Best Credit Cards for Rewards
Which are the Best Rewards Credit Cards?
We’re glad you asked. However, the question of which credit cards are best is not one we can answer easily…
That’s because the value of each credit card’s perks and points varies from person to person. To start, you can use our free credit card rewards optimization engine. That will calculate which single card would earn you the most rewards on your annual spend.
Points Credit Cards vs. Miles Credit Cards vs. Cash Back Credit Cards
The first question you have to answer is if you are happy to do a bit of work to maximize your rewards. We personally average any where from 3-5% (sometimes more!) in rewards back from credit card spend. But that involves a fair bit of effort to apply for a range of cards with various bonus categories, know which cards to use where, and learn the best ways to redeem points towards travel.
If you want to maximize your rewards and are happy to put in some effort, keep reading. But if you honestly find that to be too much effort, select a Cash Back Credit Card that earns at least 2% on every purchase. The Citi Double Cash Card and Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature both earn 2% for consumer credit cards while the American Express Blue Business Cash Card earns 2% back on every purchase for businesses.
Next, let’s dispel a myth about airline credit cards and hotel credit cards. Many of them have great perks like free checked bags and can be worth carrying. But because they earn miles tied to one airline and aren’t transferable (aside from Marriott points!), they aren’t the most flexible.
So that leaves….
Transferable Points Credit Cards
There are four major banks issuing credit cards that earn “transferable points.” These are the best way to get the most rewards for your buck if you plan to redeem your points for travel rewards.
You can explore all four major bank cards here:
Credit Cards That Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Credit Cards That Earn American Express Membership Rewards Points
Credit Cards That Earn Capital One Miles
Credit Cards That Earn Citi ThankYou Points
But which should you focus on?
That’s going to be up to you (and we advise that if you want to really learn about each type of points that you join our MilesTalk group on Facebook where we can talk in very granular detail!). That said, here are some pros and cons to each:
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase points are, in many ways, a good place for beginners to start for travel rewards. In fact, if you asked us for ONE best starting card for someone wanting to get started in miles and points, it would be the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Chase points can be transfered to a variety of airlines, including United, as well as the Hyatt hotel chain where they can get you excellent value. They can also be cashed out for 1.25 to 1.5 cents per point in value via their travel portal.
The only catch is that to transfer points to airlines or hotels, you’ll need a card with a $95 or higher annual fee. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Chase Ink Preferred all allow points transfers. What’s better, though, is that once you have any of those 3 Chase cards, you can combine points from other Chase cards (that have no annual fees and higher points earnings in select categories) to maximize your rewards.
You can also read our comprehensive guide here: Chase Ultimate Rewards: How to Earn and Redeem with Transfer Partners.
Another thing we like about Chase is how easy it is to use their benefits. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with an annual $300 travel credit. Any travel charges count and the credits are automatic – no registration required!
If you are just getting started in miles and points, please read about the 5/24 rule. Because of this rule, we generally advise starting with business credit cards, as business credit cards (with the exception of Capital One and Discover) do not count against this.
American Express Membership Rewards Points
There are many credit cards that can earn American Express Membership Rewards points. While most of them have annual fees, the Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express has no fee and will forever keep alive any Membership Rewards points you earn – as long as you keep that card open!
Membership Rewards has a lot of great airline partners. While they have three hotel partners, the transfer rates are not very good, so we advise sticking to airline transfers. With a bit of effort, you could use 125,000 points to go around the world in Business Class! (Hint: You’d need to transfer your Amex points to ANA and find award availability for each flight first!)
You can see all American Express Membership Rewards Transfer Partners and Transfer Times.
We like that points transfers from American Express tend to be instant. We also like the Amex Offers, by far the industry leading dscount program tied to a credit card. Just login to your account and check out the offers which are often in the range of 20% off purchases at various merchants.
Capital One Miles
The latest entrant to transferable points, Capital One has a range of transfer partners and a very simple program for some of its credit cards.
With cards like the Venture from Capital One and the Spark Miles Business Credit Card from Capital One, you’ll earn an easy to track 2 Capital One Miles per 1 dollar spent. You can then transfer them to one of 15 airline partners (no hotels). You will receive, in most cases, 1.5 airline miles for every 2 that you transfer (with some exceptions, which transfer at 1 mile for every 2 Capital One Miles). That is like earning 1.5 transferable airline miles per dollar spent.
