Rewards bank cards are a good way to earn priceless reward forex for bills you already make frequently. Plus, they make journey extra comfy due to transferable factors and miles.
In truth, transferable bank card factors reworked the way in which I journey as a result of this forex is a lot extra priceless than factors earned straight by way of an airline or lodge loyalty program.
Coupled with common switch bonuses to pick 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 companion unexpectedly will increase their redemption charges, I can swap to a special switch companion, defending myself from disagreeable devaluations.
Whatever the priceless 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 probably be a lot larger 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 choices for the very best rewards bank cards.
The perfect rewards bank cards
Evaluating the very best rewards bank cards
Here is a deeper dive so you may see how my prime suggestions for the very best rewards bank cards stack up.
Card | Greatest for | Welcome provide | Incomes charges | Annual payment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chase Sapphire Reserve | Premium journey perks and credit | Earn 100,000 bonus factors plus a $500 Chase Journey℠ promo credit score after spending $5,000 on purchases throughout the first three months from account opening. |
The Sapphire Reserve underwent a refresh on June 23. The incomes charges outlined above will likely be obtainable to new candidates upon receipt of their new Sapphire Reserve card. Current cardholders could have entry to the up to date incomes charges proven right here on Oct. 26, 2025. |
$795 |
Chase Sapphire Most popular Card | Newbie vacationers | Earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$95 |
Blue Money Most popular Card from American Specific | Fuel and supermarkets | Earn a $250 assertion credit score after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. |
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 (see charges and charges) |
Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card | Incomes flat-rate miles | Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases throughout the first three months of account opening. |
|
$95 |
The Platinum Card from American Specific | Lounge entry |
Discover out your provide and see in case you are eligible for as excessive as 175,000 Membership Rewards Factors after spending $8,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership. Welcome affords fluctuate, and also you is probably not eligible for a suggestion. |
|
$695 (see charges and charges) |
Ink Enterprise Most popular Credit score Card | Maximizing enterprise purchases | Earn 90,000 factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$95 |
Ink Enterprise Limitless Credit score Card | Freelancers | Earn $750 after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
|
None |
Citi Strata Premier Card | Starter journey | Earn 60,000 factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. |
|
$95 |
Chase Freedom Limitless | Versatile money rewards | Earn $200 after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening. |
|
None |
American Specific Gold Card | Eating at eating places | Discover out your provide and see in case you are eligible for as excessive as 100,000 Membership Rewards Factors after spending $6,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership. Welcome affords fluctuate, and also you is probably not eligible for a suggestion. |
|
$325 (see charges and charges) |
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Welcome provide: Earn 100,000 factors plus a $500 Chase Journey promo credit score after spending $5,000 on purchases throughout the first three months from account opening.
Annual payment: $795.
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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 strong worth proposition for individuals 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 popular (a card I maintain), the Sapphire Reserve earns Chase Final Rewards factors, one of the vital priceless reward currencies available on the market — and one among my private favourite currencies, due to its flexibility and Chase’s switch companions.
In case you’re a frequent traveler who needs entry to credit that fit your way of life, the revamped Sapphire Reserve may very well be a fantastic addition to your pockets, particularly with perks like an annual $500 The Edit credit score you should use (for stays of two nights or extra) at 1,000+ hand-picked properties all around the world.
For extra particulars, see our full overview of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Most popular 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.

Standout advantages: With a wonderful welcome bonus of 75,000 factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, the Chase Sapphire Most popular Card makes it straightforward to earn numerous priceless Final Rewards factors all for a low annual payment. You may enhance your earnings with elevated rewards charges within the (massively in style) 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 often advocate this one, given its wholesome welcome bonus.
Regardless that there are such a lot of nice Final Rewards switch companions, I’ve redeemed most of mine over time by way of World of Hyatt for the straightforward purpose that their award charts are actually affordable, and I do know I can all the time get nice worth like at The Grayson, an Unbound Assortment property within the coronary heart of New York Metropolis (which I’ve beforehand carried out 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 companion) 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 long-lasting “Queen of the Skies” Boeing 747-8.
It was the most effective 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 house.

That is the bank card I’ve held the longest and nonetheless love, and if you happen to’ve ever thought of a rewards-earning bank card, now’s the best time to apply for the Chase Sapphire Most popular Card.
For extra particulars, see our full overview of the Chase Sapphire Most popular Card.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most popular Card
Blue Money Most popular Card from American Specific
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.

