Writer: Brittney Mayer
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Ashley Fricker
Disclosure: When you apply through links on our site, we may earn a referral fee from our partners. For more, see our ad disclosure and review policy.
Saving is awesome. And that’s not just an opinion. Studies have shown that coupons not only entice us to spend more and try new things but can actually decrease stress and just plain make us happier — as much as 11% happier, in fact.
That’s right, your dedication to a good deal may be due to a physiological love of savings. And that sentiment for savings is hardly limited to clipping coupons from the paper. Indeed, so many consumers have experienced the oxytocin-rich rewards of a good deal that everyone from airlines to the local zoo offers coupons and rebates to entice new customers.
Despite the discount ubiquity, however, one of the most universal of all deals is still that of the credit card rewards program. Like a rebate you can use on just about anything, credit card rewards offer nearly endless opportunities to de-stress with a great deal. In the article below, we’ll explore some of our choices for the best credit cards for rewards. These days, there is something for everyone — whether you’re looking for cards geared toward cash back, travel rewards, or students.
Cash Back | Points | Travel | Balance Transfers |
Students | Business | Fair Credit | Bad Credit
Best Credit Cards for “Cash Back” Rewards
If there is one thing that most people can likely agree on, it’s that cash is good — and more cash is better. Cash back credit card rewards put more cash in your pocket by giving you back a portion of your purchases in the form of rewards that can be redeemed for a statement credit or deposited into a qualifying bank account.
Nearly every cash back credit card will offer a low unlimited cash back rate for every purchase you make with your card, typically between 1% and 2% cash back. Many cash back cards will also offer bonus cash back rates for purchases made in specific categories, such as gas station or restaurant purchases. Start your search with our favorite cash back cards, which includes both program types.
Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 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.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- 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.
- Redeem cash back for any amount. No annual fee.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.49% to 26.49% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- Terms and conditions apply.
+See More Cards for Cash Back Rewards
For those who spend a lot in a common category, cash back bonus categories can be extremely lucrative, but be careful not to overspend just for the rewards. Additionally, many cards have purchasing caps for bonus categories, meaning you’ll only earn bonus rewards on category purchases up to a specified amount, after which purchases will earn rewards at the default unlimited rate.
Best Credit Cards for “Points” Rewards
Of all the credit card rewards, points are generally the most flexible, offering redemption options that include those of cash back rewards — i.e., a statement credit or bank deposit — as well a range of other options, like travel expenses, merchandise, or special events or experiences.
As with cash back rewards, most rewards points credit cards will provide an unlimited flat rate on all purchases, typically 1X point per $1, as well as offering bonus points on purchases made in specific categories. The top points cards on our list include lucrative bonus categories like travel, dining, and restaurants.
Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.
- Earn 20,000 bonus Points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months; after that, the variable APR will be 18.49% - 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- Earn 3 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent in an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice (Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons, or Pet Supply Stores). Choose your eligible Self-Select Category on Citi Online or by calling customer service. The default Self-Select Category is Select Streaming Services.
- Earn 5 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked on Citi Travel® via cititravel.com; earn 3 ThankYou Points for each $1 spent at Supermarkets, on Select Transit purchases, and at Gas & EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 2 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent at Restaurants; earn 1 ThankYou® Point for each $1 spent on All Other Purchases.
- No Annual Fee
Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.
- Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
- Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com and 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
- Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time
- Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
- Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.
+See More Cards for Points Rewards
Besides the direct redemption options offered by the credit card issuer, a common way to maximize the per-point value of rewards points is to transfer them to a partnering airline or hotel loyalty program. This turns your rewards points into frequent flyer or hotel points that can be pooled with your existing loyalty program points to purchase flights or hotel stays.
Best Credit Cards for “Travel” Rewards
As evidenced by just about every online dating profile ever, we all love to travel — but few of us like to pay for it. Travel rewards credit cards allow you to earn points or miles that you can redeem for a variety of travel-related expenses, including using your rewards to book flights, hotel stays, and rental cars.
Similar to other credit card rewards, most travel rewards credit cards allow you to earn unlimited, flat-rate points or miles on every purchase, and a variety of cards also offer bonus points or miles for purchases in specified categories. Many of the travel rewards cards on our list provide blackout-free travel redemption without limiting you to specific airlines or hotel brands.
+See More Cards for Travel Rewards
When comparing travel rewards cards, an important thing to look out for, especially if you intend to travel abroad, are cards that charge foreign transaction fees. Typically ranging from 2% to 4% of your purchase amount, foreign transaction fees are charged whenever you make a credit card purchase in a foreign currency and can add up quickly.
