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PulseReporter > Blog > Travel > Step up your bank card reward recreation with these prime picks
Travel

Step up your bank card reward recreation with these prime picks

Pulse Reporter
Last updated: July 25, 2025 3:16 pm
Pulse Reporter 17 hours ago
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Step up your bank card reward recreation with these prime picks
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Contents
The perfect rewards bank cardsEvaluating the very best rewards bank cardsChase Sapphire ReserveChase Sapphire Most popular CardBlue Money Most popular Card from American CategoricalCapital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score CardThe Platinum Card from American CategoricalInk Enterprise Most popular Credit score CardInk Enterprise Limitless Credit score CardCiti Strata Premier CardChase Freedom LimitlessAmerican Categorical Gold CardWhat to think about when selecting a rewards bank cardMost popular rewardsWelcome bonusSpending habitsAnnual paymentHow we selected the very best rewards bank cardsRedemption choices for rewards bank cardsBackside line

Rewards bank cards are an effective way to earn priceless reward foreign money for bills you already make frequently. Plus, they make journey extra comfy because of transferable factors and miles.

In truth, transferable bank card factors reworked the best way I journey as a result of this foreign money is a lot extra priceless than factors earned instantly by way of an airline or resort loyalty program.

Coupled with common switch bonuses to pick out switch companions, transferable factors’ worth turns into far more evident. I can maintain onto my bank card rewards till I am prepared to make use of them, and if one switch associate unexpectedly will increase their redemption charges, I can swap to a distinct switch associate, defending myself from disagreeable devaluations.

Whatever the priceless rewards you earn on a bank card, prioritize utilizing it responsibly and paying your payments in full every month. In any other case, the curiosity and penalties you incur will seemingly be a lot greater than the worth of any rewards obtained.

Whether or not you’re a newbie traveler or an skilled one, a enterprise proprietor or a renter, listed here are my prime picks for the very best rewards bank cards.

The perfect rewards bank cards

Evaluating the very best rewards bank cards

This is a deeper dive so you may see how my prime suggestions for the very best rewards bank cards stack up.

Card Finest for Welcome provide Incomes charges Annual payment
Chase Sapphire Reserve Premium journey perks and credit Earn 100,000 bonus factors plus a $500 Chase Journey℠ promo credit score after spending $5,000 on purchases throughout the first three months from account opening.
  • Earn 8 factors per greenback spent on all purchases by way of Chase Journey℠
  • Earn 4 factors per greenback spent on flights and motels booked direct
  • Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eating
  • Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases

The Sapphire Reserve underwent a refresh on June 23. The incomes charges outlined above can be obtainable to new candidates upon receipt of their new Sapphire Reserve card. Current cardholders may have entry to the up to date incomes charges proven right here on Oct. 26, 2025.

$795
Chase Sapphire Most popular Card Newbie vacationers Earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
  • Earn 5 factors per greenback spent on journey bought by way of Chase Journey
  • Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eating, choose streaming providers and on-line groceries (excluding Walmart, Goal and wholesale golf equipment)
  • Earn 2 factors per greenback spent on all different journey purchases
  • Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
$95
Blue Money Most popular Card from American Categorical Fuel and supermarkets Earn a $250 assertion credit score after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.
  • Earn 6% money again at U.S. supermarkets on as much as $6,000 per calendar yr in purchases (then 1%)
  • Earn 6% money again on choose U.S. streaming subscriptions
  • Earn 3% money again on transit, together with taxis and ride-hailing providers, parking, tolls, trains, buses and extra
  • Earn 3% money again at U.S. fuel stations
  • Earn 1% money again on different purchases.

Money again is obtained within the type of Reward {Dollars} that may be redeemed as a press release credit score or at Amazon.com checkout.

$0 introductory annual payment for the primary yr, then $95 (see charges and costs)
Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card Incomes flat-rate miles Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases throughout the first three months of account opening.
  • Earn 5 miles per greenback spent on motels, trip leases and rental automobiles booked by way of Capital One Journey
  • Earn 2 miles per greenback spent on each buy, daily
$95
The Platinum Card from American Categorical Lounge entry

Discover out your provide and see if you’re eligible for as excessive as 175,000 Membership Rewards Factors after spending $8,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership. Welcome provides fluctuate, and also you might not be eligible for a suggestion.

