best travel card for everyday spending

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The 13 Best Credit Cards for Everyday Purchases in 2024 [Cash-Back & Points]

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What To Look For in a Credit Card for Everyday Purchases

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In the world of points, we always try to get our hands on as many of the highest-value points as possible. And trying to figure out the best card to use for each bonus category can drive you crazy. In an ideal world, you’d just have 1 credit card that covers every type of expense you’ll ever have.

But it rarely works like that. Sure, you might have a go-to card like the American Express ® Gold Card if you tend to eat out or go grocery shopping a lot, but what about all the other purchases in life?

Importantly, there is plenty of day-to-day spending and expenses that don’t fit into a specific bonus category. That’s why you need a credit card for everyday purchases, also known as miscellaneous purchases.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the aspects of a rewarding credit card for everyday purchases, and then we’ll split up our favorite picks into a section for personal cards and a section for business cards.

Let’s get started!

You may already know that the  Amex Gold card  is one of the best credit cards for dining  or that the  Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card  is one of the best business credit cards out there, especially for  advertising purchases . But when you look for a credit card for your everyday purchases, you’re specifically looking for a rewarding credit card for the non-categorized purchases out there.

You’re looking for the most rewarding credit card for other transactions, such as car maintenance , retail stores , clothes , medical bills , gyms , utilities ,  online shopping ,  movie theaters, and events . These types of purchases don’t fit perfectly into any single bonus category, and collectively, they can really add up in the long run.

That’s why having the best credit card possible for everyday purchases is so important. A rewarding credit card will provide the highest return on spend (ideally 2 points per dollar), low annual fees, a great credit card bonus offer , and the most miscellaneous perks.

So, with all that being said, let’s discuss our favorite credit card picks for everyday purchases. We’ll start with personal cards and then move on to the best business credit cards.

The 7 Best Personal Cards for Everyday Purchases

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

The Chase Freedom Unlimited ® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.

• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
• 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
• 1.5% back on all other purchases
• No annual fee
• Earn big on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• Everyday bonus on dining and drugstores
• Straightforward cash-back on all other purchases
• Ability to pool points
• 3% foreign transaction fee
• INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited ® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

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The Freedom Unlimited card is our top recommended personal credit card for everyday purchases.

This credit card earns you at least 1.5% cash-back on all purchases . You will also earn 3% cash-back on dining and drugstore purchases, as well as 5% cash-back on travel purchased through the Chase Travel portal .

By itself, earning 1.5% cash-back is great — however, if you also have an Ultimate Rewards credit card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card , Chase Sapphire Reserve ® , or Ink Business Preferred card, you can convert your cash-back into Ultimate Rewards points.

That means your 1.5%, 3%, and 5% cash-back would be equivalent to 1.5x, 3x, and 5x Ultimate Rewards points, respectively. According to our points and miles valuations , you would earn a minimum of 3% back on your spending !

Furthermore, this card has a $0 annual fee and comes with a 0% introductory APR period, as shown in the table above, which is an incredible perk.

Other benefits of the Freedom Unlimited card include purchase protection, extended warranty coverage , zero liability protection, secondary auto rental collision damage coverage , travel coverage , fraud protection, and more.

Why We Like Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

If you  only have the Freedom Unlimited card, your points are redeemable at a 1 cent per point value for cash-back, shopping at Amazon, gift cards, and travel through the Chase travel portal.

However, with an Ultimate Rewards credit card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you can dramatically increase the value of your points.

That’s because your cash-back is convertible to Ultimate Rewards points at a 1% to 1x ratio. You can transfer your points to numerous great Chase airline and hotel partners and then redeem them for incredible travel experiences like business and first class flights .

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card   is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees )
• Access to Capital One transfer partners
• $95 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Limited elite benefits
• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None
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The Capital One Venture card is our next-favorite card option for everyday purchases.

In the past, Capital One was more focused on offering cash-back rewards and products for those with lower credit scores, but in recent years, Capital One unveiled a new rewards program, Capital One Miles , with transfer partnerships that has resulted in the addition of another awesome rewards ecosystem to the mix.

Today, the Capital One Venture card is our runner-up for the best personal credit card for everyday purchases, and you’ll enjoy a generous welcome bonus. Earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel .

You’ll also earn an unlimited 2x Capital One miles on all non-bonus purchases you make with no caps ! In addition, you’ll get a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and no foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees ), all for a $95 annual fee only ( rates & fees ).

Uniquely, this credit card offers great travel protections and benefits , including lost luggage insurance, roadside dispatch, and travel assistance services.

You can also shop with peace of mind with the purchase security and extended warranty perks. Lastly, you’ll enjoy zero fraud liability and a fabulous rewards program.

Why We Like Capital One Miles

We love Capital One miles because they’re one of the major flexible rewards currencies. You can redeem your Capital One miles for statement credits for travel purchases, experience, gift cards, and more. We value Capital One miles at 1.8 cents each.

But our favorite way to redeem Capital One miles is to transfer them to airline partners for awesome flight experiences like Lufthansa first class and Etihad first class .

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

The Citi Double Cash ® Card  has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!

This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points . This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.

Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.

• Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
• Flexible redemption options
• No bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fees
• Lack of premium travel benefits
• Bonus Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou ® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
• To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
• Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
• If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
• There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• Citi Double Cash ® Card Travel Portal Limited Time Offer: Earn a total of 5 ThankYou Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rental, and attractions, excluding air travel, when booked through the Citi Travel SM portal on ThankYou.com or by calling 1-800-Thankyou and saying “Travel.” Offer is valid through 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) 12/31/2024.
• APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

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One of the most misunderstood credit cards is the Citi Double Cash card . This card offers some of the best rewards in the world with no caps. And as you become busier and busier, this card will be one of the best companions for unfussy rewards.

The Citi Double Cash card earns 2% cash-back (1% when you purchase and 1% when you pay it off, earned as ThankYou Points), which can be redeemed in many ways.

Other unique features include flexible pay dates, access to Citi Private Pass for event tickets, fraud protection, zero liability for unauthorized purchases, and a late fee pass.

Why We Like Citi ThankYou Rewards Points

We love earning Citi ThankYou Points because of their flexibility as a currency.

Normally, your rewards from the Citi Double Cash card can be redeemed for cash-back, gift cards, travel through the Citi Travel Portal , or transferred to Choice, Wyndham, or JetBlue.

However, if you have a premium ThankYou Rewards credit card such as the Citi Premier ® Card or the Citi Prestige ® Card , you can access all of Citi’s transfer partners to redeem for jaw-dropping flights like Emirates first class and ANA first class .

This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.

The Blue Cash Preferred ® Card from American Express is a stellar cash-back credit card for those looking to maximize every purchase they make.

With bonus categories like U.S. supermarkets, select streaming services, U.S. gas stations, and transit purchases , this card rewards you for the items you spend the most on in a big way! For those looking to earn up to 6% cash-back on their purchases , this could be the card for you!

• 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year) and on select streaming services
• 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
• 3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshares, parking, etc.)
• 1% cash-back on all other purchases
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It ® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
• Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
• 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
• 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
• 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
• 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
• Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
• Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred ® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
• Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred ® Card. Enrollment required.
• Terms Apply.
• APR: 19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

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The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card  is yet another excellent choice for those interested in great rewards and who want to maximize cash-back.

This card earns:

• 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)
• 3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more)
• 1% cash-back on other purchases

Earning 6% cash-back on any card is an achievement by itself, but this card offers that and much more.

Hot Tip: Despite being a card with an annual fee, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card makes up for it with its excellent 0% Intro APR offer !

In addition to a hefty statement credit welcome bonus offer, you’ll find that this card also offers several benefits, where you’ll get up to $120 Equinox credits per year , $7 monthly credit after spending $9.99 per month or more on The Disney Bundle , return protection, fraud protection, and secondary car rental coverage. Enrollment is required for some of the statement credit benefits mentioned.

Bank of America ® Premium Rewards ® credit card

The Bank of America Premium Rewards card is a great travel rewards card for those looking for a simple approach to earning and redeeming rewards.

The Bank of America ® Premium Rewards ® credit card  is a great option for anyone looking for a travel rewards card with a simple approach to how you earn and redeem your rewards.

From travel and purchase protections to airline incidental and Global Entry credits, there is plenty to love about the Bank of America Premium Rewards card.

Plus, those that hold status in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program can get even more value from the card by boosting their rewards by 25% to 75%!

• 2x points per $1 on travel and dining purchases
• 1.5x points per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to $100 annual airline incidental statement credit
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck statement credit
• No foreign transaction fees
• Travel protections
• Purchase protections
• Boost your rewards rate with the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program
• $95 annual fee
• Points are worth a fixed 1 cent per point, so it isn’t possible to get outsized redemptions via airline and hotel transfer partners
• Receive 60,000 online bonus points – a $600 value – after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87-2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
• No limit to the points you can earn and your points don’t expire.
• Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America ® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill ® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck ® /Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Low $95 annual fee.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
• APR: 20.24% - 27.24% Variable
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The Bank of America Premium Rewards card  has the potential to be a lucrative credit card if you have an extensive banking relationship with Bank of America.

This card earns 2x points on travel and dining and 1.5x points elsewhere . However, if you are an elite member of Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program, you’d earn up to 75% in bonus points, which could elevate your earnings to 3.5x points on travel and dining and 2.625x points everywhere else .

You’ll also get up to $100 as an airline incidental credit, up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and travel protections like trip delay, trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage delay, baggage loss, emergency evacuation, transportation, and travel, emergency assistance, and rental car coverage.

This cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!

When it comes to cash-back credit cards, there are dozens of options to choose from. So what sets the Blue Cash Everyday ® Card from American Express  apart from the rest?

This card is excellent at earning cash-back on your everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases. So if you regularly spend money on everyday purchases, this could be the perfect card to add to your wallet.

• 3% back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
• 3% back on purchases at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
• 3% back on purchases on online retail purchases on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
• Monthly credit towards The Disney Bundle
• Monthly credit towards Home Chef
• Rewards are not flexible and can only be redeemed for cash-back. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
• Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
• No Annual Fee.
• Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
• 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
• Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday ® Card. Enrollment required.
• Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday ® Card.
• APR: 19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 15 months
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The Amex Blue Cash Everyday card is unique because it has a special bonus category — online shopping! This card earns 3% cash-back at U.S. online retailers (up to $6,000 in yearly purchases). This is a broad category that includes the following types of online stores:

• Apparel, footwear, and accessories stores
• Auto and home supply stores
• Book stores
• Computer and electronics stores
• Department stores
• Furniture stores (like Wayfair.com)
• Major retailers (like Amazon.com)
• Personal and household care
• Pet stores (like Chewy.com)
• Sporting goods stores
• Toy and hobby stores

Additionally, this card earns 3% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases each year) and 3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 in purchases each year). All other purchases earn 1% cash-back.

The Amex Blue Cash Everyday card comes with additional perks like:

• $7 back monthly after using your Amex Blue Cash Everyday card to spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu , and ESPN+. Enrollment required.
• Earn up to $15 back monthly — an annual savings of up to $180 — when you order online at Home Chef . Enrollment required.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash card earns 2% cash rewards on purchases with no annual fee.

• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
• 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5
• Cell phone protection
• No bonus categories for those who want to optimize certain purchases
• Select “Learn More” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
• $0 annual fee.
• No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature ®  Concierge.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction converted to U.S. dollars.
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If you don’t want to worry about keeping track of bonus categories and prefer to earn an uncapped 2% cash rewards on all purchases, the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card might be an excellent option.

Plus, the card comes with a solid welcome bonus offer, $0 annual fee, cellphone insurance protection, and an excellent 0% Intro APR for purchases and balance transfers.

The 6 Best Business Cards for Everyday Purchases

Now that we’ve combed through our favorite personal credit cards for everyday purchases let’s take a deep dive into the best business cards for everyday purchases.

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business ® Plus Credit Card from American Express .

With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees ).

The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.

Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.

• 2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
• Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
• No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost
• No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
• No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status
• Charges foreign transaction fees
• Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards ® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
• You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
• *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
• No Annual Fee
• Terms Apply
• APR: 18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
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The Amex Blue Business Plus card is our favorite business card for everyday purchases. You’ll seamlessly maximize your everyday purchases all for a $0 annual fee.

Specifically, you’ll earn 2x points on everyday business transactions , up to $50,000 per calendar year. You’ll also get a solid 0% intro APR for purchases as mentioned in the table above. If you max out the 2x points, your earnings will then drop to 1x points. With this card, you’ll also enjoy additional employee cards with no additional cost ( rates & fees ), purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and access to Membership Rewards .

Why We Like Amex Membership Rewards Points

The Amex Blue Business Plus card is one of the only credit cards that allows you to access transferable points with a $0 annual fee.

Amex points are among the easiest to redeem, but according to our valuations, they are the most valuable transferable points.

You can redeem your Amex points for statement credits, gift cards, Amazon purchases, and travel bookings through AmexTravel.com , but these options don’t yield the most value.

Instead, the best way to redeem your Amex Membership Rewards points is to transfer them to one of the Amex transfer partners .

Remember, you don’t need any other credit cards to access transfer partners — this $0 -annual-fee business credit card is all you need!

Earn up to 5% cash-back for your business without complex bonus earning categories!

Chase has introduced the Ink Business Premier ® Credit Card  to its business credit card lineup. With straightforward cash-back earnings on everyday purchases and large expenses, tools to help you monitor your business, and multiple ways to redeem your rewards, this is a great card option to consider.

• Earn 2.5% total cash-back on purchases of $5,000 or more
• Earn 2% cash-back on all other business purchases
• Unlimited 5% total cash-back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance
• No additional cost for employee cards
• Primary rental car coverage
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty coverage
• $195 annual fee
• Some purchases need to be paid in full each month and don’t qualify for Flex for Business APR
• Rewards cannot be pooled with Chase cards that offer access to transfer partners
• Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Earn unlimited 2.5% total cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases.
• Travel Benefits: Unlimited 5% total cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, No Foreign Transaction Fees and Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance.
• The only business credit card with 2.5% cash back on every purchase of $5,000 or more.
• Get the buying power you need to make large purchases, cover monthly expenses and help your business grow. While you must pay your Pay In Full balance each month, this card has built-in flexibility. The Flex for Business feature allows for qualifying purchases to be paid over time with interest.
• Purchase with confidence with built-in protections like Fraud Protection, Zero Liability Protection, Purchase Protection, Cell Phone Protection, and Extended Warranty Protection.
• There's no additional cost for employee cards. Monitor spend with digital tools like purchase alerts, set spending limits, reporting, and more.
• APR: Flex for Business Variable APR: 19.49% - 27.49%
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One of Chase’s newest cards is the Ink Business Premier card , and it currently has a welcome bonus offer plus almost unbeatable cash-back rewards for high-spending businesses.

Your purchases will earn rewards according to 2 reward structures:

• 5% cash-back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• 2.5% cash-back on purchases of at least $5,000
• 2% cash-back on other purchases

These cash-back rewards cannot be converted to Ultimate Rewards points, so keep that in mind.

The Ink Business Premier card is a Pay In Full card with no preset spending limit but cannot carry a balance. But even then, some purchases are eligible to be carried over time with interest through the card’s Flex for Business feature.

You can use your cash-back for statement credits, online shopping, Chase travel purchases, gift cards, and more.

This card also has fantastic travel insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, cell phone protection, no foreign transaction fees, and no additional fee employee cards.

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.

As a business owner, you likely keep pretty busy and probably prefer a credit card that just keeps things simple.

If so, the Ink Business Unlimited ® Credit Card might be just the card for you. From zero annual fee to a flat cash-back rate, the card is a no-frills option that you don’t have to think twice about.

Don’t forget too, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter

• 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
• Employee cards at no additional cost
• Earn flexible rewards
• Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards ® .
• Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
• APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
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The Ink Business Unlimited card is our runner-up business credit card because it will earn you simple rewards with no bonus categories.

Similar to the Freedom Unlimited card mentioned above, earn 1.5% cash-back on all your purchases with no caps.

In addition, you’ll get a 0% introductory APR, as detailed in the table above, which should help you avoid interest fees during the intro period.

This card has a $0 annual fee and allows you to add unlimited employee cards with no additional fees. Also, you’ll get zero liability fraud protection, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, primary rental car coverage , and other benefits !

Remember, if you have an Ultimate Rewards card like the Ink Business Preferred card, you can convert your 1.5% cash-back to 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points, effectively doubling the value of your rewards.

The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is a great option for business owners looking for an uncomplicated rewards card that earns double miles on every purchase they make and offers access to transfer partners, all for a low annual fee.

• Unlimited 2x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
• 5x miles per $1 spent on hotel and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge per year
• Up to a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• Free employee cards
• Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
• Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
• Unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
• Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck ® or Global Entry
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
• Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
• APR: 26.24% (Variable)
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Our next business credit card is an excellent choice for everyday purchases. Specifically, the Capital One Spark Miles card is great for business owners who want unlimited 2x Capital One miles on every purchase with no blackouts or seat restrictions and no minimum to redeem.

