Let me tell you a quick story. One morning, I bought a $3 coffee with my credit card. No big deal, right? But months later, after swiping the same card for groceries, gas, and takeout, I looked at my points balance and realized — this card had basically bought me another coffee… and a plane ticket!
That’s when I realized the magic of rewards credit cards. If you pick the right one, your everyday spending can actually give you something back — like cash, travel miles, or even free hotel nights. Of course, the trick is picking the right card, not just the one with shiny ads.
So let’s break it all down. We’ll talk about what rewards cards are, why they matter, and then walk through the 15 best rewards credit cards in the US right now — explained simply, with all the juicy details like rewards rates, intro offers, fees, and more.
Table of Contents
What Are Rewards Credit Cards?
Think of rewards cards as a “thank you gift” for spending money. You swipe, you buy something you needed anyway, and in return, the card company gives you:
- Cash back (real money back in your pocket)
- Points (little tokens you can trade for stuff like gift cards or shopping)
- Travel miles (points you can use for flights, hotels, or car rentals)
The cool part is you don’t have to do anything extra. Just spend as usual, pay your balance on time, and boom — you’re stacking rewards.
Why Trust Matters When Choosing Rewards Cards
Now, here’s the deal. Not every rewards card is a winner. Some come with high fees, confusing rules, or rewards you’ll never use. The best ones are simple: fair rates, strong perks, and rewards that match your lifestyle.
The 15 Best Rewards Credit Cards in the US
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Rewards Rate: 5× points on travel booked through Chase, 3× on dining (including delivery/takeout), streaming, and groceries, 2× on other travel, 1× everywhere else. (Chase)
- Intro Offer: 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Regular APR: 19.99%–28.24% variable
- Recommended Credit Level: Good to Excellent (700+)
This is a superstar for travel lovers. Think free flights, hotel stays, and even travel insurance packed in.
2. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Rewards Rate: 5% back on travel via Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores, 1.5% back on everything else. (Chase)
- Intro Offer: $200 bonus after spending $500 in 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 0% intro for 15 months, then 18.99%–28.49% variable
- Recommended Credit Level: Good (680+)
Perfect if you want “no-thinking” rewards. Just swipe and get money back.
3. Discover it® Cash Back
- Rewards Rate: 5% cash back in rotating categories each quarter (like gas or groceries), 1% on everything else. (Discover)
- Intro Offer: Cashback Match — Discover doubles everything you earn in year one.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 18.24%–27.24% variable
- Recommended Credit Level: Good (670+)
The first-year match is basically free money. Great if you like a little surprise each quarter.
4. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Rewards Rate: 2× miles on every purchase, 5× miles on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel. (Capital One)
- Intro Offer: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Regular APR: 19.99%–29.99% variable
- Recommended Credit Level: Good to Excellent (700+)
If you love traveling light, this card is simple: swipe anywhere, get miles.
READ ALSO: How To Improve Credit Score Fast Step By Step
5. Capital One VentureOne Rewards
- Rewards Rate: 1.25× miles everywhere, 5× miles on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel.
- Intro Offer: 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 in 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 29.74% variable
- Recommended Credit Level: Average to Good (650+)
A nice no-fee option if you’re just getting into rewards cards.
6. American Express® Gold Card
- Rewards Rate: 4× Membership Rewards points at restaurants and groceries, 3× on flights, 1× elsewhere. (American Express)
- Intro Offer: 60,000 points after $6,000 spent in 6 months.
- Annual Fee: $250
- Regular APR: 21.24%–29.24% variable
- Recommended Credit Level: Good to Excellent (700+)
If you’re a foodie or grocery spender, this is your card. Think date nights and Netflix snacks paid for later by points.
7. Citi® Double Cash Card
- Rewards Rate: 2% cash back on everything (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay it off). (Citi)
- Intro Offer: $200 cash back after $1,500 spent in 6 months.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 19.24%–29.24% variable
- Recommended Credit Level: Good (690+)
This one’s like the “keep it simple” card. You get cash back on literally everything.
READ ALSO: 20 Sweetest Places with Cheapest Rent in the US
8. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Card
- Rewards Rate: 3% cash back in a category you choose (like gas, dining, or online shopping), 2% at grocery stores, 1% elsewhere. (Bank of America)
- Intro Offer: $200 online bonus after $1,000 spent in 90 days.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 18.24%–28.24% variable
- Recommended Credit Level: Good (670+)
The pick-your-own-category feature makes this card flexible.
9. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Rewards Rate: Unlimited 2% cash back on purchases. (Wells Fargo)
- Intro Offer: $200 bonus after $500 spent in 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 20.24%–29.24% variable
- Recommended Credit Level: Good to Excellent (700+)
Simple and generous. Just flat 2% everywhere, no categories.
10. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Rewards Rate: 6% cash back at US supermarkets (up to $6,000/year), 6% on select streaming, 3% on transit, 1% elsewhere. (Amex)
- Intro Offer: $250 statement credit after $3,000 spent in 6 months.
- Annual Fee: $95 (waived first year sometimes)
- Regular APR: 19.24%–29.99% variable
- Recommended Credit Level: Good to Excellent (690+)
Best for families with big grocery and streaming bills.
