Step up your bank card reward sport with these prime picks

Metro Loud
48 Min Read


Rewards bank cards are a good way to earn beneficial reward forex for bills you already make repeatedly. Plus, they make journey extra comfy because of transferable factors and miles.

The truth is, transferable bank card factors remodeled the way in which I journey as a result of this forex is a lot extra beneficial than factors earned immediately by means of an airline or lodge loyalty program.

Coupled with common switch bonuses to pick out switch companions, transferable factors’ worth turns into far more evident. I can maintain onto my bank card rewards till I am prepared to make use of them, and if one switch accomplice unexpectedly will increase their redemption charges, I can change to a unique switch accomplice, defending myself from disagreeable devaluations.

Whatever the beneficial rewards you earn on a bank card, prioritize utilizing it responsibly and paying your payments in full every month. In any other case, the curiosity and penalties you incur will doubtless be a lot greater than the worth of any rewards acquired.

Whether or not you’re a newbie traveler or an skilled one, a enterprise proprietor or a renter, listed here are my prime alternatives for the most effective rewards bank cards.

The most effective rewards bank cards

Evaluating the most effective rewards bank cards

This is a deeper dive so you’ll be able to see how my prime suggestions for the most effective rewards bank cards stack up.

Card Finest for Welcome provide Incomes charges Annual payment
Chase Sapphire Reserve Premium journey perks and credit Earn 100,000 factors plus a $500 Chase Journey℠ promo credit score after spending $5,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening.
  • Earn 8 factors per greenback spent on all purchases by means of Chase Journey℠
  • Earn 4 factors per greenback spent on flights and accommodations booked direct
  • Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eating
  • Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases

The Sapphire Reserve has not too long ago undergone a refresh. The incomes charges outlined above shall be obtainable to new candidates upon receipt of their new Sapphire Reserve card. Current cardholders can have entry to the up to date incomes charges proven right here on Oct. 26, 2025.

$795
Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card Newbie vacationers Earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
  • Earn 5 factors per greenback spent on journey bought by means of Chase Journey
  • Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eating, choose streaming providers and on-line groceries (excluding Walmart, Goal and wholesale golf equipment)
  • Earn 2 factors per greenback spent on all different journey purchases
  • Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
$95
Blue Money Most well-liked Card from American Categorical Fuel and supermarkets Earn a $250 assertion credit score after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.
  • Earn 6% money again at U.S. supermarkets on as much as $6,000 per calendar yr in purchases (then 1%)
  • Earn 6% money again on choose U.S. streaming subscriptions
  • Earn 3% money again on transit, together with taxis and ride-hailing providers, parking, tolls, trains, buses and extra
  • Earn 3% money again at U.S. fuel stations
  • Earn 1% money again on different purchases.

Money again is acquired within the type of Reward {Dollars} that may be redeemed as an announcement credit score or at Amazon.com checkout.

$0 introductory annual payment for the primary yr, then $95 thereafter (see charges and costs)
Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card Incomes miles Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening.
  • Earn 5 miles per greenback spent on accommodations, trip leases and rental vehicles booked by means of Capital One Journey
  • Earn 2 miles per greenback spent on each buy, day-after-day
$95
The Platinum Card from American Categorical Lounge entry

Discover out your provide and see if you’re eligible for as excessive as 175,000 Membership Rewards Factors after spending $8,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership. Welcome affords fluctuate and also you might not be eligible for a suggestion.