You’ll first get a 1-time welcome bonus offer. You’ll also enjoy 5x miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel, in addition to your 2x miles elsewhere.

This card offers up to $100 credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fees, no additional-cost employee cards, no foreign transaction fees, roadside assistance, zero fraud liability, extended warranty, purchase security, and much more.

Take control of your cash-back with the Amex Blue Business Cash card, and earn 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in purchases each year.

Looking for a way to keep tabs on your office supply costs and business travel expenses while earning cash-back? Then The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card  could be a good fit.

This card offers expense management solutions that are designed to give companies more control, along with a much clearer picture of their business spending. In doing so, the more you spend, the more cash-back you can earn.

• 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in spend, then 1% back thereafter
• Travel and purchase protection
• Not ideal for those who spend a lot on a specific category like groceries or gas
• Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
• 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% – 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
• Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
• From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
• Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
• APR: 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars
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The Amex Blue Business Cash card earns great cash-back rewards without having to worry about bonus categories. This card is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an organized way to manage business expenses while earning cash-back rewards.

Earn 2% cash-back on all eligible purchases of up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% thereafter. Also, any cash-back earned is automatically credited to your statement, so you don’t have to worry about redeeming your rewards — they’re redeemed automatically for you!

The card also comes with a 0% intro APR for purchases, as detailed in the table above, which can help you grow your business and defer interest accrual.

Other worthwhile benefits include purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus card offers an unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases and helpful features for business owners.

The information regarding the Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card is great for business owners looking to improve their bottom line by earning 2% cash-back on all purchases without a high annual fee. Further, with no preset spending limit, the ability to get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000, and no-additional-fee employee cards, there is something that every business owner will love ( rates & fees ).

• Unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases
• 5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• No preset spending limit
• Get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000 ( rates & fees )
• Payment flexibility (pick your own due date)
• $150 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
• Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
• Comes with no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history and credit profile
• Get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Add employee cards for free, and earn unlimited 2% cash back from their purchases
• $150 annual fee
• Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month
• 10 Best Ways To Earn Lots of Capital One Cash-back Rewards
• Capital One Launches New Spark Cash Plus Card for Businesses

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus card  is the last business credit card for everyday purchases that we’ll review — and it’s one worth considering because you can earn an unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases. It also has no preset spending limit which means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.

You’ll earn a 1-time new cardmember offer to start and get zero fraud liability, free employee cards, roadside assistance, no foreign transaction fees, extended warranty, and purchase security.

When making everyday purchases that don’t fit neatly into a bonus category, expecting to earn 4x or 5x points like you could on dining, groceries, and airfare is unreasonable.

However, with the right personal or business credit cards, you can still make the most of these purchases, earning up to 2x points per dollar spent!

Be sure to do your homework and choose the cards that best fit your needs, whether it be low annual fees, transfer partnerships, or card benefits.

We hope you’ve found this guide useful in helping you figure out the best credit cards for everyday purchases.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa ® or Mastercard ® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

For the return protection benefit of the Blue Cash Preferred ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of the Blue Cash Preferred ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the purchase protection benefit of The Blue Business ® Plus Credit Card from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the extended warranty benefit of The Blue Business ® Plus Credit Card from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the purchase protection benefit of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the extended warranty benefit of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

The information regarding the Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Bank of America ® Premium Rewards ® credit card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information for the Citi Prestige ® Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Information regarding the Capital One Spark Miles for Business was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.   For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred ® Card from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday ® from American Express, click  here . For rates and fees of The Blue Business ® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click  here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best credit card for everyday purchases.

Our best personal cards for everyday purchases are the Freedom Unlimited card, Capital One Venture card, Citi Double Cash card, Amex Blue Cash Preferred card , Bank of America Premium Rewards card, and Amex Blue Cash Everyday card.

Our best business cards for everyday purchases are the Ink Business Unlimited card, Amex Blue Business Plus card, Capital One Spark Miles card, Amex Blue Business Cash card, and Capital One Spark Cash Plus card .

Should I use a credit card for everyday purchases?

Yes! You should absolutely use a credit card for all the purchases you can, provided you can pay them all off in full without accruing any interest or late fees.

Is it good to use a credit card for everyday purchases?

Yes, it is! These everyday purchases can add up to a lot of money over the course of a year, so it makes a lot of sense to maximize your spending by using the right credit card.

What purchases help build credit?

Pretty much any responsible usage of credit will build credit. If you consistently make payments, avoid maxing out your credit cards, and pay your bills on time, you’ll build your credit quickly.

What credit cards have no spending limit?

Charge cards have no preset spending limit, but this doesn’t mean you can spend an unlimited amount of money.

This means that your spending limit will be adjusted instead of a traditional credit limit based on your spending habits, payment history, and other factors made available to the card issuer.

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The Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

April 5, 2024

How we Choose

Whether you’re an occasional traveler looking to save on your next vacation or a frequent traveler looking for premium travel perks, there’s a travel rewards card for you. We’ll break down our top picks for the best travel rewards credit cards.

Best travel credit cards of May 2024

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best welcome bonus
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best for flat-rate rewards
• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for luxury travel
• American Express® Gold Card : Best for foodies
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card : Best first travel card
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : Best for occasional travelers
• Citi Premier® Card : Best for everyday spending
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best for annual credits
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® : Best for pairing with Chase cards
• Credit One Bank Wander® Card : Best for fair credit
• Discover it® Miles : Best for no annual fee
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card : Best for gas and transit
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card : Best for budget flyers
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card : Best for travel credits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best for point value
• United Quest℠ Card : Best for United MileagePlus members

Additional Options:

• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Best hotel credit card
• American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®: Best no-annual-fee airline card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Rewards rate

At a glance, overall rating, why we like this card.

This card has one of the highest sign-up bonuses you’ll find with a mid-level travel card. Plus, it offers generous rewards for your travel and dining purchases and additional benefits like a 25% boost in points value when you redeem your rewards through the Chase Travel℠ portal.

• You'll find more benefits with this card than with other mid-level travel cards, including an anniversary boost and a hotel credit.
• Instead of the typical 1-cent–per-point value you might find on rival travel cards, you can enjoy 25% more value when you book travel through Chase Travel℠.
• Bonus categories are limited to travel and dining, so you have little flexibility in how you earn rewards.
• The card lacks attractive travel perks like airport lounge access or security precheck credits.

Bottom Line

If you are hoping to fast-track your way to your next trip, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers ample opportunities to earn rewards, along with a generous sign-up bonus.

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
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Rates & Fees

Capital one venture rewards credit card.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a great flat rate of 2X miles for all purchases and gives you ultimate flexibility for redemption, including for travel purchases booked outside of the Capital One portal non-travel rewards, such as gift cards (though you may get a lower value). You can also enjoy additional benefits, like an up to $100 credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, that can help offset the $95 annual fee.

• Simple earning structure and flexible redemption options
• Generous sign-up bonus
• Lack of large domestic travel transfer partners
• Low redemption value unless using select airlines

The Capital One Venture Card is a top-notch travel card that offers simplicity and valuable perks without the pricey annual fees associated with many premium cards in this category or skimping on rewards.

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

The Platinum Card® from American Express

See if you’re pre-approved for this card using our CardMatch tool .

This popular premium card from American Express comes fully-loaded with travel benefits, including luxury lounge access, Hilton Honors gold status (enrollment required), no foreign transaction fees and an impressive list of travel benefits that will help offset the $695 annual fee.

This card currently touts a generous welcome offer: You can earn 80,000 points if you spend $8,000 in your first six months of card membership, which we estimate to be worth around $800 when you book through AmexTravel (where points are worth around 1 cent each).

• Extensive list of travel credits and premium perks
• Ability to transfer points to a host of airline partners, including Delta Airlines
• Limited amount of bonus categories
• Expensive annual fee

For frequent travelers or those looking to make their dream vacation a reality, the Amex Platinum checks every box and provides generous travel credits to offset its high annual fee.

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

American Express® Gold Card

The Amex Gold card offers an industry-leading 4X points at restaurants (including U.S. takeout and delivery) and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) as well as 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com.

It also features dining benefits, such as an up to $120 in yearly statement credits on select restaurants, including Grubhub and The Cheesecake Factory, and up to $120 in Uber cash annually. In addition to the foodie-friendly rewards rate, this card offers a valuable introductory offer and travel perks like baggage and car rental insurance when you book with your Gold card.

• If you spend a lot on food and dining, its industry-leading rewards rate on restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases is hard to beat.
• Like the Amex Green card, you can transfer points to multiple air travel partners, including Delta Airlines, and hotel partners, like Hilton Honors.
• Its annual fee is pricier than what’s on some travel credit cards.
• You must redeem travel rewards through amextravel.com.

The Amex Gold is one of the best cards on the market with its generous rewards rate and lucrative introductory offer. If food and travel account for a large portion of your spending, this card’s value more than covers the $250 annual fee.

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

This card is ideal as a first travel card because you don’t have to strategize to offset an annual fee every year, but can still enjoy terrific travel benefits. You can redeem for various travel purchases like hotels, rental cars and flights either through Capital One’s travel portal or other travel websites. Plus, you can transfer your rewards to partner loyalty programs — adding more flexibility in your travel.

• No need to offset the cost of an annual fee
• Low minimum spend for sign-up bonus
• Lower rewards rate and less perks than cards with an annual fee
• Reduced value of your miles when you use the rewards for non-travel redemption options, such as statement credits or gift cards

This card offers a straightforward earning structure and an attainable sign-up bonus, allowing cardholders to rack up miles while not worrying about an annual fee.

• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is a great choice for infrequent travelers who want ultimate flexibility when it comes to earning and redeeming rewards. Cardholders can redeem points for statement credit to pay toward travel expenses, like flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars or baggage fees. Additionally, you can redeem for dining purchases.

You can also take advantage of its sign-up bonus — 25,000 online bonus points if you spend $1,000 in your first 90 days, redeemable for a $250 statement toward travel and dining made on your credit card within the last 12 months, including on third-party sites like Expedia or Travelocity.

• Ultraflexible redemption policy that can cover some purchases outside travel
• Can redeem rewards as a statement credit months after the initial travel or dining purchase
• Rewards rate for travel purchases not as lucrative as others in this category
• Not the most valuable sign-up offer

Despite the fact that cardholders won’t be able to weigh spending toward a particular category to maximize their points, this card is a great fit for occasional travelers who still want to earn rewards but without having to pay an annual fee.

• Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Citi Premier® Card

If you can’t decide between a travel or general rewards credit card, the Citi Premier offers the best of both worlds with a rewards rate of 3X points for every $1 spent on air travel, hotels, restaurants, gas stations and supermarkets, as well as one point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10X points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel portal through June 30, 2024.

The Citi Premier card is currently offering a valuable sign-up bonus of 60,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first three months in addition to its flexible redemption options and exclusive side benefits.

• Annual hotel credit when booked through thankyou.com or 1-800-THANKYOU
• Earn bonus rewards for select travel and everyday purchases
• Domestic airline transfer partner limited to JetBlue
• No travel insurance, which is typical for travel cards in this tier

The Citi Premier card is a smart choice for frequent travelers who want to use a single rewards card for the bulk of their everyday spending and offers premium perks for a reasonable annual fee.

• Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
• 60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Venture X is an instant top contender in the premium card market with its fully-loaded annual benefits that can be worth over $400. Yearly perks like bonus miles on your account anniversary (equal to $100 in travel) and a $300 travel credit when you book travel through Capital One Travel, can help cover the annual fee. Compared with other high-end travel rewards credit cards, the $395 annual fee is modest, and many travelers will come out well ahead.

• You can enjoy a fairly simple rewards structure with unlimited 2X miles in all purchase categories, in addition to bonus rewards in Capital One travel categories.
• The card offers statement credit for Global Entry and TSA Precheck, which adds to your overall savings.
• The sign-up bonus is generous, but it requires a high spend.
• While not unusual, you'll need excellent credit to be eligible for this premium card.

Travel rewards cards packed with this many features typically come with sky-high annual fees, but the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card delivers with luxury benefits and a more down-to-earth annual fee.

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Its flat rate and bonus categories, especially for the first 12 months, make it a great companion for premium Chase cards. If you want to rack up as many Chase Ultimate Rewards points as possible and then use them toward your next trip, then this card can help you get there. Plus, its welcome offer can help boost rewards.

• Its bonus earnings for the first 12 months boost your rewards and this card’s upfront value.
• You can pool this card’s rewards with certain Chase travel cards to get more redemption and transfer flexibility.
• Other cards have better travel benefits or welcome offers if you want as many rewards and perks as possible.
• You won’t get the full potential of this card without pairing it with a premium Chase card, which comes with annual fees.

This card’s true potential lies in pairing it with certain Chase travel cards. Make sure you use it to pool your Ultimate Rewards points for more value when redeeming for travel.

• Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

This is one of the only travel cards accessible to people with fair credit. It also offers a high rewards rate on a great mix of travel spending, including gas, airfare, hotels, resorts and bookings made through travel agencies. This will be especially appealing if you prefer booking directly with airlines and hotels to maximize loyalty rewards and elite status.

• People with fair-to-excellent credit can earn high rewards on eligible travel and everyday purchases like dining and gas.
• Frequent travelers can earn generous rewards even while working toward elite status with airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• It offers fewer perks compared to other mid-level travel cards with a similar annual fee and high variable APR.
• Points aren’t transferable and remain fixed at a value of 1 cent each when redeemed for cash back, which could prove limiting for frequent travelers who know how to maximize points for greater value.

This could be a top pick for travelers who struggle to qualify for cards with more travel perks and transfer partners.

• Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
• Earn 1x points on all other purchases
• Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
• With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
• Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
• If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
• See Rates & Fees

Discover it® Miles

For a no-annual-fee card, Discover offers simplicity. You’ll be able to earn unlimited miles and have flexible redemption options like statement credits towards travel purchases or as cash deposits into your bank account. Plus, cardholders have a unique opportunity at the end of their first year when Discover will match every mile you earn.

• Appealing welcome offer that can essentially double all the miles earned at the end of the first year
• Competitive redemption value for cash back at 1 cent per mile
• Rewards earning potential takes a significant hit after your first year
• Can’t transfer miles to airline frequent-flyer programs

The Discover it® Miles card offers an impressive list of high-end travel perks and a generous first-year welcome offer for travel credit card newbies, but earning benefits drop off substantially after the first 12 months.

• Unlimited Bonus: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers - only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
• Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
• No annual fee
• Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
• Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
• Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
• Terms and conditions apply.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

It offers one of the best rewards rates you can get on everyday travel – including airfare, hotels, gas stations and transit – without paying an annual fee. And since it also rewards dining (another key everyday spending category), it makes for a terrific standalone rewards card.

• It has no annual fee and a high rewards rate for everyday spending categories.
• It earns bonus rewards in common spending categories like gas stations and restaurants as well as in harder-to-find categories like phone plans, making it an especially versatile option.
• Though the card earns bonus rewards in a great mix of everyday categories, it offers a lackluster rate on grocery purchases, which could limit its standalone value.
• Unlike some competing no-annual-fee travel cards, the Autograph doesn’t let you transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs, limiting the potential value of your rewards.

This card could be a great fit for occasional travelers who want to earn rewards on everyday spending and have the flexibility to redeem for cash back.

• Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
• Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
• $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus credit card is ideally suited for entry-level travelers. Even if you only fly occasionally with Southwest airlines, you can easily boost rewards and receive a generous welcome offer. The perks for this card rival those found in higher-tier cards, such as getting the first two checked bags for free and two EarlyBird Check-In® each year.

• Can almost cover the annual fee with 3,000-point anniversary bonus
• Valuable perks on a domestic airline with a reputation for being customer-friendly
• Does not include certain perks often found with travel cards, such as priority boarding or a fast track to elite status
• Lacks airline partners and international travel options

For those already integrated into the Southwest ecosystem, this card offers generous bonus opportunities and access to unique, customer-friendly perks for a reasonable annual fee.

• Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 3,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

This card from Bank of America offers great value for a $95 annual fee card, especially if you already bank with them. If you are a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you’ll be rewarded with an additional 25 percent to 75 percent redemption bonus on all your earnings.

In addition, this card offers some of the strongest travel insurance benefits you can get, up to a $100 annual statement credit that you can use for airline incidental expenses, an application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and a points program that rewards spending in a variety of categories.

• The $100 annual statement credit you can use towards airline expenses and the application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry more than offset the $95 annual fee.
• Preferred Rewards members receive some of the highest rewards rates among any travel or cash back credit cards.
• If you’re not a Preferred Rewards member, the benefits of the card are not as robust compared to other cards with similar annual fees.
• The $100 airline incidental credit only covers qualifying incidentals and not actual flight costs.

