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If you're reading this, you're likely deep in research (and maybe have multiple tabs open) wondering how to choose the best rewards credit card. Below, we'll highlight which we think are the standouts.
But it's important to note before we start: The cards below aren't simply those that pay us to say they're great cards. These are rewards cards we use personally or are cards we regularly recommend to our friends and family.
Here's a quick overview of standout rewards cards before you dive into our full list of top picks.
Great for: Overall best rewards card
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 15 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Rewards Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
2% cash rewards
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
$200 cash rewards
This card’s unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases is the highest we’ve seen for a flat-rate rewards card with no annual fee. It also has an incredibly easy-to-earn $200 welcome bonus and a generous intro APR offer. We simply haven’t come across this combination of top perks in one card before. Read Full Review
Why we picked it: This card is great if you strive for simplicity with your finances. You don't need to worry about activating bonus categories, or what purchases qualify for those categories. You earn 2% cash rewards for any type of purchase you put on this card.
What to watch out for: Wells Fargo has a below average customer satisfaction rating (based on J.D. Power survey).
Great for: Travel rewards
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Rewards Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases.
1X-3X points
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
20,000 bonus points
This card offers unlimited 3X points on common things like restaurants, gas stations, travel, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases. This could be a great pick if you spend a lot in those categories. A solid welcome bonus and cell phone protection are the cherries on top. Read Full Review
Why we picked it: It's one of the few credit cards in the travel category with no annual fee, and you can earn unlimited rewards in multiple spending categories.
What to watch out for: This card offers 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening, which is a nice perk. However, this doesn't apply to balance transfers, and there are other no annual fee credit cards that pack in both.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Great for: U.S. gas and supermarkets
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months
Regular APR
19.24%-29.99% Variable
Rewards 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations. 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more). 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
1%-6% Cash Back
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Welcome Offer Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$250
This card offers market-leading cash back at U.S. supermarkets. The welcome bonus and intro APR offer sweeten the deal. Terms apply. If you spend a lot on groceries (excluding wholesale clubs and superstores like Costco and Walmart), this card is worth considering. Read Full Review
Why we picked it: This card is at the top of the list for cash back at U.S. supermarkets. If you spend a lot on groceries (excluding wholesale clubs like Costco), this card is worth considering.
What to watch out for: The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express charges a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. (Terms apply. See rates and fees.)
Great for: Bonus-category cash back
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
Rewards Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
1% - 5% Cashback
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer N/A
Discover will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year.
We think this card has among the highest cash back potential for cards with no annual fee. The key is the Unlimited Cashback Match — Discover automatically matches all the cash back new cardholders have earned at the end of the first year. That cash back can seriously add up when you earn 5% cash back on rotating bonus categories (when you activate them, up to the quarterly maximum) and 1% on other purchases. Read Full Review
Why we picked it: I got this card last year, and what I love is that it can benefit just about anyone. With its rewards rate, it works well in a one-card wallet where you always pay with the same credit card. But if you have other rewards cards, like I do, it slots in seamlessly. Just find out where it's earning 5% each quarter, activate, and use it in those bonus categories.
What to watch out for: This rewards credit card is not as widely accepted internationally as Visa or Mastercard.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Great for: U.S. gas and supermarkets
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Rewards Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.
2X-5X miles
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
75,000 Miles
This is one of our top travel credit cards overall, because of its highly lucrative, yet dead simple rewards program. Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase and use them to get reimbursed for any travel purchase — or to book a trip through Capital One Travel. TSA Pre✓® credit and the opportunity to earn a massive 75,000 Miles sign-up bonus (worth $750 in travel) make this credit card one of the best travel companions. Read Full Review
Why we picked it: Personally, I love having a travel card that I can rely on to get 2 miles per $1 everywhere. (See rates and fees.) Capital One Venture cards have great reward redemption options. I regularly save thousands on business-class airfare by transferring my Venture miles.
What to watch out for: Capital One doesn't have as many travel partners as some other card issuers.
Though these cards didn't make our quick picks above, they are still excellent rewards cards in our view. Depending on your personal situation, these could easily be a better fit for you than the cards above.
Here's a look at some of our other favorites so you can compare credit card points or rewards:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Great for: Premium travel rewards
On Capital One's Secure Website.
On Capital One's Secure Website.