Best Credit Cards for “Balance Transfers” and Rewards
A successful credit card balance transfer can be a great way to reduce your monthly interest fees by transferring your balance from a card with a high APR to one with a lower APR. This is particularly effective when you take advantage of a balance transfer introductory 0% APR offer, which can provide interest-free balance transfers for 12 months or more.
While you won’t actually earn any rewards on the balance you transfer to your rewards card, you can earn rewards on any new purchases made with your card. What’s more, many great introductory APR offers — including our favorites below — will apply to both new purchases as well as balance transfers, so you won’t be charged interest on those rewards-reaping new purchases during the introductory period.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 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.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
- No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Select your card design option when you apply – the Customized Cash Rewards design, or the limited-time FIFA World Cup 2026™ design.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% - 27.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
12. Citi Rewards+® Card
This card is currently not available.
Additional Disclosure: The information related to Citi Rewards+® Card has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
+See More Cards for Balance Transfers
If you’re looking at taking advantage of an introductory APR offer to save on both new purchases and balance transfers, be sure to read the terms of the offer carefully. While many offers will have the same terms for both new purchases and balance transfers, some intro-APR offers will have different rates or lengths depending on the type of transaction.
Best Credit Cards for “Student” Rewards
As a student, it can seem as though the credit card odds are stacked against you. Not only do you probably suffer from a stunted (or nonexistent) credit history, but your income level is likely not particularly exceptional, either. All is not lost, however. You can use a student credit card to establish and/or build your credit history — and earn rewards while you do so.
Indeed, while not as sought-after an applicant as someone with a well-established credit history, the rewards options for students are still quite competitive, with cards offering both unlimited flat-rate rewards, as well as some options for bonus category rewards, as well. Our list includes both types of rewards cards, none of which will charge you an annual fee.
+See More Cards for Student Rewards
When considering applying for a credit card as a student, you should be aware that certain requirements will need to be met if you are under the age of 21. Specifically, the CARD Act of 2009 requires that credit card applicants between the ages of 18 and 21 must either have a parental cosigner on the account or be able to demonstrate a reasonable level of independent income to qualify for their own card.
Best Credit Cards for “Business” Rewards
Whether your business has one employee or 100, every business has something in common: expenses. From pens and paper to internet service and web hosting, even a digital small business can have its share of expenses, and bricks-and-mortar businesses only have it worse. Which means it’s probably safe to say that many business owners experience the same physiological joy in saving a few bucks as do the rest of us.
For many business owners, a business credit card is a must-have tool to keep the business going, but a good rewards credit card can be more than that — it can also be a tool for saving money. Not only do most business rewards cards provide unlimited flat-rate rewards, but many also offer business-centric bonus categories to reward you for the things you buy most. Check out our top picks to start your search.
Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
- Earn a one-time welcome bonus of 100,000 miles once you spend $10,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
- Receive up to $220 in credits: Receive an annual $50 travel credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel, up to an annual $50 statement credit for purchases at qualifying advertising or software merchants, plus up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® every four years. Terms and conditions apply
- Unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
- Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
- $95 annual fee
- Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
- Top rated mobile app
- $500 Online Cash Rewards Bonus Offer: Get a $500 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $5,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, or join Preferred Rewards for Business for no fee, and earn up to an unlimited 2.62% cash back on all purchases if you have a Bank of America® business checking account and qualify for our highest Preferred Rewards for Business tier.
- No annual cap and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- No annual fee.
- Choose how to redeem your cash rewards – as a deposit into your eligible Bank of America® checking or savings account, as a card statement credit or as a check mailed to you.
- 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first 7 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 16.74% to 26.74% will apply.
- Contactless Cards - the security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This offer may not be available if you leave this page or visit our website. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
+See More Cards for Business Rewards
One of the best things about obtaining a credit card for your business is that a credit card account can help you establish and build a business credit profile, which is separate from your personal credit reports and scores. Your business will need an established business credit profile to qualify for many credit products, including many business loans.
Best Credit Cards for “Fair Credit” Rewards
To paraphrase the old saying, building credit isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. In general, it can take up to six months to even establish enough history to qualify for a credit score, and twice that long to reach a good to excellent score. At the same time, it can take just 30 days to have a late payment turn delinquent and drop that good score like a meteor.
No matter how you got your fair credit score, whether you’re just starting out or recovering from a hiccup or two, you can often still find good quality credit cards — even ones offering purchase rewards. While fair-credit rewards cards may have an annual fee, including some of our cards below, if you spend enough with the card each year you can often earn enough rewards to cover the fee (and then some).
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account. It's that simple
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
- Top rated mobile app
20. Blue from American Express®
This card is currently not available.
21. Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa®
This card is currently not available.
