12 Category Winners: Best Credit Card Offers

Although a few exceptions may exist, the true value of most great deals or offers will be entirely contextual. For example, the best credit card offers for travel rewards are most valuable to those who, well, travel.

As with many other things, finding a great credit card offer will start first with identifying what you want out of your card — and your offer. The modern card market allows for extreme personalization in your credit card portfolio, making it easy to maximize rewards on most types of purchases.

Once you know what type of card you’re after, then you can narrow it down to finding the one with the best deal. And, whether you want cash back, airline miles, or business rewards — a lot of great card offers are just waiting to be found. Below, we’ll explore the best offers available today across 13 different popular categories including options for students and those with fair or bad credit. We’ll also look at some of the most common questions people have about credit card offers.

While finding the absolute best deal for you will depend a lot on your needs and wants, some card offers are so good — or so flexible — that they can appeal to a wide variety of cardholders. Cash back rewards, in particular, are almost always easy to redeem as a statement credit on your card account, which allows them to be used toward any purchase.

In general, most consumers (understandably) think of sweet signup bonuses when they start looking for good credit card offers. However, while our top overall cards all have lucrative welcome bonuses, they can also be valuable cards to have in your wallet well after the signup bonus is gone.

So far as credit card deals go, this card delivers on multiple fronts. The signup bonus is fairly easy to obtain, and you’ll earn the most cash back for whatever spending category you choose. This card makes it easy to earn top dollar without an annual fee.

This card is a hot deal on several levels, starting with the high-rate bonus rewards. Cardholders earn bonus cash back in rotating quarterly categories that can really help maximize rewards. There’s also a unique welcome offer for new cardmembers after the first year of membership.

This card provides cash back rewards on all purchases and a modest signup bonus for new cardmembers. It also offers introductory APR offers on both purchases and balance transfers all for no annual fee.

Cash back rewards were the original form of mass-marketed credit card rewards, introduced by what would eventually become Discover. Once points and miles hit the market, however, cash back was left behind by many of the most ardent card aficionados. Well, no more.

Today, cash back cards are making a comeback. These cards fill in gaps left by travel-focused points cards and offer more affordable alternatives rewards cards with three-digit usage fees. Our favorite cash back offers include attainable welcome bonuses, useful rewards categories, and freedom from annual fees.

This card provides cash back rewards on all purchases and a modest signup bonus for new cardmembers. The card also has an intro-APR offer on new purchases and balance transfers, charges no annual fee, and comes with the standard collection of Bank of America cardholder benefits.

This card has plenty of cash back categories — including 1%, 3%, and 5% — and no annual fee. New cardholders also earn a competitive signup bonus and enjoy an introductory APR deal with a long promotional period on purchases, 0% for 12 months. Once the promotional period expires, the regular 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable) APR will apply.

Citi Double Cash® Card

CardRates Expert Rating

Citi Double Cash® Card

4.8/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

Close

★★★★★ 4.8/5.0

at Citi'ssecure website

Our Review »

• 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).

Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »

Intro (Purchases) N/A

Intro (Transfers) 0% 18 months on Balance Transfers

Regular APR 17.49% - 27.49% (Variable)

Annual Fee $0

Credit Needed Excellent/Good

See Rates & Fees »

The Citi Double Cash® Card is one of the few cards available to offer a flat 2% cash back reward rate on every purchase — 1% when you buy, 1% when you pay.

In addition to rewards, new cardholders receive an introductory 0% APR on balance transfers and a solid slew of benefits, like access to Citi Entertainment®. Plus, users never pay an annual fee.

Although cash back is popular for its ease of use, travel rewards are, unquestionably, the most sought-after type of rewards by consumers looking to maximize value. That’s because most travel rewards can be redeemed in a variety of ways, including, in many cases, through a transfer to an existing hotel or airline loyalty account.

When redeemed wisely, some of the best credit card offers can be worth hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars. Even when rewards are redeemed through their respective issuers, most travel rewards cards provide a lot of value through purchase rewards and secondary benefits. Our top picks include several of the most popular travel rewards programs on the market.

A card high on nearly every list of top travel credit cards, this option has a host of perks and benefits that appeal to a variety of travelers, including Ultimate Rewards® points on every purchase. Cardholders also receive airport lounge access, an annual travel credit, and a hefty signup bonus.