  • Earn 5 factors per greenback spent on flights booked instantly with airways or by way of American Categorical Journey® (on as much as $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback)
  • Earn 5 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go motels booked with American Categorical Journey
  • Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
$695 (see charges and costs)
Ink Enterprise Most popular Credit score Card Maximizing enterprise purchases Earn 90,000 factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
  • Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on the primary $150,000 spent on journey and choose enterprise classes on every account anniversary yr
  • Earn limitless 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
$95
Ink Enterprise Limitless Credit score Card Freelancers Earn $750 after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
  • Earn limitless 1.5% money again on each buy
None
Citi Strata Premier Card Starter journey Earn 60,000 factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
  • Earn 10 factors per greenback spent on motels, automobile leases, and sights booked on CitiTravel.com
  • Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on air journey and different resort purchases, at eating places, supermarkets, on fuel and EV charging stations
  • Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
$95
Chase Freedom Limitless Versatile money rewards Earn $200 after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening.
  • Earn 5% money again on journey bought by way of Chase Journey
  • Earn 3% money again on drugstore purchases and eating (together with takeout and eligible supply providers)
  • Earn 1.5% money again on all different purchases
None
American Categorical Gold Card Eating at eating places Discover out your provide and see if you’re eligible for as excessive as 100,000 Membership Rewards Factors after spending $6,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership. Welcome provides fluctuate, and also you might not be eligible for a suggestion.
  • Earn 4 factors per greenback spent on purchases at eating places worldwide, on as much as $50,000 in purchases per calendar yr (then 1 level for the remainder of the yr)
  • Earn 4 factors per greenback spent at U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $25,000 in purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback spent for the remainder of the yr)
  • Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on flights booked instantly with airways or on AmexTravel.com
  • Earn 2 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go motels and different eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com
  • Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different eligible purchases
$325 (see charges and costs)

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Welcome provide: Earn 100,000 factors plus a $500 Chase Journey promo credit score after spending $5,000 on purchases throughout the first three months from account opening.

Annual payment: $795.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve card art
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: The Sapphire Reserve has just lately obtained a face-lift and options new reward-earning charges, credit and, sure, a huge annual payment.

Regardless of these modifications, the Sapphire Reserve nonetheless provides a stable worth proposition for many who can max out many of the credit and, in flip, offset the brand new $795 annual payment. Like its mid-tier sibling, the Sapphire Most popular (a card I maintain), the Sapphire Reserve earns Chase Final Rewards factors, one of the crucial priceless reward currencies available on the market — and one in all my private favourite currencies, because of its flexibility and Chase’s switch companions.

When you’re a frequent traveler who needs entry to credit that fit your way of life, the revamped Sapphire Reserve might be an incredible addition to your pockets, particularly with perks like an annual $500 The Edit credit score you need to use (for stays of two nights or extra) at 1,000+ hand-picked properties everywhere in the world.

For extra particulars, see our full assessment of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.


Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve


Chase Sapphire Most popular Card

Welcome provide: Earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual payment: $95.

Chase Sapphire Preferred card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: With a wonderful welcome bonus of 75,000 factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, the Chase Sapphire Most popular Card makes it simple to earn a number of priceless Final Rewards factors all for a low annual payment. You’ll be able to enhance your earnings with elevated rewards charges within the (massively standard) journey and eating classes.

Why it is nice for rewards: When family and friends ask me which card I like to recommend most for starting to gather rewards, I normally suggest this one, given its wholesome welcome bonus.

Although there are such a lot of nice Final Rewards switch companions, I’ve redeemed most of mine through the years by way of World of Hyatt for the easy motive that their award charts are actually cheap, and I do know I can at all times get nice worth like at The Grayson, an Unbound Assortment property within the coronary heart of New York Metropolis (which I’ve beforehand completed for a particular birthday journey to have a good time my husband).

With no resort charges on World of Hyatt redemptions, we loved 4 nights of lodging with no out-of-pocket prices, and he gasped when he noticed the view of the Empire State Constructing from our window.

I just lately redeemed 100,000 Air Canada Aeroplan factors (an Final Rewards 1:1 switch associate) for a ten.5-hour Lufthansa first-class flight from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), sitting within the nostril of the long-lasting “Queen of the Skies” Boeing 747-8.

