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Last updatedMay 2025
Our Best Rewards Credit Cards of May 2025
Earn points, miles, or cash back
Earn more on what you buy every day. We reviewed the best rewards credit cards from our partners so you can easily choose one that helps you get the most out of every purchase.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers generous cash back rewards with no annual fee. It’s a great card if you spend a moderate amount on travel or dining and don’t want to manage rotating bonus categories. It also comes with 0% intro APR for 15 months, making this card a good choice if you want to pause interest on an existing credit card balance.
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ credit card is a points-based travel card. You can earn one reward point for every dollar spent, with bonus points for purchases related to hotels, restaurants, airfares, and other travel expenses. It also offers coverage for various travel situations, including lost luggage and travel delays.
The Citi Double Cash® Card boasts a market-leading unlimited cashback rate of 2%, plus an intro APR period of 18 months, which is comparable to some of the top balance transfer cards. With additional perks like no annual fee, convenient redemption options, and 24-hour fraud monitoring, this card could be a worthy addition to your wallet.
25,000 online bonus points after you spend at least $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of opening your account
Rewards Rate
1.5x
Welcome Bonus
25,000 points offer
Annual Fee
$0
Recommended Credit Score
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
Summary
Editor's Review
Card Features
Pros & Cons
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee, lets you earn 1.5 points for each dollar you spend on purchases, and features a generous welcome bonus and intro APR. It’s a great choice for travelers who want to offset the cost of travel purchases from flights to hotels to rental cars.
The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card offers a robust rewards structure with 3 points per dollar spent in six popular categories, including restaurants, travel, and streaming services. With no annual fee and a welcome bonus of 20,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first three months, it is ideal for everyday spenders looking to maximize their rewards.
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months.
Rewards Rate
1x-3x
Welcome Bonus
$200
Annual Fee
$0
Recommended Credit Score
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
Summary
Editor's Review
Card Features
Pros & Cons
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a cash back rewards card with no annual fee. It is a great credit card for individuals with low overall spending who want to benefit from high 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, gas, and online purchases (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%).
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card offers excellent international travel perks and flexible ways to earn rewards at an affordable price. It’s easy to earn rewards with 3x points offered on common purchases like restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores. Additionally, with no fees on foreign transactions, you don’t have to worry about racking up charges when you use your card while traveling abroad.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is a good option for anyone looking for a reasonably priced card to get the most out of their travel, dining, and grocery shopping expenses. The card is loaded with great perks and rewards that more than makeup for its $95 annual fee.
The Gold Card from American Express is best suited for anyone who dines out at restaurants frequently or spend a lot at U.S. supermarkets each year. The Gold Card's rewards more than pay for the $325 annual fee for many cardholders. Overall, the Gold Card is a great option if you dine out or travel frequently.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card is a premium travel rewards card that’s hard to beat for anyone who spends a lot on travel each year. The annual fee is expensive, but benefits like 10X points on travel purchases, free lounge access, and trip interruption insurance make the annual fee well worthwhile in subsequent years.
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Popularity
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Features & Benefits
BestMoney’s editorial team researches and reviews financial products based on factors such as: range of products and services offered, ease-of-use, online accessibility, customer service, special awards, and more. Each brand is then given a score based on the offerings in each parameter. The specific parameters which we use to evaluate the score of each product can be found on its review page.
Rewards credit cards allow you to earn points, miles, or cash back when you make purchases. You can then redeem your credit card rewards for statement credits, cash deposits, gift cards, travel arrangements, and more.
Many rewards credit cards include valuable benefits and bonus rewards. If you want to earn points, miles, or cash back, consider adding a rewards card to your wallet. If you're wondering, "What are the best credit cards for rewards?, you're in the right place.
Rewards Credit Cards at a Glance
You can use rewards cards to earn points, miles, or cash back.
Many of the best credit cards with rewards include valuable benefits like purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, or travel insurance.
Some rewards cards earn rewards at a fixed rate, while others offer elevated bonus rewards in select spending categories.