Travelers who don’t want to be bothered tracking categories can get some good value out of this card, which offers unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase on top of a good-sized signup bonus and no foreign transaction fees. Miles can be redeemed for statement credit toward travel purchases, or they can be transferred to partner airline frequent flyer programs.

The Platinum Card® from American Express is a traveler’s card, offering the most Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights and hotels, as well as elite status with Hilton and Marriott and access to over 1,000 airport lounges, including the prestigious Amex Centurion Lounges.

The Membership Rewards® points earned by cardholders can be transferred to many hotel and airline loyalty programs. This card has a standard signup bonus of points, but targeted offers of up to 100,000 points are not uncommon. (Amex cards have variable signup bonuses that can change based on the link you use, so you may need to apply via an incognito browser or referral link for the highest offer.)

Even a brief search of consumer credit cards will unveil literally hundreds of options — and all of those issuers are vying for wallet space. Enter: the signup bonus. The best signup bonuses offer big pools of cash back, points, or miles that can easily be worth hundreds of dollars.

Most of the best signup bonus offers will come from cards designed for consumers with good credit or better. Typical bonuses will require the cardholder to spend a certain amount on the card within a given time period to earn the bonus, but be careful not to spend more than you can repay just to earn a bonus.

If you’re looking for a big pool of transferable points, look no further than this popular travel rewards card. The reward earning potential can easily outweigh the annual fee, and the signup bonus is one of the most valuable on the market. The spending requirement is fairly steep, but it should be manageable for most cardholders with a little planning.

The signup bonus for this card is large enough that almost anyone can get serious value. As is typical, the large signup bonus has an equally large spending requirement, so budgeting may be needed to avoid paying interest just to earn the bonus.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

4.7/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

Close

★★★★★ 4.7/5.0

Our Review »

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Top rated mobile app

Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »

Intro (Purchases) N/A

Intro (Transfers) N/A

Regular APR 19.49% – 28.49% (Variable)

Annual Fee $395

Credit Needed Excellent

See Rates & Fees »

A healthy signup bonus allows this card to easily make the list. The spending requirement is the same as its sibling above, but it has a higher annual fee. It also offers a sizable annual credit when you book a trip through Capital One Travel.

Credit card rewards points are often lauded as the most versatile type of rewards, as they can typically be redeemed for a variety of products. For instance, most points programs allow redemption for cash back, gift cards, and travel through the issuer. The most popular programs also allow points to be transferred to partner hotel or airline loyalty programs.

The downside of this is that the per-point value will depend on how the points are redeemed. Cash back will generally offer the lowest per-point value, while travel and/or transfer will offer the best value. Of course, as in other things, the best redemption option for any given cardholder will vary based on their individual needs.

A top-tier travel rewards card, this option shows that an annual fee can be worth paying for the right combination of rewards and perks. Users earn triple points on travel and dining purchases, and points can be used directly for travel through Chase or transferred to over a dozen hotel and airline loyalty programs with the potential to unlock even more value. The annual travel credit, airport lounge access, and big signup bonus all help offset the large annual fee.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

CardRates Expert Rating

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

4.9/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

Close

★★★★★ 4.9/5.0

at Bank Of America’ssecure website

Our Review »

• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
• Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want – you’re not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants, including takeout.
• 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.

Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »

Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases

Intro (Transfers) 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 5%)

Regular APR 17.49% – 27.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Annual Fee $0

Credit Needed Excellent/Good

This card is worth considering if you’re in the market for a points card but don’t want the hassle of trying to make up for a huge annual fee. Cardholders earn a flat 1.5 points on all purchases, so you don’t need to worry about rotating categories. The signup bonus isn’t huge for a points card, but it is competitive for a card with no annual fee.

The American Express® Gold Card may come with a pricey annual fee, but it also comes with annual and monthly credits for things like airline fees and select dining purchases. New cardholders can also get a valuable signup bonus. Keep in mind that this is a charge card and will need to be paid in full each billing cycle.

While most cardholders know that the best way to avoid credit card interest is simply to pay in full during the grace period, this isn’t always an option. That’s where 0% APR offers can be an important tool.

