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Step up your bank card reward sport with these prime picks
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Step up your bank card reward sport with these prime picks

Scoopico
Last updated: July 19, 2025 2:40 am
Scoopico
Published: July 19, 2025
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Contents
The perfect rewards bank cardsEvaluating the very best rewards bank cardsChase Sapphire ReserveChase Sapphire Most well-liked CardBlue Money Most well-liked Card from American CategoricalCapital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score CardThe Platinum Card from American CategoricalInk Enterprise Most well-liked Credit score CardInk Enterprise Limitless Credit score CardCiti Strata Premier CardChase Freedom LimitlessAmerican Categorical Gold CardWhat to think about when selecting a rewards bank cardMost well-liked rewardsWelcome bonusSpending habitsAnnual chargeHow we selected the very best rewards bank cardsRedemption choices for rewards bank cardsBackside line

Rewards bank cards are a good way to earn priceless reward forex for bills you already make usually. Plus, they make journey extra comfy because of transferable factors and miles.

In actual fact, transferable bank card factors remodeled the way in which I journey as a result of this forex is a lot extra priceless than factors earned straight via an airline or resort loyalty program.

Coupled with common switch bonuses to pick out 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 greater than the worth of any rewards obtained.

Whether or not you’re a newbie traveler or an skilled one, a enterprise proprietor or a renter, listed below 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’ll be able to see how my prime suggestions for the very best rewards bank cards stack up.

Card Finest for Welcome provide Incomes charges Annual charge
Chase Sapphire Reserve Premium journey perks and credit Earn 100,000 factors plus a $500 Chase Journey℠ promo credit score after spending $5,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening.
  • Earn 8 factors per greenback spent on all purchases via Chase Journey℠
  • Earn 4 factors per greenback spent on flights and resorts booked direct
  • Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eating
  • Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases

The Sapphire Reserve has just lately undergone a refresh. The incomes charges outlined above might be out there to new candidates upon receipt of their new Sapphire Reserve card. Present cardholders may have entry to the up to date incomes charges proven right here on Oct. 26, 2025.

$795
Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card Newbie vacationers Earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
  • Earn 5 factors per greenback spent on journey bought via Chase Journey
  • Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eating, choose streaming companies and on-line groceries (excluding Walmart, Goal and wholesale golf equipment)
  • Earn 2 factors per greenback spent on all different journey purchases
  • Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
$95
Blue Money Most well-liked Card from American Categorical Gasoline and supermarkets Earn a $250 assertion credit score after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.
  • Earn 6% money again at U.S. supermarkets on as much as $6,000 per calendar yr in purchases (then 1%)
  • Earn 6% money again on choose U.S. streaming subscriptions
  • Earn 3% money again on transit, together with taxis and ride-hailing companies, parking, tolls, trains, buses and extra
  • Earn 3% money again at U.S. fuel stations
  • Earn 1% money again on different purchases.

Money again is obtained within the type of Reward {Dollars} that may be redeemed as an announcement credit score or at Amazon.com checkout.

$0 introductory annual charge for the primary yr, then $95 thereafter (see charges and costs)
Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card Incomes miles Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening.
  • Earn 5 miles per greenback spent on resorts, trip leases and rental automobiles booked via Capital One Journey
  • Earn 2 miles per greenback spent on each buy, day by day
$95
The Platinum Card from American Categorical 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 inside the first six months of card membership. Welcome presents differ and also you is probably not eligible for a suggestion.

  • Earn 5 factors per greenback spent on flights booked straight with airways or via American Categorical Journey® (on as much as $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback)
  • Earn 5 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go resorts booked with American Categorical Journey
  • Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
$695 (see charges and costs)
Ink Enterprise Most well-liked Credit score Card Maximizing enterprise purchases Earn 90,000 factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
  • Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on the primary $150,000 spent on journey and choose enterprise classes on every account anniversary yr
  • Earn limitless 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
$95
Ink Enterprise Limitless Credit score Card Freelancers Earn $750 after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
  • Earn limitless 1.5% money again on each buy
None
Citi Strata Premier Card Starter journey Earn 60,000 factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
  • Earn 10 factors per greenback spent on resorts, automobile leases, and sights booked on CitiTravel.com
  • Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on air journey and different resort purchases, at eating places, supermarkets, on fuel and EV charging stations
  • Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
$95
Chase Freedom Limitless Versatile money rewards Earn $200 after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening.
  • Earn 5% money again on journey bought via Chase Journey
  • Earn 3% money again on drugstore purchases and eating (together with takeout and eligible supply companies)
  • Earn 1.5% money again on all different purchases
None
American Categorical 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 inside the first six months of card membership. Welcome presents differ and also you is probably not eligible for a suggestion.
  • Earn 4 factors per greenback spent on purchases at eating places worldwide, on as much as $50,000 in purchases per calendar yr (then 1 level for the remainder of the yr)
  • Earn 4 factors per greenback spent at U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $25,000 in purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback spent for the remainder of the yr)
  • Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on flights booked straight with airways or on AmexTravel.com
  • Earn 2 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go resorts and different eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com
  • Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different eligible purchases
$325 (see charges and costs)