It was among the finest flights of my life, together with being pushed throughout the tarmac in Frankfurt from the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in a personal luxurious automobile, having fun with caviar with all of the trimmings, loads of Champagne and an 81-inch mattress that was extra comfy than my mattress at dwelling.

the author in a Lufthansa first class 747 cabin
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY

That is the bank card I’ve held the longest and nonetheless love, and if you happen to’ve ever thought-about a rewards-earning bank card, now could be the best time to apply for the Chase Sapphire Most popular Card.

For extra particulars, see our full assessment of the Chase Sapphire Most popular Card.


Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most popular Card


Blue Money Most popular Card from American Categorical

Welcome provide: Earn a $250 assertion credit score after spending $3,000 in purchases on the primary six months of card membership.

Annual payment: $0 intro annual payment for the primary yr, then $95.

amex blue cash preferred card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: This card enables you to supercharge your money again with a powerful 6% money again at U.S. supermarkets on as much as $6,000 per yr calendar in purchases (then 1%) and on choose U.S. streaming providers on the Blue Money Most popular Card.

Why it is nice for Rewards: For a card that doesn’t cost an annual payment within the first yr, the Blue Money Most popular Amex will reward you handsomely. The $250 assertion credit score places you nicely in entrance, and that is earlier than you even issue within the 6% money again for U.S. supermarkets and choose streaming providers — which is among the many highest money again you may discover provided on any class on any card.

The three% money again provided on transit and U.S. fuel has a generously vast definition, overlaying most floor transportation choices, together with once you park your automobile. Due to this, I like to recommend the Blue Money Most popular as a terrific cash-back card and an particularly good possibility for bigger households with giant grocery payments. It is good to remember that money again is obtained within the type of Rewards {Dollars} that may be obtained within the type of a press release credit score or at Amazon.com checkout.

For extra particulars, see our full assessment of the Blue Money Most popular Card from American Categorical.


Apply right here: Blue Money Most popular Card from American Categorical


Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card

Welcome provide: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases throughout the first three months of account opening.

Annual payment: $95.

capital one venture rewards card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: Along with its industry-leading 2 miles per greenback spent on each buy, daily, once you guide motels, trip leases and rental automobiles by way of Capital One Journey, the incomes charge will increase to five miles per greenback spent.

This card additionally has rental automobile insurance coverage, journey help insurance coverage and as much as $120 utility payment credit score for International Entry or TSA PreCheck each 4 years.

Why it is nice for rewards: With no overseas transaction charges, this can be a nice card for touring in contrast with an American Categorical card, which I’ve discovered might not be accepted in fairly as many locations overseas. When you aren’t comfy paying the $395 annual payment of the Enterprise Rewards huge sister, the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card, the Enterprise Rewards annual payment is extra palatable with a $95 annual payment.

It nonetheless earns a powerful 2 miles per greenback spent on each buy. I like the 15-plus switch associate choices, particularly transferring my Capital One miles to Air Canada’s Aeroplan program to guide business-class flights to Europe in fancy lie-flat seats from as little as 60,000 factors or home flights on United from simply 6,000 factors in financial system.

Or, if you wish to guide a flight or resort that isn’t obtainable by way of a switch associate, it’s also possible to redeem Capital One miles at a charge of 1 cent every by way of Capital One Journey. This perk has helped me return dwelling from a number of the extra uncommon locations I’ve visited.

For extra particulars, see our full assessment of the Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card.


Study extra: Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card


The Platinum Card from American Categorical

Welcome provide: Discover out your provide and see if you’re eligible for as excessive as 175,000 Membership Rewards Factors after spending $8,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership. Welcome provides fluctuate and also you might not be eligible for a suggestion.

Annual payment: $695.

amex platinum card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: The Amex Platinum earns a beneficiant 5 factors per greenback spent on flights booked instantly with airways or with American Categorical Journey (as much as $500,000 on these purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback) and 5 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go motels booked with American Categorical Journey, and 1 level per greenback on all different purchases making it a wonderful journey companion.