Citi ThankYou Points
And last, but certainly not least, are Citi’s ThankYou points. These are a somewhat more advanced level points currency, for a variety of reasons. From the Transfer Partners and Transfer Time page, we see they are the only bank points that transfer to Turkish Airlines, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, and Malaysia’s Enrich programs. Avianca (to book Star Alliance awards with no fuel surcharges) and Cathay Pacific (for Oneworld flights) can also provide excellent transfer opportunities.
Card Features to Consider When Choosing a Rewards Credit Card
Rewards credit cards are about much more than just the points that they earn. They are also loaded with perks. But a perk that matters to one person may not matter to another.
For that reason, we’ve picked a number of premium card features that we are most often asked about and compiled lists of credit cards that have certain features.
For instance, you may be looking for a rewards credit card with No Foreign Transaction Fees. This is important if you travel internationally as without this card feature, you could be looking at a 3% surcharge on every purchase you make while traveling abroad!
You may be looking for a rewards credit card with a 0% Intro APR offer. Those are important if you need to prioritize a period without interest charges over your rewards (and some card have both!).
Maybe you spend a lot of time in the airport and need a rewards credit card with Priority Pass Airport Lounge Access. It’s certainly given us a calm oasis in a crowded airport many times over. These cards generally offer free and unlimited airport lounge access (allthough this benefit is only on credit cards with annual fees).
And if you rent a car often, we highly recommend that you find a rewards credit card with Primary Car Rental Insurance, meaning that if you have a covered claim, the card will cover you entirely without requiring that you make a claim with your personal insurance carrier.
What about Bonus Categories?
If you spend a lot in very specific spend categories, the best rewards credit card may be the one with the highest bonus multiplier in that category. For example, the best credit cards for dining out or ordering food in or the best credit cards for grocery stores. Even if your biggest monthly expense is your gym membership, we’ve got you covered with the best credit cards for gym memberships.
So Which Credit Card is Best for Rewards?
That remains your call! The credit card rewards optimization engine is still the best place to see what rewards credit cards would earn your own spend the most in rewards. But if you said that you were still lost, want points to spend for travel, and just wanted one card to get started with, you won’t go wrong starting with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
But which credit cards are best? It’s really up to you…
Below are more of our favorite cards, ranked by the value of their new card bonuses.
Advertiser Disclosure: Your Best Credit Cards has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Your Best Credit Cards and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Commissions do not affect or prioritize placement within our results and not all cards displayed earn us a commission. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone.
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18 Cards Available:
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Annual Fee:
$695
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$2,040
Annual Fee:
$695
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$2,040
A great card for flights and prepaid hotels earning 5x points, and for large expenses over $5,000 for 1.5x points. It earns:
- 5X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked via AmexTravel
- 1.5X Membership Rewards points on any single purchase that is over $5,000
- 1.5X Membership Rewards at U.S. Construction material and hardware suppliers, Electronic goods retailers and software & at cloud system providers, and with Shipping providers
- 1X Membership Rewards points on other purchases
(1.5X purchases are capped at $2,000,000 in spend per calendar year.)
Card Benefits
- Hilton Gold status (enrollment required)
- Marriott Gold status (enrollment required)
- Receive up to $100 as a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry or every 4.5 years for TSA Pre✔®
- Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection which includes Centurion, Delta, and Priority Pass Lounge access (enrollment required)
- Fine Hotels and Resorts benefits
- $200 airfare credit for incidentals like luggage fees on your chosen airline. (enrollment required). Terms apply.
- $200 in Dell statement credits twice annually, up to $400 total (Jan-June and July-Dec; Enrollment required / terms apply).
- Up to $120 a year in wireless credits; up to $10 per month, Enrollment required / terms apply.
- Up to $360 in Indeed credits ($90 per quarter; enrollment required, Terms Apply)
- Up to $150 in credits with Adobe on annual prepaid plans for eligible Creative Cloud for teams and Acrobat Pro DC with e-sign, enrollment required, Terms Apply.
- Up to $189 in fee credits for a CLEAR® airport security service plan. (Enrollment required; credit is a statement credit.)
Note: When displaying Estimated Rewards Values and calculations, this card is factoring in airline and hotels at 5x. This requires booking at AmexTravel.com and, if you do not, your earned rewards will change. Hotel bookings made via AmexTravel will generally not earn points or elite benefits.
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Annual Fee:
$95
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,750
Annual Fee:
$95
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,750
The Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card earns 3x Ultimate Rewards points on all travel, advertising, and shipping, as well on Internet, cable and phone services, up to $150,000 a year.
