Best Rewards Credit Card Picks for 2024

Picking the right rewards credit card can be overwhelming with so many options available. CNBC Select has analyzed 111 popular rewards cards based on an average American’s annual spending budget to find the best options for various consumer habits. Whether you’re looking for a card that offers generous cash back, travel rewards, or benefits like dining credits, there’s a rewards credit card out there that suits your needs.

Key Takeaways:

• Choosing the right rewards credit card can help maximize points, benefits, and cash-back offers.
• Consider your individual spending habits and goals when comparing rewards credit cards.
• Look for cards that offer rewards in categories that align with your spending, such as dining, groceries, or online shopping.
• Pay attention to sign-up bonuses, introductory APR offers, and any annual fees associated with the card.
• Continuously evaluate your credit card choices to ensure they still align with your needs and lifestyle.

American Express® Gold Card

The American Express Gold Card is widely regarded as the best rewards credit card available in the market. With a range of exclusive benefits and rewards, this card offers exceptional value for cardholders.

One of the standout features of the American Express Gold Card is its generous rewards program. Cardholders earn 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, making it an ideal choice for foodies and frequent grocery shoppers. Additionally, cardholders earn 3X points on flights, allowing them to accumulate points faster while traveling.

But the rewards don’t stop there. The American Express Gold Card also offers 1X points on all other eligible purchases, ensuring that cardholders can earn rewards no matter what they buy.

Aside from the impressive rewards program, the American Express Gold Card provides several valuable perks. Cardholders receive a $120 dining credit each year, which can be utilized at participating restaurants and select delivery services. This feature is perfect for those who enjoy dining out and exploring new culinary experiences.

Additionally, cardholders receive $120 in Uber Cash annually, allowing them to enjoy convenient and discounted transportation options. Furthermore, the card offers baggage insurance, which provides peace of mind when traveling with valuable belongings.

With its exceptional rewards program and array of exclusive perks, it’s no wonder why the American Express Gold Card is considered the best rewards credit card on the market today.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a top choice for those seeking a credit card that offers excellent rewards points. With this card, you can take advantage of a generous welcome bonus and earn miles for various purchases.

Key Features:

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card comes with the following features:

• 5 miles per dollar on hotel and rental car bookings: Earn 5 miles for every dollar spent on hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel.
• 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases: Earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on all other purchases, making it a great option for everyday spending.
• $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit: This credit card covers the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, making traveling a breeze.

With these features, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card provides an excellent opportunity to accumulate rewards points quickly and maximize your travel benefits.

To illustrate the benefits of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, consider the following table:

This table demonstrates the competitive rewards rates offered by the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, especially for hotel and rental car bookings.

So, whether you’re planning a vacation or simply looking for a credit card that offers impressive rewards points, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a fantastic choice.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited Card is the best credit card for cash back rewards. With this card, you can earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, allowing you to maximize your savings on everyday expenses. Additionally, the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card offers a special introductory offer, giving you an extra 1.5% cash back on everything you buy in the first year. This means you can earn a total of 3% cash back on your purchases during the first year.

One of the key benefits of the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card is that it has no annual fees. This means you can enjoy the cash back rewards without worrying about any hidden costs or charges. The card also offers flexibility in how you redeem your rewards. You can choose to redeem them for statement credits, which can help reduce your outstanding balance, or opt for cash rewards, providing you with extra money in your pocket.

Whether you’re shopping for groceries, dining out, or making online purchases, the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card is a reliable companion that rewards you for your everyday spending. It’s no wonder that this card consistently ranks as one of the best credit cards for cash back.

See the table below for a quick overview of the key features of the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card:

With its generous cash back rewards, no annual fees, and flexible redemption options, the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card stands out as the top choice for anyone looking to maximize their savings. Apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card today and start earning cash back on every purchase.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is widely recognized as the best credit card for luxury travel. With its exceptional rewards program and exclusive perks, this card caters to the needs of discerning travelers seeking unique experiences and top-notch service.

When it comes to earning points, the Chase Sapphire Reserve sets itself apart. Cardholders receive 10X points on eligible hotel and car rental purchases, allowing them to accumulate rewards quickly. Additionally, they earn 3X points on other travel and dining expenses, ensuring that every adventure and culinary exploration is rewarding. For all other purchases, the card provides 1X points.

But the benefits don’t stop there. Holders of the Chase Sapphire Reserve enjoy a range of exclusive privileges that enhance their travel experiences. One of the standout perks is the $300 annual travel credit, which can be used towards flights, hotels, and other eligible travel purchases. This credit allows cardholders to offset a significant portion of their travel expenses.