The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card combines the benefits of a cash back card and premium travel card and is an especially good value for those with existing Bank of America accounts.

• Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87-2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
• Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
• Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Low $95 annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

For those looking for a premium credit card with generous travel perks and a top-tier sign-up bonus, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is considered to be one of the best options on the market. And with no blackout dates, expiration dates for points or point limits, the card offers major redemption flexibility.

The sign-up bonus is worth a whopping $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠ after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months, so you are getting more than a cent per mile value. With the $300 annual credit for travel purchases, generous earning structure and impressive list of additional perks, seasoned travelers have plenty of opportunity to offset the steep $550 annual fee.

• Wealth of travel perks and rewards categories
• Increase your point value by 50% by redeeming them for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Required spend of $300 on travel annually before travel category rewards rates apply
• Lower rewards value for merchandise

While the price of admission for Chase’s premium travel card is steep, the bonuses and wealth of luxury travel perks will be worth it in the long run for experienced travelers.

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more

United Quest℠ Card

If you like to regularly travel on United Airlines (or their partner airlines) then this card is worth a look. Not only do you earn enhanced bonus miles for United purchases, other travel and select everyday purchases, you also get an impressive amount of airline-specific perks. This includes anniversary credits and free first and second checked bags for you and one companion.

• Impressive sign-up bonus and anniversary credits
• Easy to earn miles with popular bonus categories like dining and select streaming purchases
• High annual fee for infrequent United flyers
• No airport lounge access

The United Quest Card is a terrific option for semi-frequent United travelers, but cardholders should plan to redeem United miles at least twice a year to take full advantage and offset the annual fee.

• Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after qualifying purchases
• Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and priority boarding
• Up to a $125 United® purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year (terms apply)
• Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)

The information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card, the American Express® Green Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Comparing the best travel credit cards of 2024

Editor’s picks: best travel credit card details, best welcome bonus: chase sapphire preferred® card.

• Best features : This card packs in plenty of value that is rare for only $95 a year. It comes with a high sign-up bonus, generous rewards program and competitive redemption values.
• Biggest drawbacks : You may need to look beyond the Chase Sapphire Preferred if you prefer luxury features like TSA PreCheck, priority boarding, travel credits and lounge access.
• Alternatives: The Citi Premier® Card has a similar annual fee and a generous welcome offer too. Travelers who want to book travel outside of credit card portals and who spend a lot on gas and in-store grocery purchases may get better value out of the Premier card.
• Bottom line : A modest annual fee, impressive sign-up bonus and ultra-flexible rewards redemption give this card great short- and long-term value for travelers who don’t need a ton of luxury perks.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for flat-rate rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

• Best features : For a reasonable annual fee, this popular Capital One credit card offers standout rewards with an easy rewards structure and versatile redemption options. You can transfer miles to over 15 loyalty programs or redeem for statement credit toward travel.
• Biggest drawbacks : Capital One doesn’t have many domestic travel transfer partners. This can make it harder to maximize the value of your miles when booking domestic flights.
• Alternatives : If you’re looking to earn at a flat-rate but aren’t too pleased with the Venture card’s $95 annual fee ( See Rates and Fees ), the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a suitable alternative. Although cardholders only earn 1.25X miles on all purchases, the card still comes with a sign-up bonus of 20,000 miles for spending $500 in the first three months. This is a smaller bonus and a lower rewards rate than the Venture card, but it’ll also be easier to obtain, making this an ideal option for modest spenders.
• Bottom line : This card is a great option if you’re looking for an easy way to earn high travel rewards on all purchases. But if you’re after top-drawer travel perks, you may want to look elsewhere.

Read our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for luxury travel: The Platinum Card® from American Express

• Best features : This premium card comes fully-loaded. You can enjoy luxury lounge access, elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy hotels (upon enrollment) and even travel consultants to help plan your trip. A laundry list of travel credits can also help offset the card’s annual fee.
• Biggest drawbacks : The card only earns bonus rewards on flights and prepaid hotels. You might earn more with cards that offer bonus points or miles on both travel and everyday essentials. Plus, some of the credits – like the card’s luxury fitness credit or Walmart+ credit – don’t have broad appeal, making it harder to offset the high $695 annual fee.
• Alternatives : Unlike the Platinum card, the American Express® Gold Card lets you earn high bonus rewards for purchases made in categories beyond travel, including restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases. It also comes with a lot of the same benefits as the Platinum card, such as car rental insurance, purchase protection and Hotel Collection benefits, all for a much smaller $250 annual fee.
• Bottom line : If you can take advantage of its many perks, this card should tick all the right boxes for big spenders and frequent travelers looking for luxury travel perks, particularly complimentary airport lounge access.

Read our American Express Platinum Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for foodies: American Express® Gold Card

• Best features : Traveling foodies, rejoice – this card offers an industry-leading 4X points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. You’ll also earn 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then one point per dollar) and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com. Trips with common carriers that are booked with your Gold card are covered for baggage insurance worth up to $1,250 for carry-on bags and $500 for checked bags.
• Biggest drawbacks : The annual fee is $250, pricier than other travel rewards cards with mid-level travel perks. And unless food is a significant portion of your spending, the card’s rewards rate and food delivery credits may not be the best fit.
• Alternatives : The Citi Premier® Card comes close to matching the Amex Gold with its rewards rates, but its annual fee is much lower (just $95).
• Bottom line : If you’re a frequent traveler who makes dining out a staple of their vacations and staycations, you’ll get a lot of value with this card.

Read our American Express Gold Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best first travel card: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

• Best features : The VentureOne card is a basic travel card for beginners who want to earn flexible rewards but aren’t ready to commit to an annual fee ( See Rates and Fees ). VentureOne cardholders can earn bonus miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.25X miles on every other purchase. You can transfer these miles to numerous airline and hotel partners.
• Biggest drawbacks : Other no-annual-fee travel cards offer better perks and higher rewards rates than the VentureOne’s 1.25X miles.
• Alternatives : The Bilt Mastercard® is a unique no-annual-fee card that earns points on rent payments without the processing fees. But the card is also a great beginner travel card, offering bonus rewards on travel and dining (points are transferable too). Plus, if you wait until the first of the month, your patience will be rewarded with double points on all non-rent purchases for 24 hours (on up to 10,000 bonus points). That’s a whopping 6X points on dining, 4X points on travel and 2X points on all other non-rent purchases. You must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points.
• Bottom line : Budget-friendly travelers can get a decent amount of value out of this starter travel card, but if transferring rewards to travel partners isn’t a priority for you, a flat-rate cash back card may be more lucrative.

Read our Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for occasional travelers: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

• Best features : This card will appeal to infrequent travelers who don’t typically book through travel portals. Instead, you can redeem your points for any travel and dining purchases made on your credit card within the last 12 months. And if you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn up to 25% to 75% more points on every purchase.
• Biggest drawbacks : The best rewards are reserved for Bank of America customers with savings or investment accounts. If that’s not you, you can likely find another card that rewards your travel purchases at a higher rate.
• Alternatives : The Capital One VentureOne also does not charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fee ( See Rates and Fees ), but even casual travelers can benefit from its valuable purchase and travel protections.
• Bottom line : The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a solid choice for occasional travelers focused on earning some rewards and avoiding an annual fee.

Related : Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card worth it?

Read our Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for everyday spending: Citi Premier® Card

• Best features : For a modest annual fee, cardholders earn 3X points, not only on air travel, hotels and dining but also supermarket and gas station purchases, two of the most popular everyday spending categories. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10X points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel portal through June 30, 2024. Its sign-up bonus is on par with competitor offers, and cardholders get an annual hotel credit, making it easier to offset the card’s annual fee.
• Biggest drawbacks : If you want to transfer your points to get more value out of your rewards, JetBlue is the only domestic carrier on Citi’s list of airline partners, which can make it harder to book domestic travel.
• Alternatives : The Chase Sapphire Preferred is similar but may be a more attractive option due to its travel protection coverage. Plus, Chase’s Travel℠ program includes a robust list of airlines and hotel partners.
• Bottom line : Someone looking to earn rewards on travel and everyday expenses will appreciate the versatility of the Citi Premier Card, not to mention its generous welcome bonus.

Read our Citi Premier Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for annual credits: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

• Best features : Cardholders can take advantage of this card’s yearly credits to help offset its annual fee and enjoy additional perks like lounge access. And when you book through Capital One Travel, you’ll earn some of the highest rewards available for hotels, rental cars and flights.
• Biggest drawbacks : You’ll have to book your travel through Capital One Travel instead of directly through an airline or hotel to get the best value out of this card.
• Alternatives: The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best travel cards for lounge access and other luxury perks. Frequent travelers who can take advantage of all those perks can easily offset the card’s high annual fee.
• Bottom line : The Venture X should appeal to both frequent travelers who want to earn more than just 1 mile per dollar on all non-travel purchases and luxury travelers who want to enjoy premium travel without paying the typical sky-high annual fees.

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for pairing with Chase cards: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

• Best features: Its 1.5% rate on general purchases makes it a great catch-all card as part of your overall travel rewards strategy. You can use this card with certain Chase cards to get more Chase Ultimate Rewards points, one of the most valuable credit card points.
• Biggest drawbacks: It has a 3% foreign transaction fee, so if you were planning to use this card abroad on your travels, it can be more costly.
• Alternative(s): The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of Chase’s premium travel cards, with solid earning rates on dining and travel. For a modest $95 annual fee, it comes with top-of-the-line travel benefits, increases points redemption value through the Chase travel portal and can transfer points to Chase travel partners.
• Bottom line: If you already have a Chase travel card — or are planning to get one in the future — this card is a must-have for maximizing travel rewards.

Read our full Chase Freedom Unlimited® review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for fair credit: Credit One Bank Wander® Card

• Best features : Even people with fair credit can take advantage of the card’s bonus rewards in a variety of travel categories. Many travel cards only earn generous bonus rewards for airline or hotel purchases or for travel booked through the issuer’s travel portal. But the Wander card is more flexible, giving you more freedom to book travel the way you like.
• Biggest drawbacks : There are no transfer partners, so your points are worth a maximum of 1 cent each. Plus, the card has fewer perks compared to other mid-level cards with a similar annual fee.
• Alternatives : Your options are limited if you’re looking for another travel card open to people with fair credit. But many Capital One cards like the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® or the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card could help you rack up a lot of rewards that you can use to help cover the cost of travel. You can also take advantage of convenient and cost-saving features found in the Capital One Travel Portal.
• Bottom line : This card is a solid pick for credit-builders who also want to earn travel rewards.

Read our Credit One Bank Wander® Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for no annual fee: Discover it® Miles

• Best features : The Discover it® Miles offers simplicity and flexibility without the annual fee. All purchases earn a fairly average 1.5X miles. But Discover sweetens the deal by matching all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. Instead of travel, you can also redeem rewards online with Amazon or when you pay with PayPal (though redemption value might be lower).
• Alternatives : The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is another solid no-annual-fee travel card ( See Rates and Fees ). It not only offers a flat rate of 1.25X miles on every purchase, but also 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. That could make it easier for frequent travelers to earn rewards. It also has a number of travel and consumer protections that you won’t find with most entry-level travel cards, including the Discover it ® Miles.
• Bottom line : This card skips the annual fee and the generous first-year welcome offer is ideal for budget-friendly travelers or someone looking for their first travel credit card.

Read our Discover it ® Miles review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for gas and transit: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

• Best features: This card’s mix of bonus categories should be a terrific fit if you’re looking for a low-cost way to earn rewards on both everyday travel and big trips. You’ll earn rewards at a great rate on everything from gas and transit to airfare and hotels, without worrying about maximizing point values or offsetting an annual fee.
• Biggest drawbacks: Its list of perks is just okay, even for a no-annual-fee travel card. You’ll miss out not only on benefits like expedited security screening and lounge access, but also the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• Alternatives: Though it may earn rewards at a lower rate, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card could be a great alternative. Its streamlined, flat-rate rewards program is a great fit if you’re new to earning miles, and the card gives you the flexibility to transfer miles to Capital One airline and hotel partners, which could boost their redemption value.
• Bottom line: The Autograph card is a great option if you want to earn rewards on everyday travel and need the flexibility to redeem for both travel and cash back.

Read our Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for budget flyers: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

• Best features : This entry-level airline card has some of the same popular features as more expensive Southwest consumer travel cards, including a chance to earn the Southwest Companion Pass® – one of the most coveted perks in all of travel rewards. If you earn 135,000 points in a year, you can pick a companion to fly with you for free (except for taxes and fees) for up to two years on any Southwest flight that you purchase with cash or points.
• Biggest drawbacks : Unlike some other airline cards, this no-frills card doesn’t earn bonus points in popular everyday categories like gas or grocery stores. Plus, the card’s anniversary bonus of 3,000 points is lower than the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card’s bonus.
• Alternatives : The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card may be a better fit for budget travelers. It comes with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year (then $150) and a chance to earn bonus miles faster thanks to practical bonus categories including restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. It also has a number of convenient features like priority boarding and a chance to earn a $200 Delta flight credit. Plus, Delta and its partner network are much more extensive than Southwest.
• Bottom line : The Rapid Rewards Plus card is a decent choice for occasional Southwest flyers looking for a cheap rewards travel card. But if you fly Southwest frequently and want to double your anniversary points while avoiding foreign transaction fees, consider upgrading to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and its higher annual fee of $99.

Read our Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for travel credits: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

• Best features : Along with perks like an annual credit up to $100 for airline incidentals, which includes seat upgrades and airline lounge fees, this card offers a credit of up to $100 to cover the cost of a TSA Precheck or Global Entry application. That perk isn’t always included on travel cards at the $95-annual-fee level. You can also redeem for cash back as a deposit into Bank of America® checking or savings accounts or for gift cards and purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Biggest drawbacks : Unlike many travel rewards cards with an annual fee, this card doesn’t let you transfer rewards to partner airline or hotel loyalty programs to squeeze more value out of your points. Plus, the card’s best rewards rates are reserved for people with large savings or investment accounts with Bank of America.
• Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has greater flexibility for travelers who want to transfer their points to airline or hotel travel partners. It also comes with better redemption value if you book travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal and travel protections.
• Bottom line : This card could be a good fit for heavy packers who can take advantage of the airline incidental fee credits or people who already have a Bank of America account. Those who are loyal to one airline or don’t bank with Bank of America may not find much value in this card.

Read our Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for point value: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• Best features : This top-of-the-line card comes with a wealth of travel perks, including a sign-up bonus worth $900 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠ (60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months). In addition to the $300 travel credit, you can try out services like Instacart+ and DashPass for free for one year.
• Biggest drawbacks : Despite the annual credit and elevated bonus categories, the card’s $550 annual fee might be challenging to offset every year.
• Alternatives : If you’re looking for a card with annual credits and luxury lounge access, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a wider network but carries a slightly higher annual fee of $695.
• Bottom line : Frequent travelers who can take full advantage of the Sapphire Reserve card’s perks and bonus categories can also enjoy the card’s boosted value on travel redemptions.

Related : Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Ch ase Sapphire Reserve

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for United MileagePlus members: United Quest℠ Card

• Best features : Even semi-frequent United flyers can come out ahead with this mid-tier airline credit card, thanks to all the ways the card’s perks can offset its $250 annual fee. That includes multiple anniversary credits, priority boarding, checked baggage fee waivers and the up to $100 credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee.
• Biggest drawbacks : Unlike other airline cards with a high annual fee, the United Quest doesn’t offer complimentary lounge access. Plus, the sign-up bonus has a high spend requirement: You’ll need to spend $4,000 in the first three months to earn the sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles plus   500 Premier Qualifying Points.
• Alternatives : If the annual fee doesn’t fit your budget, the United℠ Explorer Card is worth a look since it has a $0 intro annual fee (then $95 annually), but still carries a generous sign-up bonus, priority boarding, purchase and travel protections and an up to $100 credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee.
• Bottom line : The United Quest Card packs in a lot of perks and value, making it a solid pick for loyal United travelers looking for an enhanced travel experience.

Read our United Quest℠ Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best hotel credit card: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

• Best features : This card offers great long-term value for frequent travelers who stay at the world’s largest hotel chain a few nights or more per year. You get plenty of chances to offset the $95 annual fee, including a free night every year after your account anniversary (up to 35,000 points) and a high rewards rate in the popular, practical bonus categories of travel, grocery, gas and dining purchases, as well as a flat rate of 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Biggest drawbacks : You can only use your rewards with Marriott hotels. So if you don’t frequent the brand, you’ll be better served by a different hotel credit card or a general-purpose travel rewards card, which offers greater flexibility in how you redeem your rewards.
• Alternatives : If you’re not loyal to one hotel chain, the Chase Sapphire Preferred should give you more redemption options. It earns bonus points on travel, dining and select online grocery purchases – points that can be redeemed in a variety of ways, including for travel, or transferred to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners. And when you redeem for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal, your points have 25% more value.
• Bottom line : Travelers who stay at Marriott frequently enough to offset the $95 annual fee will appreciate this card. But depending on your spending habits and the hotel features that matter most to you, you may get greater value with another Marriott card .