If your business spends a lot in any of these categories, you can earn a ton of points.
It also earns 5X Ultimate Rewards points on Lyft rides.
You'll get complimentary cell phone insurance when you pay your cell phone bill with this card. (See Chase website for details). No foreign transaction fees.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Annual Fee:
$695
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,360
Annual Fee:
$695
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,360
The Platinum Card® from American Express is full of caché and its heavy metal design will catch more than a few looks. While the fee isn't small, you get a lot back in the form of statement credits and other perks and benefits.
Statement Credit Offers
- $200 in Uber credits annually ($15 per month with a $20 bonus in December)
- $100 in annual Saks Fifth Avenue shopping credits per year ($50 January-June and $50 July-December) as statement credits (Enrollment required)
- $200 in annual airline fee credits (as statement credits) for your chosen airline (Enrollment required)
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit which is good for up to $20 back each month on select digital subscriptions with Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times.(Enrollment Required)
- $200 Hotel Credit as statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, with a two night minimum stay, with American Express Travel. (Enrollment Required)
- $189 CLEAR® Credit as statement credits when you pay for your CLEAR® membership with your Card. (Enrollment Required)
- $300 Equinox Credit: Receive up to $300 back per calendar year in statement credits for purchases at Equinox. Valid for Equinox All Access, Destination, or E by Equinox membership fees, or for Equinox+. (Enrollment required)
- $300 statement credit when you purchase a SoulCycle At-Home Bike, up to 15x per calendar year. An Equinox+ membership is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. (Enrollment required)
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: The cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership is covered with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. (Plus Ups are excluded.)
(All above offers require enrollment after you receive the card.)
You also get access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes the Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, and Delta SkyClubs when you are flying Delta. (Enrollment required)
In addition, you get elite status in two hotel programs (enrollment required):
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite
- Hilton Gold
While the Bonvoy Gold status is mostly good for small room upgrades and bonus points on stays, Hilton Gold confers free breakfast - a benefit that can really add up!
More Platinum Card benefits:
- Reimbursement (as a statement credit) for your Global Entry or PreCheck membership fees every 4 years.
- Secondary Car rental CDW/LDW collision/damage coverage
- Lost, damaged or stolen baggage insurance
- Extended warranty, purchase protection and return protection on covered purchases
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Access to the Platinum Concierge line
Cell phone protection:
Coverage for a Stolen or damaged Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per Eligible Card Account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per Eligible Card Account per 12 month period.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
- Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
NOTE: This card earns 5x on airfare and hotels, however, the airfare must be booked direct with the airline or at Amex Travel and the hotels must be prepaid at Amex Travel to earn 5x. Limit of up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. This site's Estimated Rewards Values will calculate all airfare and hotels at 5x points, so if your hotels are booked directly (which you generally need to do to earn hotel points and status/benefits) please note that they will not earn 5x and your actual rewards value will vary accordingly.
Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Annual Fee:
$0
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,313
Annual Fee:
$0
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,313
The Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card generously offers an excellent 5x on up to $25,000 annually at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services as well as 5X on Lyft rides. It also offers 2x on up to $25,000 annually at gas stations and restaurants.
Businesses with a lot of spend at office supply stores like Staples and Office Depot can really clean up.
Get a 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases,17.99% - 23.99% thereafter.
Please note: The Estimated Rewards Value of an Ultimate Rewards point earned from this card assumes that you have a Chase Ink Preferred, Chase Sapphire Preferred, or Chase Sapphire Reserve as well, which allows portal redemptions worth 1.25 - 1.5 cents per point and the opportunity for even greater value with airline and hotel transfer partners. If you do not have one of these other Chase cards, points would be worth a flat 1 cent per point and this bonus would be worth exactly $750.
American Express® Business Gold Card
Annual Fee:
$295
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,190
Annual Fee:
$295
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,190
The American Express® Business Gold card is a powerful earner for business owners with high spend on the included bonus categories.
You will earn 4 points per dollar on any 2 out of 6 categories, automatically selected each calendar month based on which ones you spent the most on, up to $150,000 per year. Terms apply.
Categories include airfare purchased directly with airlines, US advertising and media, US gas stations, US hardware/software/cloud computing services, US restaurants, and US shipping.
Our page on the Amex Business Gold Card has the American Express definition of hardware, software, and cloud computing merchants.