This card is filled with annual credit* which might simply cowl the price of the annual payment, together with:

  • As much as $200 in assertion credit per calendar yr for incidental charges charged by one airline you choose with all main U.S. airways obtainable to select from
  • As much as a $200 annual resort credit score per calendar yr, within the type of a press release credit score, on pay as you go Amex Superb Lodges + Resorts or The Resort Assortment bookings with Amex Journey once you pay with my Amex Platinum (Resort Assortment stays require a two-night minimal)
  • An as much as $199 Clear Plus assertion credit score to assist cardholders cross by way of airport safety quicker at 50+ airports nationwide and stand up to $199 again per calendar yr on their membership (topic to auto-renewal) after they use their Platinum card
  • You obtain as much as $20 again in assertion credit every month on eligible purchases made in your favourite streaming providers like Disney+, a Disney+ Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Occasions, Peacock and The Wall Road Journal (as much as a $240 annual assertion credit score per calendar yr)
  • This card supplies as much as $200 per calendar yr in Uber Money, legitimate on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders within the U.S. (break up into month-to-month as much as $15 credit plus an as much as $20 bonus in December). Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account once you add the Amex Platinum as a fee methodology and redeem with any Amex card.
  • Obtain both a $120 assertion credit score each 4 years for a International Entry utility payment or a press release credit score as much as $85 each 4½ years for a TSA PreCheck (by way of a TSA official enrollment supplier) utility payment, when charged to the Platinum Card. Card Members accepted for International Entry may even obtain entry to TSA PreCheck at no extra price.
  • As much as $100 in annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit, break up into one as much as $50 assertion credit score between January and June, then one other as much as $50 assertion credit score between July and December

The Amex Plat supplies plenty of extra credit that I do not use myself, however they might profit you if you happen to frequent particular locations.

*Choose advantages require enrollment; phrases apply.

Why it is nice for rewards: I am unable to consider one other private card that provides extra perks than the almighty Amex Platinum. There isn’t any denying that the annual payment is a critical funding, however even if you happen to journey sometimes, the variety of journey advantages cannot be overwhelmed.

I like accessing the Centurion Lounges with my Amex Platinum, already open at 15 U.S. airports, with new lounges opening quickly. These areas function meals and drinks from award-winning cooks and prime mixologists and are value arriving early to take pleasure in earlier than your subsequent flight.

Do you know that if you happen to fly Delta on a same-day flight and present your Amex Platinum you may take pleasure in 10 Sky Membership visits yearly? Plus, if you happen to’re flying out of or by way of an airport with out a Centurion Lounge or Delta Sky Membership, eligible cardmembers can nonetheless entry greater than 1,400 lounges throughout 140 international locations because of American Categorical’ International Lounges Assortment.

I additionally worth the complimentary Gold standing with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. The Hilton standing for stays exterior america is very nice because it supplies complimentary breakfast for myself and any registered company (a meals and beverage credit score is obtainable at properties in america). Enrollment is required; phrases apply.

I do not use each credit score provided by the Amex Platinum yearly, however International Entry is such a time-saver to beat lengthy strains at TSA safety screening and immigration on arrival. Plus, by way of common journey and procuring annually, I do know I will simply use a number of of the credit that include this card (particularly the airline, resort, Saks Fifth Avenue and Uber Money credit talked about above).Collectively, these present a number of hundred {dollars} in advantages annually, serving to to offset the price of holding the Amex Platinum card.

For extra particulars, see our full assessment of The Platinum Card from American Categorical.


Apply now: The Platinum Card from American Categorical


Ink Enterprise Most popular Credit score Card

Welcome provide: Earn 90,000 factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual payment: $95.

chase Ink Business Preferred card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: This card provides each a beneficiant welcome bonus and the power to earn priceless Final Rewards factors, all for a low annual payment.

You will earn 3 factors per greenback spent on the primary $150,000 spent in mixed purchases annually on journey, delivery purchases, web, cable and cellphone providers, and promoting purchases made with social media websites and search engines like google and yahoo. In different classes (and after you attain that $150,000 mixed restrict), the cardboard nonetheless earns a good 1 level per greenback on all different purchases.

A number of journey and buy protections are additionally obtainable, together with cellphone safety, main automobile rental protection, journey delay reimbursement, journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage, buy safety and prolonged guarantee safety.