Read our Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card review .

Best no annual fee airline card: American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card

• Best features : This no-annual-fee airline card gives households a chance to earn miles on more than just travel. You’ll earn 2X miles not only on eligible American Airlines purchases, but also at grocery stores, which increases the card’s earning potential for the average consumer. The MileUp card also has a low spend threshold for its sign-up bonus: Spend just $500 in your first three months and you’ll earn 10,000 miles and a $50 statement credit.
• Biggest drawbacks : This card lacks a number of cost-saving perks found with other airline cards, including a free first checked bag for you and additional passengers and a chance to earn travel credits for your spending. Depending on how often you fly and how many people you travel with, you could actually save more money with a travel card that charges an annual fee.
• Alternatives : The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has a similar rewards rate and charges no annual fee for the first year, then $150 thereafter. That gives you time to test out perks you won’t find with the MileUp card, like priority boarding, a first checked bag free for you and eight additional passengers and a chance to earn a $200 flight credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year.
• Bottom line : This card is worth a look if you’re loyal to American Airlines but only fly occasionally and are looking for a no-annual-fee credit card . But if you want the flexibility to fly with different carriers while still earning high rewards, you may get better value out of a general-purpose travel rewards card.

Read our American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp review .

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel rewards credit cards let you earn points or miles you can redeem for travel purchases. Some offer a flat rate on general purchases, but many offer bonus rewards for typical travel purchases or everyday spending categories, like restaurants, gas or even groceries.

Earning points or miles is usually as easy as swiping your card, and some cards provide limited-time offers and sign-up bonuses to add more incentives. The basics of points and miles cards are pretty much the same. You earn and accumulate rewards by making purchases with your card, and redeem for a discount on your next trip.

Your redemption options will vary by card. Most require that you redeem points or miles for travel purchases. (Some let you redeem for gift cards or cash back, but it might be at a lower value.) You can typically redeem points or miles by booking future trips through a designated portal, like Amextravel.com or Chase Ultimate Rewards, or transferring rewards to an issuer’s travel partners to book flights or hotel stays. Some allow you to redeem for a statement credit on travel purchases made within a certain time frame.

Your redemption options will vary by card. Typical options include:

• Booking new travel
• Transferring points or miles to a travel partner
• Statement credit for past travel purchases

Redeeming for travel often yields the best value, while non-travel options like gift cards might have a lower redemption value. You can typically redeem points or miles by booking future trips through a designated portal, like Amextravel.com or Chase Ultimate Rewards, though some let you redeem directly with the airline or third-party travel agency.

General travel credit cards + –

General travel or general-purpose credit cards aren’t tied to or co-branded with a particular airline or hotel. They are best for any traveler who values flexibility in how they earn and redeem rewards.

Depending on the card, you can earn higher points not only on travel-related purchases, but also in popular categories like groceries, gas and dining. You can redeem the points you earn in many different ways, like statement credits and travel. A 1-cent-per-point value is typical, but points may be worth less when used for non-travel options or more if transferred to the right travel partner.

Transferring your points over to an airline or hotel loyalty program can help you strategize so you can get the most out of your points. However, average point values vary from program to program, so you’ll need to test out different routes and carriers to see how far your points can take you before you transfer points between loyalty programs.

Some of the most popular rewards programs for general travel credit cards include:

• American Express Membership Rewards
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Capital One Travel
• Citi ThankYou Points

Is a general travel credit card worth it?

Co-branded cards usually feature high-value airline or hotel perks. Examples like automatic hotel elite status, companion passes or free checked bags could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

But general travel cards give you more flexibility to choose how you travel and where you stay. Plus, plenty of general travel cards come loaded with valuable benefits not tied to specific airlines and hotels — especially if you’re willing to pay an annual fee.

Most general travel cards carry higher rewards rates compared to airline cards with similar annual fees, which gives you a chance to earn more rewards faster. And you’ll have a number of redemption options that make each of your points worth at least 1 cent, which is worth more than the rewards you’ll earn with most hotel rewards programs and some airline rewards programs.

Here’s a look at some of the top features your general travel card may offer:

• Annual travel credits : Premium cards like the Capital One Venture X and Chase Sapphire Reserve reward cardmembers with annual travel credits worth hundreds of dollars, which you can use to offset previous travel costs or book new travel through the card’s travel portal.
• Airport lounge access : A number of mid-level and premium travel cards offer discounted or complimentary airport lounge access for you and your guests. Users can enjoy amenities like complimentary food and drinks, showers or even spa treatments. Popular airport lounge networks include Priority Pass lounges and the exclusive American Express Global Lounge Collection.
• Luxury hotel benefits : Your card issuer may offer Visa or Mastercard’s luxury hotel collection benefit. This perk can lead to room upgrades, free breakfast, food or beverage credits and late check-out. This is typically offered with credit cards with Visa Signature or Infinite benefits or cards with Mastercard World or World Elite benefits, though you’ll have to check with your card issuer to be certain.
• Car rental elite status : With the right general travel rewards card, you can not only rent a car but also get discounts and status upgrades that let you skip the lines when renting and returning, as well as vehicle upgrades based on availability and other exclusive perks.

Airline travel credit cards + –

Airline credit cards are co-branded cards that carry the name of the card issuer and a particular airline. They’re a great fit for travelers who regularly fly with a particular airline and can take advantage of the perks found within its rewards program.

Some of the most popular airline rewards programs include:

• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
• American Airlines Aadvantage
• Southwest Rapid Rewards
• Delta SkyMiles
• United MileagePlus

Like general travel cards, airline rewards cards can earn rewards on a variety of purchases, but your redemption options are more limited. To get the best value, you’ll typically want to redeem your rewards for flights with the airline or one of its partners.

Is an airline credit card worth it?

They offer less flexibility and might have an annual fee, but airline cards can make your travel experience easier and save you a lot of money, even after you factor in the cost of an annual fee.

Here’s a look at some of the top airline credit card benefits:

• Free checked bags :   Avoid paying a fee for your first checked bag and a travel companion’s bag. Many airlines charge $30 to $35 per checked bag, per trip, so the savings can add up, especially if you’re traveling with a large family.
• Fast track to elite airline status : Frequent flyers looking for an enhanced flying experience will have to spend thousands of dollars and spend a lot of time in the air to unlock the top-of-the-line perks that come with elite status. But the right airline credit card can cut down on the eligibility requirements and may even come with automatic elite status or welcome offers and additional credits that get you elite status faster.
• Travel companion pass : Earning an airline companion pass takes some work, but if you qualify you can bring a passenger along on a future flight for free (though you’ll still have to pay taxes and fees). Some airlines even offer companion passes that let you bring a guest with you on any flight you book for a year or more.
• Priority boarding : This perk helps you quickly board a plane and get your carry-on stowed away in an overhead bin before it fills up.
• In-flight discounts : This perk helps you save on drinks, snacks and other extras purchased on your flight. You’ll typically enjoy a discount of 20% to 25% off.

How to choose an airline

It’s best to select a card co-branded with an airline that you will use frequently, which typically means choosing an airline that flies out of an airport close to where you live, or one that you use the most. Smaller hubs may have limited options, but you should check to make sure that the airline you want has routes at your preferred airport. For example, Southwest does not fly out of Newark Airport, so if Newark is your primary airport another co-branded airline card might be a better fit.

Hotel travel credit cards + –

Hotel credit cards are co-branded cards that earn points you can redeem for stays with a specific hotel chain. Some of the most popular hotel rewards programs include:

• Marriott Bonvoy
• Hilton Honors
• IHG One Rewards Club
• World of Hyatt

Is a hotel credit card worth it?

Like airline credit cards, hotel credit cards can pack in a lot of brand-specific perks to reward your loyalty. Some cards offer supersized rewards rates, typically for hotel-related purchases. These earning rates can make it easier to quickly rack up points for future visits.

On top of the high-earning potential, hotel travel cards may also come with some of the following benefits:

• Free night : Many hotel cards automatically reward you with a free night at select properties every year on your anniversary. Others give you a chance to earn a free night after you spend a certain amount on the card.
• Room upgrades : Your card could automatically qualify you for room upgrades when available, giving you more space or better views.
• Elite hotel status : Some of the best hotel cards come with automatic elite status, making you eligible for exclusive perks, while others put you on a fast track to achieve higher levels of elite status.

How to choose a hotel

While you should pick an airline card based on frequency and availability, choosing a hotel card might come down to personal preference. You’ll find most hotel chains concentrated in mid-to large-size cities, so you can select a hotel group that works best for your needs. Hotel chains often include a price range from luxury to budget friendly. For example, Marriott includes both Fairfield Inn & Suites and the Ritz-Carlton in its suite of hotels. So, whether you splurge on one trip or save costs on another, you can still earn rewards.

However, if you happen to travel a lot to very remote cities, you might want to ensure that your preferred hotel chain has a location there.

Business travel credit cards + –

Business travel cards are a terrific option if you own a company or work as a freelancer and travel often for work. They can be co-branded or a general travel card.

Some of the more popular business cards include:

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express review
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Is a business travel card worth it?

Business travel cards offer a competitive rewards structure similar to other travel cards, but you can typically earn bonus rewards in business categories, like purchasing software and office supplies. Not only can business travel cards help keep your work and personal expenses separate, but they can also help you cut down on business costs.

You might see these benefits on a business travel card:

• Bonus rewards on large purchases : Some cards will offer an elevated rewards rate for big purchases, so you can earn miles or points for big-ticket items.
• No fee for employee cards : You can rack up even more points or miles when you add employees as authorized users at no additional cost. This action can also be a great way to track company spending.
• Account management tools: To help manage your company budget, business travel cards might come with apps or programs that could ease record keeping, like the ability to upload receipts quickly or link to a spreadsheet.
• Travel and hotel perks : Like other travel cards, you can often enjoy annual benefits, like a hotel reward night, lounge access or statement credits.

Co-branded travel cards versus general travel cards

The biggest difference between co-branded cards and general travel cards is flexibility. Co-branded cards are ideal for brand loyalists who prefer to commit to one particular airline or hotel group. They often come with perks that you might not find on general travel cards (like elite status or free checked bags), but how you earn and redeem rewards is limited to that specific brand.

For instance, you might feel locked in to book a pricier room with a co-branded hotel card even if there are more affordable options.

With general travel cards, you have more freedom to select flights or hotels that fit into your schedule and price range, but you might lose out on some perks. If you prefer flexibility, a general travel card might work better for you. If you enjoy more elite perks or are a fan of a particular brand, you might consider a co-branded card.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

• Travel for less: Money-saving benefits, such as high travel reward rates, sign-up bonuses and travel credits, can help bring down the overall cost of travel.
• Generous perks: The best travel cards feature perks like room or seat upgrades, free hotel stays, statement credits and lounge access that might enhance your overall travel experience.
• Fast track to elite status: Elite status, which offers maximum program benefits for airlines or hotels, often takes time to earn. Some travel rewards cards help cut down on the qualification period, or they offer automatic elite status, which means you can start earning elite status benefits sooner.
• Earn points as a loyalty member along with rewards : If you are a loyalty member, then you can earn loyalty points with that hotel or airline brand as well as travel reward points when you book with a travel credit card.
• No foreign transaction fees : Most travel cards don’t charge a foreign transaction fee, which can help cut down costs when traveling abroad.
• Complex rewards programs: Keeping up with the travel rewards card program rules can be confusing, especially when redeeming or transferring points to a travel partner. It takes careful planning and calculation to ensure you are maximizing the value for your rewards.
• Limited redemption outside of travel: Travel cards typically provide the best value when redeeming for travel. While some cards offer redemptions for non-travel options, such as statement credits or gift cards, these are typically worth less.
• High annual fees: Determining whether an annual fee is worth it can be difficult, and many of the best travel credit cards have yearly costs starting from $95 to $100. Premier travel cards could have annual fees in the $200 to $700 range.
• Higher interest rates : Typically, travel cards carry a higher ongoing APR, so if you carry a balance every month, then a low-interest credit card or balance transfer card might be a better fit.
• Typically best only for frequent flyers : Since most travel cards offer the most elevated bonus rates for travel, such as flights, hotels and car rentals, you won’t reap its maximum benefits unless you fly often.

Who should get a travel credit card

• Frequent flyers . If you spend lots of time up in the air or staying at hotels, you can absolutely benefit from the rewards and perks that come with a travel credit card. But if you’re new to travel or only travel occasionally, look for no-annual-fee cards or ones with simple rewards categories. All globetrotters can appreciate the lack of foreign transaction fees many travel cards offer.
• Brand loyalists . Fans of particular airlines and hotel chains can reap some serious rewards with their go-to brands. Loyal customers can rack up an incredible amount of hotel points or flight miles using a card like the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp or the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.
• Luxury travelers . Vacationers looking for top-shelf travel perks may have to pay to carry their card, but The Platinum Card from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve offer benefits that can easily offset their annual fees. You’ll find high-end earnings rates on your purchases to back it up. Take advantage of exclusive add-ons, like access to airport lounges, free checked bags, specialty offers and more.
• Road trippers . Some travel cards earn rewards on purchases at gas stations and hotel stays, which can be valuable if you’re on the road a lot. A hotel credit card like one in the Hilton Honors program or Marriott Bonvoy may be a great choice if you regularly take cross-country trips and stay at hotels.

Who should skip a travel credit card

• Fans of low-maintenance credit cards. While flat-rate travel cards are available, travel cards with fixed bonus categories or a tiered rewards structure often have the best rewards rates. The card that’s most fitting for you will depend on your spending habits. If you aren’t ready or willing to strategize to get the most out of your travel card, a more straightforward rewards credit card may be a better fit.
• Someone looking for flexibility . Cash back credit cards are usually more versatile and might work best for infrequent travelers or people with higher non-travel-related expenses. They can help you maximize your earnings on everyday categories like supermarkets, gas, transit, streaming services or online purchases. Mostly, redeeming can be far less complicated and far more flexible. Depending on the credit card, redemption options may include statement credit, direct deposit, check and travel.
• Someone prone to overspending . The best travel rewards credit cards can help you save a lot of money but only if you avoid a balance. Since rewards cards typically come with higher interest rates, paying your balances in full can save you money and create the best value. If you can’t, you run the risk of losing more money to interest charges than you earn in rewards. You may even fall into credit card debt. If you aren’t able to pay your balances in full, consider a low-interest credit card .

Do you know how much your points or miles are worth?

Choosing a card based solely on the number of miles or points you stand to earn can be a costly mistake. Redemption values can vary, and points and miles do not always transfer on a 1-to-1 basis, meaning 1,000 “miles” earned do not always translate to 1,000 miles of travel.

For example, the Citi Premier card has a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in your first three months of account opening. With the Premier card, most redemption options have a baseline value of 1 cent, so this offer can be worth at least $600. But based on Bankrate’s latest point valuations , we estimate that the right high-value transfer partner could boost your point value up to 1.9 cents on average. That could make your sign-up bonus worth an incredible $1,140.

Compare that to a card like the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, which offers a sign-up bonus of 140,000 points after spending $3,000 within the first three months. Since IHG Rewards are estimated to be worth 0.7 cents on average based on our points valuation, that comes out to a value of $980 dollars.

Understanding the true value of your rewards program can help you to maximize value and select the card that offers the best rewards for your spending habits.

How to calculate the value of your points and miles

To find the value of your points and miles, divide the cost of paying cash for the booking (such as the plane ticket or hotel room) by the number of points or miles required. Then compare this number to Bankrate’s points and miles valuation for the airline, hotel or credit card rewards program.

For example, if a flight on Southwest Airlines costs $800 out of pocket or 50,000 miles, the value is 1.6 cents per mile ($800 divided by 50,000 miles equals $0.016 or 1.6 cents). Since this is slightly higher than our estimated value of 1.5 cents per mile, you’re getting a good deal if you book this flight.

But if you redeem for a gift card instead and find a $25 card costs 10,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards miles, your value drops to 0.25 cents per mile ($25 divided by 10,000 miles equals $0.0025 or 0.25 cents). Since this is far below the 1.5-cent-per-point value you should look for, you’re better off using cash for this gift card and saving your points for a better deal.

How to compare travel credit cards

Deciding which travel credit card is best for you can be difficult. Many cards have similar redemption options, earn rewards in the same categories or cost more than you’re willing to pay for an annual fee. The right card for you will provide value with both perks and rewards rates that match your needs and align with purchases you already make.

To find the right one, you may find it helpful to compare several cards at once so you can see which one offers the best value for your personal finances and travel habits.