The best introductory 0% APR credit card offers provide a year or more without interest fees on carried balances (provided you make at least the minimum payment each billing cycle). Many rewards credit cards also offer introductory interest rate deals, but the cards with the longest promotional periods won’t have rewards.

The BankAmericard® credit card is a solid option for saving on interest thanks to its long 0% APR introductory offer good on both new purchases and balance transfers. In addition to a competitive introductory offer, this card comes with a number benefits, including no annual fee and no penalty APR.

Consumers who prefer Citi may prefer this choice, which even though offers just a slightly shorter introductory interest rate deal, it has reward opportunities and no annual fee. The promotional rate applies to new purchases only, with the regular APR dependent on your creditworthiness. Cardholders also get access to the full stable of Citi benefits.

The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is a no-nonsense card obviously designed for consumers who want to save on interest rather than earn rewards. This card has one of the longest promotional periods available from a major bank, with new cardholders enjoying up to 20 months of 0% APR on new purchases and balance transfers.

Although the card does have a balance transfer fee, it charges no annual fee. And, while the 0% APR offer can be ideal for financing large purchases, think twice before using it for purchases abroad, as the card comes with a 3% foreign transaction fee.

A credit card balance transfer is the only way to move debt from one credit card account to another account. Most transfers are performed as a way to reduce the interest fees charged for a given balance by moving it to a card with a lower APR.

Similar to the 0% APR deals for new purchases, some credit cards will offer 0% APR on transferred balances for the duration of a promotional period. The best balance transfer offers last for a year or more, and some of these offers even waive the balance transfer fee for qualifying transfers.

The Citi Simplicity® Card offers one of the longest introductory 0% balance transfer offers currently available. This can be a boon to consumers who need to pay off higher-interest debt, but the card does require good to excellent credit for approval, and your transferred amount will be subject to a balance transfer fee.

Yet another card from Citi, the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is nearly identical to the Citi Simplicity® Card above. Just note that there is a balance transfer fee for each transfer you make.

The Discover it® Chrome offers a longer introductory period for balance transfers (0% Intro APR for 18 months) than it does for purchases (0% Intro APR for 6 months). Keep in mind, the regular 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR will apply at the end of the intro period. But that’s okay because you’ll also earn valuable cash back rewards, unlike the cards above. Add this card to your wallet if you want generous rewards and a long intro 0% APR period to pay off debt.

Frequent flyer programs are offered by most airlines as a way to reward brand-loyal travelers. When they started, the only way to earn airline miles was to, well, fly with that airline. Today, however, co-branded airline credit cards make it easier than ever to earn frequent flyer miles, all without needing to ever step on a plane.

Between the purchase rewards and signup bonuses for these cards, even the casual traveler can find a lot of value. In addition to earning miles, most co-branded airline cards also offer extra travel perks, like free checked bags and priority boarding, that can save both time and money.

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is a great choice for regular American Airlines flyers — and not just for the ability to earn AAdvantage miles on every purchase. Cardholders will also receive airline perks like free checked bags and preferred boarding.

New cardholders, in particular, can get a ton of value out of the card thanks to a solid signup bonus large enough to get you flying for free in no time. Plus, the first year’s annual fee is waived.

The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card card is a popular co-branded option. It offers 2X miles on all purchases made with Delta and you receive a discount on all eligible in-flight purchases — in the form of statement credit.

Of course, cardholders can also earn Delta miles on every purchase, and the signup bonus is pretty competitive with a reasonable spending requirement.

The JetBlue Card offers some good value to JetBlue flyers, starting with 6X points per dollar on JetBlue purchases, as well as double points on restaurant and grocery store purchases. It also offers a competitive signup bonus with a really manageable spending requirement.

Although this card has an annual fee, it also has a few ways to make up for that fee even beyond the typical purchase rewards. This includes a very generous 50% in-flight discount, as well as an anniversary bonus of 5,000 points every year after you pay your annual fee.

Your years as a college student are an ideal time to explore and try new things — like establishing your consumer credit profile. In fact, given the wealth of high-quality student credit cards available, it could be argued that the best time to get your first credit card is while you’re in college.

Given that students aren’t expected to have much — if any — credit history, most student credit cards won’t have minimum credit requirements. The best card offers will also be free from annual fees and many waive some late fees. Some of our favorite student cards even offer purchase rewards and small welcome bonuses.