Also, get a 25% rebate on airfare booked American Express Travel using Membership Rewards. Applies to all First/Business Class tickets and economy tickets with your one selected airline, up to 250,000 points back per calendar year. Terms apply.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Review
Annual Fee:
$550
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,050
Annual Fee:
$550
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,050
The card that re-revolutionized points-earning credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a high-end travel rewards card that unlocks transfers from this and any linked Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning card to airline and hotel partners and offers rich benefits for a frequent traveler.
It offers 3X Ultimate Rewards points on travel and dining. It provides a 50% boost in point value within the Chase portal or via Pay Yourself Back, and you get an annual $300 travel credit each card year which greatly offsets the card's annual fee.
If you don't mind booking your hotel stays via the Chase Travel portal, you will earn an incredible 10X points, although as a prepaid rate you won't receive hotel chain status benefits.
Earn Rate:
- 10X total points on hotel stays and car rentals purchased through Ultimate Rewards
- 10X Ultimate Rewards points on Lyft rides through March 2025
- 5X total points on air travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards
- 3X Ultimate Rewards points on travel and dining
- 10x total points on Chase Dining purchases through Ultimate Rewards (This is powered by Tock Dining and is only in select markets)
- 1X points on all other purchases
Important Note on the 5X multiplier for airfare and 10X multiplier for hotels and car rentals: You will only receive these bonus multipliers if you book your travel via the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel portal (using cash). Hotels booked via the portal are prepaid will not earn hotel points or provide hotel loyalty program benefits. If you book travel directly with a provider, you will earn 3X instead of 5X or 10X.
Lyft Benefits:
- Earn 10X Ultimate Rewards points on Lyft rides through March 2025.
- 2 years of complimentary Lyft Pink All Access
Instacart Benefits
- 12 free months of Instacart Express
- $15/month in statement credits
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card DoorDash Benefits
You'll get free access to DashPass which gives you $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Also receive $5 monthly DoorDash Credits through December 31, 2024.
Global Entry or TSA Pre ® or NEXUS fee credit
You can also receive up to a $100 credit for enrollment in Global Entry or PreCheck once every 5 years.
Chase Will Let you “Pay Yourself Back”
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers can always use their points to book travel via the travel portal where they get 1.5 cents per point.
Now, you can redeem in the same manner for select purchase categories. Instead of using a “portal” to make the purchases, you just pay as you normally would and then go into the Chase website to “pay” for that purchase with points. You will get the same 1.5 cents per point in value as you get booking travel. The feature is branded “Pay Yourself BackSM“.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Review
Annual Fee:
$95
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,050
Annual Fee:
$95
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,050
Perhaps the best "starting out card" in miles and points.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a low annual fee, unlocks transfers from this and any linked Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning card to airline and hotel partners, comes with excellent built-in trip delay insurance, primary car rental CDW coverage and earns 2x points on travel and dining.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Earn Rate:
- 5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on Lyft rides (through March 2025)
- 5X total points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3X points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out.
- 3X points on select streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- 2X Ultimate Rewards points on all travel purchases
- 1X points on all other purchases
Important Note on the 5X multiplier for travel: This card is listed as earning 5X on travel. You will only receive 5X if you book your travel via the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel portal (using cash). Hotels booked via the portal are prepaid will not earn hotel points or provide hotel loyalty program benefits. If you book travel directly with a provider, you will earn 2X instead of 5X.
Instacart Benefits
- 6 free months of Instacart Express
- $15/quarter in statement credits
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card DoorDash Benefits
You'll get free access to DashPass which gives you $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Chase Will Let you “Pay Yourself Back”
Chase Sapphire Preferred cardmembers can always use their points to book travel via the travel portal where they get 1.25 cents per point.
Now, you can redeem in the same manner for selected rotating categories. Instead of using a “portal” to make the purchases, you just pay as you normally would and then go into the Chase website to “pay” for that purchase with points. You will get the same 1.25 cents per point in value as you get booking travel. The feature is branded “Pay Yourself BackSM“.
The only requirement is that the merchant category be in one of the specified categories and you must “Pay yourself back” within 90 days of purchase.
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers get the same opportunity, but at a higher 1.5 cents per point cash-out rate.
If you apply for a Chase credit card and don't get an instant approval, you may want to call the Chase reconsideration line.
