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Best rewards credit cards of September 2025

Updated September 10, 2025

Advertiser Disclosure: Bankrate’s editorial team chooses and recommends the credit cards on this page. While we may receive compensation when users apply for cards through this page, our recommendations and card ratings are produced independently without influence by advertising partnerships with issuers.

Best rewards credit cards of September 2025

Updated September 10, 2025

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Best for entertainment

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

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4.4
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5.0
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Recommended credit score:670 - 850
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on Capital One's secure site

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Intro offer

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Earn $300 in welcome bonuses

Rewards rate

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1% - 8%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: Its boosted cash back rate in popular spending categories makes it great as both a standalone option and a companion to other cards from the issuer.

Best travel card for rewards value

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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4.2
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4.9
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Intro offer

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75,000 bonus points

Rewards rate

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1x - 5x

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

19.99% - 28.24% Variable

Why you'll like this: It boasts terrific rewards value with its annual bonus points, practical bonus categories, high-value points and redemption flexibility.

Best for flexibility

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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4.3
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5.0
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Recommended credit score:670 - 850
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Intro offer

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Earn $200 cash back

Rewards Rate

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1.5% - 5%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

18.99% - 28.49% Variable

Why you'll like this: Its high rewards rates make it lucrative as both a standalone card for everyday spending and as part of a Chase travel stack.

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Best for luxury travel

The Platinum Card® from American Express

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4.4
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4.8
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Recommended credit score:Good to Excellent
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Intro offer

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As High As 175,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Rewards rate

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5X

Annual fee

$695

APR

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Why you'll like this: It’s perfect for luxury-minded travelers who spare no expense when booking airfare or hotels and want the most with every experience.

Best for flat-rate cash rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

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4.3
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Recommended credit score:670 - 850
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Intro offer

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$200 cash rewards

Rewards rate

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2%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR

Why you'll like this: It earns cash back at a consistent rate — and you can redeem it at an ATM.

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Best for food and travel

American Express® Gold Card

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4.4
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4.9
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Recommended credit score:Good to Excellent
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Intro offer

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As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Rewards rate

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1X - 4X

Annual fee

$325

APR

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Why you'll like this: Along with its terrific perks for foodies, it offers valuable rewards on everyday spending.

Best for flat-rate travel rewards

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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4.1
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5.0
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Recommended credit score:670 - 850
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Intro offer

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Earn 75,000 miles

Rewards rate

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2X miles - 5X miles

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: It boasts solid short- and long-term value for occasional travelers with its flat rewards rate and welcome offer.

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Best for groceries

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

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4.3
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star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.4
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Recommended credit score:Good to Excellent
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Intro offer

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Earn $250

Rewards rate

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1% - 6%

Annual fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

APR

20.24%-29.24% Variable

Why you'll like this: It boasts the highest cash back rate available at U.S. supermarkets.

Best for category variety

Discover it® Cash Back

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4.4
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4.1
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Recommended credit score:670 - 850
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Intro offer

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Cashback Match

Rewards rate

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1% - 5%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR

Why you'll like this: It offers the best rewards rate you can get in several popular categories over the course of the year.

Best for travel credits

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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4.3
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4.8
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Recommended credit score:740 - 850
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Intro offer

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125,000 bonus points

Rewards Rate

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1x - 8x

Annual fee

$795

Regular APR

20.24% - 28.74% Variable

Why you'll like this: It carries a ton of valuable perks and credits, ranging from flexible travel statement credits to airline- and hotel-specific status upgrades.

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Best no-annual-fee travel card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

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4.3
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4.1
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Recommended credit score:670 - 850
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on Capital One's secure site

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Intro offer

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Earn $300 in travel bonuses

Rewards rate

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1.25X miles - 5X miles

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: Earning travel rewards is simple and low risk thanks to its solid flat rewards rate and $0 annual fee.

Best for online shopping

Prime Visa

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4.5
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Recommended credit score:670 - 850
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on Amazon's secure site

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Intro offer

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Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card

Rewards rate

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1% - 10%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.49% - 28.24% Variable

Why you'll like this: It boasts a terrific rewards rate on Amazon purchases, which can cover a slew of household items, entertainment, gifts, food and more.

Best for hotel bookings

Citi Strata Premier® Card

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4.6
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Recommended credit score:670 - 850
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on Citi's secure site

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Intro offer

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Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points

Rewards rate

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1X - 10X

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

20.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: It has a valuable welcome offer and an annual hotel credit that can easily offset its annual fee.

