Anybody who is aware of me is aware of that I get pleasure from singing the praises of rewards bank cards at any time when I get the prospect.
However the bank card trade affords so many choices that even an professional like me can battle to maintain monitor. That is why I like serving to my family and friends sift by way of the alternatives to seek out playing cards that match their life and journey targets.
With that in thoughts, let’s go over my high picks for the perfect rewards bank cards.
Evaluating my high picks for the perfect rewards bank cards
This is a fast overview of what every of my favourite rewards playing cards has to supply.
| Card | Welcome supply | Incomes charges | Annual price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Flex® (see charges and charges) | Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
|
None |
| Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card (see charges and charges) | Earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$95 |
| Citi Strata Premier® Card (see charges and charges) | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$95 |
| American Categorical Platinum Card® | New Amex Platinum cardmembers can discover out their supply and see in the event that they’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 affords differ, and also you will not be eligible for a suggestion. |
|
$895 annual price (see charges and charges) |
Chase Freedom Flex
Standout advantages: This card’s greatest profit is its rotating quarterly bonus classes. You will earn 5% money again on as much as $1,500 of spending every quarter in these classes (then 1% again; activation required). Plus, cardholders can get pleasure from a complimentary six-month DoorDash DashPass membership (activate by Dec. 31, 2027).
The Freedom Flex is, in my view, one in all Chase’s most underrated playing cards. It usually will get overshadowed by its huge siblings, the Chase Sapphire Most popular and Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and charges).
This card is greatest for freshmen and people searching for an inexpensive, versatile product. It was my first correct rewards card, and it was the one that actually bought me hooked on this interest.
To be taught extra, take a look at our full assessment of the Freedom Flex.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Flex
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Chase Sapphire Most popular
Standout advantages: This card affords entry to Chase’s switch companions, a essential element of maximizing your rewards. When you have an eligible no-annual-fee Chase card, just like the Freedom Flex, you’ll be able to flip that card’s rewards into transferable Final Rewards factors with the Sapphire Most popular.
The Sapphire Most popular will get placed on a pedestal right here at TPG, and for good cause. It is an inexpensive card that earns priceless, transferable Final Rewards factors. Plus, it is easy to get your a reimbursement (after which some) with the Sapphire Most popular’s annual price, because of its DoorDash DashPass membership (activate by Dec. 31, 2027).
Cardholders additionally get a $50 credit score for an eligible resort reserving by way of Chase Journey every year, along with a ten% anniversary factors increase. These approachable perks make this card a terrific introduction to the world of factors and miles — it was even my very first transferable rewards card.
To be taught extra, take a look at our full assessment of the Sapphire Most popular.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most popular Card
Citi Strata Premier
Standout advantages: This card covers all kinds of on a regular basis spending classes, making it a terrific match for a one-card pockets. In the event you like utilizing issuer journey portals in your bookings, you may respect this card’s annual $100 resort profit on a single resort reserving of $500 or extra (excluding taxes and charges) made by way of Citi Journey.
Ask round sufficient at TPG, and you will quickly discover just a few individuals who’d agree with me that the Strata Premier is a darkish horse within the mid-tier bank card house. With this card, you’ll earn bonus rewards on nearly all of your on a regular basis spending, together with groceries, gasoline, EV charging and eating. You will additionally acquire entry to Citi’s 22 switch companions, together with award fanatic favorites like American Airways and Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
I haven’t got the Strata Premier myself, however I might completely select it if I had the will (and willpower) to carry myself to only one card.
To be taught extra, take a look at our full assessment of the Strata Premier.
Apply right here: Citi Strata Premier Card
American Categorical Platinum
Standout advantages: Making an attempt to condense this card’s standout advantages into just a few sentences is sort of not possible. It boasts an extended checklist of assertion credit, elite statuses and lounges you’ll be able to entry, amongst different advantages. It could characteristic the best annual price of any card available on the market, but it surely’s properly value it for the precise cardmember.
The Amex Platinum is my costliest card, however I can justify it because of its numerous advantages. I simply used my assertion credit for Resy*, which is as much as $400 yearly (as much as $100 per quarter) and for Lululemon** which is as much as $300 yearly (as much as $75 per quarter). This implies I am already roughly $175 towards breaking even on this card’s annual price.
I additionally worth this card’s lounge entry, which is the furthest-reaching of any card at the moment accessible. In the event you can afford to pay $895 in a single billing cycle for a card, the Amex Platinum is certainly value contemplating.
To be taught extra, take a look at our full assessment of the Amex Platinum.
*U.S. eating places solely; enrollment required
**U.S. shops and on-line solely; retailers excluded; enrollment required
Apply right here: American Categorical Platinum Card
How I selected my high rewards playing cards
I like to recommend these playing cards again and again as a result of I consider they’re the perfect match for many vacationers. You do not want all 4 of those playing cards to have a well-rounded pockets, however your travels can actually be elevated should you do.
Backside line
Ask me for my greatest rewards card suggestions, and these are those you may hear about. I’ve three out of 4 of them in my pockets, and I do not remorse opening any of them. The Strata Premier, whereas not an excellent match for my private card technique, remains to be on the identical enjoying area as its companions on this checklist.
Be intrigued, not intimidated, by rewards bank cards. These choices can all unlock journey alternatives you may by no means have thought attainable.
Associated: Finest bank cards: These 4 preserve me on the go about 180 days a 12 months
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum, click on right here.
