I first received began within the factors and miles recreation after I realized I used to be leaving cash on the desk with each buy.
Whereas I used to be as soon as hesitant to open a bank card, I’ve since discovered simply how invaluable the fitting rewards card may be, and now I am constructing my pockets right into a rewards powerhouse that helps me journey extra, earn sooner and get extra out of each greenback.
Certainly one of my playing cards (trace: it is on this listing) even helped me spend three unforgettable weeks touring by way of Europe this previous summer time — a bucket-list journey I by no means would’ve been in a position to swing in any other case.
Listed below are my prime picks for the perfect rewards bank cards so as to add to your pockets, together with the one I take advantage of now and those I plan so as to add subsequent.
Evaluating my prime picks for the perfect rewards bank cards
Here is a fast overview of what every of my favourite rewards playing cards has to supply.
| Card | Welcome provide | Incomes charges | Annual charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Visa (see charges and costs) | For a restricted time, the Prime Visa presents a $250 Amazon present card immediately upon approval, completely for Prime members. |
|
$0 (Prime membership required to use) |
| Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card (see charges and costs) | Earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$95 |
| Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases within the first six months from account opening. |
|
$395 |
| American Specific Platinum Card® | Discover out your provide and see in case you’re eligible for as excessive as 175,000 bonus factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome presents range, and also you will not be eligible for a suggestion. |
|
$895 annual charge (see charges and costs) |
Prime Visa
Standout advantages: An easy, no-annual-fee card that earns 5% again on amazon.com and Entire Meals purchases, making it a best choice for frequent Amazon consumers.
If there may be one card I want I received earlier than my current transfer (and plenty of subsequent Amazon orders), it is the Prime Visa. Whereas unassuming with its $0 annual charge, this card is a straightforward but efficient choice that helps flip on a regular basis spending into significant rewards.
Providing 5% again at amazon.com, Entire Meals Market and Amazon Contemporary, this card is a strong alternative for furnishing a brand new residence, vacation purchasing, buying weekly groceries and past.
Plus, it additionally presents 2% again at eating places and fuel stations and on native transit, which (mixed with its lack of overseas transaction charges), makes for a surprisingly travel-friendly cash-back card.
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The Prime Visa additionally supplies a number of protections, together with buy safety and prolonged guarantee safety — one thing you do not usually see with a no-annual-fee card.
I am occupied with including this one to my pockets quickly, as it’s at present providing a $250 Amazon present card immediately upon approval (completely for Prime members), making it a straightforward option to put some a refund in my pocket forward of the vacation season.
To study extra, take a look at our full overview of the Prime Visa.
Apply right here: Prime Visa
Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card
Standout advantages: Versatile journey redemptions, invaluable switch companions and a modest annual charge make this top-of-the-line rewards bank cards for anybody beginning out with factors and miles.
The Chase Sapphire Most well-liked was the primary journey card I ever opened, and it fully modified how I take into consideration spending. As a substitute of incomes money again, I started incomes Chase Final Rewards factors that may very well be transferred to companions like World of Hyatt, United Airways MileagePlus and Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
That flexibility is what makes this card a favourite amongst vacationers. Whether or not you need to guide flights by way of the Chase Journey portal or switch factors to journey companions to maximise worth, the Sapphire Most well-liked retains your choices open.
By making the most of a 25% Chase-Flying Blue switch bonus this previous summer time, I used to be in a position to switch simply 15,000 factors for a nonstop flight from Washington, D.C., to Paris — a flight that may have in any other case value me greater than $600. The Sapphire Most well-liked is easy sufficient to make the most of that I might say it’s one in every of, if not the, finest journey card for rookies (I could be biased, however do not simply take my phrase for it).
Even with its approachable $95 annual charge, the perks simply justify the associated fee. You get a $50 annual lodge credit score for bookings by way of Chase Journey, a ten% anniversary factors enhance annually and helpful protections like journey cancellation and buy protection.
The Sapphire Most well-liked has been the inspiration of my rewards technique, and I’m all the time recommending it to individuals who need to flip on a regular basis spending into their subsequent journey.
To study extra, take a look at our full overview of the Sapphire Most well-liked.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card
Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
Standout advantages: Premium journey perks, versatile redemptions and easy incomes make this top-of-the-line rewards bank cards for vacationers who need sturdy worth with out pointless complexity.
The Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card has been on my want listing for months, and it is the subsequent card I plan to use for.
After watching buddies, relations and associates use their Enterprise X to guide flights, loosen up in airport lounges and rack up rewards with ease, I spotted it deserves a spot in my pockets.
The cardboard’s easy incomes construction is a part of its magic. Cardholders earn:
- 2 miles per greenback spent on each buy
- 5 miles per greenback spent on flights and trip leases booked by way of Capital One Journey
- 10 miles per greenback spent on resorts and rental vehicles booked by way of Capital One Journey
Plus, the Enterprise X additionally presents cardholders $300 in annual assertion credit for bookings made by way of Capital One Journey, which can assist cowl a last-minute vacation journey or a much-needed getaway.
The Enterprise X is at present providing a beneficiant welcome provide of 100,000 miles after you spend $10,000 in six months. In response to TPG’s November 2025 valuations, 100,000 Capital One miles are value $1,850, because of the outsize worth you may get from transferring Capital One miles to this system’s airline and lodge companions.
With its simple rewards, lounge entry and versatile redemptions, the Enterprise X proves yr over yr why it is top-of-the-line rewards bank cards at present available on the market.
To study extra, take a look at our full overview of the Capital One Enterprise X.
Study extra: Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
American Specific Platinum Card
Standout advantages: Premium journey perks, in depth lounge entry and beneficiant assertion credit make this top-of-the-line rewards playing cards for frequent vacationers who worth consolation and comfort.
The Amex Platinum has lengthy been thought-about the gold customary of premium journey rewards, and for good cause.
And whereas the Amex Platinum is not in my pockets but, it is firmly on my listing.
Providing a invaluable mixture of journey and life-style credit that simply justify the cardboard’s excessive annual charge when used strategically, it is a card constructed for many who worth each comfort and elevated experiences.
Add in complimentary entry for eligible cardmembers to the American Specific World Lounge Assortment — together with Centurion Lounges — and it is easy to see why this card constantly ranks among the many finest rewards playing cards out there.
To study extra, take a look at our full overview of the Amex Platinum.
Apply right here: American Specific Platinum Card
How I selected my prime rewards playing cards
When narrowing down the perfect rewards bank cards, I targeted on versatility, long-term worth and the power to earn significant rewards from on a regular basis spending.
Every of those playing cards presents sturdy incomes potential throughout fashionable classes like eating, journey and on-line purchasing — however extra importantly, they make redemptions easy, whether or not you are reserving flights, transferring factors to companions or protecting on a regular basis purchases.
Backside line
Discovering the perfect rewards bank card is about selecting the one that matches your life-style and objectives.
For me, that meant beginning with a flexible card I may use every single day, whereas constructing towards extra premium choices as my journey habits evolve. If you take the time to find out how every profit works, even only one nice rewards card can flip on a regular basis spending into one thing larger — whether or not that is a free flight, a five-star keep or just extra freedom in the way you spend.
Associated: Easy methods to decide the fitting journey bank card for you
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum, click on right here.