• Are you an occasional or frequent traveler? Frequent travelers typically have an easier time taking advantage of the numerous perks found with a travel card. If you travel less frequently, then a cash back card may make more financial sense.
• Are you loyal to a certain airline or hotel? If you’re a fan of a particular airline or hotel chain, you can enjoy specific benefits with that company’s co-branded travel card, like companion pass or annual hotel credits. A general-purpose card, however, gives you flexibility to choose any travel partner when traveling.
• What travel perks and protections matter most to you? Higher rewards status with hotels or airlines, access to airport lounges or automatic elite status are a few examples of travel perks a card might offer. You can also have more peace of mind with any travel protections that a travel card might provide, like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost baggage insurance and 24/7 global assistance. Make sure to look for a card that has the features that matter most to you.
• Do you have to change your spending habits to earn and redeem rewards?  Rather than tailoring your spending to match a card’s bonus categories, you might choose a card that already rewards your typical spending habits. Also, watch out for restrictions like spending limits, which can hinder your ability to earn maximum rewards. And when redeeming, make sure your card provides the best value. Some travel cards don’t provide the best value when redeeming for non-travel-related options, such as gift cards or statement credits.
• Does the card have sign-up bonuses and annual fees?  A card’s welcome offer can boost your first year earnings. Look for the spend requirement to ensure you can meet it without overspending. Additionally, a card’s annual fee can be a significant factor. Cards with high annual fees often offer some of the best rewards and perks, but if you can’t offset the fee every year it might not be worth it.
• How does the card’s international acceptance and foreign fees measure up?  For people who frequently travel internationally, this detail can be a game changer. A card without a foreign transaction fee can help budget your trip. But you also want to make certain that the card has broad international coverage. Some cards, like Discover, while working on their international network, might be riskier to carry abroad.

How to make the most out of your travel credit card

Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or extended trip, your rewards from a travel credit card can either enhance your experience or save you money. If you have your eye on Walt Disney World or a small family gathering, you can use these strategies now to experience an elevated trip in the future.

• Score a welcome offer . To make the most of your purchases and capitalize on travel rewards, seek out a welcome offer with an affordable spend requirement. Some of the top sign-up offers could be large enough to help you score free travel.
• Take advantage of the card’s bonus rewards categories . Find a travel rewards card that offers bonus points for purchases you already make to supercharge your earnings. For example, if your weekly work plans include lunch outside of the office, you could earn 3 points for every $1 spent at restaurants as a Citi® Premier cardholder, maximizing your earnings potential.
• Consider a travel card that earns transferable points . Transferable points are points earned with one travel card that can be redeemed with another participating program. Based on Bankrate’s latest point valuations, the right high-value transfer partner could be the best way to maximize your rewards earnings.
• Don’t forget your credit card benefits . Your travel credit card could have hidden credit card perks that make travel more enjoyable and save you money, such as complimentary breakfast at hotels or free checked bags. In just one trip, a family of four could easily offset a card’s annual fee through baggage fees alone. Other benefits, such as lost baggage coverage, not only reimburse you for clothing, toiletries or medication you had to purchase because of delayed or lost luggage, but provide additional peace of mind while traveling.
• Consider a credit card combination . Pair your travel card with another credit card that earns high rewards in areas you spend the most to maximize value. You may even be able to combine cards within the same rewards program. Chase, American Express, Capital One and Citi all offer some of the best credit card combinations that can help you rack up transferable rewards.
• Skip the foreign transaction fees . Make sure to take along a card that skips this common overseas charge, typically 3% charge anytime you use the card internationally. You can avoid this by choosing a travel credit card that waives foreign transaction fees, such as the Capital One and Discover credit cards.

Alternatives to Travel Credit Cards

If you don’t want to commit to a travel card, but still want to earn travel rewards, then you have options.

• A cash back credit card lets you earn cash rewards, which you can often redeem for a statement credit to cover travel and other purchases.
• A card with a 0% intro APR might work better for people planning a large purchase. It can help you budget for a trip, as long as you can pay off the balance before the intro offer period ends.
• A no-annual-fee card that also carries no foreign transaction fees might suit infrequent travelers. With this type of card, you can still save on trips abroad without worrying about added fees or offsetting costs every year.

In the news: What is credit card travel insurance?

Travel insurance, or trip insurance, is a policy providing reimbursement or resources if something goes wrong during your trip. The coverage of the trip insurance varies depending on if it’s provided through a credit card or purchased as a separate policy.

Credit cards may provide a form of trip insurance when you use your card to pay for trip-related expenses. Credit card travel insurance can cover everything from trip cancellation and trip interruption, to lost luggage and car rental loss and damage insurance.

In some cases, the coverage provided by the credit card may be enough to cover your needs for a travel-related event. But confirm the benefits before you travel and make sure it offers the right coverage, for example, if you are traveling internationally or need a “cancel for any reason” policy.

How we picked the best travel cards

Research methodology : We analyzed 300 travel rewards credit cards to identify the best offers currently on the market. The major factors we considered include:

• Rewards rate : Does the card offer a competitive rewards rate for the travel category? For general purpose travel cards, this rate is generally between 1.25X to 2X rewards. For co-branded hotel or airline credit cards, we looked for a rate between 3X and 10X points on brand purchases, plus a competitive rate in other bonus categories.
• Welcome offer : Annual fee travel credit cards, in particular, may offer a welcome bonus valued between $500 to $900. We considered the value of the sign-up bonus, alongside the required spend to receive it.
• Additional travel perks : We considered whether the card offers additional travel benefits beyond base rewards. For instance, for airline credit cards, we considered whether they offered priority boarding, a free checked bag or lounge access. For hotel credit cards, we considered whether they offered upgrade opportunities for Wi-Fi and free hotel stays with a card anniversary. For premium travel credit cards, we considered whether the card touted travel credits, travel insurance and other benefits that justified the high annual fee.
• Rates and fees : Travel credit cards do tend to carry annual fees and higher APRs than low-interest credit cards. However, we considered how a card’s APRs compared to the current credit card industry average and whether any fees could be avoided or recouped by its travel rewards and benefits.

All criteria used : Rewards rates, rewards categories, sign-up bonus, point values, transfer partners, redemption options, redemption flexibility, annual fee, other rates and fees, travel credits, airport lounge access, travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, concierge service, other travel benefits, travel portal functionality, credit needed, customer service, events or other perks

More information on travel credit cards

For more information on all things travel cards, continue reading content from our credit card experts:

• Cash back vs. points
• Trip cancelation reimbursement by credit card
• No foreign transaction fee credit cards

Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards

What is the difference between points and miles on a credit card + –.

When you’re shopping for a travel credit card, you’ll likely have two rewards currencies to choose from: points and miles.

Credit card points are the more flexible of the two options, usually allowing you to redeem your rewards for flights or hotel stays with a number of brands. Some cards allow you to redeem points for cash back, gift cards or merchandise, but often at a lower value than a travel redemption.

Credit card miles usually refer to frequent-flyer miles with a particular airline, such as Delta or United. If you have a miles-earning card, this usually means you can only redeem your miles for flights with one particular airline, though there are exceptions. These types of cards are also called co-branded cards and often come with additional perks like free checked bags.

What credit score do you need for a travel credit card? + –

Travel credit cards often feature higher rewards rates and numerous benefits, which typically means the odds of approval are higher for someone with a good or excellent credit score — usually around a 670 FICO score or higher.

But someone with bad or fair credit still has options. Although the credit card may not be labeled specifically as a travel rewards card, cards like the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card don’t require great credit and offer rewards in travel categories like hotels and rental cars.

Do travel points and miles expire? + –

Typically, rewards won’t expire for the life of the account. However, each card is different so it’s always best to read your card’s terms and conditions. For instance, some cards do have rewards that expire after a period of inactivity. In some cases, you could forfeit your rewards by missing a payment or canceling a card . Every card comes with its own set of rules, so always read the fine print.

How many miles do you need for a free flight? + –

The miles you’ll need for a free flight depend on the type of card you have, its rewards and redemption structure and whether it offers bonus value on travel redemptions.

For example, If you book through Amex, your points are worth 1 cent apiece on travel redemptions. That means if a flight costs $500, you’ll need 50,000 points to book. However, with Chase Ultimate Rewards, points are valued at 1.25 cents, so a $500 trip would need only 25,000 points.

What purchases are part of the travel category for travel credit cards? + –

How purchases are categorized depends on both the merchant and the issuer and may vary from card to card. Typically, bookings for airlines, hotel stays and rental cars will fall under travel. However, some cards, such as the Bank of America Travel Rewards card, broaden the category to include other types of purchases like timeshares, campgrounds and parking garages.

Check the issuer’s website or contact the issuer directly to get a complete list of what is considered travel for your specific card.

About the Author

Jeanine Skowronski

Jeanine Skowronski is a credit card expert, analyst, and multimedia journalist with over 10 years of experience covering business and personal finance. She has previously served as the Head of Content at Policygenius, Executive Editor of Credit.com, Deputy Editor at American Banker, Staff Reporter at TheStreet and a columnist for Inc. Magazine.

About the Editor

Robert Thorpe

Robert Thorpe is an editor for CreditCards.com

About the Reviewer

Stephanie Zito

Stephanie Zito is a professional traveler, humanitarian and credit card points collector sharing savvy travel tips she has learned firsthand from more than 20 years of circling the globe as a backpacker, expat and premium traveler in more than 125 countries and all seven continents.

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These are the best credit cards for everyday spending

Editor's Note

It can be easy to focus only on credit cards that offer outsized bonus categories, such as 5x on travel or 4x on dining . But for most people, many of the purchases they make don't fit neatly into any bonus category. Whether you're indulging in some online shopping , buying a bottle of wine , or picking up a snack at a convenience store, it's crucial to have a card that rewards you for these everyday, non-bonus expenses.

What's the best card to use for everyday purchases -- including seasonal gifts -- when you're not trying to meet minimum spending requirements on a top travel credit card to unlock a generous sign-up bonus? From a straightforward cash-back card that earns 2% on all expenses to valuable travel rewards cards , here's a list of the cards that offer the best return on everyday non-bonus spending.

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Best credit cards for everyday spending in 2021

• Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

• The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

Citi® double cash card.

• Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The information for the Amex EveryDay Preferred has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Here's a rundown on the best cards, assuming $10,000 in non-bonus spend in the first year in addition to the value of the sign-up bonus:

Comparing the best cards for everyday spending

Chase freedom unlimited.

Not to be confused with the Chase Freedom Flex that offers 5% cash back (5x points) on rotating quarterly bonus categories on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter you activate, the Chase Freedom Unlimited earns at least 1.5% cash back (1.5x points per dollar) spent on everything. Plus, last year, Chase added three higher-earning categories, giving cardholders an opportunity to boost their rewards on the following:

• 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 3% back on dining
• 3% back on drugstore purchases

Points earned from the Chase Freedom Unlimited can be converted into Ultimate Rewards points if you have a premium Chase credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card , Chase Sapphire Reserve , or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card . If not, you can redeem your cash back as a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts, or in the Ultimate Rewards portal for travel, for shopping at Amazon.com or buying gift cards.

TPG values Ultimate Rewards points conservatively at 2 cents each , making the Chase Freedom Unlimited welcome offer of $200 worth at least $300 or 30,000 points when transferring to one of Chase's full-fledged Ultimate Rewards cards .

The Freedom Unlimited is a perfect starter card and an ideal pairing with one of Chase's premium cards but it is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule -- which means that you'll be automatically denied if you've opened five or more new cards in the previous 24 months.

Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited full card review for more information.

Long before the Capital One Venture began adding hotel and airline transfer partners , the card was a fan favorite (and THE Points Guy Brian Kelly's favorite ), thanks to a strong earning rate of 2 miles per dollar on all purchases. While you can still redeem miles at a fixed rate of 1 cent each to erase eligible purchases made in the last 90 days, you also have the option to transfer them to some truly exceptional frequent flyer programs -- including Avianca LifeMiles , Air Canada Aeroplan , Flying Blue and more -- to unlock outsized value.

Read our review of the Capital One Venture card for more details.

Amex EveryDay Preferred Card

The Amex EveryDay Preferred card is a lucrative option if you can commit to 30 making transactions monthly. That's because, in addition to earning valuable Membership Rewards points on popular everyday bonus categories (1 point per dollar spent on non-bonus spending), you'll earn 50% more points in each billing cycle if you make 30 or more purchases.

Related: How to redeem American Express Membership Rewards for maximum value

If this is your only credit card or one of only a few you use for everyday purchases, you should be able to earn 50% bonus points every month for the life of the card. You'll effectively be earning 1.5x Membership Rewards points per dollar on everyday non-bonus spending.

Despite the $95 annual fee, you can earn even more points, thanks to the card's popular bonus categories such as 3x points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x point per dollar spent) and 2x points per dollar spent at U.S. gas stations, making it a solid choice for an everyday card. Remember that the 50% bonus makes those bonus categories even more valuable.

Read our review of the Amex EveryDay Preferred for more details.

The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express

The Blue Business Plus card is a favorite among Membership Rewards enthusiasts because it's one of the only no-annual-fee cards (see rates and fees ) to earn full-fledged transferable points. The credit card earns 2x points per dollar spent on all purchases, up to $50,000 in a year, then 1x point per dollar spent. TPG values Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, meaning this card provides a 4% return on all spending.

Potentially, you could net 100,000 Membership Rewards points a year by spending $50,000, which TPG values at $2,000. There are many ways to redeem Membership Rewards points for maximum value .

The only downside of this card is that it's a business card, not a personal card, so not everyone can apply for it ( though you may be more eligible than you think ).

Read the Blue Business Plus card review for more details.

As the lone Bank of America card on our list, the Bank of America Premium Rewards card packs a punch, with a sign-up bonus worth 50,000 points ($500). It also includes an up to $100 annual airline incidental fee statement credit , meaning you come out ahead every year you keep the card open after paying the $95 annual fee .

Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back or even a cash deposit into a linked Bank of America or Merrill account. The card earns 1.5x points on non-bonus spending and 2x points on travel and dining, which means this is a decent but not exceptional card for everyday purchases. Plus, earn 2 points for every $1 spent on grocery store purchases- now through 12/31/21. However, the card becomes more attractive when combined with Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program .

To significantly increase the value of your spending return, you'll need an eligible Bank of America checking account with an average daily balance of at least $20,000. The largest bonus is available to customers with a balance of $100,000 or more — at that level, you'll earn 3.5x points per dollar spent on dining and travel, and an impressive 2.62x points per dollar spent on non-bonus spending.

Read the Bank of America Premium Rewards review for more details.

The Citi Double Cash card comes with a competitive 2% cash back on everything — 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay it off. With no annual fee to worry about, you can keep it forever . The card increased in value when Citi allowed the cash back earned on the Double Cash card to convert into Citi ThankYou Points.

The card has substantial stand-alone value but paired with Citi's more premium cards, such as the Citi Premier® Card or Citi Prestige® Card , you could extract incredible value for travel. That's because Citi allows you to transfer points to their airline partners and book flight awards. With the added flexibility, the Citi Double Cash is a great option for everyday expenses.

The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Read the Citi Double Cash card review for more details.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited

The Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase. The card is an excellent addition to the Chase small-business lineup and currently offers a generous sign-up bonus of $750 (after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first three months), that is unusually large for a cash-back card with no annual fee.

You can qualify for a business credit card , whether you sell stuff online or work as a sole proprietor. Many freelance jobs or side hustles are considered businesses and eligible for a business credit card.

What makes the Ink Business Unlimited a phenomenal everyday card is that beyond earning 1.5x points on all purchases, you can also combine your rewards with Chase Ultimate Rewards credit cards ( Chase Sapphire Preferred , Chase Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred) . This gives you the ability to transfer points to travel partners or receive between 1.25-1.5 cents (depending on whether you have the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve) when you redeem points toward travel reservations made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal .

This card is very similar to the popular Chase Freedom Unlimited, except it offers a higher sign-up bonus. The only drawback is that you may have a tougher time getting approved for the Ink as a business card than for the personal Chase Freedom Unlimited.

Related: Ink Business Unlimited card review

This card only earns 1% cash back on everyday expenses. However, the real reason the Blue Cash Preferred is a top everyday spending card is for its incredibly lucrative bonus categories that hit home with many people.

The categories are as follows:

• 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions (Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, etc.)
• 6% back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per calendar year) then 1% after that
• 3% back on transit (parking, tolls, ride-share, subway, etc.)
• 3% back at U.S. gas stations
• 1% everywhere else
• Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.
• Terms apply

See the Blue Cash Preferred card review for more details.

Bottom line

There is no single best card for everyday spending — just the best one for your situation.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a wonderful starter card to begin accruing treasured Ultimate Rewards points. The Blue Business Plus offers an impressive 4% return on general spending (based on TPG valuations) with a limit of $50,000 each calendar year to earn 2x points (then 1x thereafter). In comparison, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a valuable sign-up bonus paired with more than a 2% return on everyday spending long-term.