It’s necessary to review a rewards card’s fees, perks, and how its rewards program functions so you can choose a card that meets your needs.
Before redeeming rewards, explore your redemption options and calculate the value of each redemption method to get the most value.
What Is a Rewards Credit Card?
A rewards credit card is a credit card that earns rewards when you make purchases. Some credit cards earn cash back, while others net points or miles.
You can redeem your rewards in multiple ways, depending on your card and its rewards program. Here are some redemption options that may be available:
Statement credit
Cash back
Gift cards
Travel
It's crucial to learn how a card earns rewards, the redemption options, fees, and benefits when researching potential rewards credit cards to choose one that aligns with your goals. There are many rewards credit cards, and they differ in how they function.
Pros
We’ve outlined a few notable advantages of rewards credit cards.
Help You Build Credit
Credit cards, including rewards credit cards, can be a fantastic credit-building tool. When you use credit cards for everyday purchases and pay your entire balance off regularly, you'll show creditors that you are financially responsible.
Maintaining a reasonable credit utilization ratio is another habit that can help your credit. This ratio is the percentage of available credit that you're using. So, monitoring your credit usage when using rewards credit cards is wise.
Many experts recommend keeping your credit utilization below 30%. Continued responsible credit card usage helps you build credit and increase your credit score over time.
Earn Rewards
Earnings rewards on purchases can feel like a win, especially as life gets more expensive. Some people like to redeem their rewards for cash back to pay themselves back for everyday purchases.
You can earn rewards quickly using your credit card to pay for most purchases. But it's imperative that you only spend what you can afford.
Welcome Bonus
Many rewards credit cards have attractive welcome bonuses that eligible new cardholders can earn. You can earn a sizable stash of points, miles, or cash back by meeting the minimum spending requirements outlined for these offers. Welcome bonus opportunities are a great way to earn rewards quickly.
Always check to see if you qualify for a welcome offer before you apply for a new card. Some credit card issuers have strict eligibility requirements. You may be ineligible to earn a welcome bonus if you previously earned it for a particular card within the last few years or have had the card before. Not all applicants are eligible for every welcome bonus offer.
Also, make sure you don’t have to overspend to earn the bonus.
Valuable Benefits
Many rewards cards have valuable perks. Some examples include purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and cell phone protection. Some travel credit cards provide travel protections like trip delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and rental car insurance.
The benefits vary from one credit card to another, so review benefit details before applying. Credit card perks can save you money and add value to your life.
Flexible Redemption Options
Many rewards credit cards provide flexible redemption options. You can often redeem your rewards for cash back, a check, or a statement credit. But some cards offer even more flexibility with how you put your rewards to use.
For example, some credit card rewards programs let you redeem your points or miles for bookings through a travel portal or by transferring your rewards to select airline or hotel partners. Having flexibility in how you redeem your rewards gives you more control.
Cons
We've outlined a few rewards credit card disadvantages you should know.
High Interest Rates
Many of the best rewards credit cards have high interest rates. If you want to earn rewards, only use your card for purchases you can pay off immediately. If you carry a balance on your rewards card, your credit card issuer will charge you interest fees.
These fees can add up and may lead to credit card debt. Before getting a rewards card, review all costs – including the annual percentage rate (APR), so you know what to expect if you carry a balance on your card.
The best strategy is to avoid credit card interest fees. You can do this by paying your card's statement balance monthly.
Annual Fees
Some premium rewards credit cards that earn rewards at higher rates and provide more plentiful benefits have an annual fee.
Be sure to verify whether a card has an annual fee and consider whether the yearly fee fits your budget before applying for a new card. It’s worth noting that there are rewards cards without annual fees.
Foreign Transaction Fees
Some rewards credit cards charge foreign transaction fees on purchases made in a foreign currency. Such fees are typically around 3% per transaction. Verify whether a rewards card has foreign transaction fees before traveling abroad.
Many of the best travel rewards cards have no foreign transaction fees, so keep this in mind if you like to travel internationally.