This is one of the best student cards on the market for a number of reasons, with the card’s high-rate rewards being the most obvious. Students can access a free FICO credit score and build a relationship with the top-rated issuer in terms of customer service to start their credit-building journey.

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students is a solid student card with useful rewards, including a top tier cash back rate in a category you select from a list that includes gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings.

You can select a new choice category each month. Bonus rewards are capped at $2,500 in combined bonus category purchases each quarter. Plus, users never pay an annual fee.

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students is for students who love to travel, and, let’s be honest — who doesn’t? This card offers generous travel rewards on every eligible purchase made with the card.

Rewards are then redeemed as statement credits toward past eligible travel purchases such as flights, hotels, cruises, rental cars, and baggage fees, among other purchases. There are no blackout dates or restrictions and points do not expire.

According to the Small Business Administration, the U.S. is home to more than 30 million small businesses (PDF link) — and they make up more than 99% of all U.S. businesses. And, from merchants to freelancers to side hustlers, most of those small business owners are eligible for a business credit card.

While not quite as robust as the consumer market, the small business credit card market is full of options, with many great deals and offers to be had. The best offer for your business will be the one that complements your company’s spending habits and needs, but our picks below are a good place to start.

With a one-two punch of high rewards rates and versatile points, this card is one of the most popular business cards on the market. The card earns triple points on travel, shipping, communications services, and select advertising (up to $150,000 in combined bonus category purchases each year). And they’re not just any points — they’re the versatile rewards that can be transferred to many hotel and airline loyalty programs.

This card is ideal for small businesses and freelancers — and not just because it doesn’t have an annual fee. Users earn up to 5% cash back in several bonus categories useful to a range of businesses, including office supplies and communications services. The signup bonus is very competitive, though the spending requirement is a little on the large side for smaller businesses.

Capital One Venture Business

CardRates Expert Rating

Capital One Venture Business

4.7/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

Close

★★★★★ 4.7/5.0

Our Review »

• 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

Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »

Intro (Purchases) N/A

Intro (Transfers) N/A

Regular APR 24.49% (Variable)

Annual Fee $95

Credit Needed Excellent

See Rates & Fees »

This card is an ideal business card for companies with expenses that don’t fit neatly into common bonus categories, providing 2X miles on every purchase, with no limits or category restrictions. This card also offers a generous signup bonus when you meet the minimum spending requirements.

Given that no one starts with a perfect credit score, we’ll all likely experience fair credit at least once on our credit journey. Consumers with fair credit will either be building credit for the first time or rebuilding after a problem, and the nature of your fair credit will influence your credit card options.

If you’re looking for a good starter card and are a college student, check out the student cards above. Otherwise, the unsecured cards below are decent cards for credit builders, and the secured option is good for both builders and re-builders alike.

This card is the picture of a starter credit card, offering an unsecured credit line that can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Paying on time for the first five months can unlock a higher credit line, and users never pay an annual fee. The APR is a little on the high side, however, so pay in full each statement period to avoid interest fees.

Having fair credit can definitely limit your credit card options, but it doesn’t rule out rewards altogether, as evidenced by this unsecured card that offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. Since the card does come with an annual fee, it’s important to do the math before you apply to make sure you’ll earn enough in rewards to make up for the fee.

This option has a tiered cash back rewards system with bonus cash back in some of the most common spend categories. Cardholders enjoy unlimited access to your credit score and tools to help them monitor their credit profile with CreditWise from Capital One and will even be automatically considered for a credit limit increase in as little as six months.

In many ways, bad credit is in the eye of the beholder — or the lender — as minimum credit score requirements vary by product and provider. However, bad credit is, in general, considered to be any score below 580 on the FICO credit score scale of 300 to 850.

With bad credit, the credit card “deals” are going to be few and far between, especially if you’re looking for an unsecured card (but you can try your local credit union). Instead, most of the deals to be found will be with secured credit cards, like our picks below.

This card is one of the few with the potential to be partially secured, offering both a variable minimum deposit requirement — depending on your qualifications — as well as the opportunity to unlock a higher credit line by making the first five payments on time. The card charges no annual fee, but it does have a high APR, so it’s not ideal for carrying a balance.

