highest rated credit card rewards programs
Top credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Freedom® Unlimited Credit Card, and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offer valuable rewards and benefits, making them excellent choices for frequent travelers and those looking to earn on everyday purchases.
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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is particularly popular among travelers due to its generous points system, earning double points on travel and dining, and its ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners for maximum value. It's a great choice for those who want to enhance their travel rewards and enjoy perks like trip protection. The Chase Freedom® Unlimited Credit Card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, plus bonus categories such as 5% on travel purchased through Chase. It’s an ideal option for those who want a straightforward rewards program with no annual fee. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card provides 2 miles per dollar on every purchase and offers luxurious travel perks like access to airport lounges, making it perfect for those who prioritize premium benefits alongside earning rewards. Together, these cards offer robust benefits, flexibility, and valuable rewards for cardholders.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardView AllChase Sapphire Preferred® Card - Earn more on travel and dining with Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Chase Freedom® Unlimited Credit CardView AllChase Freedom® Unlimited Credit Card - Endless cash back on every purchase with Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardView AllCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card - Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase with Capital One.
Citi® Double Cash CardView AllCiti® Double Cash Card - Earn cash back twice on every purchase with Citi Double Cash.
Discover it Cash BackView AllDiscover it Cash Back - Earn 5% cash back on categories that rotate each quarter.
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressView AllThe Platinum Card® from American Express - Unlock luxury with the Platinum Card from American Express.
American Express Gold CardView AllAmerican Express Gold Card - Earn 4x points on dining and restaurants with the Gold Card.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® CardView AllWells Fargo Active Cash® Card - Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with Wells Fargo.
Citi Custom Cash℠ CardView AllCiti Custom Cash℠ Card - Earn 5% cash back on your top spending category every month.
Prime Visa® Signature CardView AllPrime Visa® Signature Card - Earn rewards with every Amazon purchase using Prime Visa Card.
highest rated credit card rewards programs
1.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a premier travel rewards card offering generous points on travel and dining expenses. With a sign-up bonus and flexible points redemption options through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program, cardholders can earn 2x points on travel and dining and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be transferred to various airline and hotel partners, making it a great choice for frequent travelers. Additionally, it comes with travel insurance, purchase protection, and no foreign transaction fees.
Pros
Generous travel and dining rewards- valuable sign-up bonus
- points transfer to partners
- no foreign transaction fees
- comprehensive travel protection
Cons
Annual fee- high APR
- limited bonus categories
- foreign transaction fees on some purchases
- requires good credit
2.
Chase Freedom® Unlimited Credit Card
The Chase Freedom® Unlimited Credit Card offers 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with an initial bonus for spending within the first few months. There’s no annual fee, making it an affordable option for those who want straightforward cash back rewards. Additionally, cardholders earn 5% on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and 3% on dining and drugstore purchases. The flexibility to redeem rewards for travel, gift cards, or statement credits adds further appeal.
Pros
- No annual fee
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- great bonus categories
- flexible rewards redemption
- travel and dining perks
Cons
- High APR
- foreign transaction fees
- no bonus categories for some purchases
- requires good credit
- limited premium benefits
3.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is designed for frequent travelers, offering 2x miles on every purchase. Cardholders earn a large sign-up bonus, enjoy access to luxury airport lounges, and receive 10,000 bonus miles each year. Additionally, it offers a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit, travel protections, and no foreign transaction fees. Miles can be redeemed for flights, hotels, or car rentals, or transferred to over 15 travel partners.
Pros
- 2x miles on every purchase
- large sign-up bonus
- travel protections
- luxury lounge access
- flexible rewards redemption
Cons
- High annual fee
- requires excellent credit
- high APR
- limited bonus categories
- limited access to premium benefits
4.
Citi® Double Cash Card
The Citi® Double Cash Card is a straightforward cash back card that offers 1% cash back on all purchases and an additional 1% when you pay them off. This allows cardholders to earn up to 2% on every purchase, making it one of the best cards for simplicity and value. With no annual fee and the ability to redeem rewards for statement credits, checks, or gift cards, it's a great option for those who prefer a no-fuss rewards program.