Credit Score Requirements
Many popular rewards credit cards are intended for people with good to excellent credit. If your credit score isn't ideal, take some time to improve your credit score before applying for a rewards credit card.
While there are no guarantees, having a higher credit score could increase your odds of approval for a new rewards credit card.
How Reward Credit Cards Work
Rewards credit cards earn points, miles, or cash back as you make purchases. You can then redeem your rewards in a variety of ways. Redemption methods vary by card, but most cards allow you to redeem your rewards for a statement credit or cash back.
Another way you can earn rewards with these cards is through welcome bonus offers, also called sign-up bonuses. Many card issuers promote welcome offers to attract new customers. If you're an eligible new cardholder, you can earn a welcome bonus by meeting the minimum spending threshold within the timeline outlined in the welcome offer.
Here’s an example: A rewards credit card may require eligible new cardholders to spend $4,000 within three months to earn a $750 welcome bonus.
A welcome bonus can be a great way to boost your rewards quickly. But using a rewards card for everyday purchases is an excellent strategy to earn credit card rewards regularly.
Types of Rewards Credit Cards
There are a variety of rewards credit cards and how they earn rewards differ. Below is a breakdown of a few types of rewards credit cards you can add to your wallet.
Cash Back
Cash back cards earn cash rewards on purchases. You can often redeem your rewards for a statement credit, cash out your earnings to a checking or savings account, or get a check mailed to you.
Some cash back cards earn fixed or flat-rate rewards for every purchase. For example, you might earn 2% cash back every time you swipe your card. This structure makes for a simplified approach to using a credit card to earn rewards.
Other cash back cards earn rewards at varying rates, depending on the purchase. Cards like this provide bonus rewards in select purchase categories. For example, you might earn 3% cash back on travel and dining purchases but only 1.5% on purchases outside those categories.
Many people like the simplicity of cash back credit cards because they can easily redeem their rewards with little effort. If you value cash rewards, a cash back card may be your ideal rewards card.
Points
Some rewards cards earn points on purchases. The number of points you earn varies on the card. Some cards earn points at a fixed rate regardless of the purchase category. For example, a card may offer 2X points on every purchase.
Others earn bonus rewards at an elevated rate for select purchase categories, like travel or dining. For example, you may earn 3X points when using your card for dining and online grocery purchases. Understanding the reward structure of a particular card is essential.
Many rewards cards that earn points provide multiple redemption options. You can redeem your rewards for travel purchases, get a statement credit, or cash in points for gift cards. Verify the value of each redemption so you can choose a method that maximizes your rewards.
Miles
Some travel rewards credit cards earn miles. Similarly to cards that earn cash back or points, how you earn miles can differ from card to card. Review the rewards structure to know whether you'll earn miles at a fixed rate or if some purchases qualify for an elevated reward rate.
You may be able to redeem your miles for cash back or a statement credit to your credit card account. Alternatively, you may be able to redeem them for flights, hotels, or car rentals through a designated online travel portal.
Some premium rewards cards allow travelers to redeem their miles for flights by transferring their rewards to participating airline partners. This strategy is favored among frequent travelers because it can be a great way to maximize the value of their rewards.
If you're familiar with using credit cards, you can benefit from adding a rewards card to your wallet. You can earn points, miles, or cash back with minimal effort. But it's crucial to consider your financial situation before getting a new credit card.
Rewards cards are best for people who have good spending habits. You'll want to pay off your entire statement balance regularly to avoid expensive credit card interest charges and debt.
You should also consider your budget. Some credit cards with the best rewards have annual fees. But the good news is there are no annual fee credit cards that earn rewards.
Key Features of a Good Rewards Credit Card
Here are a few key features for a rewards credit card.
Bonus Rewards in Select Purchase Categories
Some rewards cards offer bonus rewards in select spending categories and earn rewards on everyday purchases. You can maximize the rewards by choosing a card with bonus rewards that align with your typical spending.