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Welcome provide: Earn 100,000 factors plus a $500 Chase Journey promo credit score after spending $5,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening.

Annual charge: $795.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve card art
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: The Sapphire Reserve has just lately obtained a face-lift and options new reward-earning charges, credit and, sure, a massive annual charge.

Regardless of these adjustments, the Sapphire Reserve nonetheless presents a stable worth proposition for many who can max out a lot of the credit and, in flip, offset the brand new $795 annual charge. Like its mid-tier sibling, the Sapphire Most well-liked (a card I maintain), the Sapphire Reserve earns Chase Final Rewards factors, probably the most priceless reward currencies in the marketplace — and one in every of my private favourite currencies, because of its flexibility and Chase’s switch companions.

If you happen to’re a frequent traveler who desires entry to credit that fit your life-style, the revamped Sapphire Reserve could possibly be an awesome addition to your pockets, particularly with perks like an annual $500 The Edit credit score you should utilize (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 well-liked Card

Welcome provide: Earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual charge: $95.

Chase Sapphire Preferred card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: With a superb welcome bonus of 75,000 factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card makes it simple to earn a number of priceless Final Rewards factors all for a low annual charge. You may enhance your earnings with elevated rewards charges within the (massively standard) 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.

Despite the fact that there are such a lot of nice Final Rewards switch companions, I’ve redeemed most of mine through the years via World of Hyatt for the straightforward cause that their award charts are actually affordable, and I do know I can at all times get nice worth like at The Grayson, an Unbound Assortment property within the coronary heart of New York Metropolis (which I’ve beforehand performed for a particular birthday journey to rejoice 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 just lately 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 enduring “Queen of the Skies” Boeing 747-8.

It was among the finest flights of my life, together with being pushed throughout the tarmac in Frankfurt from the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in a personal 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 residence.

the author in a Lufthansa first class 747 cabin
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY

That is the bank card I’ve held the longest and nonetheless love, and for those who’ve ever thought-about a rewards-earning bank card, now’s the best time to use for the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card.

For extra particulars, see our full overview of the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card.


Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card


Blue Money Most well-liked Card from American Categorical

Welcome provide: Earn a $250 assertion credit score after spending $3,000 in purchases on the primary six months of card membership.

Annual charge: $0 intro annual charge for the primary yr, then $95.

amex blue cash preferred card
THE POINTS GUY

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 companies on the Blue Money Most well-liked Card.

Why it is nice for Rewards: For a card that doesn’t cost an annual charge within the first yr, the Blue Money Most well-liked Amex will reward you handsomely. The $250 assertion credit score places you properly in entrance, and that is earlier than you even issue within the 6% money again for U.S. supermarkets and choose streaming companies — 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. fuel has a generously large definition, masking most floor transportation choices, together with once you park your car. Due to this, I like to recommend the Blue Money Most well-liked as a terrific cash-back card and an particularly good possibility for bigger households with giant grocery payments. It is good to take into account that money again is obtained within the type of Rewards {Dollars} that may be obtained 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 well-liked Card from American Categorical.


Apply right here: Blue Money Most well-liked Card from American Categorical


Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card

Welcome provide: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening.

Annual charge: $95.

capital one venture rewards card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: This uniquely rewarding welcome provide contains incomes each miles and a Capital One Journey credit score. Along with its industry-leading 2 miles per greenback spent on each buy, day by day, once you e book resorts, trip leases and rental automobiles via Capital One Journey, the incomes fee 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 software charge credit score for International Entry or TSA PreCheck each 4 years.

