gas station, hotel and air travel purchases, plus 1X points on all other purchases. You can also earn $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more once a calendar year. A $95 annual fee applies, and you can redeem your rewards for statement credits, gift cards, payments to your student loans or a mortgage, travel through the Citi travel portal, transfers to Citi ThankYou airline partners and more.
Which type of rewards are best for you?
How do you choose between cash back versus points? At the end of the day, all you can do is decide on the type of rewards you want to earn the most.
If you travel often every year and want access to benefits that make air travel more comfortable, then a premier travel credit card may be a better fit. Then again, a cash back credit card could easily be a better choice if you don’t spend a lot on your credit card and you’re happy earning rewards good for cash back or statement credits to your account.
Take the time to compare all your options before you decide, and keep in mind that it’s common for consumers to pair a few different credit cards to get the benefits they most want.
Bonus: How to transfer points to miles
Many of the top travel credit cards let you turn your points into rewards points with a different program. This is based on the transfer partners each of the main flexible rewards programs offer.
While all Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio, keep in mind that transfer ratios can vary with other credit card rewards programs. Either way, here are the main rewards programs to take note of and the transfer partners each one gives you access to:
| American Express Membership Rewards | Chase Ultimate Rewards | Citi ThankYou Rewards | Capital One Venture |
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The bottom line
Cash back credit cards have a lot to offer consumers, but so do credit cards that let you rack up points and miles.
Before you make a decision on a card, compare all the top options in terms of rewards rates, bonus offers and consumer benefits. With enough research, you should wind up with a credit card that comes with a rewards program and features that make the most sense for your spending habits.
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