Standout advantages: This card permits 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 popular 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 popular 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 will discover supplied on any class on any card.
The three% money again supplied on transit and U.S. gasoline has a generously extensive definition, masking most floor transportation choices, together with if you park your car. Due to this, I like to recommend the Blue Money Most popular as a terrific cash-back card and an particularly good choice for bigger households with massive grocery payments. It is good to remember that 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 popular Card from American Specific.
Apply right here: Blue Money Most popular Card from American Specific
Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card
Welcome provide: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases throughout the first three months of account opening.
Annual payment: $95.

Standout advantages: Along with its industry-leading 2 miles per greenback spent on each buy, day by day, if you guide lodges, trip leases and rental automobiles by way of Capital One Journey, the incomes charge 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 utility 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 Specific card, which I’ve discovered is probably not accepted in fairly as many locations overseas. In case you 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 really like the 15-plus switch companion 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’s not obtainable by way of a switch companion, you may as well redeem Capital One miles at a charge of 1 cent every by way of Capital One Journey. This perk has helped me return house from a few of 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 Specific
Welcome provide: Discover out your provide and see in case you are eligible for as excessive as 175,000 Membership Rewards Factors after spending $8,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership. Welcome affords fluctuate and also you is probably not eligible for a suggestion.
Annual payment: $695.

Standout advantages: The Amex Platinum earns a beneficiant 5 factors per greenback spent on flights booked straight with airways or with American Specific 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 lodges booked with American Specific Journey, and 1 level per greenback on all different purchases making it a wonderful 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 Resorts + Resorts or The Resort Assortment bookings with Amex Journey if you pay with my Amex Platinum (Resort Assortment stays require a two-night minimal)
- An as much as $199 Clear Plus assertion credit score to assist cardholders move by way of airport safety quicker at 50+ airports nationwide and rise up to $199 again per calendar yr on their membership (topic to auto-renewal) once 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 Occasions, Peacock and The Wall Road Journal (as much as a $240 annual assertion credit score per calendar yr)
- This card gives as much as $200 per calendar yr in Uber Money, legitimate on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders within the U.S. (break 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 fee technique and redeem with any Amex card.
- Obtain both a $120 assertion credit score each 4 years for a World Entry utility payment or an announcement credit score as much as $85 each 4½ years for a TSA PreCheck (by way of a TSA official enrollment supplier) utility payment, when charged to the Platinum Card. Card Members authorised for World Entry may also obtain entry to TSA PreCheck at no extra value.
- As much as $100 in annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit, break 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 gives numerous extra credit that I do not use myself, however they might profit you if you happen to frequent particular locations.
*Choose advantages require enrollment; phrases apply.
Why it is nice for rewards: I can not consider one other private card that provides extra perks than the almighty Amex Platinum. There is not any denying that the annual payment is a critical funding, however even if you happen to journey occasionally, the variety of journey advantages cannot be crushed.
I really like accessing the Centurion Lounges with my Amex Platinum, already open at 15 U.S. airports, with new lounges opening quickly. These areas function meals and drinks from award-winning cooks and prime mixologists and are price arriving early to get pleasure from earlier than your subsequent flight.
Do you know that if you happen to fly Delta on a same-day flight and present your Amex Platinum you may get pleasure from 10 Sky Membership visits yearly? Plus, if you happen to’re flying out of or by way of an airport with out a Centurion Lounge or Delta Sky Membership, eligible cardmembers can nonetheless entry greater than 1,400 lounges throughout 140 international locations due to American Specific’ World Lounges Assortment.
I additionally worth the complimentary Gold standing with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. The Hilton standing for stays exterior america is particularly nice because it gives complimentary breakfast for myself and any registered visitors (a meals and beverage credit score is obtainable at properties in america). Enrollment is required; phrases apply.
I do not use each credit score supplied by the Amex Platinum yearly, however World Entry is such a time-saver to beat lengthy strains at TSA safety screening and immigration on arrival. Plus, by way of common journey and procuring annually, I do know I will 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 annually, 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 Specific.
Apply now: The Platinum Card from American Specific
Ink Enterprise Most popular 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.