The Milestone® Mastercard® is a no-frills credit card with a $700 limit, and it provides a path for those with less-than-stellar credit to qualify for a credit card.

Although this card doesn’t offer purchase rewards or a signup bonus, it does report your payments to all three credit unions. It also offers fraud protection, $0 liability, and 24/7 access from your mobile device.

A low minimum deposit requirement makes this card accessible, but it’s the rest of the card’s features that make it a good deal. Cardholders can earn a flat cash back rate on all purchases and elevated cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. What’s more, the card is upgradeable for eligible users.

In general, there are two ways to look at the question of which card offers the most rewards. One is from a signup bonus standpoint — which card has the biggest bonus? The other consideration is which card earns purchase rewards at the highest rate.

Both answers are, unfortunately, somewhat complicated.

So far as signup bonuses are concerned, it’s hard to select any one card as having the largest bonus, in part because signup bonuses change so frequently. In fact, you could see multiple signup bonus offers for the same card on the same day based entirely on the web browser you use or the link you click.

Even if that were not the case, however, size alone is not all that matters when it comes to credit card rewards. Sure, if you have a cash back card, it’s easy enough; if one card has a $300 bonus and a second card offers a bonus of $500, it’s pretty simple math to tell that the $500 bonus is better.

The challenge comes from points and miles cards. One card’s 50,000-point offer may be more valuable than another card’s offer of the same size — or it could even out-value a larger offer due to having a higher per-point value at redemption.

And this applies to the card’s purchase rewards as much as it does to the signup bonus. Two cards may both earn 3X points per dollar on travel, for instance, but one rewards program may net you 2¢ per point at redemption, while the points from the other program are only worth 1¢ apiece when redeemed.

Additionally, when it comes to purchase rewards, the highest rewards rates will typically be reserved for bonus categories, rather than all purchases. For example, a card might offer 5X points per dollar on dining, but one point per dollar on other purchase types. This makes it hard to point out any single card as earning the most rewards without looking at specific categories.

All of this having been said, in general, the cards that offer the most rewards will be the cards with the largest annual fees. The top-earning card in any given category will likely have an annual fee of at least $95, but may charge a fee as high as $550.

The American Express Platinum® Card, for example, is well-known for earning a remarkable 5X points per dollar on hotel stays and for frequently offering 100,000-point signup bonuses — but it’s also notorious for its $550 annual fee.

The main exceptions to this rule will be for somewhat fringe categories not offered by many cards. The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature® Card, for instance, is a no-annual-fee card that offers 5% cash back in user-selected categories, and the card leads the pack in several of those category choices, including home utilities and fitness centers.

So, long story short, to determine which card offers the most rewards, you really need to determine the type of rewards with which you’re concerned, then go from there. Looking at credit card rewards from a sheerly numerical perspective can leave a lot of value potential on the table.

Once upon a time, pulling out a shiny metal credit card at the restaurant signified your elite status and elicited “oohs” and “aahs” from the diners around you. These days, however, many card issuers offer sturdy (and sparkly) metal credit cards that can be obtained by almost anyone.

So, in a world where credit cards are less a status symbol than a prosaic, workaday tool, are there any prestigious, exclusive cards after which the elite can lust?

As it turns out, yes — and they’re just as expensive as one could hope. Here are a few credit cards sure to make your server take notice:

Centurion® Card from American Express

The Centurion® Card — better known to the world as The Black Card — has long been the go-to standard for exclusive credit cards thanks to its invitation-only application policy that reportedly requires an annual American Express credit card spend of at least $450,000.

If you’re spendy enough to make it into the cardholder club, you’ll get to — surprise, surprise — hand over even more money. The one-time initiation fee is supposed to be a whopping $7,500, a figure that (almost) makes the $2,500 annual fee seem reasonable in comparison.

And don’t expect monster purchase rewards for all that cash. The card offers a measly 1X point per dollar on most purchases and 1.5X points per dollar on purchases of $5,000 or more. Indeed, this card is said to be more about the perks — a long list of offerings that includes elite status with a number of hotel and airline brands, airport lounge access, and special event invites.

J.P. Morgan Reserve Card

The J.P. Morgan Reserve Card, previously called the Palladium Card, is yet another invitation-only credit card, this one exclusive to the high-net-worth folks who are Chase Private Bank clients. The main thing that sets this card apart from its peers is its composition — the card is made out of palladium, a rare chemical element typically used in catalytic converters. (Take that, you cheesy gold and platinum cards!)