Best for affordable travel perks

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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4.4
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5.0
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Recommended credit score:740 - 850
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on Capital One's secure site

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Intro offer

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Earn 75,000 miles

Rewards rate

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2 Miles - 10 Miles

Annual fee

$395

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: You’ll get access to a handful of the most useful and valuable travel perks out there without breaking the bank.

Best for paying rent

Bilt Mastercard®

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4.1
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4.0
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Recommended credit score:670 - 850
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Intro offer

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N/A

Rewards rate

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1x - 3x

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

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Why you'll like this: It allows you to earn rewards on what's probably your biggest monthly expense — your rent payments.

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Compare Bankrate’s top rewards credit cards

Our picks for Rewards highlights
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Entertainment + Best overall
  • 1% - 8%

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$0
Travel rewards value
  • 1x - 5x

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  • Bankrate's rewards value: 2.0 cents per point

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$95
Flexibility
  • 1.5% - 5%

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$0

Apply with confidence

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on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Luxury travel
  • 5X

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  • Bankrate's rewards value: 2.0 cents per point

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$695
Flat-rate cash rewards
  • 2%

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$0

Apply with confidence

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Apply nowLock

on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Food and travel
  • 1X - 4X

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  • Bankrate's rewards value: 2.0 cents per point

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$325
Flat-rate travel rewards
  • 2X miles - 5X miles

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  • Bankrate's rewards value: 1.7 cents per mile

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$95

Apply with confidence

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on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Groceries
  • 1% - 6%

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$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Category variety
  • 1% - 5%

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$0
Travel credits
  • 1x - 8x

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  • Bankrate's rewards value: 2.0 cents per point

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$795
Limited time offer
InfoMore information about this limited time offer
Apply nowLock

on Capital One's secure site

See Rates & Fees
No-annual-fee travel card
  • 1.25X miles - 5X miles

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  • Bankrate's rewards value: 1.7 cents per mile

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$0
Apply nowLock

on Amazon's secure site

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Online shopping
  • 1% - 10%

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$0
Hotel bookings
  • 1X - 10X

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  • Bankrate's rewards value: 1.6 cents per point

    *Hover to learn more
$95
Affordable travel perks
  • 2 Miles - 10 Miles

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  • Bankrate's rewards value: 1.7 cents per mile

    *Hover to learn more
$395
Paying rent
  • 1x - 3x

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$0

*Bankrate’s points and miles valuations are based on an average of the issuer’s five highest-value transfer partners (if available).

How should you choose a rewards card?

Navigating the wide range of rewards card options can be difficult. How do you narrow down your search?

“Consider your spending habits and try to find cards that give you the biggest rewards in those categories,” says Ryan Flanigan, credit cards writer at Bankrate who carries dozens of rewards cards. “Make sure you have plans for how you'll use the rewards.”

Let's go over this in more detail. To kick off your search for the right card, ask yourself the following three questions:

What kind of rewards do you want to earn?

The first thing you need to decide is what kind of rewards you want to earn. Cash back is a simple and flexible rewards currency that tends to offer consistent value. Travel rewards, on the other hand, can provide higher value — but you’ll need to put in some work and strategy to get it.

Here’s a look at the different types of rewards, which cards earn them and the pros and cons of each.

Caret Down Icon

These cards are your best choice for earning rewards on day-to-day purchases. They rarely charge annual fees, and cash back typically stays consistent in value. Sometimes, it can also be pooled with travel rewards from the same issuer. On the other hand, cash back cards lack notable benefits beyond rewards — but some may offer limited-time perks.

They earn some of the most valuable rewards on various everyday and travel purchases, but the value depends on the redemption method. These cards are also among the best cards on the market for valuable perks. However, that comes at a price: Premium general-purpose travel cards charge annual fees ranging from $95 to $795. 

Co-branded travel cards offer perks, privileges and boosted rewards rates with specific airlines or hotel brands. Major hotel points often hold lower average values than the average value of general travel points and airline miles. Annual fees vary widely, from $0 to $550 and more.

How do you want to earn rewards?

Once you know the type of rewards you want to earn, the next step is to figure out how you will earn them. To do that, you should look at where you spend your money. 

For example, if groceries make up a large part of your budget, first look for a card that earns bonus rewards for groceries, then decide whether you want to earn cash back or points. The American Express® Gold Card could be an excellent option for points, while the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express are better for cash back.