Why it is nice for rewards: Final Rewards are a number of the greatest bank card factors you may earn. Over time, I’ve discovered so many nice makes use of for them, particularly the power to switch them to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 charge for great-value resort stays like Crossbasket Fortress in Scotland, although this property as a part of SLH has now moved from World of Hyatt to Hilton Honors.

I am additionally a huge fan of KLM’s new premium financial system product which I charge as one of many world’s greatest and may switch my Final Rewards to Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue program at a 1:1 charge to guide flights to Europe from 40,000 Flying Blue factors.

The welcome bonus for this card is big, and the three factors per greenback incomes charge on so many classes by which the common enterprise proprietor spends frequently makes it simple to rack up Final Rewards factors.

For extra particulars, see our full assessment of the Ink Enterprise Most popular Credit score Card.


Apply right here: Ink Enterprise Most popular Credit score Card


Ink Enterprise Limitless Credit score Card

Welcome provide: Earn $750 after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual payment: $0.

chase ink business unlimited card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: Although we suggest paying your card off in full each month, the Ink Enterprise Limitless has an introductory 0% annual share charge (APR) for 12 months from account opening on purchases (rising to a 17.49% – 23.49% variable APR after that).

This card additionally provides:

  • Buy safety: For as much as 120 days towards harm or theft, as much as $10,000 per declare and $50,000 per account.
  • Auto rental collision harm waiver: Once you lease a automobile for enterprise functions, you may decline the rental automobile firm’s collision insurance coverage and be coated by the cardboard as much as the automobile’s money worth within the case of theft or collision harm on most leases each at dwelling and overseas.
  • Prolonged guarantee: Even if you buy one thing on the cardboard with a U.S. producer guarantee of three years or much less, the guarantee can be prolonged by a further yr.

Why it is nice for rewards: If operating your online business is sophisticated sufficient, this card provides a easy strategy to save 1.5% on each enterprise expense charged to the cardboard by way of its simple money again provide. The welcome provide places much more a refund in your pocket, and with no annual payment, you will be means out forward.

If in case you have staff with enterprise bills, you may difficulty them with playing cards as approved customers at no additional price and gather the cashback they spend on the cardboard. Simply remember you may be liable for all costs, although.

There’s additionally a neat means to show all that money again into Final Rewards factors that may be transferred to a spread of priceless airline and resort loyalty applications by pairing the Ink Enterprise Limitless Credit score Card with any of the next playing cards:

For extra particulars, see our full assessment of the Ink Enterprise Limitless Credit score Card.


Apply right here: Ink Enterprise Limitless Credit score Card


Citi Strata Premier Card

Welcome provide: Earn 60,000 factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Annual payment: $95.

citi strata premier card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: The Citi Strata Premier provides $100 off a single resort keep of $500 or extra, excluding taxes and costs, as soon as per calendar yr once you guide by way of Citi Journey. That is a simple strategy to cowl the price of the annual payment annually.

Why it is nice for rewards: This card tends to fly beneath the radar, and whereas another rewards playing cards provide bonus factors in a single or two main classes, the Strata Premier has been one of the crucial priceless playing cards I’ve ever held as a result of it options an incomes charge of three factors per greenback spent in standard classes together with air journey, different resort purchases, eating places, supermarkets, fuel and EV charging stations.

I am unable to consider one other card that earns 3 factors per greenback throughout so many classes the place I spend frequently. This has helped me to earn tons of Citi ThankYou Rewards, which I switch to applications like JetBlue TrueBlue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership and Singapore Airways KrisFlyer.

Virgin Atlantic’s incredible new Saver fares enable me to guide flights to London for as little as 6,000 Virgin factors (transferred from Citi at a 1:1 charge) plus charges, taxes and carrier-imposed surcharges, in addition to to fly again from Tanzania following a particular birthday safari in KLM enterprise class just lately, additionally with Virgin factors the place I collected one in all their cute Delft homes.

Once I guide journey by way of the Citi Journey portal, I earn an unbelievable 10 factors per greenback spent on motels, automobile rental and sights, which I worth as incomes 18.5% again as factors in line with TPG’s July 2025 valuation of ThankYou Rewards. This card is so rewarding for all of the journey I guide; the Citi Strata Card has been among the finest playing cards I’ve added to my pockets.

