Selecting the most suitable rewards credit card is a highly individualized choice if your heart is set on exploring the globe, an upscale travel card that permits you to transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners can transform your aspirations into reality. Alternatively, if you’re more focused on optimizing rewards earned from everyday expenditures like pet supplies and furniture, a cash-back card that enables you to choose your preferred categories might be the optimal choice.
Several aspects that distinguish a rewards credit card from the rest include enhanced earning rates in specific categories, reward categories that are not typically found on other cards, and versatile options for redeeming rewards. Some cards come with an annual fee, while others do not.
Whether this fee is justifiable for you depends on the extent of your spending within the card’s designated rewards categories. We thoroughly examined a wide array of credit cards falling into this category, originating from various issuers, to meticulously curate a compilation of the finest options available. Presented below are our handpicked preferences.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Maximize Cash-Back Potential and Welcome Offer The Chase Freedom Flex℠ card offers a lucrative cash-back potential, though optimizing its rotating quarterly categories requires some effort. This no-annual-fee card comes with a valuable welcome offer and introductory APR periods, making it a compelling choice for many. You can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in rotating categories, 5% on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on other purchases. Keep in mind that activating the rotating categories each quarter is essential to earn the elevated cash back. Additionally, while marketed as a cash-back card, it actually earns points redeemable for travel bookings, and these points can be combined with those from premium Ultimate Rewards credit cards for added value.
Bilt World Elite Mastercard®
Fee-Free Rent Payments and Valuable Rewards The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® offers a unique advantage for renters by allowing rent payments without transaction fees, along with rewards and access to airline and hotel transfer partners. It’s a great choice for those who want to earn points for award travel. With an annual fee of $0, the card offers 1 point per $1 on rent payments, 2 points per $1 on travel, 3 points per $1 on dining, and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. To maximize rewards, at least five transactions are required per statement period. The card’s points transfer at a 1:1 ratio to popular airline and hotel partners.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Premium Travel Benefits with a Hefty Fee For premium travel benefits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a top contender, though it comes with a $550 annual fee. However, the benefits are substantial, including a $300 annual travel credit, transferable points to travel partners, Priority Pass airport lounge membership, and various travel protections. Earning 5 points per $1 on flights and 10 points per $1 on hotels and car rentals through Chase Ultimate Rewards® after the first $300 spent on travel annually, the card also provides 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. The welcome bonus offers 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card
Elevated Cash Back at Popular Merchants The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card stands out by offering higher cash back rates at popular merchants compared to their store cards. With an annual fee of $0 in the first year and $95 thereafter, the card earns 6% cash back on combined purchases from two chosen retailers, 5.5% on prepaid car and hotel reservations through the Rewards Center, 3% on a chosen everyday category, and 1.5% on all other purchases. Enrolling in the categories is necessary, with at least three enrollments per quarter. A welcome bonus of $250 is available after spending $2,000 in the first 120 days.
Prime Visa
Rewards for Amazon Prime Members For Amazon Prime members, the Prime Visa offers a rewarding 5% back on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and more. It also provides 5% back on Chase travel, 2% back on gas, restaurants, local transit, and commuting, and 1% back on other purchases. With a $0 annual fee for Prime members, the card comes with a $100 Amazon gift card upon approval. It’s worth noting that a Prime membership is required to be eligible for this card.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Value-Packed Rewards at a Lower Fee The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers significant value at a more affordable annual fee of $95 compared to its higher-tier counterpart. With 5 points per $1 on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3 points per $1 on dining and select streaming services, 2 points per $1 on other travel, and 1 point per $1 on other purchases, the card’s rewards are attractive. A welcome bonus of 60,000 points is available after spending $4,000 in the first three months. The points can be redeemed for 25% more value for travel through Chase or transferred to travel partners.
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Tailored Rewards for Specific Spending Categories The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card’s unique rewards program earns 5% cash back on a top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent per month, and 1% on all other purchases. With no annual fee, the card is ideal for focusing on specific categories where you spend the most. A welcome bonus of $200 cash back (20,000 ThankYou points) is offered after spending $1,500 in the first six months. Combining rewards with the Citi® Double Cash Card is an option for streamlined redemptions.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Generous Cash-Back Rates with Reasonable Fee With a $0 intro annual fee for the first year and $95 thereafter, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers generous cash back rates. It provides 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually), 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% on U.S. gas stations and transit, and 1% on other purchases. The card also features a welcome bonus of $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first six months. It’s important to note that there are foreign transaction fees associated with this card.
Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature® Flagship Rewards Card:
Affordable Travel Rewards for Eligible Members The Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature® Flagship Rewards Card is a cost-effective option for travelers with a $49 annual fee. Offering 3 points per $1 on travel and 2 points per $1 on all other purchases, the card is particularly attractive if you have a military connection and are eligible to join Navy Federal Credit Union. The welcome bonus includes 40,000 points (a $400 value) after spending $4,000 in the first 90 days, along with a year of free Amazon Prime.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Tailored Rewards for Costco Shoppers The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is tailored for Costco shoppers, earning 4% cash back on gas and EV charging (up to $7,000 per year), 3% cash back on restaurants and travel purchases, 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com, and 1% cash back on other purchases. While it doesn’t have an annual fee beyond the required Costco membership, the card’s rewards are distributed as a reward certificate once per year.