READ ALSO: How to Earn $1,000 Per Month Online in the US
11. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Rewards Rate: 10× points on travel via Chase, 3× on dining, 1× on everything else. Plus travel credits. (Chase)
- Intro Offer: 60,000 points after $4,000 spent in 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $550
- Regular APR: 22.49%–29.49% variable
- Recommended Credit Level: Excellent (740+)
This one’s premium. If you fly often and love lounge access, this is your card.
12. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards
- Rewards Rate: 3% on dining, entertainment, streaming, and grocery, 1% elsewhere. (Capital One)
- Intro Offer: $200 bonus after $500 spent in 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 19.99%–29.99% variable
- Recommended Credit Level: Good (690+)
Perfect for foodies and movie-lovers.
13. U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
- Rewards Rate: 4× on dining, 2× on groceries, streaming, gas, 1× everywhere else. (US Bank)
- Intro Offer: 20,000 points after $1,000 spent in 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 19.49%–28.49% variable
- Recommended Credit Level: Good to Excellent (690+)
This one is strong on dining and has no annual fee.
READ ALSO: Best Loan App in the US: 10 Loan Apps That Give You Instant Cash When You Need Help
14. Hilton Honors American Express Card
- Rewards Rate: 7× points at Hilton hotels, 5× on dining, groceries, gas, 3× elsewhere. (Hilton Amex)
- Intro Offer: 80,000 Hilton Honors points after $1,000 spent in 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 20.24%–29.24% variable
- Recommended Credit Level: Good to Excellent (690+)
Great for hotel fans — stay at Hilton and pile up free nights.
15. Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
- Rewards Rate: 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% at gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores, 1% elsewhere. (Amazon)
- Intro Offer: $100 Amazon gift card upon approval.
- Annual Fee: $0 (with Prime membership)
- Regular APR: 19.24%–27.24% variable
- Recommended Credit Level: Good to Excellent (690+)
If you’re always on Amazon, this card is basically a must-have.
How to Pick the Best Rewards Card for You
Here’s a simple way to choose:
- Travel a lot? Go with Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture.
- Spend big on groceries? Blue Cash Preferred from Amex is your friend.
- Love Amazon? The Amazon Prime Visa pays you back big time.
Traps to Avoid With Rewards Cards
- Don’t overspend just for points.
- Always pay your bill — interest will eat rewards alive.
- Watch annual fees. If you’re not using the perks, don’t pay for them.
Tips to Maximize Your Rewards
- Pair a cash back card with a travel card.
- Use apps to track rotating categories.
- Redeem for high-value stuff (like travel), not low-value gift cards.
Conclusion – Swiping Smart, Living Better
Rewards credit cards are like tools. Use them wisely, and they give you free flights, hotel stays, or cash. Use them poorly, and they drain your wallet. The key is simple: pick the card that matches how you live, not just the flashiest ads.
So the next time you swipe for coffee, remember — that little purchase might just be your ticket to a free vacation.
FAQs About Rewards Credit Cards
Which rewards credit card is best for beginners?
If you’re just starting out, go with something simple like the Discover it® Cash Back or the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Both have no annual fee and straightforward rewards, so you don’t need a degree in points math to use them.
Do rewards credit cards hurt my credit score?
Not if you use them right. In fact, paying on time and keeping your balance low can actually help your score. The only time it hurts is if you apply for too many at once or miss payments.
Are rewards really free money?
Yes and no. Rewards are free as long as you pay your balance in full every month. If you let interest pile up, though, that “free” money disappears faster than cookies at a kids’ party.
Can I have more than one rewards card?
Absolutely. In fact, many people keep two or three cards to cover different spending categories (like one for travel, one for groceries, and one for gas). Just make sure you can manage them responsibly.
Do rewards points or miles expire?
That depends on the card. Some, like Chase Ultimate Rewards, never expire. Others, especially airline miles, can expire if you don’t use them for a while. Always read the fine print before you start saving points for that dream trip.
What’s better: cash back or travel rewards?
It depends on your lifestyle. If you travel often, travel cards can give you a lot of value. If you’d rather just get money back for everyday spending, cash back cards are the easier choice.
Can I use rewards to pay my credit card bill?
Yes! Many cash back cards let you redeem your rewards as a statement credit, which directly lowers your bill. That’s basically the card paying you back for using it.
Do I need excellent credit to get a rewards card?
Not always. Some cards like the Discover it® or Capital One VentureOne can work for people with “average to good” credit (around 650+). But the big premium ones, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, usually want excellent credit.
What happens if I forget to redeem rewards?
Some rewards sit safely in your account until you redeem them, while others can expire if left untouched. A smart move is to set a calendar reminder every few months to log in and check your points balance.
How do annual fees work with rewards cards?
Annual fees are like club memberships. If you use the perks — like free travel credits, lounge access, or higher rewards — the fee is worth it. If not, a no-fee card might make more sense.
Can I switch rewards cards if I don’t like mine?
Yes. Many banks let you “product change” to a different card without closing your account. That way, you don’t lose credit history or points. It’s like trading your card in for a new model.