The Citi Double Cash card earns 2% cash back (1% when you buy, plus 1% as you pay), which can be converted to ThankYou Points via a linked ThankYou account. And the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is a superb option if you have a high-balance relationship in Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program .

Ultimately, all cards on this list are valuable for everyday spending. Which one you choose will be determined by your spending habits and goals.

Related credit card guides

• Best rewards credit cards
• Best airline credit cards
• Best hotel credit cards
• Best cash back credit cards
• Best credit cards for groceries

Additional reporting by Benji Stawski and Chris Dong.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred card, please click here . For rates and fees of the Blue Business Plus card, please click here.

Updated on 5/3/21.

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Find the best credit card for you

Save on essentials with the best credit cards for maximizing everyday purchases, everyday essentials have become more expensive than ever. here's how you can use rewards to save..

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

As long as you can pay off your balance on time and in full each month, it can be beneficial to use a credit card when shopping for the basics. Using a credit card that offers  cash back, points or miles on your daily purchases can make your rewards balance balloon even more quickly.

While many popular cards are geared towards rewarding those who travel often, there are a number of great cards that are more centered on rewarding everyday purchases , such as grocery runs, gas fill-ups and online shopping.

To help you out on your next spending, CNBC Select details the best credit cards for shopping the essentials and maximizing those everyday purchases.

Best credit cards for everyday spending

• Best for groceries: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
• Best for travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Best for dining: American Express® Gold Card
• Best for cash back: Citi Double Cash® Card
• Best for gas: Citi Custom Cash® Card
• Best for online shopping: Prime Visa
• Best for rotating bonus categories:   Chase Freedom Flex℠

Best for groceries

Blue cash preferred® card from american express.

6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 3% cash back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

Welcome bonus

Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months. 

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

0% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.99% variable. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.

Balance transfer fee

Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Excellent/Good

See rates and fees , terms apply.

Who's this for: Amex's Blue Cash Preferred Card is a cash-back credit card ideal for someone who wants to earn a respectable return across a range of common spending categories.

As you spend on the card, you'll earn cash back in the following categories:

• 6% cash back on groceries and purchases at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year)
• 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
• 3% cash back on transit including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more
• 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Additionally, the card comes with a lucrative welcome offer where you can earn $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months.

The card also comes with valuable benefits such as an intro *0% APR offer on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening (after, 19.24% - 29.99% variable APR; variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%), the Disney Bundle* credits, Equinox+* credits and return protection (enrollment required for select benefits). (See rates and fees)

*Subject to auto-renewal

How to redeem rewards: You can redeem your cash back for a statement credit to help reduce your monthly statement. There are no minimums to do this.

Best for earning travel rewards

Chase sapphire preferred® card.

Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

Terms apply.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review .

Who's this for: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card remains one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards for its broad spending categories and low annual fee .

As you spend on the card, you'll earn:

• 5X points per dollar spent on Lyft rides through March 2025
• 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3X points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out
• 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
• 3X points on select streaming services
• 2X points on all other travel purchases
• 1X point on all other purchases

Plus, new cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. The bonus is worth up to $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

If you enjoy traveling, the card comes with solid travel benefits including a $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, comprehensive travel insurance and no foreign transaction fees .

How to redeem rewards: As you spend on the card, you'll earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. These points can be redeemed for cash back or gift cards at a rate of 1 cent per point. Points are worth 25% more when you use the Chase Travel℠ travel portal. You can potentially get even more value from your points by transferring them to one of Chase's airline or hotel partners, like World of Hyatt and United MileagePlus.

Best for dining

American express® gold card.

4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Not applicable

See Pay Over Time APR

See rates and fees , terms apply.

Read our American Express® Gold Card review .

Who's this for: The American Express Gold Card is ideal for foodies who want to rack up Amex Membership Rewards® points .

As you spend, you'll earn:

• 4X points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4X points per dollar spent on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
• 3X points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
• 1X points per dollar spent on all other purchases

Other benefits, which can help offset the annual fee , include monthly Uber credits, dining credits at select restaurants, travel insurance and special perks when booking hotel stays through The Hotel Collection (enrollment required for select benefits). Cardholders can also participate in Amex Offers , where they'll earn statement credits or bonus points at select retailers.

The Amex Gold Card is currently offering new cardholders a welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first 6 months of card membership.

How to redeem rewards: Amex Membership Rewards points are best used when transferred to one of Amex's various airline and hotel partners, such as Delta Air Lines or JetBlue. You can also redeem them for statement credits, gift cards and when checking out at retailers like Amazon , though you'll usually get a lower value for your points.

Best for earning cash back

Citi double cash® card.

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

0% for the first 18 months on balance transfers; N/A for purchases

19.24% - 29.24% variable

For balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening, an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies; after that, a balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies

Fair/Good/Excellent

See rates and fees . Terms apply.

Read our Citi Double Cash® Card review.

Who's this for: The Citi Double Cash Card is a no-frills, cash-back credit card that can quickly help you save on your monthly expenses. And if you forget to pay your bill, Citi will waive your first late fee — though we don't recommend getting into the habit of this.

As you spend on the card, you'll earn 2% cash back: 1% on all eligible purchases and an additional 1% after you pay your credit card bill. There's no limit to the cash back you can earn.

How to redeem rewards: The cash back you earn is awarded in Citi ThankYou® Points , which can be redeemed for statement credits, cash back, gift cards, travel or merchandise. And, if you have another Citi ThankYou® Points earning card like the  Citi Premier® Card , you can transfer your Citi Double Cash points to various travel partners. (See rates and fees ).

Best for gas

Citi custom cash® card.

Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.

Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for first 15 months

5% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum)

Excellent, Good, Fair

Read our Citi Custom Cash ® Card review .

Who's this for: The Citi Custom Cash Card is a great pick for your gas purchases, along with your other daily purchases.

• 5% cash back on purchases in the top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent (then 1%)
• 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025
• Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases

Eligible 5% cash back spending categories include gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment.

This means that you can earn up to $25 cash back each billing cycle if you maximize the gas or other eligible spending category. But if you typically exceed that $500 threshold, you may consider adding another gas rewards credit card like the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card .

In addition, the Citi Custom Cash Card has a simple welcome bonus where you can earn an additional $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 in the first six months of account opening.

How to redeem rewards: You can redeem your points for cash back as a statement credit or direct deposit, gift cards, travel and even on Amazon orders.

Best for online shopping

Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), 10% back or more on a rotating selection of products and categories at Amazon.com, unlimited 1% back on all other purchases

Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card (or more) instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members

$0 (but Prime membership is required)

19.49% - 27.49% variable

Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Information about the Prime Visa has been collected independently by Select and have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication; if you purchase something through Select links, we may earn a commission.

Who's this for: The Prime Visa is a good choice for someone with an eligible Prime membership who regularly shops on Amazon and at Whole Foods Market.

As you spend on the card, you'll earn unlimited:

• 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market
• 5% back on Chase Travel purchases
• Unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
• 1% back on all other purchases

The card also comes with a very simple welcome bonus. Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members.

How to redeem rewards: The cash back you earn with this card is awarded as points that are worth 1 cent apiece. You can use your points for eligible purchases at Amazon.com or redeem your points through Chase for cash back, gift cards and travel.

Best for rotating bonus categories

Chase freedom flex℠.

5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate (then 1%), 5% cash back on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on drugstore purchases and on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services), 1% cash back on all other purchases

Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

0% for the first 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers

20.49% - 29.24% variable

Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Member FDIC. Terms apply. Information about the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

Read our Chase Freedom Flex℠ review.

Who's this for: The Chase Freedom Flex allows flexible spenders to earn generous amounts of cash back.

• 5% cash back on the card's rotating categories (these change each quarter and require activation)
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases

The card also comes with a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months of card membership (after, 20.49% - 29.24% variable APR).

New cardholders can currently earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in their first three months from account opening.

How to redeem rewards: The cash back you earn can be redeemed for a statement credit, gift card, travel and more. Additionally, if you have another Chase-Ultimate-Rewards-earning card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , you can convert the cash back into transferrable Ultimate Rewards® points and potentially get much more value than 1 cent per point.

Is it good to use a credit card for everyday purchases?

By using a credit card for everyday purchases, you can earn valuable rewards fairly quickly. However, it's crucial to keep your spending within your budget and always pay off your bills on time and in full.

How can I maximize my spending on my credit card?

You can maximize your spending by having the right credit card that matches your spending habits. Additionally, if your spending habits change, you may consider switching cards to earn more rewards.

What is the best credit card to use for everyday purchases?

The best credit card for everyday purchases is one that most closely aligns with your purchasing habits and your financial goals.

Bottom line

Everyday essentials have quickly escalated in price, leaving many Americans scrambling to save money on their basic purchases.

While saving money by using a credit card may seem counterintuitive, credit cards provide a solid opportunity to make the purchases you need and earn rewards at the same time. However, it's important to remember that credit cards should work in tandem with your monthly budget. If you're overspending and getting into credit card debt , the rewards you'll earn won't make any tangible difference.

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card   review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card   products .  While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See  our methodology  for more information on how we choose the best credit cards.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of  credit cards ,  banking  and  money , and follow us on  TikTok ,  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Twitter  to stay up to date.

Information about the Prime Visa has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication; if you purchase something through Select links, we may earn a commission.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here .

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here .

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Best Travel Credit Cards of 2024

December 15, 2023

Going has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Going and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of all of the card offers that appear on this page are from advertisers; compensation may affect how and where the cards appear on the site; and Going does not include all card companies are all available card offers.

‍ The best travel credit cards bring you closer to your next trip by making your everyday spending more rewarding. 

I’m sharing with you some insight from my brilliant colleagues here at Going about how they use their own favorite travel rewards cards. Real advice from real people? It’s more helpful than you think!

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best Overall

Annual fee: annual_fees

Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee

Earning rate:

• Earn 5X points per dollar spent on travel purchased through Chase Travel(SM).
• Earn 3X points per dollar spent on online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), dining at restaurants (including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out).
• Earn 3X select streaming services. 
• Earn 2X points per dollar spent on all other eligible travel purchases (like airline tickets and hotel bills).
• Earn 1X point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full

• Low annual fee
• Great transfer partners -- Virgin Atlantic, FlyBlue and Air Canada are some of my favorite Chase transfer partners ‍
• Offers several types of travel protections, including car rental insurance
• Doesn't come with airline perks like lounge access or free checked bag
• Doesn't include credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry

Chase  points can be very valuable when you transfer them to airline partners. Plus the card offers travel insurance protections, for a low annual fee.

Who it's best for

Beginners and seasoned points and miles veterans alike may want to have the card_name in their wallet. It has an excellent welcome offer that you can redeem towards your next trip, and its bonus categories on travel, transit, food, and dining make a long-term keeper.

Read our review .

Why it’s in my wallet.

“I’ve had the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card for almost four years. Most often, I transfer the points to my hotel loyalty programs—Hyatt, Marriott, and IHG. The card has been clutch with accruing points and transferring them out!”

 — Bisola, Product Designer @ Going

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best travel credit card for beginners

• Earn 2X miles per dollar on every eligible purchase, everyday. 
• Earn 5X miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
• Statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• Flat 2x earning structure
• Capital One transfer partners do not include a domestic airline
• No bonus categories

The generous welcome offer on the card can help you get a head start on earning a free flight for your next trip.

If you’re just starting out in learning how to use points and miles to travel for less, the card_name is a great place to start. Unlike other cards that have bonus categories to track, you’ll earn 2X miles per dollar on every eligible purchase, everyday. (Editor's note: Capital One calls its points currency "miles.")

"I just got the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card for the welcome offer and the good general spend benefits!" 

— Rob, Director of Member Success @ Going

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Best for business travel

• Ads on social media or search engines
• Internet, cable, and phone services
• 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases 
• Points can be redeemed with transfer partners
• Comparatively low annual fee
• Bonus categories for common business expenses make earning points easy
• Chase offers several no-annual-fee business cards that may earn at a higher rate, depending on spending category
• No travel credits, like  Global Entry or  TSA PreCheck
• Subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule

For a low annual fee, you have the ability to earn bonus points on common business expenses and redeem those points for travel through Chase’s network of transfer partners. 

The card_name is a great option for business owners and entrepreneurs who want to earn travel rewards on everyday business expenses.

Read our review.

Citi premier ® card: best for gas and groceries.

• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets. 
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels. 
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• Earns bonus points in three spending categories
• Big welcome offer 
• JetBlue is the only domestic airline that is a transfer partner
• The travel bonus category limited to hotels and airlines: Other card

While other travel credit cards might earn bonus points on one or two of these bonus categories, the Citi Premier ® Card is the rare card that earns bonus points in gas, groceries, and travel.

The card_name stands out because it earns 3 Points per $1 spent on gas, groceries, restaurants, air travel and hotels. If these are big items in your budget, you'll earn that very generous welcome bonus easily.

Learn more about the Citi Premier Card.

The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best travel card for lounge access

Annual fee: annual_fees ( See Rates and Fees )

• Earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per calendar year); and on eligible prepaid hotels booked at AmexTravel.com, including The Hotel Collection. 
• Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• Great welcome offer
• Tons of travel perks included
• Access to Centurion lounges
• Very high annual fee
• Some statement credits can be difficult to use
• Low points earning rate
• To bring a guest to the Centurion Lounge , you need to spend $75,000 on the card the year before

If you can stomach the annual fee, the card offers a host of great travel benefits to enjoy. 

If you want to travel in luxury, card_name ( See Rates and Fees ) may be the card for you. Along with a stellar welcome offer, this card also grants you entry to the American Express Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass lounges. You’ll also get statement credits towards CLEAR Plus and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, helping you to speed through security. The card also gives you mid-level elite status at Marriott and Hilton hotels.

Why it's in my wallet

“The Platinum Card® from American Express ( See Rates and Fees; terms apply ) has made my layovers insanely more entertaining because I have access to airport lounges, where I can have a snack, a drink, and even shower before a long flight. In New York, we even scheduled massages and went to a speakeasy! 

I even added my entire family as authorized users for a small fee that gives them the same access to lounges. What a special way to treat my parents when they fly now!” 

The Bilt Mastercard: Best travel card with no annual fee

If you make at least five transactions with your Bilt card each statement period, you will earn:

• 1X points per dollar on rent (up to 100,000 points each calendar year)
• 2X points per dollar on travel
• 3X points per dollar on dining
• 1X point per dollar on other purchases
• Earn double the amount of points on non-rent payments on the first day of the month (e.g. earn 6X on dining on the 1st) 
• No annual fee card with travel partners
• Earn rewards on rent payments
• Extremely valuable travel rewards points currency
• No signup bonus
• To earn points, you must use the card at least five times each statement period.
• May not be as valuable if you are not a renter

The Bilt Mastercard is the rare travel credit card that charges no annual fee, yet offers a wide range of excellent transfer partners.

If you rent, card_name enables you to earn points on what's probably your biggest monthly bill. Just be aware that in order to earn any points at all, you must use the card at least five times in a statement period.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best premium travel rewards credit card

• 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. 
• 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel.
• 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
• Lower annual fee than most luxury travel credit cards
• Includes Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit  
• Includes access to Priority Pass lounges
• Earns the same 2x miles per dollar on everyday spending as does its sibling card, the Capital One Venture  
• Capital One Lounges are limited to only three airports currently
• Travel credit can only be used in the Capital One Travel portal

For a premium travel credit card, its annual fee is a bargain—comparatively speaking. Plus, the $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel portal, makes it even more palatable.

If you’re looking for a premium travel rewards card the card_name is an excellent option. The card gives you access to the network of Priority Pass airport lounges and Capital One Lounges, plus a statement credit for the application fee to Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

“I love the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card because it pretty much pays for itself with the $300 travel credit and 10,000 bonus points on your card member anniversary. I also love that I can easily transfer points from my Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card to the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. And of course, the Capital One Lounge in Dallas-Fort Worth is top tier!”

— Lanchi, Associate Product Operations Specialist @ Going

American Express® Gold Card: Best travel credit card for foodies

• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). 
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• Great welcome offer for American Express Membership Rewards points
• Excellent bonus earning rates
• No travel credits like CLEAR Plus or TSA PreCheck
• No lounge access
• High annual fee

This card is points-earning workhorse, especially if you love to eat. 

If you love to eat out, cook at home, or some combination of both, the card_name ( See Rates and Fees ) is worth considering. The card_name ( See Rates and Fees ) earns 4X points on restaurants, takeout and deliveries, plus 4X points on supermarkets (up to $25,000 at supermarkets), making it a powerful addition to your wallet.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card: Best credit card for international travel

• Earn 5x total points on flights when you purchase travel through Chase Travel (SM) after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• Earn 10x total points on hotels (excluding The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection) and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.
• Earn 3x points on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. 
• Earn 3x points on other travel worldwide after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.
• Earn 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• Generous, very flexible annual $300 travel credit
• Highly valuable points currency with great suite of airline and hotel transfer partners
• Bonus categories in travel and dining
• Earns similar bonus rates to its younger sibling, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The benefits that this card offers easily can make up for the high annual fee.