  • Earn 5 factors per greenback spent on flights booked immediately with airways or by means of American Categorical Journey® (on as much as $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback)
  • Earn 5 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go accommodations booked with American Categorical Journey
  • Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
$695 (see charges and costs)
Ink Enterprise Most well-liked Credit score Card Maximizing enterprise purchases Earn 90,000 factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
  • Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on the primary $150,000 spent on journey and choose enterprise classes on every account anniversary yr
  • Earn limitless 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
$95
Ink Enterprise Limitless Credit score Card Freelancers Earn $750 after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
  • Earn limitless 1.5% money again on each buy
None
Citi Strata Premier Card Starter journey Earn 60,000 factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
  • Earn 10 factors per greenback spent on accommodations, automobile leases, and sights booked on CitiTravel.com
  • Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on air journey and different lodge purchases, at eating places, supermarkets, on fuel and EV charging stations
  • Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
$95
Chase Freedom Limitless Versatile money rewards Earn $200 after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening.
  • Earn 5% money again on journey bought by means of Chase Journey
  • Earn 3% money again on drugstore purchases and eating (together with takeout and eligible supply providers)
  • Earn 1.5% money again on all different purchases
None
American Categorical Gold Card Eating at eating places Discover out your provide and see if you’re eligible for as excessive as 100,000 Membership Rewards Factors after spending $6,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership. Welcome affords fluctuate and also you might not be eligible for a suggestion.
  • Earn 4 factors per greenback spent on purchases at eating places worldwide, on as much as $50,000 in purchases per calendar yr (then 1 level for the remainder of the yr)
  • Earn 4 factors per greenback spent at U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $25,000 in purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback spent for the remainder of the yr)
  • Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on flights booked immediately with airways or on AmexTravel.com
  • Earn 2 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go accommodations and different eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com
  • Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different eligible purchases
$325 (see charges and costs)

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Welcome provide: Earn 100,000 factors plus a $500 Chase Journey promo credit score after spending $5,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening.

Annual payment: $795.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve card art
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: The Sapphire Reserve has not too long ago acquired a face-lift and options new reward-earning charges, credit and, sure, a massive annual payment.

Regardless of these adjustments, the Sapphire Reserve nonetheless affords a stable worth proposition for many who can max out many of the credit and, in flip, offset the brand new $795 annual payment. Like its mid-tier sibling, the Sapphire Most well-liked (a card I maintain), the Sapphire Reserve earns Chase Final Rewards factors, probably the most beneficial reward currencies available on the market — and certainly one of my private favourite currencies, because of its flexibility and Chase’s switch companions.

For those who’re a frequent traveler who desires entry to credit that fit your life-style, the revamped Sapphire Reserve could possibly be an amazing addition to your pockets, particularly with perks like an annual $500 The Edit credit score you need to use (for stays of two nights or extra) at 1,000+ hand-picked properties everywhere in the world.

For extra particulars, see our full overview of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.


Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve


Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card

Welcome provide: Earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual payment: $95.

Chase Sapphire Preferred card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: With a superb welcome bonus of 75,000 factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card makes it simple to earn a lot of beneficial Final Rewards factors all for a low annual payment. You may improve your earnings with elevated rewards charges within the (massively standard) journey and eating classes.

Why it is nice for rewards: When family and friends ask me which card I like to recommend most for starting to gather rewards, I normally suggest this one, given its wholesome welcome bonus.

Despite the fact that there are such a lot of nice Final Rewards switch companions, I’ve redeemed most of mine through the years by means of World of Hyatt for the straightforward cause that their award charts are actually affordable, and I do know I can at all times get nice worth like at The Grayson, an Unbound Assortment property within the coronary heart of New York Metropolis (which I’ve beforehand finished for a particular birthday journey to have fun my husband).

With no resort charges on World of Hyatt redemptions, we loved 4 nights of lodging with no out-of-pocket prices, and he gasped when he noticed the view of the Empire State Constructing from our window.

I not too long ago redeemed 100,000 Air Canada Aeroplan factors (an Final Rewards 1:1 switch accomplice) for a ten.5-hour Lufthansa first-class flight from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), sitting within the nostril of the enduring “Queen of the Skies” Boeing 747-8.

It was among the finest flights of my life, together with being pushed throughout the tarmac in Frankfurt from the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in a non-public luxurious car, having fun with caviar with all of the trimmings, loads of Champagne and an 81-inch mattress that was extra comfy than my mattress at residence.

the author in a Lufthansa first class 747 cabin
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY

That is the bank card I’ve held the longest and nonetheless love, and in the event you’ve ever thought of a rewards-earning bank card, now could be the best time to use for the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card.

For extra particulars, see our full overview of the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card.


Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card


Blue Money Most well-liked Card from American Categorical

Welcome provide: Earn a $250 assertion credit score after spending $3,000 in purchases on the primary six months of card membership.