Excellent (740-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Rewards Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
2X-10X miles
Annual Fee
$395
Welcome Offer 75000 Miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
75,000 Miles
Our favorite premium travel card. Yes, there’s a premium annual fee here, but you get what you might expect from a luxury card, like up to 10X miles on spending through Capital One Travel, a $300 travel credit, experience credits, and a huge welcome bonus. Read Full Review
Great for: Cash back rewards
Fair to Excellent (580-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards 5% cash back in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent), 1% cash back on other purchases. Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
1% - 5% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
20,000 ThankYou® Points
We love this card’s easy-to-use yet lucrative cash back program. Each billing cycle, cardholders earn 5% cash back in their top spend category (up to $500 spent in eligible categories). Eligible categories include grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, select travel and more. The card automatically adjusts to your spending habits, which makes it easy to maximize your rewards. Read Full Review
Great for: Unlimited cash back
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% Variable
Rewards Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases
1.5% - 5% cash back
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Up to $300 cash back
A cash back card that has it all with unlimited 1.5% - 5% cash back rates and an excellent 0% intro APR offer. There's also an innovative sign-up bonus worth up to $300 cash back. With the bonus, you’ll earn 4.5% cash back on dining and drugstores, 6.5% on travel booked through Chase Travel, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After the bonus, you’ll still earn the regular cash back rates on every purchase. Read Full Review
There's one question to ask yourself that will help you make the best choice: How much time and effort do I want to put into my rewards credit card?
If you want to keep it simple and save time, you could get a cash back card that earns 2% everywhere. You'll earn a competitive amount back, it will be easy to use your cash rewards, and you won't need to keep track of bonus categories or learn about complex rewards programs.
Or, you could look at rewards cards as a fun way of maximizing points and optimizing perks. You may get a travel rewards card with points you can transfer to airlines and hotels, or a card with rotating bonus categories that change every quarter. You may even decide to open multiple rewards cards to get even more value.
It all depends on how deep you want to go. Everyday cardholders usually just want to earn something back on their regular spending. Optimizers want to get as much as they can out of rewards cards. The table below gives you a breakdown of features to look for based on which type of cardholder you are.
Keep it simple | Optimize | |
---|---|---|
Rewards credit card type | Cash back | Points / Travel Rewards |
Points program | Flat rate | Tiered |
Annual fee | No | Maybe (value dependent) |
Perks | Less focus | Carefully consider perks that give you value |
Keep in mind that these aren't mutually exclusive. There are plenty of cards with bonus categories and travel cards that can work fine for everyday cardholders. There are also no annual fee cards that are great for optimizers.
Here are the pros and cons of having a rewards credit card:
There's a range of strategies that cardholders use to max out credit card rewards. Here are some tips that can help you do the same, from the basics to more advanced methods:
You should get a rewards credit card if you have a good credit score and will pay the bill in full every month.
Rewards cards are usually a great choice. You're going to pay for purchases anyway. Why not use a rewards card to get something back on that money you're spending? There are only a couple of situations where the best points credit card isn't the right fit:
Learn how to increase your credit score and work on that first. It usually takes a FICO® Score of at least 670 to get any of the best rewards credit cards. By improving your credit, you can qualify for rewards cards that offer much more value.
Every month you carry a balance, the card issuer can charge you credit card interest. The cost of interest almost always outweighs your rewards.
Your financial situation may call for a different type of credit card. Here are a few common situations where a rewards credit card isn't the right choice, along with what type of card to pick instead.
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Overall best rewards card |
|
2024 Award Winner
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Travel rewards |
2024 Award Winner
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: U.S. gas and supermarkets |
2024 Award Winner
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Bonus-category cash back |
2024 Award Winner
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: U.S. gas and supermarkets |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Premium travel rewards |
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Cash back rewards |
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Unlimited cash back |
At The Motley Fool Ascent, we rate rewards credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards earning potential, sign-up bonuses, fees, and perks like cash back and travel credit.
Our highest-rated rewards credit cards have:
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best rewards card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring rewards credit cards from reputable brands.
Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how The Ascent rates credit cards.
A rewards credit card earns purchase rewards in the form of cash back, points, or miles. Every eligible purchase adds to your rewards balance, and you can then redeem your rewards with the credit card issuer.
To compare rewards credit cards, look at their rewards rates, bonus offers, annual fees, and any additional benefits they offer. These are the features that have the most impact on the value a card offers.
You may also want to decide on one type of rewards card first, such as a travel card or a cash back card. If you know you want a specific type of card, then you can save time by only looking at cards in that category.
The best rewards credit card has a redemption method that offers the most value. This can vary depending on which rewards credit card you have. For example, travel cards usually provide the most value when redeeming rewards for travel, whereas cash back cards are designed for cash back redemptions.
When you have a rewards credit card, make sure you review the different redemption methods so you can choose the best one.
To make the most of a rewards credit card, use it for every purchase to earn as much back as you can. However, don't make unnecessary purchases just because your card earns rewards. Follow your usual spending habits. Last but not least, always pay the full statement balance on your credit card to avoid interest charges.