Although any of the cards on this list could be great options for international travel, the combination of the $300 annual travel credit, lounge access benefits, and statement credit for an application to Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS, makes the card_name Card the best card for international travel.

AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: Best airline card

• Annual fee:  $99
• Welcome bonus:  Earn 50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
• Rewards: Earn 2X AAdvantage ® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1X AAdvantage ® miles for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• Foreign transaction fee: None
• Welcome bonus is easy to earn
• First checked bag free
• $99 annual fee
• Must spend $20,000 to earn the companion pass

Who it’s best for: 

Among domestic airline co-branded credit cards with an annual fee under $100, the American Airlines AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® stands apart for its easy-to-earn welcome offer. To earn 50,000 bonus miles all you have to do is make one purchase and pay that and the $99 annual fee in full. Like other airline co-branded cards, this card gets you one free checked bag and preferred boarding. 

‍ Learn more about the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® .

How do travel credit cards work? 

Travel credit cards reward you for the purchases you make on everyday expenses. You’ll earn points each time you use the card to make eligible purchases, but you’ll earn more points if you spend on the card’s bonus categories. For example, the American Express Gold Card (see rates and fees) allows you to earn 4X points on restaurants worldwide. That means if you spent $100 on a meal out, you’d earn 400 points to redeem for travel. 

Travel credit cards enable you to earn points or miles on purchases that you can redeem for travel, but specific cards reward you in different ways. You can either earn transferable credit card points from a general-purpose travel credit card or miles or hotel points from an airline or hotel credit card. 

General travel credit cards

General travel credit cards allow you to earn points that you can transfer to a wide range of airlines and hotels. You could transfer some of your points to one airline partner, then a few months later transfer more points to a different airline partner, and then transfer points to a hotel partner. 

Currency:  Transferable credit card points

Example:  Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Who it’s best for:  Travelers who fly or stay with multiple airlines and hotels

Co-branded airline or hotel cards

These cards earn airline miles or hotel points that can only be used with the specific airline or hotel. Depending on how premium the card may be, the card may also give you additional perks like a free checked bag, priority boarding, airport lounge access, a leg up on elite status, or a free night’s stay at a hotel’s property. The benefits and points earned are often limited to using with that airline or hotel chain.

Currency:  Airline miles or hotel points

Example:  Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

Who it’s best for:  Travelers who are loyal to a specific airline or a hotel. 

Business travel credit cards

Business travel credit cards can be either general-purpose travel credit cards, earning flexible travel points, or co-branded with an airline or a hotel. Perks and earning rates tend to vary depending on the annual fee the business card charges. Of course, to be eligible for business travel credit card , you’d need to be a small business owner, freelancer, or entrepreneur.

Currency:  Either transferrable credit card points, airline miles, or hotel points

Example:  The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Who it’s best for:  Business owners or entrepreneurs who want to earn travel rewards on their business spending 

How to compare travel credit cards

Welcome offer.

The  welcome offer is the most fun part of opening a new credit card. After spending a certain amount on your new card within a predetermined amount of time, you’ll receive a treasure trove of tens of thousands of bonus points or miles. Earning a card’s welcome offer can help you get a free flight—or pretty close to one!

Earnings rate

After you’ve earned the welcome offer on your card, the card’s earning rate will help you continue to earn points or miles in the long term. Your spending habits should help guide your choice of cards. 

Do you spend a lot on groceries? Consider the  American Express Gold Card . Are you a renter? With  the Bilt Mastercard , you could earn points on your rent. 

Points, miles, or cash back

Even before you look at a card’s welcome offer, you should decide what type of travel points you want to earn. If you are looking to book a bucket trip to Tokyo or Rome, you might be better off getting a general-purpose travel credit card because it will give you a wider range of airline partners to transfer your points. 

On the other hand, if you are a Delta diehard or Marriott manic, a credit card with that brand could help get you a shortcut to elite status and a bunch of other benefits to use when you frequent that hotel or airline.

In addition to the credit card’s welcome offer and earning rates, the credit card’s annual fee is one of the most important deciding factors. While there are some travel credit cards with no annual fee, those that offer higher earning rates and more travel protections tend to have annual fees in the ballpark of $95. Cards offering premium benefits, like airport lounge access and travel statement credits, often carry annual fees of $395 or higher.

Foreign transaction fee

You’ll want to confirm that the card you’re considering does not charge a foreign transaction fee—it is a  travel  credit card, after all. Foreign transaction fees tend to be around 3% of each transaction, so if you’re traveling internationally for a week, that can add up fast. When you use a card that offers no foreign transaction fee, you’ll simply be charged that day’s exchange rate for your purchases—no extra fees. 

Lounge access

If you’re a frequent flyer, you may want to look for a credit card that includes access to airport lounges. This, too, is another area where general-purpose and co-branded credit cards differ somewhat. Higher-end airline cards offer you complimentary access to the airline’s network of airport lounges: For example, the card_name allows you complimentary access to Delta Sky Club®, plus four One-Time Guest Passes annually.*

Higher-end general-purpose travel credit cards also commonly offer  lounge access to their respective network of airport lounges: For example, the Platinum Card® from American Express gets you access to the American Express Centurion Lounges; the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Card each offer access to their issuers’ lounges, respectively. 

You’ll also want to check if the card you’re eyeing allows you to enroll in  Priority Pass Select™ , a membership program that grants you access to a wider network of airport lounges worldwide.

*Note: Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits (including Grab and Go) at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.

Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are two different Trusted Traveler Programs that provide travelers with expedited security screening or customs processing. To be eligible, you’ll need to apply online through the US Customs and Border Patrol and pay the application fee. Over two dozen travel credit cards offer statement credit that would reimburse for this fee. Check out our picks for the  best cards that offer TSA PreCheck or Global Entry .

Elite status

Airline elite status used to be earned by the amount of miles you flew, but now, airline elite status is largely determined by the amount of dollars you spend with an airline. The transition is a bummer for those who loved to do  mileage runs , but the good news is that airline credit cards offer a shortcut toward earning elite status. 

For example, The United ClubSM Infinite Card allows you to earn 25 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP, United’s metric for earning status) for every $500 spent on the card, up to 10,000 PQP.

Likewise, card_name and card_name each award cardholders $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs, Delta’s elite status currency) each Medallion Qualification Year. This alone gets you halfway to Delta’s Silver Medallion Status. Plus the cards allow you to earn MQDs based on your card spending: the card_name earns $1 MQD for each $10 spent on the card, while the card_name earns $1 MQD for each $20 spent on the card.

Travel insurance

Sometimes, shift happens in the overhead bins. Things happen in life, too, where you may need to cancel a trip due to illness, natural disaster, or personal emergency, or a trip may be delayed because of circumstances out of your control. 

When these things happen, a credit card with travel cancellation insurance may allow you to recoup your costs, while trip delay insurance may reimburse you for essential expenses like food or lodging. And, some cards offer baggage delay or lost baggage insurance. Just make sure to read your card’s terms and conditions carefully before filing a claim: Many require you to have made the original purchase on your card to qualify.

How to choose a travel credit card 

Now that you know what features to look for in a travel card, here are some questions and tips to keep in mind when you are picking one. 

Evaluating general-purpose travel credit card

When picking a general-purpose travel credit card, make sure to consider the following:

• Transfer partners:  Who are the airline partners, and can you redeem your points for good value?
• Travel portal statement credit:  Does the card issuer give you statement credit or perks toward booking through your card’s travel portal?
• Travel perks:  Does the card make travel more relaxing by giving you statement credit for Trusted Traveler programs or airport lounge access?
• Travel insurance protections

Evaluating airline credit cards

When picking an airline credit card look for the following:

• Companion fares:  This perk lets you  earn a companion pass that allows you to travel with a partner at a reduced rate. 
• Earning rates:  Airline cards usually offer the highest bonus rates on spending with their airline, but you’ll want to check what, if any, other bonus spending categories it offers.
• Free checked baggage:  This perk could let you get a  free checked bag for you and others on your reservation. 
• Elite status bonuses:  Does the card help you earn elite status with the airline quicker?
• Priority boarding:  If the card gives you this perk, you might be able to grab that overhead space first. 
• Airport lounge access
• Complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi

Evaluating hotel credit cards

When looking for a hotel credit card, pay attention to these things:

• Elite status:  You can generally expect cards with higher annual fees to give you higher tiers of elite status with the hotel chain. 
• Earning rates:  Hotel cards tend to earn bonus rates on hotel purchases, but check to see what other spending categories they might offer bonus rates.
• Free night certificate:  Does the card offer you a certificate for a free night’s stay each card anniversary? Some cards allow you to earn additional free night certificates based on spending or nights stayed at properties.
• Early check-in and late check-out: Many hotel credit cards offer this benefit. 
• Room upgrades or extra perks:  More elite cards offer complimentary room upgrades or complimentary services like a free breakfast or spa credit. 

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

• Big welcome offers can you get close to a free flight
• Travel perks like lounge access can make flying more comfortable
• Extra benefits like travel insurance or trusted traveler programs
• Can earn points for travel on everyday spending
• No foreign transaction fees
• Can offer free checked bag or elite status
• High annual fees
• High ongoing APRs
• Limited value for points outside of transferring to airline or hotel partners
• Cash-back rewards are simpler to redeem and understand
• Points and miles could expire or lose value over time
• Transferring to partners can be confusing or complicated

Remember: Your credit card should suit your lifestyle

It’s easy to get caught up in the glitz and glamor of a fancy credit card, but you shouldn’t have to drastically alter your own spending habits and lifestyle to take advantage of everything your card offers. If you find yourself working too hard to utilize a benefit or to redeem a credit that a card offers, it may not be a fit for you. 

You can always “product change” the card, i.e. convert it into another credit card within that same “card family” that better suits your needs. Never forget to take it step-by-step and to learn as you go. Points and miles will meet you where you are.

Frequently asked questions

How we chose our picks.

When making our picks, we gave a lot of weight to cards with standout welcome offers—the treasure trove of points a card issuer rewards you with for signing up for a new card and meeting the minimum spending requirements in time. The card’s bonus rewards categories also mattered a lot to us, since this is a card you’ll have long after the earning the welcome offer. We also factored in the card’s annual fee, its transfer partners, and additional benefits like free checked baggage, Global Entry credits, or lounge access.

See Rates and Fees for the card_name

Published December 15, 2023

Last updated April 22, 2024

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How to choose a credit card for everyday spending

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Key takeaways

• Everyday spending cards offer cash back in common spending categories, taking the hassle out of choosing the right credit card for each purchase.
• Some of the most popular everyday spending cards include flat-rate and bonus rate cards that offer bonuses on categories like gas, groceries and travel.
• Whether you should add a new everyday card to your wallet depends on your budget and spending habits, as well as the cards you already own.

What credit card do you use for your day-to-day purchases? Whether you’ve thought about it or not, you probably have an everyday spending card — that is, a card you automatically reach for every time you complete an in-store checkout or make an online purchase. Tools like digital wallets make this process even easier by allowing you to select a single credit card as your default card.

So, how do you choose the best everyday card for maximizing the rewards you earn ? Here is a short list of the best credit cards for daily use. We’ve also included some tips for getting the most out of your rewards by combining an everyday spending card with a specialized credit card.

Should I get a credit card for everyday purchases?

When considering a credit card for daily use, you first want to determine which type of reward card benefits you the most. If you’re trying to stock up on points to cover the cost of a big trip, you should put your day-to-day shopping on a travel credit card or an airline credit card. That way, you’ll have the opportunity to earn rewards that you can redeem towards your next vacation. Plus, you might even earn a sign-up bonus that can significantly increase your total points or miles.

Or, you may prefer earning rewards that go straight to your budget’s bottom line. Many prefer using a more flexible rewards credit card for everyday expenses, such as a flat-rate cash back credit card that earns at least 1.5 percent cash back on every purchase. While travel credit cards often reserve their best rewards for purchases related to travel, flat-rate cash back cards give you the same percentage of cash back no matter what you buy. Then, you can redeem that cash for everything from statement credits to Amazon purchases.

After evaluating your spending habits, you may realize that most of your day-to-day expenses fall into a single shopping category — like groceries, gas or online shopping. If so, you might want to consider a card that specifically rewards that type of spending. Use our guides to the best credit cards for groceries , the best credit cards for gas and the best credit cards for shopping online to help you choose the best credit card for day-to-day use.

Need more help choosing a credit card? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool where you can get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

How to choose a credit card for daily spending

Selecting the best credit card for day-to-day use comes down to a matter of your spending habits and personal preferences. With a variety of cards to choose from, you are sure to find a card that meets your personal goals and needs.

For example, if you spend a lot of money each month on groceries or dining, cards that offer cash back and welcome bonuses in these categories may be a good choice for daily use. Earning a higher percentage of cash back on these purchases could help you earn hundreds of dollars more in cash back every year.

If you’re hoping to maximize your cash back earnings and your spending is more varied, a card that offers bonus cash back in rotating categories may be the best credit card for daily use. These rotating bonus categories often earn up to 5 percent cash back on things like streaming services , gas stations and drug store purchases.

A flat-rate cash back card can also be a great tool for everyday spending, especially if you are concerned about simplicity. These cards offer an easy to understand flat cash back rate on all purchases. With a card like this, you can earn a solid level of cash back on every purchase without worrying about any bonus categories.

On the other hand, if you love to travel, a cash back card may not be the best fit for your everyday spending. Using a travel rewards credit card or airline credit card instead can help you earn points and miles that you can redeem for flights, hotel stays and more. This type of card could help you save big money on your next trip.

Comparing the top credit cards for everyday spending

There are several factors to consider for selecting the top credit card for everyday spending. Not only is the rewards potential a vital consideration, but so is a card’s annual fee. Plus, if your goal is to maximize potential rewards, you’ll want to meet your card’s minimum spending requirement to earn welcome offers or sign-up bonuses. Keep in mind these are usually only available for brand-new cardholders.

A closer look at the best credit cards for everyday spending

What’s the best credit card for everyday spending? It depends. Many of today’s best credit cards could be excellent everyday spending cards, depending on where your money goes every month. If you’re looking for some tips on choosing a credit card, here are four of our favorite everyday spending cards for you to consider.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers unlimited 2 percent cash rewards on purchases. This makes it one of the best credit cards for everyday spending, hands down. Plus, you don’t have to keep up with any promotions, activations or bonus categories to maximize earnings. Making it better is the fact that it has no annual fee, and new cardholders can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash is designed for people with good or excellent credit. So if you’re still working on building your credit score, you might consider a card with less restrictive requirements for eligibility — like the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card . This card comes with a $39 annual fee but offers 5 percent cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. It also offers 1.5 percent cash back on all other purchases, making it an excellent starter credit card .

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is one of our favorite everyday spending cards for families that do a lot of grocery shopping. Cardholders earn 6 percent cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases (for up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1 percent), 6 percent back on select U.S. streaming services, 3 percent cash back on transit and U.S. gas station purchases (including taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains and buses) and 1 percent back on all other purchases. Plus, you can earn a $250 statement credit after making $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months.

This card does come with an annual fee of $95 per year ($0 intro annual fee for the first year). However, savvy shoppers may find their cash back rewards quickly outpace the card’s annual fee — especially once you do the math and determine that it only takes about $1,600 in grocery purchases to earn $95 in cash back rewards.

Discover it® Cash Back

The Discover it® Cash Back card is a rotating bonus category credit card, offering 5 percent cash back on categories that rotate every quarter (for up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1 percent, activation required) and an unlimited 1 percent cash back on other purchases.

Some people love the idea of cash back bonuses that change every quarter. Other people are concerned that they won’t be able to take advantage of everything the Discover it® Cash Back card has to offer. Can a rotating bonus category card still be one of the best credit cards for everyday spending?

We think so. Discover’s cashback calendar is packed with bonus categories that should appeal to most shoppers — groceries, restaurants, gas stations and more. New Discover cardholders can also take advantage of Discover’s Cashback Match™ program , which matches all the cash back rewards you earn during your first year. The Discover it Cash Back also comes without an annual fee, so it doesn’t cost you anything up front to carry the card.

If you’re looking for an everyday spending card that offers top rewards on popular spending categories, the Discover it® Cash Back card should be at the top of your list.

We think so. Discover’s cashback calendar is packed with bonus categories that should appeal to most shoppers — groceries, restaurants, gas stations and more. New Discover cardholders can also take advantage of Discover’s Cashback Match™ program , which matches all the cash back rewards you earn during your first year.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ * is a smart choice for someone who wants to take advantage of a welcome bonus offer but wants to avoid too much complexity or a high spending threshold. Cardholders who spend $500 within the first 3 months after account opening can earn a $200 welcome bonus. The $500 spending requirement is one of the smallest out there and can be easily achieved through routine purchases for gas, groceries and other necessities.