Another fantastic benefit is the access to airport lounges worldwide. With over 1,200 Priority Pass lounges available, travelers can escape the hustle and bustle of crowded terminals and enjoy a peaceful and luxurious setting before their flight. This feature alone can transform the travel experience, providing a tranquil oasis amidst the chaos of airports.

Travelers also appreciate the comprehensive travel insurance coverage provided by the Chase Sapphire Reserve. From trip cancellation and interruption insurance to baggage delay insurance, cardholders can have peace of mind knowing that they are protected against unforeseen circumstances.

“The Chase Sapphire Reserve is more than just a credit card; it’s a gateway to extraordinary travel experiences. With its generous rewards program and premium travel benefits, this card truly stands out in the luxury travel market.”

To provide a visual representation of the benefits offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve, refer to the table below:

With its unbeatable rewards and benefits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the ultimate credit card for luxury travel. Whether you’re exploring the world’s most exquisite hotels, indulging in culinary delights, or seeking the tranquility of exclusive airport lounges, this card ensures that every journey is unforgettable.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is the best credit card for groceries. With this card, you can earn generous cash back rewards on your supermarket purchases, making it easier to save money on your groceries.

Here’s how it works:

• 6% Cash Back at U.S. Supermarkets: You’ll earn an impressive 6% cash back on up to $6,000 per year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets. Whether you’re stocking up on essentials or treating yourself to gourmet ingredients, you’ll be rewarded for every dollar you spend.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. Gas Stations: In addition to grocery rewards, the Blue Cash Preferred Card also offers 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations. So when you’re fueling up your car, you’ll earn cash back on your purchases.

But the rewards don’t stop there. The Blue Cash Preferred Card also offers cash back on select streaming services and transit:

• Cash Back on Select Streaming Services: You’ll earn a generous amount of cash back when you subscribe to popular streaming services. Whether you’re binge-watching your favorite shows or enjoying the latest movies, you’ll be rewarded for your entertainment choices.
• Cash Back on Transit: From public transportation to rideshares, the Blue Cash Preferred Card rewards you for your commuting expenses. Earn cash back on your daily commute or when you travel.

With its combination of high cash back rates on groceries, gas stations, streaming services, and transit, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is the perfect choice for anyone looking to earn substantial rewards on their everyday purchases.

Take advantage of this fantastic credit card and start maximizing your rewards today!

Citi Double Cash® Card

The Citi Double Cash Card is the best credit card with no annual fee. It offers 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% when you make a purchase and an additional 1% when you pay it off. The card has no complicated rewards categories and provides a straightforward cash back program.

Simple and Rewarding

With the Citi Double Cash Card, earning cash back has never been easier. You’ll earn 1% cash back when you make a purchase and an additional 1% when you pay it off. There are no limits on how much you can earn, and the cash back doesn’t expire as long as your account is open.

“The Citi Double Cash Card is a great choice for those looking for a no annual fee credit card that offers solid cash back rewards. With its straightforward earning structure and no complicated categories to worry about, cardholders can easily earn cash back on all their purchases without any hassle.” – Financial Expert

Whether you’re dining out, shopping online, or paying bills, the Citi Double Cash Card rewards you for every purchase. You can redeem your cash back as a statement credit, direct deposit, or a check.

Benefits and Features

Aside from its generous cash back program, the Citi Double Cash Card offers a range of benefits and features:

• No annual fee
• 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (transfers must be completed within four months of account opening)
• Citi Entertainment® perks, including special access to presale tickets and VIP experiences
• 24/7 customer service and account management

The Citi Double Cash Card is designed for individuals who want to earn cash back on their everyday purchases without having to worry about complicated rewards structures or annual fees. It’s a simple and rewarding credit card that offers great value.

Prime Visa

When it comes to online shopping, the Prime Visa card stands out as the top choice for consumers. This credit card offers a range of benefits that make it the ideal companion for your digital purchases.

Firstly, the Prime Visa card comes with no annual fee, allowing you to save more while enjoying the convenience of online shopping. You can shop freely without worrying about extra costs or hidden charges.

Additionally, this card offers 5% cash back and rewards at two popular retailers: Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market. This means that every purchase you make through these platforms will earn you valuable rewards. Whether you’re restocking your pantry or indulging in the latest tech gadgets, the Prime Visa card ensures that you get the most out of your online shopping experiences.

Furthermore, the Prime Visa card doesn’t impose foreign transaction fees, making it an excellent option for those who enjoy shopping internationally. You can explore online marketplaces around the globe without incurring extra charges, allowing you to access a wider range of products at competitive prices.