From a rewards perspective, the J.P. Morgan Reserve Card — issued by J.P. Morgan Chase Bank — is suspiciously similar to the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, also from Chase. This includes the same triple points on travel and dining purchases, the same annual travel credit, and the same cardholder benefits like rental car insurance.

But, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve® charges an annual fee of just $795, the J.P. Morgan Reserve Card charges $595 for most of the same perks and rewards. So, in essence, users are essentially paying a $145 surcharge for a palladium composition — and, perhaps the most important factor for some, exclusivity.

(Non-Monetized. The information related to J.P. Morgan Reserve® was collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates.com does not receive commission for this product/card.)

Given that many of the top credit card offers will come with big annual fees, one of the most common questions you’ll need to ask yourself when you’re evaluating potential deals is whether a given card or offer is worth paying the annual fee.

However, as with most aspects of choosing a new card, the answer to that question will depend entirely on you — and math.

The simplest way to get a rough estimate of a card’s value is to determine how much you’ll earn in rewards with that card in a year. For points and miles cards, you’ll also need to designate a set value to those rewards (or use the valuations from a third party).

For example, if you know you generally spend $2,500 on travel in a year, then you know a card that earns 3X points per dollar on travel will net you 7,500 points. If those points are worth 1.5¢ each in your estimation, then those points are worth around $112.

While it can be tempting to assume that a higher rewards rate is always worth paying an annual fee, this may not always be the case, as it will really depend on how much spend you put on the card. So, a card that earns 3% cash back on certain purchases but charges no annual fee may end up the better value than a card that earns 4% back but charges an annual fee.

While most of your value will probably come from credit card rewards, it’s important to look at a card’s secondary benefits, as well. A card that offers you airport lounge access, for instance, may be well worth its annual fee if you travel enough to make the perk worthwhile. Similarly, you may be more than happy to pay extra for a higher-tier co-branded card to unlock elite status and free breakfast.

And, of course, don’t forget the signup bonus. You probably don’t want a card that charges more in annual fees than you can earn in the signup bonus — at least, not unless the card’s perks more than make up the difference. But, if you’re choosing between a card with a $69 annual fee and one with a $99 annual fee, and the latter offers a bonus worth twice as much, it may be worth paying the larger fee.

Nearly every aspect of finding a new credit card will require you to know at least a little bit about your spending habits, your individual consumer credit profile, and your specific needs.

In other words, picking out a credit card or spotting the best offer is a personal experience that will vary for each cardholder. The best credit card offer for you may not be the best for your neighbor, and no single credit card offer will be the best for everyone.

Even something as simple as figuring out how many credit cards you should have in general isn’t something with a one-size-fits-all answer. If you’re someone who has trouble using credit cards responsibly, then the answer may actually be zero. For most folks, the answer will likely be somewhere between one and a dozen.

You should probably have at least one credit card — that you use at least semi-regularly and pay in full each time — for the sake of your credit; those payments can help you maintain an ongoing positive payment history and the card will add to your credit diversity.

Whether you should have more than one credit card will depend on your needs and wants — and credit scores. Consumers with low scores who need to build credit should apply for cards carefully, and only apply for cards necessary to help build credit. Rewards churning and signup bonus collecting are card hobbies best left to consumers with good credit.

However, if your credit is solid and you like the idea of maximizing your rewards, there can be a lot of value in holding several cards with complementary bonus rewards categories and cardholder benefits. Most consumers will have expenses that fall into the most common bonus categories — like travel, dining, and gas — making it easy to find cards to earn high rewards rates for their most frequent purchases.

And don’t forget the purchases that seem to inevitably crop up that won’t fit into those common bonus categories. You can keep a good flat-rate, unlimited rewards credit card in the rotation so you can maximize your non-bonus spend. Overall, a few cards that offer high rates for your top expenses, paired with a solid flat-rate card for non-category expenses, can make for a good strategy.

Of course, if you’re going to play the rewards game, make sure you actually redeem those rewards. A surprising number of cardholders allow their rewards to expire or otherwise lie fallow, which obviously negates any potential value they may have held.