For extra particulars, see our full assessment of the Citi Strata Premier Card.


Apply right here: Citi Strata Premier Card


Chase Freedom Limitless

Welcome provide: Earn $200 after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening.

Annual payment: $0.

chase freedom unlimited card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: Earn not less than 1.5% money again on each buy you make on the cardboard, rising to three% money again on drugstore purchases and eating at eating places (together with takeout and eligible supply providers), and 5% again on journey booked by way of Chase Journey.

Why it is nice for rewards: I can respect not everyone seems to be as obsessive about loyalty applications as I’m, and also you would possibly simply need to be rewarded with uncomplicated money again. The Chase Freedom Limitless retains issues easy whereas nonetheless generously rewarding you.

I like to recommend this as an incredible possibility if you happen to’re in search of a card that earns greater than 1% money again on all purchases with out paying an annual payment, and the welcome provide additionally sweetens the quantity you may earn again within the first yr.

When you like to journey, then take into account the comfort of reserving flights, motels, automobiles, cruises and extra by way of Chase Journey. Not solely can this be a one-stop store on your subsequent trip, however you may earn a beneficiant and rewarding 5% money again on all journey booked through Chase Journey.

You can even convert the money again you earn from this card into transferable factors by pairing it with a card that earns Final Rewards factors, just like the Chase Sapphire Most popular Card.

For extra particulars, see our full assessment of the Chase Freedom Limitless.


Apply right here: Chase Freedom Limitless


American Categorical Gold Card

Welcome provide: Discover out your provide and see if you’re eligible for as excessive as 100,000 Membership Rewards Factors after spending $6,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership. Welcome provides fluctuate and also you might not be eligible for a suggestion.

Annual payment: $325.

hand holding the amex gold card
THE POINTS GUY

Standout advantages: This card offers you some ways to earn a couple of level per greenback, particularly if groceries and eating out (or ordering takeout) take up a whole lot of your funds.

There’s additionally a single $10 month-to-month eating credit score you need to use at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Manufacturing unit, Goldbelly, Wine.com and 5 Guys (as much as a $120 annual assertion credit score per calendar yr; enrollment required), plus $10 monthly in Uber Money, which can be utilized on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides within the U.S. (as much as a $120 annual assertion credit score per calendar yr). Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account once you add the Amex Gold Card as a fee methodology and redeem with any Amex card.

Why it is nice for rewards: I dine out frequently, particularly when touring and away from my dwelling kitchen, so this can be a nice strategy to eat my strategy to extra Membership Rewards factors.

For group dinners the place splitting the invoice on the restaurant will be awkward, I typically provide to pay on my card after which have my eating companions ship me their share of the examine. I can earn the factors for the whole examine — which might simply be hundreds of Membership Rewards factors for an enormous group dinner (enrollment required).

I like transferring this reward foreign money to British Airways Membership and Singapore Airways KrisFlyer.

Even past incomes 4 factors per greenback spent at eating places worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (as much as $50,000 every calendar yr for eating places and as much as $25,000 every calendar yr on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, then 1 level per greenback on different purchases), the month-to-month credit can shortly add up to cowl the annual payment annually. Even when I solely order from Grubhub, Uber Eats, and 5 Guys as soon as a month, the credit are critically rewarding. And that is earlier than I’ve factored within the as much as $100 annual Resy assertion credit each calendar yr (damaged down as two as much as $50 credit biannually; for purchases at U.S. Resy-affiliated eating places and different eligible purchases). Enrollment is required.

When you love consuming out at locations that settle for American Categorical, this card needs to be in your pocket.

For extra particulars, see our full assessment of the American Categorical Gold Card.


Apply right here: American Categorical Gold Card


What to think about when selecting a rewards bank card

It may be dizzying having so many alternative playing cards, every with completely different welcome bonuses, annual charges, incomes charges, assertion credit and different perks. It helps to set some parameters round how you propose to make use of a card and its accompanying rewards.

And bear in mind, you are not locked into one card for all times. I apply for, downgrade and cancel my playing cards comparatively frequently as my spending and journey habits evolve.

freelancer working on laptop
MASKOT/GETTY IMAGES

Most popular rewards

Contemplate whether or not you worth incomes money again or factors and miles you can switch to a associate program or redeem by way of a bank card journey portal.