A credit card with reward points earns cash back, points, miles, or some other type of reward for purchases. The amount you earn depends on the card and, in some cases, the spending category. For example, there are cards that offer a flat rate of 2% on purchases. Others offer higher rates in some categories, such as 3% on groceries.
Every eligible purchase adds to your reward balance. So, if you spend $100 on a card offering 2% cash back, you'd earn $2 in rewards. You can redeem rewards when you have enough to meet the redemption minimum, if there is one. Fortunately, many of the best rewards credit cards don't have a minimum, so you can redeem rewards anytime.
Michael Shipman, CPA
Assistant Professor for Accounting, Mount Aloysius College
With high gas prices, should consumers consider using credit cards that provide rewards to pay for gas?
One should never get a credit card for a "non-credit reason." In the tax world, we have the saying, "The tax tail should never wag the economic dog." This means that a company should not do something solely for tax reasons, but rather, should have a good business reason for a course of action. The same can be said of credit cards. This said, if you are opening a new line of credit during a time of high gas prices (whether it be because you need a credit card or an additional credit card, or have to close one for a good reason and are now looking for another), getting and using a credit card that provides rewards to pay for gas could be better than the other usual reward opportunities!
What should consumers know when deciding between a general cash back credit card vs. a gas company credit card?
Consumers should know the details of each reward opportunity. For example, I would want to know what I can and cannot get cash back on, how often I can get cash back, at what rate I get cash back, if there is a limit on how much cash I can get back, and if there are any other restrictions on the card. This line of reasoning applies to gas company credit cards as well: Is it just the one company I can get my gas bill reduced at? How often can I use it? At what rate is my gas reduced? Is there a limit on how much my gas bill is reduced, and are there any other restrictions on the card? Lastly, remember, even though the gas company credit card sounds like a good idea now, it can only help with gas, as opposed to the general cash back credit card likely providing cash back for use at your discretion.
Are there any benefits or drawbacks to companies that advertise money back per gallon?
The obvious benefit is that you can reduce your gas bill. As far as I can tell, that is where the benefits end. One drawback is that you may get a gas company credit card for a company that routinely has more expensive gas than one of its competitors in your area. A similar drawback is that by getting this credit card, you are likely influencing yourself to buy most, if not all, of your gas from one company, which may or may not always be the best economic decision. This is similar to loyalty cards for gas chains (Sheetz, Wawa, etc.), with the difference that loyalty cards do not really have consequences. Credit cards do have consequences, and it is important to read the fine print on gas company credit card offers like any others, as you may find the gas company card has a lower interest rate (benefit), but you may also find (and this sounds more likely, in my opinion) a higher interest rate. Whatever you decide, always remember to monitor your credit card bills carefully, and if possible, pay off your balance every month!
Joseph Stasio
Associate Professor, Marketing, Merrimack College
With high gas prices, should consumers consider using credit cards that provide rewards to pay for gas?
It is important to understand that prices fluctuate given market conditions. Right now, gas prices along with many other consumer products are experiencing abnormally high prices. This is due to a number of factors including unusually high demand, labor shortages, and supply chain irregularities, all causing inflation. Decisions involving credit card usage tied to gas purchases should involve this understanding. So, using credit cards that reward gas purchases will be advantageous in the short run, but not so much when gas prices return to a more normal range. Of course, if consumers have different credit cards to use, then they can provide the best return on purchases after gas prices come down and they offer a better return on their buying behavior.
What should consumers know when deciding between a general cash back credit card vs. a gas company credit card?
The answer to this question is provided in question one. The key is to understand market conditions and their impact on prices. Generally speaking, consumers should have a few credit cards. For example, not all businesses accept either Discover Cards or Amex Cards. Depending on the amount of expenditures people experience each month and whether they carry a balance or pay off the total amount each month, consumers can decide which cards to use that will provide them the best return on their purchases. It is important for consumers to understand their own purchase behavior and judiciously use their credit cards. Gas company credit card decisions should be made in this context.
Are there any benefits or drawbacks to companies that advertise money back per gallon?
Companies that advertise money back per gallon are really speaking to heavy users of gasoline. They would include people who drive long distances to work each day or people who use their cars to conduct business that involves much travel. Salespeople, truck drivers, etc., fall into this category. If companies do not target their messages to these groups of people, then they are wasting their marketing/advertising dollars. With social media platforms and the use of digital marketing techniques, companies should learn how best to reach these people and get the most from their marketing dollars. Any other approach is generally not advisable because people who are not heavy users of gasoline will most probably not be interested in these advertisements.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
For rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here
The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Visa and Mastercard. The Motley Fool recommends Amex.