As a Prime Visa cardholder, you’ll also gain access to exclusive discounts and offers. These perks ensure that you enjoy even more savings and benefits while shopping online. Whether it’s limited-time promotions or early access to sales events, you’ll have the opportunity to maximize your online shopping experience.

To complement the informative content, a visually appealing table can be created to showcase the features and benefits of the Prime Visa card:

With its enticing benefits, the Prime Visa card emerges as the best credit card for online shopping. It combines convenience, savings, and rewards, providing you with an exceptional online shopping experience. Whether you’re purchasing essentials or indulging in luxury items, the Prime Visa card is the perfect companion for your digital shopping needs.

Get the Prime Visa card today and unlock a world of online shopping possibilities!

Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Chase Freedom Flex card is the best credit card for rotating bonus categories. With this card, cardholders can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in quarterly bonus categories that are activated each quarter. This allows individuals to take advantage of higher cash back rates in various spending categories throughout the year.

In addition to the rotating bonus categories, the Chase Freedom Flex card also offers 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. This makes it a great choice for those who frequently book flights, hotels, or rental cars. Furthermore, the card provides 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases, making it a versatile option for everyday expenses.

By leveraging the rotating bonus categories, cardholders can maximize their cash back rewards by strategically aligning their spending with the quarterly categories. Whether it’s groceries, gas, or entertainment, the Chase Freedom Flex card allows users to earn more rewards in the areas they spend the most.

Chase Freedom Flex Cash Back Categories

As you can see from the table above, the Chase Freedom Flex card offers a wide range of bonus categories throughout the year. This allows cardholders to earn extra cash back in different spending areas each quarter, providing flexibility and maximizing rewards potential.

Overall, the Chase Freedom Flex card is an excellent choice for individuals who want a credit card with rotating bonus categories. With its generous cash back rates and flexible spending options, this card is designed to help cardholders earn more rewards on their everyday purchases.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is the perfect credit card choice for those seeking the best travel rewards. With this card, you can earn 2X points on travel and dining, 5X points on Lyft rides, and 1X points on all other purchases. Not only can you accumulate points quickly, but you also have the freedom to redeem them for a variety of travel rewards.

One of the biggest advantages of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is its flexibility. You can transfer your points to airline and hotel partners, allowing you to maximize the value of your rewards. Whether you’re booking flights, hotel stays, or experiences, your points can be used to unlock memorable adventures.

Travel insurance is another perk offered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. This coverage provides peace of mind, protecting you against unexpected events that may disrupt your travel plans. From trip cancellation and interruption insurance to baggage delay insurance, you’ll have the support you need while exploring the world.

Now, let’s take a look at a real-world example of how the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card can enhance your travel experiences:

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you’ll earn 2X points on the $1,700 spent, accumulating 3,400 points. These points can be redeemed for a $34 value when booking through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal. Alternatively, by transferring the points to a partner airline or hotel, you may unlock even more value.

It’s clear that the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers incredible opportunities to earn and maximize travel rewards. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or simply enjoy exploring new destinations, this credit card can elevate your experiences. Don’t miss out on the chance to turn your everyday purchases into unforgettable adventures.

Citi Simplicity® Card

The Citi Simplicity Card is the best credit card for balance transfers. With its attractive features and benefits, it stands out among competitors in the market.

One of the key advantages of the Citi Simplicity Card is its introductory 0% APR for balance transfers. This means that for a specific period, cardholders can transfer their high-interest balances to the Citi Simplicity Card without accruing any interest charges. This provides an excellent opportunity to save money and pay off existing debt more efficiently.

The Citi Simplicity Card also distinguishes itself by eliminating late fees and penalty rates. This feature provides peace of mind to cardholders who may occasionally miss a payment. It ensures that a small oversight doesn’t result in additional financial burden.

Transferring balances to the Citi Simplicity Card is a straightforward process. Cardholders can easily migrate their high-interest balances from other credit cards or loan accounts. By consolidating their debt onto the Citi Simplicity Card, they can streamline their repayment strategy and potentially save thousands of dollars in interest charges.

In addition to its balance transfer benefits, the Citi Simplicity Card offers a range of other valuable features. It has no annual fee, making it an attractive option for those looking to minimize costs. Cardholders also enjoy access to Citi Entertainment, providing them with exclusive access to presale tickets and VIP experiences.

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

The Wells Fargo Reflect Card is the perfect choice for individuals seeking a credit card with a 0% Annual Percentage Rate (APR). This card offers a fantastic 0% introductory APR on both purchases and balance transfers for a specific period of time. With this feature, cardholders can make significant purchases or consolidate high-interest debt without incurring any interest charges.

