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In a world where maximizing value from every transaction is key, the right rewards credit card can turn everyday spending into an exciting opportunity to earn and save. With each swipe, tap, or online checkout, you could be earning points, miles, or cash back towards your next big adventure, delicious meal, or cash rebate. The landscape of rewards credit cards is vast and varied, catering to every possible need and want—from globetrotters and foodies to the savvy saver looking for cash back on daily essentials. Our guide to the best rewards credit cards of 2024 is your ticket to finding the perfect card that not only matches your lifestyle but enhances it.
Best for Earning Ultimate Rewards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rating:★★★★★ (5/5)
Rewards Attain up to 5x points on travel bought through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries, 2x on other travel purchases, and 1x on all other buys.
Welcome bonus Attain 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equating to $750 when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Rewards Earn 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases, 5 miles per dollar on flights, and 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booked through Capital One Travel.
Welcome bonus Gain 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening, equivalent to $750 in travel.
Rewards Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals and 5x on flights when booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards® after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, 3x on other travel and dining worldwide, and 1x per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus Receive 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equivalent to $900 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Rewards Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, and 5X points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.
Welcome bonus Attain 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Rewards Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and 4X points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X. Earn 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
Welcome bonus Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on purchases with your new Card in the first 6 months.
Rewards Earn 5% cash back in quarterly rotating categories on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter you activate, 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining at restaurants and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn 5% cash back on combined gas station and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
Intro APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months; after that, the variable APR will be 20.49% - 29.24%.
Rewards Automatically earn 5% cash back on your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus Earn $200 in cash back after spending $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.
Intro APR: 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
Rewards Earn 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership. Earn 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 1% back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members.
Rewards Earn 5% cash back on Instacart app and Instacart.com purchases; earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through the Chase Travel Center, including flights, hotels, and more. Earn 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and on select streaming services. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus Receive Instacart credit and 1 free year of Instacart+ automatically upon approval. Membership auto-renews.
Rewards Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year, with no limit.
Intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies.
Rewards Earn 3X points for each dollar spent on grocery stores, dining at restaurants including takeout and eligible delivery services, and directly with Air Canada. Earn 1X point for each dollar spent on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Rewards Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL flights. Earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when booked directly with the hotel. Plus, earn 1 Avios per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus Earn 75,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Rewards Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases. Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining, and select streaming services. Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards Earn up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel. Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Rewards Earn up to 9 points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4 bonus points per $1 when you use your card at Hyatt hotels & 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member. Additionally, earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting, and on fitness club and gym memberships.
Welcome bonus Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points: 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
Rewards Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio. Earn 6X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Welcome bonus Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
Rewards Earn 6 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and on gas. Earn 4 points per $1 spent on dining and grocery store purchases (excluding Target® and Walmart®). Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening, enough for up to 6 free nights at participating Wyndham properties.
Rewards Earn up to 17X Bonvoy points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy™ and 2X points on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Why a Rewards Credit Card Should Be Your New Best Friend
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Rewards credit cards are the multitool in your financial toolkit, offering a suite of benefits that extend well beyond simple transactions. Here’s why they’re a smart choice:
Maximize on the Mundane: Transform your routine expenses into exciting rewards.
Travel with Perks: Accumulate miles for your next trip, enjoy travel insurance, and relax in airport lounges.
Cash Back on Tap: Get money back on your purchases, injecting extra cash into your budget.
Luscious Sign-Up Bonuses: Kickstart your rewards journey with generous bonus offers.
Exclusive Benefits: Enjoy extended warranties, purchase protection, and VIP treatment at events.
Your spending habits and personal preferences are the compass that should guide your choice of rewards credit card. Consider these factors to navigate to your perfect match:
Type of Rewards: Points, miles, or cash back—each serves different spending styles and goals.
Earning Potential: Opt for cards that offer more points or cash back where you spend the most.
Redemption Options: Look for flexibility in how you can use your rewards, from travel bookings to gift cards.
Annual Fees: Analyze whether the perks and rewards offset the card’s annual cost.
Intro Offers: Don’t overlook the long-term value of the card after the initial dazzle of sign-up bonuses.
Perks Galore: Extra benefits can significantly enhance the card’s overall value to you.
Q: Can rewards on credit cards expire? A: Yes, depending on the card’s policy, rewards can expire or be forfeited under certain conditions, such as account inactivity or closure.
Q: Is the annual fee worth it? A: If the value of the rewards and benefits you receive exceeds the cost of the annual fee, then yes, it’s worth it.
Q: How can I use my rewards? A: Rewards can typically be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, or merchandise, depending on the card’s offerings.
Q: What’s the catch with sign-up bonuses? A: Sign-up bonuses require you to spend a specific amount within a set period after opening your account to qualify for the bonus.
Embrace the journey towards selecting the best rewards credit card, and let every expense bring you a step closer to your next reward. With the right card, the potential to enrich your spending experience awaits.
The content provided by Credit Card Guide is intended solely for educational purposes. Your unique financial circumstances may mean that the products and services discussed here are not suitable for you. It's important to note that we do not provide financial advice, nor do we offer any advisory or brokerage services. Furthermore, we do not endorse or recommend purchasing or selling specific stocks or securities. Please be aware that performance data is subject to change and that past performance does not guarantee future results.
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