Why it is nice for rewards: With no overseas transaction charges, it is a nice card for touring in contrast with an American Categorical card, which I’ve discovered is probably not accepted in fairly as many locations overseas. If you happen to aren’t comfy paying the $395 annual charge of the Enterprise Rewards massive sister, the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card, the Enterprise Rewards annual charge is extra palatable with a $95 annual charge.

It nonetheless earns a formidable 2 miles per greenback spent on each buy. I like the 15-plus switch companion choices, particularly transferring my Capital One miles to Air Canada’s Aeroplan program to e book 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 economic system.

Or, if you wish to e book a flight or resort that’s not out there via a switch companion, you may also redeem Capital One miles at a fee of 1 cent every via Capital One Journey. This perk has helped me return residence from among the extra uncommon locations I’ve visited.

For extra particulars, see our full overview of the Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card.


Be taught extra: Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card


The Platinum Card from American Categorical

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 inside the first six months of card membership. Welcome presents differ and also you is probably not eligible for a suggestion.

Annual charge: $695.

amex platinum card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: The Amex Platinum earns a beneficiant 5 factors per greenback spent on flights booked straight with airways or with American Categorical 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 resorts booked with American Categorical Journey, and 1 level per greenback on all different purchases making it a superb journey companion.

This card is filled with annual credit* which might simply cowl the price of the annual charge, 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 out there to select from*
  • As much as a $200 annual resort credit score per calendar yr, within the type of an announcement credit score, on pay as you go Amex High quality Resorts + Resorts or The Lodge Assortment bookings with Amex Journey once you pay with my Amex Platinum (Lodge Assortment stays require a two-night minimal)
  • An as much as $199 Clear Plus assertion credit score to assist cardholders go via airport safety sooner at 50+ airports nationwide and stand up to $199 again per calendar yr on their membership (topic to auto-renewal) after 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 companies like Disney+, a Disney+ Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Occasions, Peacock and The Wall Avenue 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 once you add the Amex Platinum as a cost technique and redeem with any Amex card.
  • Obtain both a $120 assertion credit score each 4 years for a International Entry software charge or an announcement credit score as much as $85 each 4½ years for a TSA PreCheck (via a TSA official enrollment supplier) software charge, when charged to the Platinum Card. Card Members permitted for International Entry may even obtain entry to TSA PreCheck at no further 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 various further credit that I do not use myself, however they might profit you for those who frequent particular locations.

*Enrollment is required; phrases apply.

Why it is nice for rewards: I am unable to consider one other private card that gives extra perks than the almighty Amex Platinum. There is no denying that the annual charge is a severe funding, however even for those who journey sometimes, the variety of journey advantages cannot be overwhelmed.

I 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 value arriving early to get pleasure from earlier than your subsequent flight.

Do you know that for those who fly Delta on a same-day flight and present your Amex Platinum you’ll be able to get pleasure from 10 Sky Membership visits yearly? Plus, for those who’re flying out of or via an airport with no Centurion Lounge or Delta Sky Membership, you’ll be able to nonetheless entry greater than 1,400 lounges throughout 140 international locations because of American Categorical’ International Lounges Assortment.

I additionally worth the complimentary Gold standing with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. The Hilton standing for stays exterior america is very 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 International Entry is such a time-saver to beat lengthy traces at TSA safety screening and immigration on arrival. Plus, via 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, resort, 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 Categorical.


Apply now: The Platinum Card from American Categorical


Ink Enterprise Most well-liked Credit score Card

Welcome provide: Earn 90,000 factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual charge: $95.

chase Ink Business Preferred card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: This card presents each a beneficiant welcome bonus and the flexibility to earn priceless Final Rewards factors, all for a low annual charge.

You will earn 3 factors per greenback spent on the primary $150,000 spent in mixed purchases annually on journey, delivery purchases, web, cable and cellphone companies, and promoting purchases made with social media websites and search engines like google and yahoo. 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 out there, together with cellphone safety, main automobile rental protection, journey delay reimbursement, journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage, journey delay reimbursement, buy safety and prolonged guarantee safety.

Why it is nice for rewards: Final Rewards are among the finest bank card factors you’ll be able to earn. Over time, I’ve discovered so many nice makes use of for them, particularly the flexibility to switch them to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 fee for great-value resort stays like Crossbasket Citadel 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 economic system product which I fee as one of many world’s finest and might switch my Final Rewards to Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue program at a 1:1 fee to e book flights to Europe from 40,000 Flying Blue factors.