Note: You will only be approved for a Chase credit card if you have applied for fewer than 5 personal credit cards within the last 24 months from any issuer. (Business cards do not count against the total, except for Capital One and Discover, but are subject to the policy). Learn more about the 5/24 rule here.
You also cannot be approved for a Sapphire Preferred if you currently have this card or a Sapphire Reserve card and/or if you have received a bonus on this card in the past 48 months.
American Express® Gold Card / Rose Gold Card
Annual Fee:
$250
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,020
Annual Fee:
$250
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,020
Is the American Express® Gold Card the best card for dining and groceries?
The Gold Card offers 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants (including U.S. takeout and delivery) and at US supermarkets (up to $25,000 a year; 1X thereafter), as well as 3x on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
And at long last, American Express is once again offering both new and existing cardholders the opportunity to get the Rose Gold version of the Gold Card. (Simply select it when applying.)
It also offers $20 in monthly dining statement credits - $10 monthly at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment and $10 in Uber Cash each month. Enrollment required / terms apply.
(Note that the airline incidental credits will no longer be offered after 2021 and are no longer available to new applicants.)
While many Amex bonus categories are US-only, this card earns 4x on restaurants, including internationally.
American Express defines a supermarket as offering a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies. (Superstores, convenience stores and warehouse clubs are NOT considered supermarkets.)
It's also important to note that as a card product that American Express used to classify as "charge" - meaning that it has No Preset Spending Limit - so it is not counted against your 5 Amex credit card limit. The Gold Card will still be in the category of cards (former charge products) in which you can have up to 10. Those include the Green, Gold, Platinum, and Centurion.
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
Annual Fee:
$199
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$960
Annual Fee:
$199
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$960
The World of Hyatt Business card gives you Discoverist status, 5 elite nights for every $10,000 you spend, and 2X points on a range of common business spending categories.
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card Earn Rate
- Earn a total of 2 points per $1 spent for the top two of eight spend categories you spend on each calendar quarter —with no cap..
- The qualifying spend categories include dining; airline tickets purchased directly with the airline; car rental agencies; local transit and commuting; gas stations; internet, cable and phone services; social media and search engine advertising; and shipping.
- Stays at World of Hyatt hotels earn 4X points per dollar.
- Fitness club and gym memberships earn 2X points per dollar.
- Everything else earns 1 point per dollar spent.
Click on Card Details for all the benefits of the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card.
Keep in mind that all points earned on a Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred can also be transferred to World of Hyatt at a 1 to 1 ratio.
NOTE: In calculating your rewards for this card, we are making the assumption that all Hotel spend entered is spent on Hyatt. If part of that spend is on other hotel chains, that spend will earn only 1x on this card, reducing the value of your rewards.
Hilton Honors Aspire® Credit Card
Annual Fee:
$450
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$750
Annual Fee:
$450
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$750
Get complimentary top-tier Hilton Diamond status, an annual $250 Hilton Resort credit, an annual $250 airline incidental fee credit, and a Free Night Award, valid any day of the week on a Standard room award at nearly any property in the world. You can earn a second Free Night Award with $60,000 in spend within a calendar year
Also includes Priority Pass Select Airport Lounge Access for you and up to 2 guests per visit at no additional charge. (Enrollment required).
Earn Rate:
14x Hilton Honors points at Hiltons; 7x points on flights booked directly with airlines, car rentals booked direct, and US restaurants; and 3x points everywhere else.
NOTE: For the purposes of calculating your expected rewards for this card, we are assuming that the spend you put in "Hotels" is all spent at Hilton portfolio hotels and resorts. If some is spent at other hotels, your actual rewards will be slightly lower.
All information about the Hilton Honors Aspire® Credit Card has been collected independently by Your Best Credit Cards.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite MasterCard
Annual Fee:
$0 Introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $99
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$750
Annual Fee:
$99
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$750
Review: Get a free checked bag and preferred boarding on American Airlines.
Earn 2x AAdvantage miles at gas stations and restaurants, as well as on American Airlines. Also, earn a $100 flight discount after spending $20,000 and renewing your card.
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage(R) mile earned from purchases
NOTE: In calculating your potential rewards for this card, we are assuming that all spend entered as "Airline" is on American Airlines. If some of your airline spend is on other airlines, that spend will earn 1x rather than 2x miles and reduce your expected rewards.
Annual Fee:
$150
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$500
Annual Fee:
$150
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$500
The new Capital One Spark Cash Plus replaces the older Spark Cash card and earns 2% cash back on everything. The primary difference is that the new Spark Cash Plus is a charge card with no preset spending limit, making it ideal for companies that spend a lot on their cards and tend to run into issues with credit limits.
