Best Credit Cards for Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a competitive one-time point bonus, annual travel credit, and high rewards earning rate. Points are worth 50% more if you redeem them for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, and can be transferred on a 1:1 basis to eligible hotel and airline partners. Frequent travelers also get numerous other travel-related benefits and aren't restricted to a single airline or hotel.

Our choice for the runner-up of the best overall rewards credit card is the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. It receives 1.5% cash back on every purchase and there are no limits to the total cash back you can earn. New cardholders can earn a $200 cash bonus once they spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. The cash back rewards can be redeemed in any amount and never expire while your account is open.

New accounts can benefit from the 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months. This interest-free financing gives you extra time to pay off your purchases without being charged any interest. The card has no annual fees and does not charge foreign transaction fees on international purchases.

We chose the Chase Sapphire Reserve as the best travel rewards card because it offers tremendous value for travelers. You'll earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 10x total points on Chase dining purchases with Ultimate Rewards. Earn 5x total points on flights and 3x on other travel worldwide after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Each account anniversary, you'll receive a $300 travel credit for eligible purchases charged to your card. Points are worth 50% more when you redeem them for travel through Chase's Ultimate Rewards portal. Or you can transfer them on a 1:1 basis to eligible Ultimate Rewards airline and hotel partner programs. Cardholders also receive primary rental car insurance, travel protections, and a complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge membership.

Our choice for the runner-up of the best travel credit card is the Capital One Venture Rewards card because it earns 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. Plus, 5 miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.. Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Points can be used to book travel with no blackout dates, cover travel purchases, or transfer to airline and hotel partners, and you may get even more value by transferring miles to one of its partners. You'll also receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓ once every four years to improve your airport experience.

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card has a low interest rate and high rewards on all spending, plus no annual fee. The absence of a foreign transaction fee makes this a rare cash back credit card that’s worth bringing on a trip abroad.

The runner-up for the best cash back rewards card is the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. Cardholders 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores, plus 1% on all other purchases.

Earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. The cash back rewards never expire and can be redeemed in any amount. New cardholders can also take advantage of the 0% intro APR on purchases for 18 months. There are no annual fees or foreign transaction fees with this card.

The United Explorer Card offers the highest value per mile earned of any airline credit card, and miles can be redeemed in multiple ways, including for flights with participating member airlines in its Star Alliance, one of the largest global airline partnerships. The compelling introductory bonus really adds to the value of the card because of the high value placed on redeeming those points with United. The $95 annual fee is waived the first year and the card does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it great for international travel.

The Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard is our choice as runner-up for the best airline rewards credit card. When you apply, you'll get 50,000 miles after making $2,500 in purchases during the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, you'll earn 2x miles on dining, gas, and American Airlines purchases. When you spend at least $20,000 each membership year, you'll receive a $125 American Airlines credit after renewing your card.

This card also saves time and money when flying on American Airlines flights. You'll get the first checked bag free for you and up to four travel companions. Plus, you'll receive priority boarding and 25% savings on in-flight purchases of food and beverages. There are no foreign transaction fees and you can add authorized users at no additional charge.

Our choice for the best hotel rewards card is the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card because it includes automatic Silver Elite status, 15 Elite Night Credits per year, and includes one free night award each year on your account anniversary. Silver Elite status includes free Wi-Fi, late checkout, and a 10% bonus on points earned at Marriott hotels. Plus, you're fast-tracked to earning higher levels of elite status each year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless. The free night award can be booked for a one-night hotel stay at any Marriott Bonvoy property valued at up to 35,000 points.

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is our winner for the best hotel rewards card runner-up. You'll earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the Card in the first three months of Card Membership. Plus, you can earn up to $100 in Statement Credits on eligible purchases made on the Card at any of the Hilton family hotels in the first 12 months of Membership.

Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver elite status is available for all cardholders, which includes a fifth night free on points redemptions, free bottled water, and a 20% bonus on paid stays. You can upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status when you spend $20,000 on your card in a calendar year. There are no foreign transaction fees or annual fees with this card.

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card has a great rewards program for those who want to rack up points. Cardholders earn one point for every dollar they spend with the card, with rewards being doubled for spending on groceries, gas, or streaming services, and quadrupled on spending for dining and takeout, including delivery. Cardholders also pay no annual fee or foreign transaction fees.

The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card is our choice for the runner-up as the best gas rewards credit card because it earns 5x points on gas paid at the pump and at EV charging stations. You'll also earn 3x points on groceries; dining; and TV, radio, cable, and streaming services. Everything else earns one point per dollar spent.

New cardholders can earn 15,000 bonus points when they spend $1,500 during the first 90 days. Points can be redeemed for gift cards, travel, or shopping with no minimums or expiration dates. A 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers is also available for 12 months, then you pay a 3% fee per transaction. There are no foreign transaction fees or annual fees on this card.

Our winner for the credit card with the best grocery rewards is the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards because it earns 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores, plus 1% on all other purchases. As a new cardholder, you can earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

Your cash back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and can be redeemed at any time and for any amount. New accounts can also use the 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months. This benefit allows you to pay back purchases over time without incurring interest charges. The SavorOne does not have an annual fee and does not charge foreign transaction fees on purchases made in another currency.

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card has a great rewards program for those who want to rack up points. Cardholders earn one point for every dollar they spend with the card, with rewards being doubled for spending on groceries, gas, or streaming services, and quadrupled on spending on dining and takeout. Cardholders also pay no annual fee or foreign transaction fees.

The best credit card for dining rewards is the Chase Sapphire Reserve. It earns an unlimited 3x points on dining and travel worldwide with no limits. Plus, a new feature allows cardholders to earn 10x total points on Chase dining purchases with Ultimate Rewards. Ten points per dollar is the highest dining reward earned on any credit card we've reviewed.

New cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening (that's $1,200 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards). Ultimate Rewards points are worth 50% more when booking travel through Chase. Cardholders may get even more value when transferring to one of the hotel or airline transfer partners. This card also includes a $300 annual travel credit, but eligible purchases do not earn any points.

The runner-up for the best dining rewards credit card is the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards card. Earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and groceries, plus 1% on all other purchases. Rewards don't expire for the life of the account; you can redeem them at any time or for any amount.

Earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, there's a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months with no fees. The card does not charge an annual fee and there are no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.