credit card advice
Disclosure: When you apply through links on our site, we often earn referral fees from partners. For more, see our ad disclosure and review policy.
It’s hard to pinpoint which card is the very best rewards credit card because features that may be the most appealing to one consumer may not be as important to another. Determining which card is best means determining which one is best for you, out of the selection of quality credit cards out there.
Whether it’s points, miles, or cash back, rewards credit cards offer tremendous opportunities to earn bonuses based on your purchases. If you choose a card with a rewards program that supplements your spending, you can enjoy deals like deep discounts on travel expenses, restaurants, entertainment purchases, and much more.
Our experts have rounded up 13 of the top credit cards in multiple rewards categories, so use the navigation to jump to the type of reward you’re most interested in, or to find the best deal based on your current credit rating.
Travel | Cash Back | Airline | Gas | Hotel |
Balance Transfer | Points & Gifts | Business | Students
Good Credit (700+ FICO) | Fair Credit (630-700) | Bad Credit (Below 630) | No Credit
1. Top “Travel” Rewards Card
With a travel rewards credit card, you can earn points on most purchases that can be redeemed for travel-related goodies, like hotel stays and plane tickets. These cards are often equipped with some of the best travel insurance programs, such as lost luggage and rental car coverage. Once you earn enough points, you can unlock great deals on qualified travel purchases through the card’s website.
Be mindful of annual fees, as these types of cards often carry one due to the many perks offered. Our favorite travel rewards card has no foreign transaction fees (important for overseas travel), a generous sign-up bonus, and a competitive APR:
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $500 in travel
- Earn 2X miles on every purchase, every day.
- Receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✔®
- Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime; no blackout dates. Plus transfer your miles to over 12 leading travel loyalty programs
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Named ‘The Best Travel Card' by CNBC, 2018
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 17.24% - 24.49% (Variable) | $0 intro for first year; $95 after that | Excellent, Good |
+ See more travel rewards cards
2. Top “Cash Back” Rewards Card
Cash back, which returns a percentage of each purchase amount to you, remains one of the more straightforward and popular rewards programs. You have a few options for redeeming this type of reward, including receiving the cash back you’ve earned as a statement credit, in the form of a check, or applying it toward merchandise or travel purchases in the issuer’s online portal.
The most you can typically expect to earn on everyday purchases is around 2%. However, there are many cash back cards that can earn up to 5% back in rotating categories, though it is often only for a promotional period of time. For first-time Discover users, our cash back pick is even more powerful because Discover will match all cash back earned within the first year for new members:
- INTRO OFFER: Discover will match ALL the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically. There's no signing up. And no limit to how much is matched.
- Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com and more up to the quarterly maximum, each time you activate.
- Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
- Redeem cash back any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
- Use your rewards at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 14 months | 0% for 14 months | 13.49% - 24.49% Variable | $0 | Good/Excellent |
+ See more cash back rewards cards
3. Top “Airline” Rewards Card
Airline reward cards allow you to rack up air miles with most purchases, making it a great choice for frequent fliers. Cardholders can often earn even more miles when using the card to purchase travel related items, such as plane tickets. Miles can then be redeemed for a discounted or free flight, depending on how many miles are accrued.
While many of these cards charge an annual fee or make you join a frequent flyer program, we consider this Discover card the best airline rewards credit card because it doesn’t charge a fee or tie you to a specific airline — with no blackout dates!
- UNLIMITED BONUS: Discover will match ALL the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year, automatically. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. That’s $700 towards travel! The more you earn, the more you get.
- Earn unlimited 1.5x Miles for every dollar spent on all purchases - with no annual fee.
- No Blackout Dates. Simply pay for travel purchases like airlines, hotels, rental cars, and more with your Discover it® Miles card.
- Miles Pay You Back. Easily redeem Miles as a statement credit for travel purchases. Or get cash.
- Freeze your account in seconds with an on/off switch either on the mobile app or website to prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers.
- Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 14 months | 10.99% for 14 months | 13.49% - 24.49% Variable | $0 | Good/Excellent |
4. Top “Gas” Rewards Card
Whether you have a long commute to work or just like to take frequent road trips, you may find a gas rewards card beneficial to you. These cards reward you, generally in the form of cash back, on all of your gas station purchases. Oftentimes you can earn up to 3% back, but you can earn a larger percentage on gas purchases on cards that offer fuel as a rotating category.