Annual payment: $0 intro annual payment for the primary yr, then $95.

amex blue cash preferred card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: This card allows you to supercharge your money again with a formidable 6% money again at U.S. supermarkets on as much as $6,000 per yr calendar in purchases (then 1%) and on choose U.S. streaming providers on the Blue Money Most well-liked Card.

Why it is nice for Rewards: For a card that doesn’t cost an annual payment within the first yr, the Blue Money Most well-liked Amex will reward you handsomely. The $250 assertion credit score places you effectively in entrance, and that is earlier than you even issue within the 6% money again for U.S. supermarkets and choose streaming providers — which is among the many highest money again you may discover provided on any class on any card.

The three% money again provided on transit and U.S. fuel has a generously extensive definition, protecting most floor transportation choices, together with if you park your car. Due to this, I like to recommend the Blue Money Most well-liked as a terrific cash-back card and an particularly good choice for bigger households with giant grocery payments. It is good to needless to say money again is acquired within the type of Rewards {Dollars} that may be acquired within the type of an announcement credit score or at Amazon.com checkout.

For extra particulars, see our full overview of the Blue Money Most well-liked Card from American Categorical.


Apply right here: Blue Money Most well-liked Card from American Categorical


Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card

Welcome provide: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening.

Annual payment: $95.

capital one venture rewards card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: This uniquely rewarding welcome provide consists of incomes each miles and a Capital One Journey credit score. Along with its industry-leading 2 miles per greenback spent on each buy, day-after-day, if you guide accommodations, trip leases and rental vehicles by means of Capital One Journey, the incomes price will increase to five miles per greenback spent.

This card additionally has rental automobile insurance coverage, journey help insurance coverage and as much as $120 software payment credit score for World Entry or TSA PreCheck each 4 years.

Why it is nice for rewards: With no overseas transaction charges, this can be a nice card for touring in contrast with an American Categorical card, which I’ve discovered might not be accepted in fairly as many locations overseas. For those who aren’t comfy paying the $395 annual payment of the Enterprise Rewards massive sister, the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card, the Enterprise Rewards annual payment is extra palatable with a $95 annual payment.

It nonetheless earns a formidable 2 miles per greenback spent on each buy. I like the 15-plus switch accomplice choices, particularly transferring my Capital One miles to Air Canada’s Aeroplan program to guide business-class flights to Europe in fancy lie-flat seats from as little as 60,000 factors or home flights on United from simply 6,000 factors in financial system.

Or, if you wish to guide a flight or lodge that isn’t obtainable by means of a switch accomplice, it’s also possible to redeem Capital One miles at a price of 1 cent every by means of Capital One Journey. This perk has helped me return residence from among the extra uncommon locations I’ve visited.

For extra particulars, see our full overview of the Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card.


Study extra: Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card


The Platinum Card from American Categorical

Welcome provide: Discover out your provide and see if you’re eligible for as excessive as 175,000 Membership Rewards Factors after spending $8,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership. Welcome affords fluctuate and also you might not be eligible for a suggestion.

Annual payment: $695.

amex platinum card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: The Amex Platinum earns a beneficiant 5 factors per greenback spent on flights booked immediately with airways or with American Categorical Journey (as much as $500,000 on these purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback) and 5 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go accommodations booked with American Categorical Journey, and 1 level per greenback on all different purchases making it a superb journey companion.

This card is filled with annual credit* which may simply cowl the price of the annual payment, together with:

  • As much as $200 in assertion credit per calendar yr for incidental charges charged by one airline you choose with all main U.S. airways obtainable to select from*
  • As much as a $200 annual lodge credit score per calendar yr, within the type of an announcement credit score, on pay as you go Amex Tremendous Motels + Resorts or The Lodge Assortment bookings with Amex Journey if you pay with my Amex Platinum (Lodge Assortment stays require a two-night minimal)
  • An as much as $199 Clear Plus assertion credit score to assist cardholders cross by means of airport safety sooner at 50+ airports nationwide and rise up to $199 again per calendar yr on their membership (topic to auto-renewal) after they use their Platinum card*
  • You obtain as much as $20 again in assertion credit every month on eligible purchases made in your favourite streaming providers like Disney+, a Disney+ Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Instances, Peacock and The Wall Avenue Journal (as much as a $240 annual assertion credit score per calendar yr)*
  • This card supplies as much as $200 per calendar yr in Uber Money, legitimate on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders within the U.S. (cut up into month-to-month as much as $15 credit plus an as much as $20 bonus in December). Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account if you add the Amex Platinum as a cost technique and redeem with any Amex card.
  • Obtain both a $120 assertion credit score each 4 years for a World Entry software payment or an announcement credit score as much as $85 each 4½ years for a TSA PreCheck (by means of a TSA official enrollment supplier) software payment, when charged to the Platinum Card. Card Members accredited for World Entry can even obtain entry to TSA PreCheck at no further price.
  • As much as $100 in annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit, cut up into one as much as $50 assertion credit score between January and June, then one other as much as $50 assertion credit score between July and December

The Amex Plat supplies quite a few further credit that I do not use myself, however they might profit you in the event you frequent particular locations.

*Enrollment is required; phrases apply.

Why it is nice for rewards: I can not consider one other private card that gives extra perks than the almighty Amex Platinum. There is not any denying that the annual payment is a severe funding, however even in the event you journey occasionally, the variety of journey advantages cannot be overwhelmed.

I like accessing the Centurion Lounges with my Amex Platinum, already open at 15 U.S. airports, with new lounges opening quickly. These areas characteristic meals and drinks from award-winning cooks and prime mixologists and are price arriving early to take pleasure in earlier than your subsequent flight.

Do you know that in the event you fly Delta on a same-day flight and present your Amex Platinum you’ll be able to take pleasure in 10 Sky Membership visits yearly? Plus, in the event you’re flying out of or by means of an airport and not using a Centurion Lounge or Delta Sky Membership, you’ll be able to nonetheless entry greater than 1,400 lounges throughout 140 nations because of American Categorical’ World Lounges Assortment.

I additionally worth the complimentary Gold standing with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. The Hilton standing for stays outdoors the US is very nice because it supplies complimentary breakfast for myself and any registered company (a meals and beverage credit score is obtainable at properties in the US). Enrollment is required; phrases apply.

I do not use each credit score provided by the Amex Platinum yearly, however World Entry is such a time-saver to beat lengthy traces at TSA safety screening and immigration on arrival. Plus, by means of common journey and buying every year, I do know I am going to simply use a number of of the credit that include this card (particularly the airline, lodge, Saks Fifth Avenue and Uber Money credit talked about above).Collectively, these present a number of hundred {dollars} in advantages every year, serving to to offset the price of holding the Amex Platinum card.

For extra particulars, see our full overview of The Platinum Card from American Categorical.


Apply now: The Platinum Card from American Categorical


Ink Enterprise Most well-liked Credit score Card

Welcome provide: Earn 90,000 factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual payment: $95.

chase Ink Business Preferred card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: This card affords each a beneficiant welcome bonus and the flexibility to earn beneficial Final Rewards factors, all for a low annual payment.

You may earn 3 factors per greenback spent on the primary $150,000 spent in mixed purchases every year on journey, transport purchases, web, cable and cellphone providers, and promoting purchases made with social media websites and serps. In different classes (and after you attain that $150,000 mixed restrict), the cardboard nonetheless earns a decent 1 level per greenback on all different purchases.

A number of journey and buy protections are additionally obtainable, together with cellphone safety, main automobile rental protection, journey delay reimbursement, journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage, journey delay reimbursement, buy safety and prolonged guarantee safety.

Why it is nice for rewards: Final Rewards are among the finest bank card factors you’ll be able to earn. Over time, I’ve discovered so many nice makes use of for them, particularly the flexibility to switch them to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 price for great-value lodge stays like Crossbasket Citadel in Scotland, although this property as a part of SLH has now moved from World of Hyatt to Hilton Honors.

I am additionally a giant fan of KLM’s new premium financial system product which I price as one of many world’s finest and might switch my Final Rewards to Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue program at a 1:1 price to guide flights to Europe from 40,000 Flying Blue factors.