The welcome bonus for this card is large, and the three factors per greenback incomes fee on so many classes through which the common enterprise proprietor spends usually makes it simple to rack up Final Rewards factors.

For extra particulars, see our full overview of the Ink Enterprise Most well-liked Credit score Card.


Apply right here: Ink Enterprise Most well-liked 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 charge: $0.

chase ink business unlimited card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: Although we advocate paying your card off in full each month, the Ink Enterprise Limitless has an introductory 0% annual proportion fee (APR) for 12 months from account opening on purchases (growing to a 17.49% – 23.49% variable APR after that).

This card additionally presents:

  • Buy safety: For as much as 120 days in opposition to injury or theft, as much as $10,000 per declare and $50,000 per account.
  • Auto rental collision injury waiver: If you hire a automobile for enterprise functions, you’ll be able to 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 residence 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 might be prolonged by an extra yr.

Why it is nice for rewards: If operating your enterprise is difficult sufficient, this card presents a easy option to save 1.5% on each enterprise expense charged to the cardboard via its easy money again provide. The welcome provide places much more a reimbursement in your pocket, and with no annual charge, you will be manner out forward.

If in case you have staff with enterprise bills, you’ll be able to subject them with playing cards as licensed customers at no additional value and gather the cashback they spend on the cardboard. Simply bear in mind you will be chargeable for all costs, 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 resort loyalty applications 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 charge: $95.

citi strata premier card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: The Citi Strata Premier presents $100 off a single resort keep of $500 or extra, excluding taxes and costs, as soon as per calendar yr once you e book via Citi Journey. That is a straightforward option to cowl the price of the annual charge annually.

Why it is nice for rewards: This card tends to fly underneath the radar, and whereas another rewards playing cards provide bonus factors in a single or two main classes, the Strata Premier has been probably the most priceless playing cards I’ve ever held as a result of it options an incomes fee of three factors per greenback spent in standard classes together with air journey, different resort purchases, eating places, supermarkets, fuel and EV charging stations.

I am unable to consider one other card that earns 3 factors per greenback throughout so many classes the place I spend usually. This has helped me to earn tons of Citi ThankYou Rewards, which I switch to applications like JetBlue TrueBlue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership and Singapore Airways KrisFlyer.

Virgin Atlantic’s incredible new Saver fares enable me to e book flights to London for as little as 6,000 Virgin factors (transferred from Citi at a 1:1 fee) plus charges, taxes and carrier-imposed surcharges, in addition to to fly again from Tanzania following a particular birthday safari in KLM enterprise class just lately, additionally with Virgin factors the place I collected one in every of their cute Delft homes.

Once I e book journey via the Citi Journey portal, I earn an unbelievable 10 factors per greenback spent on resorts, automobile rental and sights, 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 e book; the Citi Strata Card has been among the finest 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 charge: $0.

chase freedom unlimited card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: Earn a minimum of 1.5% money again on each buy you make on the cardboard, growing to three% money again on drugstore purchases and eating at eating places (together with takeout and eligible supply companies), and 5% again on journey booked via Chase Journey.

Why it is nice for rewards: I can respect not everyone seems to be as obsessive about loyalty applications 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 an awesome possibility for those who’re in search of a card that earns greater than 1% money again on all purchases with out paying an annual charge, and the welcome provide additionally sweetens the quantity you’ll be able to earn again within the first yr.

If you happen to like to journey, then contemplate the comfort of reserving flights, resorts, automobiles, cruises and extra via Chase Journey. Not solely can this be a one-stop store on your subsequent trip, however you will earn a beneficiant and rewarding 5% money again on all journey booked by way of Chase Journey.

You may also 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 well-liked Card.

For extra particulars, see our full overview of the Chase Freedom Limitless.


Apply right here: Chase Freedom Limitless


American Categorical 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 inside the first six months of card membership. Welcome presents differ and also you is probably not eligible for a suggestion.

Annual charge: $325.

hand holding the amex gold card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: This card provides you some ways to earn multiple level per greenback, particularly if groceries and eating out (or ordering takeout) take up a whole lot of your funds.

There’s additionally a single $10 month-to-month eating credit score you should utilize 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 once you add the Amex Gold Card as a cost technique and redeem with any Amex card.