Standout advantages: This card affords each a beneficiant welcome bonus and the power to earn priceless 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 annually on journey, delivery 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, major automobile rental protection, journey delay reimbursement, journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage, buy safety and prolonged guarantee safety.
Why it is nice for rewards: Final Rewards are a few of the greatest bank card factors you may earn. Over time, I’ve discovered so many nice makes use of for them, particularly the power to switch them to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 charge for great-value lodge stays like Crossbasket Fort in Scotland, although this property as a part of SLH has now moved from World of Hyatt to Hilton Honors.
I am additionally an enormous fan of KLM’s new premium financial system product which I charge as one of many world’s greatest and might switch my Final Rewards to Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue program at a 1:1 charge to guide flights to Europe from 40,000 Flying Blue factors.
The welcome bonus for this card is big, and the three factors per greenback incomes charge on so many classes during which the typical enterprise proprietor spends frequently makes it straightforward to rack up Final Rewards factors.
For extra particulars, see our full overview of the Ink Enterprise Most popular Credit score Card.
Apply right here: Ink Enterprise Most popular 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.

Standout advantages: Although we advocate paying your card off in full each month, the Ink Enterprise Limitless has an introductory 0% annual share charge (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: Whenever you hire a automobile for enterprise functions, you may 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 house and overseas.
- Prolonged guarantee: Even if you are going to buy one thing on the cardboard with a U.S. producer guarantee of three years or much less, the guarantee will likely be prolonged by a further yr.
Why it is nice for rewards: If operating your enterprise is sophisticated sufficient, this card affords a easy option to save 1.5% on each enterprise expense charged to the cardboard by way of its easy money again provide. The welcome provide places much more a refund in your pocket, and with no annual payment, you will be approach out forward.
If in case you have workers with enterprise bills, you may difficulty them with playing cards as licensed customers at no further value and gather the cashback they spend on the cardboard. Simply remember you will be answerable for all prices, although.
There’s additionally a neat option to flip all that money again into Final Rewards factors that may be transferred to a spread of priceless airline and lodge loyalty packages 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.

Standout advantages: The Citi Strata Premier affords $100 off a single lodge keep of $500 or extra, excluding taxes and charges, as soon as per calendar yr if you guide by way of Citi Journey. That is a straightforward option to cowl the price of the annual payment annually.
Why it is nice for rewards: This card tends to fly beneath the radar, and whereas another rewards playing cards provide bonus factors in a single or two main classes, the Strata Premier has been one of the vital priceless playing cards I’ve ever held as a result of it options an incomes charge of three factors per greenback spent in in style classes together with air journey, different lodge purchases, eating places, supermarkets, gasoline 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 frequently. This has helped me to earn tons of Citi ThankYou Rewards, which I switch to packages 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 charge) 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 one among their cute Delft homes.
Once I guide journey by way of the Citi Journey portal, I earn an unimaginable 10 factors per greenback spent on lodges, automobile rental and points of interest, which I worth as incomes 18.5% again as factors in accordance 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 the most effective 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.

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 way of Chase Journey.
Why it is nice for rewards: I can recognize not everyone seems to be as obsessive about loyalty packages as I’m, and also you would possibly simply need 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 a fantastic choice if you happen to’re on the lookout for 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 may earn again within the first yr.
In case you like to journey, then contemplate the comfort of reserving flights, lodges, automobiles, cruises and extra by way of Chase Journey. Not solely can this be a one-stop store in your subsequent trip, however you will earn a beneficiant and rewarding 5% money again on all journey booked through Chase Journey.
You too can 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 popular Card.
For extra particulars, see our full overview of the Chase Freedom Limitless.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Limitless
American Specific Gold Card
Welcome provide: Discover out your provide and see in case you are eligible for as excessive as 100,000 Membership Rewards Factors after spending $6,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership. Welcome affords fluctuate and also you is probably not eligible for a suggestion.
Annual payment: $325.

