Picking the right rewards credit card can be tough because there are so many options with different earning rates and perks. Not choosing the best one could mean missing out on significant benefits or even cash rewards. Here are our top 10 rewards credit cards:
**CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED CARD**
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers high rewards rates and flexible redemption options, making it great for frequent travelers and diners. It includes a generous sign-up bonus, various redemption choices, and travel perks, all for a reasonable annual fee.
**Pros and Cons:**
– High rewards on diverse spending
– Travel and shopping protections
– Cons: Annual fee, no introductory APR offer
**AMERICAN EXPRESS PLATINUM CARD**
Ideal for frequent travelers seeking luxury, the American Express Platinum Card offers premium travel benefits, access to airport lounges, and various rewards, including Membership Rewards points.
**Pros and Cons:**
– Valuable rewards categories
– Transfer partners
– Luxury perks
– Cons: High annual fee of $695, complex rewards system, requires excellent credit
**CAPITAL ONE VENTURE REWARDS CREDIT CARD**
The Capital One Venture Card is a top travel card, offering 2-5 miles per dollar spent and a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles for spending $4,000 in the first three months. It has a straightforward rewards structure, earning miles on all purchases.
**Pros and Cons:**
– Lower annual fee compared to similar cards
– Easy to earn and use miles
– Cons: Limited domestic flight and luxury hotel partners, no hotel status perks
**CITI PREMIER CARD**
The Citi Premier® Card is a solid travel card, especially good for earning rewards on non-travel expenses. It offers 3X points on hotel stays, air travel, and other popular categories like restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
**Pros and Cons:**
– Bonus categories
– Long-lasting rewards
– Cons: Annual fee, requires good credit
**DISCOVER IT CASH BACK**
Best for moderate spenders, the Discover It Cash Back card features 5% cashback on rotating categories and a continuous 1% earning rate, plus a cashback match at the end of the first year.
**Pros and Cons:**
– 5% cashback on different categories throughout the year
– Automatic cashback match at year-end
– Cons: Limited 5% cashback to $1,500 per quarter, requires activation of bonus categories, low standard reward rate
**BANK OF AMERICA PREMIUM REWARDS CREDIT CARD**
Ideal for frequent travelers and Bank of America customers, the Bank of America Premium Rewards card offers a strong rewards program, airline fee credits, and travel benefits.
**Pros and Cons:**
– Sign-up bonus
– More points on travel and dining
– Enhanced travel protections
– Cons: Annual fee, requires good credit
**WELLS FARGO ACTIVE CASH CARD**
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card offers a flat 2% cashback on purchases with no annual fee, making it competitive with other top cashback cards.
**Pros and Cons:**
– High rewards rate
– No annual fee
– Introductory APR period
– Cons: No extra reward categories
**HILTON HONORS AMERICAN EXPRESS SURPASS CARD**
Great for Hilton hotel enthusiasts, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card provides high points on Hilton purchases and additional benefits.
**Pros and Cons:**
– Over $600 in annual statement credits
– Free standard night award at participating properties
– Cons: High annual fee without first-year waiver, high regular and penalty APR, lower point value
**CHASE FREEDOM UNLIMITED**
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers a simple cashback program with a uniform rate on all purchases and no annual fee.
**Pros and Cons:**
– No annual fee
– Introductory APR period
– High rewards rate
– Cons: Requires good/excellent credit
**SOUTHWEST RAPID REWARDS PREMIER CREDIT CARD**
For frequent Southwest Airlines travelers, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card offers benefits like bonus points and anniversary bonuses.
**Pros and Cons:**
– No foreign transaction fees
– Earn points toward A-List status
– Unlimited reward seats, no blackout dates
– Cons: High regular APR, no introductory APR offer, annual fee
Before picking a credit card, carefully consider your spending habits, travel preferences, and financial goals to find the one that best fits your needs. Always check the issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information on terms and reward structures.