There isn’t any excellent reply for this and it could rely in your private choice and journey types. If the concept of a number of switch choices, award charts and switch bonuses feels too advanced, maybe begin with a card that earns money again after which work as much as a product that earns factors or miles when you’re extra aware of the bank card rewards recreation.

Welcome bonus

It is tempting to scan a abstract desk and select the cardboard with the best welcome bonus — I’ve definitely been responsible of doing that.

However if you’re making an attempt to check a cash-back bonus of, say, $750, with a welcome bonus of 75,000 factors, it isn’t so simple as making use of a one-cent-per-point worth and assuming the 75,000 factors are value $750, as bank card factors are normally value greater than that, relying on the way you spend them.

Whereas a big welcome bonus of factors and miles can definitely sweeten the deal of making use of for a brand new rewards bank card, I might suggest checking the worth of any factors towards TPG’s present month-to-month valuations to place an approximate money worth on the welcome bonus.

Spending habits

Which classes do you are inclined to spend essentially the most in? Do the locations you store at settle for American Categorical? When you can decide this earlier than making use of for something, deciding which card will earn you essentially the most rewards is simpler.

When you plan to take the cardboard touring with you, guarantee it doesn’t cost a overseas transaction payment. In any other case, this payment will seemingly be greater than the worth of the rewards you’ll earn.

Annual payment

Some playing cards I’ve really useful carry annual charges of their first and subsequent years. Although no one likes paying an annual payment, it could be justified if the advantages of being a cardholder and the accompanying credit present worth that outweighs the payment.

A superb rule of thumb that I take advantage of to determine if and the way a lot of an annual payment I ought to pay on a rewards bank card is to attempt to discover a welcome bonus that’s valued greater than the annual payment for the primary yr. I then have a look at the worth of the advantages like assertion credit, bonus miles and journey protections and advantages to estimate whether or not they can be greater than the annual payment price within the second and subsequent years when the welcome bonus wouldn’t be relevant.

If doubtful, you can begin with a card with no annual payment to make certain you might be getting actual worth from it earlier than contemplating a card with an annual payment.

How we selected the very best rewards bank cards

We rated the very best rewards bank cards based mostly on a number of components, together with however not restricted to the welcome provides these playing cards present, reward incomes charges — particularly in standard bonus classes, switch companions and their charges and different perks related to every card.

Take a look at our methodology right here to find out how TPG evaluates and chooses playing cards for our roundups.

Redemption choices for rewards bank cards

For a cash-back bank card, I might suggest lowering your bank card invoice by making use of the money again earned from the cardboard.

When you’d moderately web that extra cash or put it towards different bills, most issuers assist you to redeem money again in varied methods — whether or not it is placing money again towards an Amazon.com buy, changing money again to factors relying on what different playing cards throughout the similar issuer household you’ve that assist you to do that or just placing money again into your checking account.

For factors and miles incomes bank cards, you may normally redeem the rewards by way of the cardboard issuer’s journey portal, normally at a charge of round one cent every (relying on the cardboard issuer). Bear in mind, although, that you’re going to get much better worth by transferring them to an airline or resort associate program.

Associated: Bank card switch companions: Information to transferring factors and miles to airways and motels

Backside line

Rewards bank cards have utterly modified the best way I spend and, subsequently, journey. I put each buy — even a pack of gum or a cup of espresso — on particular playing cards to maximise my spending and benefit from elevated incomes charges.

Whether or not you are a professional on the money again, factors and miles recreation or a newbie, use this information that can assist you work out which rewards bank card is greatest suited to your spending patterns, funds and way of life.

With low or no annual charges, my rewards bank cards have earned me a whole bunch of hundreds of factors and miles through the years. I’ve additionally loved advantages like airport lounge entry, elite resort standing, countless assertion credit and bucket-list journeys.

For Capital One merchandise listed on this web page, a number of the advantages could also be offered by Visa® or Mastercard® and will fluctuate by product. See the respective Information to Advantages for particulars, as phrases and exclusions apply.

For charges and costs of the Amex Gold card, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum card, click on right here.
For the charges and costs of the Blue Money Most popular Card, click on right here.

Associated: The perfect bank card welcome bonuses of March 2025

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