+See More Cards for Fair Credit
Since your payment history is the biggest portion of your credit score, it can tank your score the easiest. While missing a card payment by a day or two won’t result in a payment being reported to the bureaus as delinquent, anything more than 30-days late will be reported. Setting up automated payments can be an effective way to ensure your credit card bill is always paid on time.
Best Credit Cards for “Bad Credit” Rewards
Having bad credit can be a financial bummer. Not only is it significantly harder to qualify for new credit, but the quality of that credit — including the rates, fees, and credit limits — often leaves much to be desired. But while it can be a challenge to rebuild your credit after a few missteps, it is hardly impossible. In fact, you may even earn rewards while you rebuild.
You shouldn’t expect bad-credit rewards cards to provide a high earnings rate, but several options exist for obtaining at least an unlimited 1% cash back on your purchases. You can even find some cards (mostly secured cards) that provide bonus cash back categories, though they likely have spending caps. Compare some of expert-rated rewards cards for bad credit below.
22. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
This card is currently not available.
Additional Disclosure: The information related to Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
23. Credit One Bank® Unsecured Visa® with Cash Back Rewards
This card is currently not available.
24. Credit One Bank® Visa® with Free Credit Score Access
This card is currently not available.
+See More Cards for Bad Credit
While cards for those with bad credit tend to have very flexible credit score requirements, remember that you aren’t guaranteed acceptance. Certain types of derogatory credit marks may be deal breakers for some issuers. For example, you are unlikely to find new credit if you have a pending bankruptcy filing that has not yet been discharged by the court.
Turn Everyday Errands into Rewarding Experiences
Whether you like to shop online, in stores, or merely as little as possible, it turns out most shoppers share a biological love of savings. But you may not need to clip coupons or print promo codes to get that same warm-and-fuzzy oxytocin boost of savings delight; your favorite rewards credit card can likely offer nearly universal savings on anything you purchase with plastic.
Advertiser Disclosure
CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.
Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.
About the Author
![Can I Use Credit Cards Before Closing on a Home?[updated_month_year before=" (" after=")"]](https://www.cardrates.com/images/uploads/2022/06/Can-I-Use-My-Credit-Card-Before-Closing-on-a-Home.jpg?width=158&height=120&fit=crop "Can I Use Credit Cards Before Closing on a Home?[updated_month_year before=\" (\" after=\")\"]")
![13 Best Rewards Credit Cards[updated_month_year before=" (" after=")"]](https://www.cardrates.com/images/uploads/2016/06/Top-13-Best-Rewards-Credit-Card-by-Category1.jpg?width=158&height=120&fit=crop "13 Best Rewards Credit Cards[updated_month_year before=\" (\" after=\")\"]")
![7 Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards[updated_month_year before=" (" after=")"]](https://www.cardrates.com/images/uploads/2016/07/best-travel-credit-cards.png?width=158&height=120&fit=crop "7 Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards[updated_month_year before=\" (\" after=\")\"]")
![7 Best Hotel Rewards Credit Cards[updated_month_year before=" (" after=")"]](https://www.cardrates.com/images/uploads/2017/01/hotels.png?width=158&height=120&fit=crop "7 Best Hotel Rewards Credit Cards[updated_month_year before=\" (\" after=\")\"]")
![7 Best Credit Cards For Rewards[updated_month_year before=" (" after=")"]](https://www.cardrates.com/images/uploads/2021/11/Whats-the-Best-Credit-Card-For-Rewards.jpg?width=158&height=120&fit=crop "7 Best Credit Cards For Rewards[updated_month_year before=\" (\" after=\")\"]")
![5 Best Bank of America Preferred Rewards Cards[updated_month_year before=" (" after=")"]](https://www.cardrates.com/images/uploads/2023/05/Best-Bank-of-America-Preferred-Rewards-Cards.jpg?width=158&height=120&fit=crop "5 Best Bank of America Preferred Rewards Cards[updated_month_year before=\" (\" after=\")\"]")
![14 Best Rewards Credit Cards: No Annual Fee[updated_month_year before=" (" after=")"]](https://www.cardrates.com/images/uploads/2019/10/Rewards-Credit-Cards-with-No-Annual-Fee-Feat.jpg?width=158&height=120&fit=crop "14 Best Rewards Credit Cards: No Annual Fee[updated_month_year before=\" (\" after=\")\"]")
![7 Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards with Rewards[updated_month_year before=" (" after=")"]](https://www.cardrates.com/images/uploads/2019/12/No-Annual-Fee-Credit-Cards-with-Rewards.jpg?width=158&height=120&fit=crop "7 Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards with Rewards[updated_month_year before=\" (\" after=\")\"]")