Standout advantages: This card provides you some ways to earn a couple of level per greenback, particularly if groceries and eating out (or ordering takeout) take up a whole lot of your price range.
There’s additionally a single $10 month-to-month eating credit score you should use at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Manufacturing facility, Goldbelly, Wine.com and 5 Guys (as much as a $120 annual assertion credit score per calendar yr; enrollment required), plus $10 monthly 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 fee technique and redeem with any Amex card.
Why it is nice for rewards: I dine out frequently, particularly when touring and away from my house kitchen, so this can be a nice option to eat my option to extra Membership Rewards factors.
For group dinners the place splitting the invoice on the restaurant will be awkward, I generally provide to pay on my card after which have my eating companions ship me their share of the verify. I can earn the factors for the complete verify — which may simply be 1000’s of Membership Rewards factors for an enormous group dinner (enrollment required).
I really 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 annually. Even when I solely order from Grubhub, Uber Eats, and 5 Guys as soon as a month, the credit are severely 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.
In case you love consuming out at locations that settle for American Specific, this card needs to be in your pocket.
For extra particulars, see our full overview of the American Specific Gold Card.
Apply right here: American Specific Gold Card
What to contemplate when selecting a rewards bank card
It may be dizzying having so many alternative playing cards, every with completely 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 frequently as my spending and journey habits evolve.

Most popular rewards
Take into account whether or not you worth incomes money again or factors and miles you may switch to a companion program or redeem by way of a bank card journey portal.
There is not any good reply for this and it might rely in your private choice and journey types. If the thought of a number of switch choices, award charts and switch bonuses feels too advanced, 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 aware of the bank card rewards recreation.
Welcome bonus
It is tempting to scan a abstract desk and select the cardboard with the very best welcome bonus — I’ve definitely been responsible of doing that.
However in case you are making an attempt to check a cash-back bonus of, say, $750, with a welcome bonus of 75,000 factors, it isn’t 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 often price greater than that, relying on the way you spend them.
Whereas a big welcome bonus of factors and miles can definitely sweeten the deal of making use of for a brand new rewards bank card, I might advocate 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 Specific? In case you can decide this earlier than making use of for something, deciding which card will earn you essentially the most rewards is simpler.
In case you plan to take the cardboard touring with you, guarantee it doesn’t cost a overseas transaction payment. In any other case, this payment will probably be greater than the worth of the rewards you’d earn.
Annual payment
Some playing cards I’ve advisable carry annual charges of their first and subsequent years. Although no one likes paying an annual payment, it could be justified if the advantages of being a cardholder and the accompanying credit present worth that outweighs the payment.
A great rule of thumb that I exploit to resolve if and the way a lot of an annual payment I ought to pay on a rewards bank card is to attempt to discover a welcome bonus that’s valued larger than the annual payment for the primary yr. I then have a look at the worth of the advantages like assertion credit, bonus miles and journey protections and advantages to estimate whether or not they can be larger than the annual payment value within the second and subsequent years when the welcome bonus wouldn’t be relevant.
If doubtful, you may begin with a card with no annual payment to make sure you’re getting actual worth from it earlier than contemplating a card with an annual payment.
How we selected the very best rewards bank cards
We rated the very best rewards bank cards based mostly on a number of components, together with however not restricted to the welcome affords these playing cards present, reward incomes charges — particularly in in style bonus classes, switch companions and their charges and different perks related to every card.
Try 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 advocate lowering your bank card invoice by making use of the money again earned from the cardboard.
In case you’d relatively internet that extra cash or put it towards different bills, most issuers assist 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 throughout the similar issuer household you could have that assist you to do that or just placing money again into your checking account.
For factors and miles incomes bank cards, you may often redeem the rewards by way of the cardboard issuer’s journey portal, often at a charge of round one cent every (relying on the cardboard issuer). Keep in mind, although, that you’re going to get much better worth by transferring them to an airline or lodge companion program.
Associated: Bank card switch companions: Information to transferring factors and miles to airways and lodges
Backside line
Rewards bank cards have fully 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 benefit from elevated incomes charges.
Whether or not you are a professional on the money again, factors and miles recreation or a newbie, use this information that will help you determine which rewards bank card is greatest suited to your spending patterns, price range and way of life.
With low or no annual charges, my rewards bank cards have earned me lots of of 1000’s of factors and miles over time. I’ve additionally loved advantages like airport lounge entry, elite lodge standing, limitless assertion credit and bucket-list journeys.
For Capital One merchandise listed on this web page, a few of the advantages could also be offered by Visa® or Mastercard® and should fluctuate by product. See the respective Information to Advantages for particulars, as phrases and exclusions apply.
For charges and charges of the Amex Gold card, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum card, click on right here.
For the charges and charges of the Blue Money Most popular Card, click on right here.
Associated: The perfect bank card welcome bonuses of March 2025