Pros
- 2% cash back on all purchases
- no annual fee
- no rotating categories
- rewards never expire
- easy to redeem rewards
Cons
- No sign-up bonus
- high APR
- foreign transaction fees
- no bonus categories
- limited travel perks
5.
Discover it Cash Back
The Discover it Cash Back card offers 5% cash back on rotating categories (up to a quarterly maximum), such as gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. It also offers 1% on all other purchases. The card has no annual fee and matches all cash back earned in the first year, which provides a great opportunity for new cardholders to maximize their rewards. Discover it also offers various online tools to track spending and redeem rewards easily.
Pros
- 5% cash back on rotating categories
- no annual fee
- 1% on all purchases
- cash back match in first year
- easy rewards redemption
Cons
- Rotating categories
- foreign transaction fees
- limited bonus categories
- requires good credit
- complex redemption process
6.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is the ultimate luxury rewards card. It offers 5x points on flights booked directly or through Amex Travel, 5x on eligible hotels booked via Amex Travel, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The card also comes with premium travel benefits, such as access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, comprehensive travel insurance, and concierge services. The high sign-up bonus and membership rewards program provide immense flexibility for travel redemptions.
Pros
- 5x points on travel and hotels
- access to luxury airport lounges
- concierge service
- travel protections
- high-value rewards program
Cons
- High annual fee
- requires excellent credit
- high APR
- foreign transaction fees
- limited rewards for non-travel purchases
7.
American Express Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card is a premium rewards card that offers 4x points on dining at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery, as well as 3x points on flights booked directly or through Amex Travel. Cardholders can also earn 1 point per dollar on other purchases. The card offers a solid sign-up bonus and benefits like dining credits and travel protections. It's ideal for foodies and frequent travelers who want to earn substantial points in key categories.
Pros
- 4x points on dining
- 3x on flights
- dining credits
- travel insurance
- no foreign transaction fees
Cons
- High annual fee
- requires good to excellent credit
- limited bonus categories
- not ideal for everyday spending
- foreign transaction fees
8.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers 2% cash back on every purchase, making it a great option for those who want straightforward rewards. The card has no annual fee, and new cardholders receive a solid sign-up bonus after meeting spending requirements. Rewards can be redeemed as statement credits, gift cards, or direct deposits, giving cardholders plenty of flexibility. With no rotating categories or spending limits, it's easy to use for everyday purchases.
Pros
- 2% cash back on all purchases
- no annual fee
- simple rewards program
- no rotating categories
- easy redemption
Cons
- High APR
- foreign transaction fees
- limited premium benefits
- not many travel perks
- requires good credit
9.
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card offers 5% cash back on your top eligible spending category (up to $500 each month), including restaurants, grocery stores, and more. It also provides 1% cash back on other purchases, making it a great card for those with fluctuating spending habits. The card has no annual fee, and rewards can be redeemed for statement credits, checks, or gift cards. It's ideal for users who spend heavily in one category each month.
Pros
- 5% cash back on top category
- no annual fee
- 1% on other purchases
- flexible rewards
- easy to redeem
Cons
- Spending limit on bonus categories
- foreign transaction fees
- requires good credit
- lower cash back on non-bonus categories
- high APR
10.
Prime Visa® Signature Card
The Prime Visa® Signature Card is designed for Amazon Prime members and offers 5% cash back on all Amazon.com purchases, including Whole Foods Market. It also offers 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. The card has no annual fee, and rewards can be redeemed for statement credits or used for future purchases on Amazon. The Prime Visa® card is an excellent option for frequent Amazon shoppers.
Pros
- 5% cash back on Amazon
- 2% at restaurants and gas
- no annual fee
- rewards for Amazon purchases
- easy redemption
Cons
- High interest rates
- only for Prime members
- limited rewards outside select categories
- foreign transaction fees
- no major travel perks