Consider the effort you’ll need to put in earning rewards as well. A card might offer outstanding rewards rates, but the rewards structure might make them challenging to earn. Overall, there are three types of rewards structures:

  • Flat rewards rates: The easiest to manage since you earn rewards at the same rate on almost all purchases (usually 1.5 percent or 2 percent back). This structure is a great fit if you value simplicity but cards with tiered rates can be more rewarding.

  • Tiered bonus categories: You can earn anywhere from 2 percent to 6 percent back in popular bonus categories like groceries, dining and travel, but often just 1 percent in less common spending categories.

  • Rotating categories: You can earn chart-topping 5 percent rewards on categories that change each quarter, but maximizing your rewards requires a lot of effort. This structure may be better suited as a supplement to flat rewards rates and tiered bonus categories.

The best rewards programs

It’s easy to evaluate the potential value of a cash back card since the redemption value of cash rewards don’t change. That’s not always the case with points and miles. Add card benefits to the mix and deciding on the best rewards program to join can be a challenge.

Let’s dig into what various rewards programs offer and what you need to know to choose the right one for you.

Which points are most valuable?

When you ask if a rewards card is worth it, also ask what the rewards themselves are worth.

Rewards value doesn’t only vary by program. It can also vary by card and redemption method. 

When it comes to travel rewards, there’s typically a baseline value that you get redeeming through the issuer’s travel portal or for cash. Then, some issuers also partner with airline and hotel companies to allow cardholders to transfer their rewards into the partners’ rewards programs. With the right transfer, it’s possible to significantly boost rewards value.

To eliminate some of the guesswork, we evaluated how much points and miles are worth across popular card rewards programs. Here are the top four card rewards programs, based on our valuations:

Rewards program Baseline value Bankrate value* Estimated value of 50,000 points/miles
Bilt Rewards 1.25 cents(0.55 cents toward cash rewards) 2.1 cents $1,050
American Express Membership Rewards 1 cent(0.6 cents toward cash rewards) 2.0 cents $1,000
Chase Ultimate Rewards (Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card) 1 cent (1 cent toward cash rewards) 2.0 cents $1,000
Capital One miles 1 cent(1 cent toward eligible travel purchase credits; 0.5 cents for other cash back redemptions) 1.7 cents $850

Note that besides the potential values, it's important to consider what you see yourself redeeming the rewards for most often. If you have a preferred airline or hotel brand, make sure it's on the list of the issuer's transfer partners. If you'd rather stick to the issuer's travel portal, you want a program that offers at least 1 cent per point or mile for such redemptions. 

What makes a “good” rewards card?

There’s no rewards card that’s perfect for everyone, but a good card for you:

Offers rewards you find valuable

Cash back cards are generally easiest if you want to use your rewards to fuel your everyday spending. But if you travel and don’t mind strategizing to maximize your rewards, you could get better redemption value  than the standard 1 cent per point or mile, especially with a travel rewards card with redemption options like transfer partners.

Rewards your spending habits

You can match your spending habits with a fitting rewards card once you know your major monthly categories, where you often shop and how much you typically spend. Keep in mind, some cards have caps on your rewards rates and drop your rate to 1 percent after you spend a certain amount in a select category within a timeframe. This is often up to $1,500 per quarter or up to $6,000 per year, which could make a card with no rewards rate cap more valuable depending on how much you typically spend.

The right card for you will reward you at a high rate in your most common spending categories and without much additional effort. Pick the card with a rewards program that matches the amount of effort you’re comfortable with.

Provides benefits you can use consistently;

Perks that come with a card can play a key role in determining its overall value. Many premium cards carry flashy perks like annual travel credits, airport lounge access and automatic loyalty status, but be sure to read the fine print and calculate whether you’ll actually get enough value out of these perks to consistently offset the yearly cost.

Allows you to easily offset fees

If your credit card charges an annual fee, you want to ensure you can offset it with valuable benefits. Additionally, you don’t want to find yourself in a scenario where you incur additional spending just to take advantage of a perk. Card benefits should naturally match your lifestyle.

Rewards extra effort or offers simplicity

Some rewards cards offer outstanding potential value — but only if you're willing to put in some effort (and spend). Other cards might provide less potential value, but the benefits are also much easier to take advantage of.

For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card, provide hundreds of dollars in statement credits, but you’ll have to put in some work to earn them every month. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card doesn't offer such credits, but its annual travel credit and anniversary bonus are much easier to use.