The welcome bonus for this card is large, and the three factors per greenback incomes price on so many classes during which the typical enterprise proprietor spends repeatedly makes it simple to rack up Final Rewards factors.

For extra particulars, see our full overview of the Ink Enterprise Most well-liked Credit score Card.


Apply right here: Ink Enterprise Most well-liked Credit score Card


Ink Enterprise Limitless Credit score Card

Welcome provide: Earn $750 after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual payment: $0.

chase ink business unlimited card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: Although we suggest paying your card off in full each month, the Ink Enterprise Limitless has an introductory 0% annual proportion price (APR) for 12 months from account opening on purchases (rising to a 17.49% – 23.49% variable APR after that).

This card additionally affords:

  • Buy safety: For as much as 120 days towards injury or theft, as much as $10,000 per declare and $50,000 per account.
  • Auto rental collision injury waiver: If you lease a automobile for enterprise functions, you’ll be able to decline the rental automobile firm’s collision insurance coverage and be coated by the cardboard as much as the car’s money worth within the case of theft or collision injury on most leases each at residence and overseas.
  • Prolonged guarantee: Even if you buy one thing on the cardboard with a U.S. producer guarantee of three years or much less, the guarantee shall be prolonged by an extra yr.

Why it is nice for rewards: If working your online business is sophisticated sufficient, this card affords a easy technique to save 1.5% on each enterprise expense charged to the cardboard by means of its simple money again provide. The welcome provide places much more a refund in your pocket, and with no annual payment, you could be method out forward.

In case you have workers with enterprise bills, you’ll be able to situation them with playing cards as licensed customers at no further price and gather the cashback they spend on the cardboard. Simply bear in mind you may be liable for all fees, although.

There’s additionally a neat technique to flip all that money again into Final Rewards factors that may be transferred to a variety of beneficial airline and lodge loyalty applications by pairing the Ink Enterprise Limitless Credit score Card with any of the next playing cards:

For extra particulars, see our full overview of the Ink Enterprise Limitless Credit score Card.


Apply right here: Ink Enterprise Limitless Credit score Card


Citi Strata Premier Card

Welcome provide: Earn 60,000 factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Annual payment: $95.

citi strata premier card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: The Citi Strata Premier affords $100 off a single lodge keep of $500 or extra, excluding taxes and costs, as soon as per calendar yr if you guide by means of Citi Journey. That is a simple technique to cowl the price of the annual payment every year.

Why it is nice for rewards: This card tends to fly underneath the radar, and whereas another rewards playing cards provide bonus factors in a single or two main classes, the Strata Premier has been probably the most beneficial playing cards I’ve ever held as a result of it options an incomes price of three factors per greenback spent in standard classes together with air journey, different lodge purchases, eating places, supermarkets, fuel and EV charging stations.

I can not consider one other card that earns 3 factors per greenback throughout so many classes the place I spend repeatedly. This has helped me to earn tons of Citi ThankYou Rewards, which I switch to applications like JetBlue TrueBlue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership and Singapore Airways KrisFlyer.

Virgin Atlantic’s unbelievable new Saver fares enable me to guide flights to London for as little as 6,000 Virgin factors (transferred from Citi at a 1:1 price) plus charges, taxes and carrier-imposed surcharges, in addition to to fly again from Tanzania following a particular birthday safari in KLM enterprise class not too long ago, additionally with Virgin factors the place I collected certainly one of their cute Delft homes.

After I guide journey by means of the Citi Journey portal, I earn an unbelievable 10 factors per greenback spent on accommodations, automobile rental and sights, which I worth as incomes 18.5% again as factors in keeping with TPG’s July 2025 valuation of ThankYou Rewards. This card is so rewarding for all of the journey I guide; the Citi Strata Card has been among the finest playing cards I’ve added to my pockets.

For extra particulars, see our full overview of the Citi Strata Premier Card.


Apply right here: Citi Strata Premier Card


Chase Freedom Limitless

Welcome provide: Earn $200 after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening.