For example, a card might offer 3% cash back on travel and dining purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. You could benefit from this rewards card if you make travel and dining purchases often.
Valuable Perks
A good rewards credit card will have valuable benefits. If the card has an annual fee, the benefits should be worth the yearly fee. As you explore card options, review the included benefits.
Here are some credit card perks that may be available:
Purchase protection
Extended warranty coverage
Cell phone protection coverage
Travel protections
Statement Credits
Some rewards cards offer statement credits. If you make eligible purchases with your card, you can earn monthly or yearly statement credits to your account. This feature could help you save money.
Some of the best travel rewards credit cards offer travel credits that help frequent travelers save money on travel expenses.
Multiple Redemption Options
Look for a rewards card that provides multiple ways to redeem your rewards. This feature gives you more flexibility. Many of the best credit cards with rewards offer multiple ways to "cash out" your credit card points or miles.
It's important to understand the value of your points, miles, or cash back because some redemption options may be more advantageous if you want maximum value from your rewards.
Welcome Bonuses
Many of the best rewards credit cards have generous welcome bonus offers. You can earn a sizable stash of points, miles, or cash back by meeting the minimum spending requirement within a set timeframe.
If you're eligible to earn the welcome bonus and can afford to meet the spending requirements, this offer can be a great way to earn credit card rewards quickly.
How to Pick the Best Rewards Credit Card for You
There are many rewards credit cards, but not every one will align with your goals. Here are some considerations to make to help you choose your ideal card.
Consider Your Typical Spending Habits
Choose a rewards credit card that aligns with your typical spending patterns. By doing this, you can maximize your rewards.
Expert tip: “People should be looking at credit card rewards as a way to offset rising costs. They can benefit from owning and using rewards cards that earn large perks on their main spending categories, such as cash back, points, or miles on spending they are already doing.” — John Garner, credit card rewards expert and CEO of Odynn
Have a Plan for How to Redeem Your Rewards
Not all rewards credit cards offer the same redemption options. If you have a preferred way of using rewards, look for a card that aligns with your preferences.
As an example, some travelers prefer using a points or miles-earning card so they can redeem their rewards through a travel portal or by booking travel through select travel partners. Some cash back cards may not offer this option. Determine your redemption goals and then explore rewards card options that align with them.
Choose a Card With Perks You’ll Use
Many of the best rewards cards provide useful card perks. But not every benefit offered will appeal to you or add value to your life. Review ancillary card benefits when comparing rewards credit cards so you can choose a card with perks you’ll use. This step is especially important if you’re considering a rewards credit card with an annual fee.
Garner suggests asking yourself whether the card's perks are ones you'll use and whether the benefits outweigh the cost of the annual fee.
“Taking that a step further, which card provides the largest value to you over the cost of the annual fee?” Garner says. “This can help you choose your ideal card.”
Consider Your Approval Odds
Many of the best credit cards for rewards are intended for people with good to excellent credit. Before choosing a card, consider your credit history and credit score. You should also research recommended credit score ranges for rewards cards to know which cards will be ideal.
Some credit card issuers publish a recommended sore range or suggested credit type (fair, good, excellent) on their website. If you can't find this information, you can learn more about suggested credit scores by reading credit card reviews online or reading experiences shared by other cardholders at communities like myFICO® Forums.
Doing this research before you apply for a particular card reduces your odds of denial. But keep in mind that there are no guarantees of approval. In addition to your credit, other factors, like your income and debt-to-income ratio, are considered during the application process.
Using Your Rewards Credit Card: Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some suggestions to help you get the most out of using rewards credit cards.
Pay Attention to Fees (and Take Steps to Avoid Them!)
Review the fees associated with your rewards card. You can make strategic moves to avoid some. One costly but avoidable fee is credit card interest. You can avoid interest by paying your credit card's statement balance off monthly.
You can also avoid foreign transaction fees. Many of the best travel rewards cards highlighted above don’t charge them as an added benefit.
