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, although some cards in this category may offer 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 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 drugstore and restaurant 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), 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.
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 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 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 one 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 a lot 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 all over the spectrum. Here are some top cards you may want to add to your list:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred starts you off with 80,000 points worth $1,000 in travel when you spend $4,000 on your card within three months of account opening. However, you will also earn 2X points on travel and dining and 1X points on other purchases, as well as 5X points on Lyft rides through March 2022. 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, you can earn 60,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $600 in travel. 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 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. 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 you 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 want the most.
Bonus: How to transfer points to miles
As a side note, it’s also worth mentioning that 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 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 pull the trigger on a card, it can help you compare all the top options in terms of their 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 the features you want the most.
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