Which type of card works better for you depends on your spending habits, as well as how much work you're ready to put into maximizing a credit card's value.

Rewards credit cards are changing

Nothing is static in the rewards credit card space. As some of the most popular rewards programs are changing, new cards are also emerging. 

Citi changes

In May, the Citi Strata Premier Card was launched to replace the Citi Rewards+® Card. The Citi Strata has no annual fee and earns bonus rewards in everyday categories such as supermarkets, restaurants and select transit and gas/EV stations. Cardholders also get to choose an extra bonus category with options ranging from fitness clubs to pet supply stores. 

Additionally, the issuer launched the new Citi Strata Elite℠ Card in July. This premium travel card offers elevated rewards on bookings made through Citi Travel, as well as on dining. Cardholders also get access to $1,500 in lifestyle benefits each year, including up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more booked through Citi Travel, up to $200 in statement credits on up to two eligible brands, four American Airlines Admirals Club passes annually and more.

Chase Ultimate Rewards changes

In June, significant changes came to Chase's Ultimate Rewards program. Instead of the value of 1.25 cents per point on the Chase Sapphire Preferred (or 1.5 cents per point on the Chase Sapphire Reserve) for redeeming points through Chase Travel, the issuer will now only offer 1 cent per point on these redemptions. Cardholders will get access to “Points Boost” — select offers to redeem through the portal at a higher value. 

This effectively changes the value proposition of the Chase Sapphire cards. High-value redemptions for all travel booked through the portal allowed cardholders flexibility. People who didn't transfer their points to Chase's partners could still get excellent value out of their rewards. That's not the case anymore — unless they find a Points Boost offer that works for them each time they book.

Ted Rossman, a senior industry analyst at Bankrate, writes that the change makes it harder and more expensive to use your rewards points. Relying on transfer partners is “more complicated and not always ideal for travelers on a fixed schedule.”

Chase Sapphire Reserve changes

To add to that, the Chase Sapphire Reserve also underwent major changes, and it's up for debate whether the card has become more or less valuable as a result. 

Though its annual fee increased from $550 to $795, the card also got a long list of new branded statement credit benefits along with a few other premium perks like airline and hotel statuses. However, many of the credits are doled out in bi-annual and monthly increments — a trend some card experts call the “couponization” of rewards cards. Such a structure, initially adopted by the American Express Platinum, inevitably makes it more difficult for cardholders to maximize a card's value. 

Still, the value is there for the right cardholder. For example, Brooklyn Lowery, a credit cards senior editor at Bankrate, uses the card to transfer points to travel partners and intends to keep it despite the higher fee.

“I don't like Chase Sapphire Reserve's higher annual fee, and it absolutely makes the card an unwise choice for a lot of people,” says Lowery. “But my family will organically use most of the annual credits, and we'll certainly put airport lounge access to good use. That, combined with the points we'll earn and burn, means we'll more than offset the fee.”

Frequently asked questions about rewards credit cards

Learn more about rewards credit cards

How we choose the best rewards credit cards

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150+
cards rated
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50+
rewards programs valued
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1800
data points analyzed
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40+
perks evaluated

We thoroughly rate and research the best rewards credit cards based on key criteria to help you make confident decisions when choosing your next credit card. Learn more about our methodology below.

We select cards for the “Best rewards credit cards” page based primarily on how they score in our proprietary card rating system, our editors’ subjective assessment of card quality, card approval odds and credit requirements and unique card features. 

Cards typically must score a minimum of 3.0 stars to be included on this list. However, we may include cards with scores below 3.0 if they have low credit requirements or unique features — despite their scores, these cards may still be among the “best” in certain categories. Card ratings are not influenced by advertisers or issuer relationships in any way. 

Card selection and ordering may also vary based on business considerations, including Bankrate visitor interest, site interactions and card application volume. Affiliate commissions (see how we make money), limited-time offers and a card’s general popularity in the product landscape may also influence which cards we feature on our pages and the order in which they appear. Bankrate’s editorial and business teams also strive to feature a variety of card types from various issuers.

When evaluating the best rewards cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards in popular categories to scoring a large sign-up bonus or high-value perks. Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points. 

We analyzed over 150 of the most popular cards and scored each based on its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup of the best rewards cards.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key factors in our rewards card scoring methodology and details we considered when putting together our list of the best rewards cards.  

5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Overall Score
  • Value 65%
  • Flexibility 15%
  • Perks 15%
  • Customer experience 5%

Have more questions for our credit card editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.