Why it is nice for rewards: I dine out usually, particularly when touring and away from my residence kitchen, so it is 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 examine. I can earn the factors for your complete examine — which might simply be hundreds of Membership Rewards factors for an enormous group dinner.

I 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 rapidly add as much as cowl the annual charge annually. Even when I solely order from Grubhub, Uber Eats, and 5 Guys as soon as a month, the credit are significantly 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.

If you happen to love consuming out at locations that settle for American Categorical, this card ought to be in your pocket.

For extra particulars, see our full overview of the American Categorical Gold Card.


Apply right here: American Categorical Gold Card


What to think about when selecting a rewards bank card

It may be dizzying having so many various 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 bear in mind, you are not locked into one card for all times. I apply for, downgrade and cancel my playing cards comparatively usually as my spending and journey habits evolve.

freelancer working on laptop
MASKOT/GETTY IMAGES

Most well-liked rewards

Think about whether or not you worth incomes money again or factors and miles you could possibly switch to a companion program or redeem via a bank card journey portal.

There is no excellent reply for this and it could rely in your private choice and journey types. If the thought of a number of switch choices, award charts and switch bonuses feels too complicated, 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 conversant in the bank card rewards sport.

Welcome bonus

It is tempting to scan a abstract desk and select the cardboard with the best welcome bonus — I’ve actually been responsible of doing that.

However in case you are attempting 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 value $750, as bank card factors are often value greater than that, relying on the way you spend them.

Whereas a big welcome bonus of factors and miles can actually sweeten the deal of making use of for a brand new rewards bank card, I might advocate checking the worth of any factors in opposition to TPG’s present month-to-month valuations to place an approximate money worth on the welcome bonus.

Spending habits

Which classes do you are likely to spend essentially the most in? Do the locations you store at settle for American Categorical? If you happen to can decide this earlier than making use of for something, deciding which card will earn you essentially the most rewards is less complicated.

If you happen to plan to take the cardboard touring with you, guarantee it doesn’t cost a overseas transaction charge. In any other case, this charge will probably be greater than the worth of the rewards you’d earn.

Annual charge

Some playing cards I’ve really useful carry annual charges of their first and subsequent years. Although no person likes paying an annual charge, it might be justified if the advantages of being a cardholder and the accompanying credit present worth that outweighs the charge.

An excellent rule of thumb that I exploit to resolve if and the way a lot of an annual charge I ought to pay on a rewards bank card is to attempt to discover a welcome bonus that’s valued greater than the annual charge 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 greater than the annual charge value within the second and subsequent years when the welcome bonus wouldn’t be relevant.

If unsure, you could possibly begin with a card with no annual charge to make certain you’re getting actual worth from it earlier than contemplating a card with an annual charge.

How we selected the very best rewards bank cards

We rated the very best rewards bank cards primarily based on a number of elements, together with however not restricted to the welcome presents these playing cards present, reward incomes charges — particularly in standard bonus classes, switch companions and their charges and different perks related to every card.

Try our methodology right here to learn the way TPG evaluates and chooses playing cards for our roundups.

Redemption choices for rewards bank cards

For a cash-back bank card, I might advocate decreasing your bank card invoice by making use of the money again earned from the cardboard.

If you happen to’d moderately web that more money or put it towards different bills, most issuers assist you to redeem money again in numerous 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 inside the identical issuer household you’ve gotten that assist you to do that or just placing money again into your checking account.

For factors and miles incomes bank cards, you’ll be able to often redeem the rewards via the cardboard issuer’s journey portal, often at a fee 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 resort companion program.

Associated: Bank card switch companions: Information to transferring factors and miles to airways and resorts

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 sport or a newbie, use this information that will help you determine which rewards bank card is finest suited to your spending patterns, funds and life-style.

With low or no annual charges, my rewards bank cards have earned me tons of of hundreds of factors and miles through the years. I’ve additionally loved advantages like airport lounge entry, elite resort standing, infinite assertion credit and bucket-list journeys.

For Capital One merchandise listed on this web page, among the advantages could also be supplied by Visa® or Mastercard® and should differ by product. See the respective Information to Advantages for particulars, as phrases and exclusions apply.

For charges and costs of the Amex Gold card, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum card, click on right here.
For the charges and costs of the Blue Money Most well-liked Card, click on right here.

Associated: The perfect bank card welcome bonuses of March 2025

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