The Chase Freedom® offers gas as a rotating 5% category for at least one quarter each year, making it one of our favorite gas rewards cards:
- Earn a $150 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - it's automatic
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 16.49 - 25.24%.
- 3% intro balance transfer fee when you transfer a balance during the first 60 days your account is open, with a minimum of $5.
- No annual fee
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months | 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months | 16.49% - 25.24% Variable | $0 | Good/Excellent |
5. Top “Hotel” Rewards Card
If you’ve been looking into this type of card, you’ve likely seen many offers touting the best hotel rewards credit card as a branded option with one of the large hotel chains. Those deals may seem hard to beat, but they also have drawbacks, such as tying you specifically to that chain. What if the city you’re visiting doesn’t have that brand of hotel?
You can actually earn excellent hotel rewards through general travel cards too, which allows you to redeem the points toward many hotels, not just one chain. Once you’ve racked up enough points, simply book your hotel through the credit card website to ensure the purchase is made with your rewards. We love the following card because it allows you to redeem points at any hotel with no blackout dates, and always offers a generous sign-up bonus:
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $500 in travel
- Earn 2X miles on every purchase, every day.
- Receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✔®
- Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime; no blackout dates. Plus transfer your miles to over 12 leading travel loyalty programs
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Named ‘The Best Travel Card' by CNBC, 2018
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 17.24% - 24.49% (Variable) | $0 intro for first year; $95 after that | Excellent, Good |
6. Top “Balance Transfer” Rewards Card
If you’re looking for a great balance transfer credit card that comes with a rewards program, you have several great options. Most people seek balance transfer cards to avoid paying a high interest rate on their current card by transferring its balance to a new card offering a 0% APR period, which can last anywhere from six to 18 months.
Always check the fine print for balance transfer fees and the APR after the introductory period ends, but once you find the card that best suits you, you’ll be ready to earn rewards on each new purchase with the card. Our top balance transfer pick has a great rewards program and a lengthy 0% interest time frame:
- INTRO OFFER: Discover will match ALL the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically. There's no signing up. And no limit to how much is matched.
- Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com and more up to the quarterly maximum, each time you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
- Redeem cash back any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
- 100% U.S. based customer service.
- Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 6 months | 0% for 18 months | 13.49% - 24.49% Variable | $0 | Good/Excellent |
+ See more balance transfer cards
7. Top “Points & Gifts” Rewards Card
Points-based credit cards allow you to earn rewards by offering multiple points per dollar spent on most purchases, with additional points in rotating categories like entertainment and dining. If restaurant purchases fetch two points per $1 spent, it’s easy to see how quickly the rewards can add up.
Points can be redeemed toward purchases through the card’s online storefront, and you can often find deals by going through the rewards program to make a purchase rather than redeeming your rewards for a statement credit. The card below provides one of the best credit card rewards programs for earning points, however you decide to use them:
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
- No delivery fees for a minimum of one year on qualifying food purchases with a DashPass subscription from DoorDash -over a $100 value. Activate with your Chase Sapphire card by December 31, 2021.
- Earn 5X points on Lyft rides through March 2022. That's 3X points in addition to the 2X points you already earn on travel.
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 17.49% - 24.49% Variable | $95 | Good/Excellent |
+ See more points & gifts rewards cards
8. Top “Business” Rewards Card
If you run your own business, there are rewards cards tailored to your needs, too. For these types of cards, you can earn bigger bonuses for business purchases, such as regular office expenses or shopping at office supply stores. Most of these cards offer a hefty signing bonus if you spend enough during the first three to six months of owning the card.
Take note that the spending requirement to earn the sign-up bonus is typically higher than a personal credit card because the expectation is that businesses cost more to run and will spend more than an individual. Our best business rewards credit card includes a nice signing bonus on top of everyday cash back rewards:
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year
- Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases - with no limit to the amount you can earn
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Redeem points for travel, cash back, gift cards and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- No foreign transaction fees
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 17.49% - 22.49% Variable | $95 | Good/Excellent |
+ See more business rewards cards
9. Top “Students” Rewards Card
Traditional student credit cards often serve up the memory of a “starter card” with limited functionality, but today’s student credit cards are powerful tools for students to build their credit and earn rewards.
Annual statement credits for good grades, no annual fees, rewards programs, and competitive APRs make the notion of a starter card for students obsolete. Our top choice for students is below, and it offers some great perks, including rewards:
- INTRO OFFER: Discover will match ALL the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically. There's no signing up. And no limit to how much is matched.
- Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com and more up to the quarterly maximum, each time you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
- Good Grades Rewards: $20 statement credit each school year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to the next 5 years.
- No annual fee. No late fee on first late payment. No APR change for paying late.
- Get 100% U.S. based customer service & get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
- Freeze It® on/off switch for your account that prevents new purchases, cash advances & balance transfers in seconds.
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 6 months | 10.99% for 6 months | 19.49% Variable | $0 | Fair/New to Credit |
+ See more student rewards cards
10. Top Rewards Card for “Good” Credit
If you’ve paid your bills on time, had your lines of credit for a while, and kept your credit utilization under 30%, you’ve likely earned yourself pretty good credit, which is typically considered to be a FICO score above 700. With good credit, there are quite a few options for a rewards card that provides a competitive cash back or points program.
The following reward card offers an outstanding cash back percentage on every purchase with no limits, no restrictions, and no expiration to the rewards:
- Earn a $150 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 16.49 - 25.24%.
- 3% intro balance transfer fee when you transfer a balance during the first 60 days your account is open, with a minimum of $5
- No annual fee
- No minimum to redeem for cash back
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months | 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months | 16.49% - 25.24% Variable | $0 | Good/Excellent |
+ See more cards for good credit
11. Top Rewards Card for “Fair” Credit
Even if you may have missed a few payments or have a high credit utilization ratio, there are several rewards credit cards for fair credit, or those with a FICO score between 630 and 700. If you can get your credit utilization to 30% or less, prioritize your monthly payments, and have a healthy mix of credit accounts open, then using your credit card responsibly can help you build your score.
Our best fair credit rewards credit card does not charge an annual fee and offers some great benefits through its rewards program, including cash back:
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- Earn cash rewards without signing up for rotating categories
- Get access to a higher credit line after making your first 5 monthly payments on time
- Monitor your credit profile with the CreditWise® app, free for everyone
- $0 fraud liability if your card is ever lost or stolen
- No limit to how much cash back you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 26.74% (Variable) | $39 | Average, Fair, Limited |
+ See more cards for fair credit
12. Top Rewards Card for “Bad” Credit
A FICO score below 630 generally indicates poor credit, but you may still be eligible for a rewards credit card. It can be helpful to earn rewards, particularly if the rewards can be applied as a statement credit to pay down a portion of your bill.
As long as you use the card responsibly, you’ll be able to help improve your score by always making the monthly payments on time and utilizing 30% or less of your total available credit. The following offer is a very popular choice for those with less-than-stellar credit:
- No annual fee, and all the credit building benefits with responsible card use
- Unlike a prepaid card, it builds credit when used responsibly, with regular reporting to the 3 major credit bureaus
- Access to an authorized bank account is required to make your $49, $99 or $200 refundable security deposit
- Make the minimum required security deposit and you'll get an initial credit line of $200. Plus, deposit more money before your account opens to get a higher credit line
- Get access to a higher credit line after making your first 5 monthly payments on time with no additional deposit needed
- Easily manage your account 24/7 with online access, by phone or using our mobile app
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 26.74% (Variable) | $0 | Limited, Bad |
+ See more cards for bad credit
13. Top Rewards Card for “No/Limited” Credit
Just because you have limited credit history doesn’t mean you can’t get approved for a decent rewards credit card, and with responsible use, you can begin to build your credit history and score. There are a few factors that go into a FICO score, so make sure you understand what can help and hurt your credit. Below is our top credit card with an impressive rewards program for those with a limited credit history:
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- Earn cash rewards without signing up for rotating categories
- Get access to a higher credit line after making your first 5 monthly payments on time
- Monitor your credit profile with the CreditWise® app, free for everyone
- $0 fraud liability if your card is ever lost or stolen
- No limit to how much cash back you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 26.74% (Variable) | $39 | Average, Fair, Limited |
+ See more cards for no/limited credit
Make the Most of Deals & Offers
Since the best rewards credit cards offer multiple ways to redeem your rewards, keep in mind what you’ll be purchasing and how you’ll want to cash in your rewards. From gifts bought with points to free nights at certain hotels, there are many ways to enjoy your credit card rewards.
Once you decide what you can qualify for based on your credit score — and determine what kind of rewards credit card you want — you can get excited about all the perks you’ll soon earn thanks to your new card!
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Share This Article
About the Author