Annual payment: $0.

chase freedom unlimited card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: Earn no less than 1.5% money again on each buy you make on the cardboard, rising to three% money again on drugstore purchases and eating at eating places (together with takeout and eligible supply providers), and 5% again on journey booked by means of Chase Journey.

Why it is nice for rewards: I can recognize not everyone seems to be as obsessive about loyalty applications as I’m, and also you may simply wish to be rewarded with uncomplicated money again. The Chase Freedom Limitless retains issues easy whereas nonetheless generously rewarding you.

I like to recommend this as an amazing choice in the event you’re in search of a card that earns greater than 1% money again on all purchases with out paying an annual payment, and the welcome provide additionally sweetens the quantity you’ll be able to earn again within the first yr.

For those who like to journey, then think about the comfort of reserving flights, accommodations, vehicles, cruises and extra by means of Chase Journey. Not solely can this be a one-stop store on your subsequent trip, however you may earn a beneficiant and rewarding 5% money again on all journey booked through Chase Journey.

You can too convert the money again you earn from this card into transferable factors by pairing it with a card that earns Final Rewards factors, just like the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card.

For extra particulars, see our full overview of the Chase Freedom Limitless.


Apply right here: Chase Freedom Limitless


American Categorical Gold Card

Welcome provide: Discover out your provide and see if you’re eligible for as excessive as 100,000 Membership Rewards Factors after spending $6,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership. Welcome affords fluctuate and also you might not be eligible for a suggestion.

Annual payment: $325.

hand holding the amex gold card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: This card provides you some ways to earn multiple level per greenback, particularly if groceries and eating out (or ordering takeout) take up quite a lot of your finances.

There’s additionally a single $10 month-to-month eating credit score you need to use at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Manufacturing unit, Goldbelly, Wine.com and 5 Guys (as much as a $120 annual assertion credit score per calendar yr; enrollment required), plus $10 per thirty days in Uber Money, which can be utilized on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides within the U.S. (as much as a $120 annual assertion credit score per calendar yr). Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account if you add the Amex Gold Card as a cost technique and redeem with any Amex card.

Why it is nice for rewards: I dine out repeatedly, particularly when touring and away from my residence kitchen, so this can be a nice technique to eat my technique to extra Membership Rewards factors.

For group dinners the place splitting the invoice on the restaurant could be awkward, I typically provide to pay on my card after which have my eating companions ship me their share of the examine. I can earn the factors for the complete examine — which may simply be 1000’s of Membership Rewards factors for a giant group dinner.

I like transferring this reward forex to British Airways Membership and Singapore Airways KrisFlyer.

Even past incomes 4 factors per greenback spent at eating places worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (as much as $50,000 every calendar yr for eating places and as much as $25,000 every calendar yr on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, then 1 level per greenback on different purchases), the month-to-month credit can shortly add as much as cowl the annual payment every year. Even when I solely order from Grubhub, Uber Eats, and 5 Guys as soon as a month, the credit are significantly rewarding. And that is earlier than I’ve factored within the as much as $100 annual Resy assertion credit each calendar yr (damaged down as two as much as $50 credit biannually; for purchases at U.S. Resy-affiliated eating places and different eligible purchases). Enrollment is required.

For those who love consuming out at locations that settle for American Categorical, this card needs to be in your pocket.

For extra particulars, see our full overview of the American Categorical Gold Card.


Apply right here: American Categorical Gold Card


What to contemplate when selecting a rewards bank card

It may be dizzying having so many various playing cards, every with totally different welcome bonuses, annual charges, incomes charges, assertion credit and different perks. It helps to set some parameters round how you propose to make use of a card and its accompanying rewards.

And keep in mind, you are not locked into one card for all times. I apply for, downgrade and cancel my playing cards comparatively repeatedly as my spending and journey habits evolve.

freelancer working on laptop
MASKOT/GETTY IMAGES

Most well-liked rewards

Think about whether or not you worth incomes money again or factors and miles you may switch to a accomplice program or redeem by means of a bank card journey portal.