Whether you’re planning to make a big-ticket purchase or looking to manage your existing debt, the Wells Fargo Reflect Card provides an excellent opportunity to save money on interest payments. Take advantage of the 0% APR offer and enjoy the flexibility and financial freedom it offers.

Key Features of the Wells Fargo Reflect Card:

• 0% introductory APR on purchases for a specific period
• 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for a specific period
• Opportunity to make substantial purchases or consolidate debt interest-free

With the Wells Fargo Reflect Card, you can confidently handle your financial needs without worrying about interest charges. It’s the best credit card for individuals looking to make the most of a 0% APR offer while enjoying the convenience and benefits of a Wells Fargo credit card.

Make the most of your financial opportunities and take control of your expenses with the Wells Fargo Reflect Card. Apply for this exceptional credit card today and experience the benefits of 0% APR.

Discover it® Student Cash Back

For college students looking to make the most out of their spending, the Discover it Student Cash Back card comes out on top. With its generous rewards program and added benefits, it’s widely regarded as the best credit card option for college students.

The Discover it Student Cash Back card allows students to earn 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter. These categories cover a range of everyday expenses, such as grocery shopping, dining out, and online purchases. Additionally, students can earn 1% cash back on all other purchases, ensuring rewards on every transaction.

One key feature that sets this card apart is the cash back match offer for the first year. Discover will match all the cash back earned during the first year of card membership. This means that students have the potential to double their rewards, making it an excellent choice for those looking to maximize their savings.

With its student-friendly features, the Discover it Student Cash Back card offers additional benefits tailored to college life. It provides free access to your FICO® Credit Score, allowing students to monitor and build their credit history responsibly. The card also offers a good grade reward, providing a statement credit for each school year with a GPA of 3.0 or higher for up to the next five years.

“The Discover it Student Cash Back card is an ideal option for college students who want to start building their credit history and earn rewards at the same time. With its cash back match offer and student-specific perks, it’s a smart choice for those looking to make the most out of their college experience.” – Personal Finance Expert

Why Choose the Discover it Student Cash Back Card?

• Earn 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter
• Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Cash back match for the first year of card membership
• Free access to FICO® Credit Score
• Good grade reward for maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher

Comparative Analysis

The comparative analysis above highlights the unique advantages of the Discover it Student Cash Back card. With no annual fee and a rewarding cash back program, it provides better value compared to its competitors. Moreover, the card offers student-specific perks that can help students establish a strong credit history while enjoying their college years.

Overall, the Discover it Student Cash Back card is the perfect companion for college students who want to earn cash back on their everyday expenses, build their credit, and enjoy student-specific benefits.

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

The Discover it Secured Credit Card is the best credit card for bad credit. With this card, individuals with low credit scores have the opportunity to rebuild their credit history and improve their financial standing.

Featuring a unique secured credit card design, the Discover it Secured Credit Card requires a security deposit that acts as collateral for the credit limit. This deposit serves as a guarantee to the credit card issuer, reducing the risk associated with lending to individuals with bad credit.

Despite being designed for individuals with bad credit, the Discover it Secured Credit Card doesn’t compromise on rewards. Cardholders can earn cash back rewards on their purchases, making it a valuable tool for improving credit while enjoying the benefits of a rewards program.

Discover it Secured Credit Card offers cash back rewards and the opportunity to rebuild credit.

Moreover, responsible use of the card can lead to an upgrade to an unsecured credit card in the future. This upgrade provides even more flexibility and opportunities to build a better credit profile.

Key Features of the Discover it Secured Credit Card

By utilizing the Discover it Secured Credit Card responsibly, individuals with bad credit can take significant steps toward rebuilding their credit and accessing better financial opportunities. With cash back rewards, the chance to upgrade, and the flexibility to manage credit limits effectively, this secured credit card is an ideal choice for those looking to improve their creditworthiness.

Conclusion

When it comes to finding a credit card with the highest rewards, it’s important to consider your individual spending habits and financial goals. By carefully comparing different credit cards, you can earn more rewards and maximize the benefits offered.

Whether you’re looking for cash back, travel perks, or discounts on specific categories like groceries or online shopping, there’s a credit card out there that suits your needs. Take advantage of the wide range of options available and find a card that aligns with your lifestyle.

Remember to pay attention to factors such as annual fees, interest rates, and reward redemption options. Some cards offer generous sign-up bonuses or introductory 0% APR periods for balance transfers, while others prioritize ongoing rewards for everyday purchases.

By doing your research and selecting the right rewards credit card, you can make the most of your spending and enjoy the benefits that come with it. So go ahead, find the credit card that offers the highest rewards for you and start earning more today!