Be Strategic With Your Spending
Consider the best card to use when purchasing – especially if you have multiple rewards cards in your wallet. You can maximize the rewards by being selective about which card you swipe at checkout.
If you’re dining out and have a rewards credit card that earns 3X points on dining purchases, it wouldn’t be advantageous to use a flat-rate cash back card that earns 1.5% cash back. You’d want to use the card that earns bonus rewards on dining instead.
Explore Redemption Options and Understand Their Values
Research redemption options to get the most benefit from your credit card rewards. You may be able to cash out your points or miles for a statement credit, but that may not offer the most value.
If you like to travel and have a travel rewards card, check whether you can redeem your points or miles for hotel stays or flights.
Don’t Overspend to Earn a Welcome Bonus
Welcome bonuses can make it easier to earn rewards faster. But review the offer details for a sign-up bonus to ensure you can afford the minimum spending requirements.
Expert tip: “Before you chase a big welcome bonus, make sure you can meet the requirements with your regular spending. If your planned spending isn’t enough to hit the threshold, choose a card with a smaller welcome offer that you can realistically hit with your regular expenses.” — CFP and personal finance writer Hartill
Avoid Hoarding Rewards
If you're saving up your rewards for a specific redemption, that's great. But be mindful that you don't get into the habit of hoarding your points because you're indecisive or life is too busy. If you hold on to your points, they can lose value.
Credit card rewards programs can change anytime, and the points or miles required for some redemptions may become more expensive over time. It's better to use your rewards as soon as you can to maximize their value.
Rewards Credit Card Alternatives
If a rewards credit card isn't the right fit for you, explore other options. Here are a few alternatives to consider.
Secured Cards
You might not qualify for one of the best rewards credit cards, especially if you have limited credit. A secured credit card can be an alternative option for those with limited or no credit.
Most rewards credit cards are unsecured, meaning a security deposit isn't required to open an account. However, secured cards require the account holder to make a refundable security deposit as collateral.
Secured cards are a great option if you need to establish credit. However, many secured cards have minimal card perks and lack rewards.
0% APR Credit Cards
If you need help financing a large purchase or paying down credit card debt, consider applying for a 0% APR credit card. These credit cards offer zero interest throughout an introductory promotional period – typically 12 to 18 months.
Some zero-interest credit cards have an introductory 0% APR for purchases, while other 0% APR offers apply to balance transfers. However, some credit card zero-interest introductory offers apply to both.
You could save money on interest charges with this kind of card. Having more time to chip away at your balance could make financing a large purchase or eliminating credit card debt more manageable. Just ensure you pay the entire balance off before the promotional period ends. Otherwise, you'll be charged interest fees.
Methodology: How We Picked the Best Credit Cards for Rewards
When evaluating the best credit cards for rewards, we examined several factors. They include rates and fees, such as annual fees, purchase APRs, promotional APRs, balance transfer fees, and foreign transaction fees.
We also analyzed card features, including benefits, sign-up bonuses, how each card earns rewards, redemption methods, and bonus rewards opportunities. We also considered security, user experience, and customer service for each credit card issuer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Rewards Credit Card?
There are many top-rated rewards credit cards, but not every card is the right fit for you. The best rewards credit card has benefits you will get value from, earns rewards on your typical purchases, and provides redemption choices that align with your goals.
Which Is the Best Credit Card to Accumulate Points?
The best credit card to accumulate points is one that earns rewards for your regular spending. Consider cards with bonus rewards opportunities that align with your top spending categories to maximize earnings. If your spending varies across multiple purchase categories, consider having more than one rewards card in your wallet.
How Many Credit Cards Should I Have for Rewards?
Deciding how many credit cards to have in your wallet is a personal choice. Some people use multiple credit cards to maximize their rewards potential, while others feel comfortable using only one. You should only apply for a credit card if it fits your financial goals and budget, and you should only spend within your means.
Disclosures
Wells Fargo
Disclosure: This content is not provided by the issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of BestMoney alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer.
Bank of America
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
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