Also, earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Annual Fee:
$95
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$480
Annual Fee:
$95
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$480
Earn 4x World of Hyatt points at Hyatt, 2x at restaurants, airline tickets purchased directly, local transit and commuting, and fitness club and gym memberships.
The Hyatt card gives you a Category 1 - 4 night every card year at renewal and you can earn a second one with $15,000 spend. Additional benefits include automatic Discoverist status and 5 elite nights credited each calendar year as well as the ability to earn 2 elite nights for every $5,000 in purchases.
Keep in mind that all points earned on a Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred can also be transferred to World of Hyatt at a 1 to 1 ratio.
NOTE: In calculating your rewards for this card, we are making the assumption that all Hotel spend entered is spent on Hyatt. If part of that spend is on other hotel chains, that spend will earn only 1x on this card, reducing the value of your rewards.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Annual Fee:
$0
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$255
Annual Fee:
$0
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$255
Highly Recommended: Earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everything with The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express - up to $50,000 per year. This is a great card to use when your expense doesn't correspond to a bonus category on any of your other cards.
Intro 0% APR - 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months, then 18.24% - 26.24% (Rates and Fees)
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Annual Fee:
$0
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$250
Annual Fee:
$0
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$250
The American Express Blue Business Cash credit card allows you to earn a simple 2% in cash back (on up to $50,000 a year of purchases) without paying an annual fee.
0% Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.24% - 26.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
Costco Anywhere Visa Business Credit Card by Citi Review
Annual Fee:
$0
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$0
Annual Fee:
$0
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$0
Review: For Costco members seeking pure cash back, this credit card is hard to beat!
Costco Business credit card earn rate and benefits:
- This Costco Business credit card earns 4% cash back at gas stations, both Costco and otherwise, for the first $7,000 per year.
- Earn 3% cash back at restaurants and on travel.
- Earn 2% cash back at Costco.
- Get 1% cash back on everything else.
- No foreign transaction fees.
The cashback will be awarded as an annual credit card reward certificate, redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, (including Puerto Rico). The certificate will be included in your February billing statement and expires on December 31st of the year issued.
** Requires a Costco membership **"
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Review
Annual Fee:
$0
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$0
Annual Fee:
$0
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$0
A no-fee Chase card offering 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points on everything, except as noted below. It's best combined with a Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred, or Chase Ink Business Preferred to unlock the power of transfer partners.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Earn Rate:
- 5X on travel when purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal*
- 5X on Lyft until March 2025
- 3X on dining (including takeout and delivery)
- 3X at drugstores
- 1.5X on everything else
NOTE: This card can be used as cash back or as an Ultimate Rewards points card. In valuing your rewards, we assume you also have a Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred, or Chase Ink Business Preferred. You can then transfer points from this card to one of those to unlock the power of transfer partners. If you have this card without one of the above cards, your rewards value will be lower with each point worth exactly 1 cent.
Instacart Benefits
- 3 free months of Instacart Express
- $10/quarter in statement credits
0% Interest APR Intro Offer:
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
Note: Our rewards optimization calculator will count all travel on this card at 5X, but please note the limitations around that above.
Annual Fee:
$0
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$0
Annual Fee:
$0
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$0
The Citi Double Cash® credit card is one of the "gold standards" in cash back cards.
This card earns a flat 2% cash back in a slightly different way.
You will earn 1% cash back twice: first when you make the charge, then when you pay. That's 2% total.
Cash back will be earned in the form of ThankYou Points, redeemable for cash or combinable with your other ThankYou points.
You can redeem your points directly for cash or you can convert Double Cash points to JetBlue. And if you have a Citi Premier or Citi Prestige, then you can also transfer them to Citi's participating travel loyalty programs at a 1:1 ratio, making this card worth a look for points and cash aficionados alike.
Balance Transfer Offer
0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.99% - 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
Chase Ink Preferred
Here’s how we calculated your Rewards Value:
Point Value X Multiplier = Rewards Value
X =
Here’s how we calculated your Bonus Value:
Point Value X Bonus = Bonus Value
X =
Meet Dave
Dave’s spent the last 15 years traveling the world in first class using his miles and points. After analyzing the unique credit card spending habits of thousands of MilesTalk readers over the years, he developed YourBestCreditCards.com.