There is not any excellent reply for this and it might rely in your private choice and journey types. If the concept of a number of switch choices, award charts and switch bonuses feels too complicated, maybe begin with a card that earns money again after which work as much as a product that earns factors or miles when you’re extra acquainted with the bank card rewards sport.

Welcome bonus

It is tempting to scan a abstract desk and select the cardboard with the very best welcome bonus — I’ve actually been responsible of doing that.

However if you’re attempting to match a cash-back bonus of, say, $750, with a welcome bonus of 75,000 factors, it is not so simple as making use of a one-cent-per-point worth and assuming the 75,000 factors are price $750, as bank card factors are normally price greater than that, relying on the way you spend them.

Whereas a big welcome bonus of factors and miles can actually sweeten the deal of making use of for a brand new rewards bank card, I might suggest checking the worth of any factors towards TPG’s present month-to-month valuations to place an approximate money worth on the welcome bonus.

Spending habits

Which classes do you are inclined to spend essentially the most in? Do the locations you store at settle for American Categorical? For those who can decide this earlier than making use of for something, deciding which card will earn you essentially the most rewards is less complicated.

For those who plan to take the cardboard touring with you, guarantee it doesn’t cost a overseas transaction payment. In any other case, this payment will doubtless be greater than the worth of the rewards you’d earn.

Annual payment

Some playing cards I’ve really useful carry annual charges of their first and subsequent years. Although no person likes paying an annual payment, it might be justified if the advantages of being a cardholder and the accompanying credit present worth that outweighs the payment.

rule of thumb that I take advantage of to resolve if and the way a lot of an annual payment I ought to pay on a rewards bank card is to try to discover a welcome bonus that’s valued greater than the annual payment for the primary yr. I then take a look at the worth of the advantages like assertion credit, bonus miles and journey protections and advantages to estimate whether or not they could be greater than the annual payment price within the second and subsequent years when the welcome bonus wouldn’t be relevant.

If unsure, you may begin with a card with no annual payment to make sure you might be getting actual worth from it earlier than contemplating a card with an annual payment.

How we selected the most effective rewards bank cards

We rated the most effective rewards bank cards primarily based on a number of elements, together with however not restricted to the welcome affords these playing cards present, reward incomes charges — particularly in standard bonus classes, switch companions and their charges and different perks related to every card.

Take a look at our methodology right here to find out how TPG evaluates and chooses playing cards for our roundups.

Redemption choices for rewards bank cards

For a cash-back bank card, I might suggest lowering your bank card invoice by making use of the money again earned from the cardboard.

For those who’d reasonably internet that extra cash or put it towards different bills, most issuers permit you to redeem money again in varied methods — whether or not it is placing money again towards an Amazon.com buy, changing money again to factors relying on what different playing cards inside the similar issuer household you’ve gotten that permit you to do that or just placing money again into your checking account.

For factors and miles incomes bank cards, you’ll be able to normally redeem the rewards by means of the cardboard issuer’s journey portal, normally at a price of round one cent every (relying on the cardboard issuer). Bear in mind, although, that you’re going to get much better worth by transferring them to an airline or lodge accomplice program.

Associated: Bank card switch companions: Information to transferring factors and miles to airways and accommodations

Backside line

Rewards bank cards have utterly modified the way in which I spend and, subsequently, journey. I put each buy — even a pack of gum or a cup of espresso — on particular playing cards to maximise my spending and make the most of elevated incomes charges.

Whether or not you are a professional on the money again, factors and miles sport or a newbie, use this information that can assist you determine which rewards bank card is finest suited to your spending patterns, finances and life-style.

With low or no annual charges, my rewards bank cards have earned me a whole lot of 1000’s of factors and miles through the years. I’ve additionally loved advantages like airport lounge entry, elite lodge standing, countless assertion credit and bucket-list journeys.

For Capital One merchandise listed on this web page, among the advantages could also be supplied by Visa® or Mastercard® and will fluctuate by product. See the respective Information to Advantages for particulars, as phrases and exclusions apply.

For charges and costs of the Amex Gold card, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum card, click on right here.
For the charges and costs of the Blue Money Most well-liked Card, click on right here.

Associated: The most effective bank card welcome bonuses of March 2025

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