However, the welcome bonus isn’t the only thing to like about the card. For starters, you have plenty of opportunities to earn up to 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 of purchases in activated bonus categories each quarter (after you reach this level, you earn 1 percent). Lyft rides (through March 2025) and Chase Travel purchases also earn 5 percent cash back. Additionally, you earn 3 percent cash back on drugstore and dining purchases — including restaurants, takeout and eligible delivery services — and 1 percent for all other purchases, all of which are ideal categories for everyday spenders.

How to combine an everyday spending card with a specialized credit card

Everyday spending cards are great on their own, but they’re even better when combined with a specialized spending card. For example, suppose you have a flat-rate cash back card and an airline credit card. In that case, you can maximize your credit card rewards by putting the majority of your day-to-day spending on your everyday spending card while putting all of your airline and travel purchases on your airline credit card .

Not only will you earn both cash back and miles , but you’ll also be able to take advantage of the other perks that come with the top airline credit cards — including elite membership status, annual airline credits, companion passes and more.

How do you know which specialized credit card to choose? Consider whether there is one category of spending that takes up a large percentage of your budget. Combining an everyday spending card with a store credit card , for example, could save you a lot of money every time you shop at your favorite retailer. Some people pair an everyday spending card with a travel, airline or hotel credit card to get the most out of every purchase, whether at home or on vacation.

Knowing where your money goes and where you’d like to earn the most rewards will help you choose the credit card combination that works best for you.

What credit score is needed for an everyday-spending credit card?

If you want a credit card that offers the most lucrative rewards, you’ll need a good to excellent credit score rating. Generally speaking, the more attractive the rewards program is, the more stringent the qualifications are for approval.

If your credit score falls in the poor or fair categories, you still have options . You may qualify for a credit builder card or a secured credit card option, and you can always work towards improving your credit score for future applications.

The bottom line

How do you choose the best credit card for everyday spending? It all comes down to where your money goes and what you hope to get out of your purchases.

If you want to earn the same cash back rate on every purchase, a top cash back card may be the best everyday spending card for you. On the other hand, if most of your budget goes towards gas and groceries, credit cards offering higher rewards on those purchases could be a better fit. Or, if you’re planning a vacation, using a travel credit card every time you shop could help you save big on your next trip.

*Issuer-required disclosure statement

Information about the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Bankrate. Card details have not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.

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Citi Double Cash Review: A Solid Choice for Everyday Spending

What’s on This Page

The bottom line, pros and cons, detailed review, compare to other cards, benefits and perks, drawbacks and considerations, how to decide if it's right for you.

Although the market has started to catch up, this remains one of the better top-of-wallet cards. Use it by itself every day, or as a companion to bonus category cards.

Rewards rate

Bonus offer

• Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months

Ongoing APR

APR: 19.24%-29.24% Variable APR

Cash Advance APR: 29.99%, Variable

Penalty APR: Up to 29.99%, Variable

Balance transfer fee

Intro fee 3% of each transfer ($5 min) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, 5% of each transfer ($5 min).

Foreign transaction fee

• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
• Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
• If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
• There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

No annual fee

High rewards rate

Intro balance transfer fee

No intro APR period on purchases

The Citi Double Cash® Card is a valuable workhorse among credit cards. With superior flat-rate cash back, it’s ideal for consumers who want low-hassle cash rewards on everything they charge. What it lacks in sizzle, it makes up for in daily dependability. It’s a Honda Accord in a credit card market that's lately gotten jammed with Lamborghini wannabes.

Most of what you need to know: The card gives you 2% cash back on every purchase — 1% when you make it, and another 1% back when you pay it off. Rewards are unlimited, and the annual fee is $0 .

The Citi Double Cash® Card stands up well on its own, but it also makes an ideal companion to a bonus-category credit card for those who use a two-card strategy to maximize cash back. And you can transfer rewards to a handful of partners to potentially snag outsize value.

On the downside, the card offers no 0% introductory period for purchases, which is nearly table stakes for top-tier cash back cards. Even so, to get good, reliable rewards with minimum effort (or cost), this card should be among the top few you consider.

» MORE: Credit cards that earn 2% cash back or more on purchases

Citi Double Cash® Card : Basics

Card type: Cash back .

Annual fee: $0 .

Sign-up bonus: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

Rewards: 2% cash back on purchases, distributed in two stages:

1% back for every dollar spent.

1% back for every dollar paid off.

Through Dec. 31, 2024, cardholders also get 5% total cash back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel portal.

Technically, rewards earned on the Citi Double Cash® Card appear in a cardholder's account as Citi ThankYou points , but that will not affect your ability to earn or redeem cash back. You'll earn 1 point per $1 spent and 1 point per $1 paid off. Points are worth 1 cent apiece when redeemed for cash back, meaning you'll still get 2% cash back on purchases. See here for more information .

Redemption options: Statement credit, bank account deposit or a check. You can also transfer your points to a handful of partners, including JetBlue, Wyndham and more.

Interest rate: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months, and then the ongoing APR of 19.24%-29.24% Variable APR .

Balance transfer fee: 3% of the amount transferred or $5 (whichever is greater) for transfers completed within the first four months of account opening; 5% fee or $5, whichever is greater, after that.

Foreign transaction fee: 3%.

» MORE: Citi credit cards mobile app review

The industry standard for cash back used to be 1%. As its name implies, the Citi Double Cash® Card essentially doubles that rate, paying 1% back on purchases and 1% after paying the bill. The sooner you pay your balance, the sooner you earn the second half of the rewards. That's a powerful incentive to pay your credit card bill in full every month, which we recommend you do anyway to avoid interest.

While we still think this is a fine card, it’s not quite the industry unicorn it used to be. Other cards also offer 2% cash back or more on purchases .

When you redeem cash back for a credit on your statement, you don’t earn the second 1%. That’s because you’re not actually paying off that amount; it’s just subtracted from your bill. But that’s a minor consideration. Redeeming a hefty $1,000 per year would mean forgoing $10 in rewards for the convenience of taking the money in the form of a statement credit. That’s still very close to a 2% return on spending, assuming you pay your bill in full every month.

» MORE: Citi Flex Plan: What it is and how it works

Many cash-back cards offer bonus categories — some of them permanent, some that change from time to time and some that adjust with your spending. They allow you to earn extra rewards in featured categories, such as gas stations, restaurants and home improvement stores. They can be a hassle to keep track of. Some limit the amount of spending eligible for bonus rewards, and all spending over that limit earns a mundane 1% cash back.

With the Citi Double Cash® Card , you can be a lazy optimizer and whip out the same card all the time, without thinking about where you’re using the card and whether you’ve reached the limit for a bonus spending category. That said, there's one opportunity to earn extra rewards, at least temporarily: Through Dec. 31, 2024, you earn 5% total cash back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel portal.

Flexibility

Even though the Citi Double Cash® Card is considered a cash-back credit card, technically what you're earning are Citi ThankYou points . And while those points can easily be turned into cash at a rate of a penny each, they could potentially be even more valuable when used for travel.

The card features a handful of travel partners, including JetBlue, Wyndham and Choice Privileges, and depending on your credit card strategy and travel goals, this conversion flexibility could potentially increase the value of your rewards, should you find a good deal on flights or hotels with those partners.

That's especially true if you happen to hold multiple Citi cards because you can combine points across them all. While the Citi Double Cash® Card features only a few transfer partners, other Citi products — like the Citi Premier® Card or Citi Prestige® Card — feature more than a dozen.

The Citi ThankYou rewards program is not as straightforward as others and requires a little know-how to navigate in order to get the best value. For example, transfer ratios with the Citi Double Cash® Card are less than favorable: 1,000 ThankYou points would get you only 800 points with JetBlue or Wyndham.

» READ: Citi trifecta: Earn 2% to 5% on every purchase

No everyday bonus categories

Double cash on all purchases is great, but it’s less than you’ll find on cards that offer elevated rewards on spending at everyday places like restaurants, supermarkets or gas stations.

Indeed, some cards offer 5% back on bonus categories that change quarterly. In the past, categories have included gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets, Amazon.com and PayPal. Good examples are the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Discover it® Cash Back . Both offer 5% back on categories that you activate, on up to $1,500 in spending per quarter (equal to $75 in cash back), and 1% on all other spending.

Other cash-back cards have bonus categories that don't change. The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a good example. The card earns 3% cash back on up to $6,000 spent per year in each of three categories: U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retail purchases. Other spending earns 1% cash back. Terms apply ( see rates and fees ). It has an annual fee of $0 .

By contrast, bonus rewards on the Citi Double Cash® Card are limited to certain travel bookings when done through Citi.

For optimizers, the decision is not either-or, but both. Boost cash rewards by using a bonus-categories card to get higher earnings on certain purchases, and use the Citi Double Cash® Card for everything else. That reaps a superior return with a little more effort.

And some cards offer a combination: a good flat rate on most purchases, a sign-up bonus and bonus categories. Example: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® .

Flat rate: 1.5%

Bonus category rewards: 3% cash back on dining at restaurants and drugstore purchases and 5% on travel purchased through Chase.

Sign-up bonus: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

» MORE: NerdWallet’s best rewards credit cards

No intro APR on purchases

The intro APR offer for this card is: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months, and then the ongoing APR of 19.24%-29.24% Variable APR .

Noticeably absent is an intro APR rate on purchases. Why is that important? After you transfer a balance to this card, future purchases you charge to it will begin accruing interest immediately. You won’t have a credit card grace period , even if you pay off your new purchases in full. You only get the grace period back if you also completely pay off the balance transfer amount. That’s why many other cards feature an intro APR offer, often for the same number of months, for both balance transfers and purchases.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best 0% intro APR cards

Its 3% fee for foreign transactions means this is a poor choice of card to use abroad. To be fair, this fee is more common on cash-back cards, but rarer on travel cards.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best no foreign transaction fee credit cards

If you want a low-hassle, flat-rate rewards card, the Citi Double Cash® Card fits the bill because its rewards apply to all spending and have no limit. Your return rate can be even better if you use it in conjunction with a bonus-categories card.

Need more information to help you compare your cash-back credit card options? Our best credit cards page can help.

» MORE: Benefits of the Citi Double Cash® Card

To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express , see this page .

Earn 5% cash back in rotating categories that you activate (on up to $1,500 per quarter in spending), and 1% on all other spending. Bonus: INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300. Annual fee: $0 .

Looking For Something Else?

Methodology.

NerdWallet reviews credit cards with an eye toward both the quantitative and qualitative features of a card. Quantitative features are those that boil down to dollars and cents, such as fees, interest rates, rewards (including earning rates and redemption values) and the cash value of benefits and perks. Qualitative factors are those that affect how easy or difficult it is for a typical cardholder to get good value from the card. They include such things as the ease of application, simplicity of the rewards structure, the likelihood of using certain features, and whether a card is well-suited to everyday use or is best reserved for specific purchases. Our star ratings serve as a general gauge of how each card compares with others in its class, but star ratings are intended to be just one consideration when a consumer is choosing a credit card. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.

Frequently asked questions

This card pays you 2% cash back on all purchases, but that money comes in two parts: You get 1% cash back on every dollar you spend, then another 1% back on every dollar you pay back.

The rewards structure gives you an incentive to pay off your charges as quickly as possible.

The simplest way to redeem cash back with the Citi Double Cash® Card is to take the money as a statement credit. If you have, say, $50 in cash back, you can apply it to your account and reduce your balance by $50. You can also get your cash back as a direct deposit into a bank account or as a paper check.

The standard offer on the Citi Double Cash® Card does not include a sign-up bonus. Its value comes with the higher rate it pays on every purchase.

The Citi Double Cash® Card is a Mastercard.

About the author

Gregory Karp

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Best Credit Cards To Pair With the Capital One Venture X

Ariana Arghandewal

Travel Expert

Ariana Arghandewal is a travel rewards expert and founder of Pointchaser.com, an award-winning blog. She has over a decade of experience writing about personal finance and travel rewards. She is passionate about helping people leverage credit cards to achieve their travel goals. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including Bankrate, Business Insider, CNN Underscored, Forbes Advisor and Lonely Planet.

Claire Dickey

Senior Editor

Claire is a senior editor at Newsweek focused on credit cards, loans and banking. Her top priority is providing unbiased, in-depth personal finance content to ensure readers are well-equipped with knowledge when making financial decisions. 

Prior to Newsweek, Claire spent five years at Bankrate as a lead credit cards editor. You can find her jogging through Austin, TX, or playing tourist in her free time.

Updated April 26, 2024 at 4:14 pm

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular travel credit cards , thanks to a generous rewards structure, luxury travel perks and recurring mileage bonus. The card earns a minimum of 2X miles on all spending and includes an annual $300 credit through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles every anniversary. While the card is a powerhouse on its own (and quite reasonable even for its $395 annual fee), it might not suffice on its own if you’re looking to earn as many rewards as possible on all of your purchases.

For example, many credit cards offer 3 or more points per dollar spent on common spending categories like dining, gas and groceries. Adding one of these cards to your wallet can help you earn more rewards and unlock better travel opportunities.

So, which card pairs best with the Capital One Venture X? Ultimately, it depends on your specific needs. However, we’ve rounded up some options for different types of consumers.

Here’s a look at the best credit card to pair with Capital One Venture X:

Understanding the value of cash back is simple, but valuing airline miles or points redeemable for travel requires digging a bit deeper. At Newsweek, we’ve developed a common language to talk about the value of points and miles: our valuations.

Our valuations translate points into dollars and cents in a way that reflects reality. They are based on actual data across a balance of accessible redemption options, not just the aspirational first and business class redemptions that require a PhD in miles and points to book. The upshot is that our valuations help you understand the actual value you can easily get from your miles and points.

Vault’s Viewpoint

• A good companion card to the Capital One Venture X card would have a lower annual fee and earn higher rewards on everyday spending categories.
• The Citi Premier® Card is an excellent companion to Capital One Venture X, thanks to its 3X bonus categories on daily spending.
• When pairing a card with the Venture X, remember to consider how the cards’ loyalty programs would mesh together.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital one venture x and citi premier card.

The Citi Premier® Card complements the Capital One Venture X nicely thanks to its comprehensive category bonuses and loyalty program. While the Venture X card earns a flat 2X miles on all purchases, the Citi Premier offers higher rewards in categories like restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations. Thanks to numerous overlapping transfer partners , combining these two cards can help you achieve your travel goals faster.

The Venture X earns 2X miles on all purchases, 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel and 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. It’s great for maximizing rewards on most purchases, including travel. However, the Citi Premier takes it up a notch by helping you maximize rewards on everyday purchases. Cardholders earn 3X points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels.

Additionally, the card offers 10X points on hotels and rental cars booked through ThankYou.com (through June 30, 2024). Combining these two cards is a great way to elevate your rewards on every dollar spent.

The Capital One Venture X and Citi Premier also complement each other well when it comes to benefits. The Venture X offers a $300 annual travel credit valid on Capital One Travel bookings, a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus automatically received each year you pay the annual fee and renew your card, comprehensive lounge benefits and up to a $100 Global Entry or TSA Precheck membership credit every four years. With the Citi Premier, you’ll get up to an annual

$100 hotel benefit that applies to single hotel bookings of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) made through ThankYou.com. These combined benefits create a power suite of perks that can significantly enhance your travel experience.

While Citi eliminated most of its travel and purchase protections a few years ago, Capital One makes up for it with comprehensive purchase and travel protections. These include trip cancellation and interruption coverage, travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, primary auto rental collision damage waiver, cell phone protection, purchase security and more.

Similar Transfer Partners

Additionally, the two cards allow you to transfer Capital One miles 1:1 to over a dozen loyalty programs. The Citi ThankYou and Capital One miles transfer programs have 14 programs in common, making it easy to combine your rewards for redemptions with the following programs:

• Accor Live Limitless
• Aeromexico Club Premier
• Air France/KLM Flying Blue
• Avianca Lifemiles
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
• Choice Privileges
• Emirates Skywards
• Etihad Guest
• Eva Air Infinity MileageLands
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Singapore KrisFlyer
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
• Virgin Red/Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
• Wyndham Rewards

If you prefer to redeem your Thank You points or Capital One miles for travel redemptions, you can do so at 1 cent each. Both currencies are incredibly versatile, and you can combine them in numerous ways to save on travel.

Citi Premier® Card

After spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com

Why Would You Want To Pair One Card With Another?

Pairing the Capital One Venture X with another credit card can help you maximize rewards across various spending categories. While the Venture X excels in providing generous travel rewards, it doesn’t offer competitive rewards on dining, groceries or other daily spending categories. By pairing it with another credit card, you can earn rewards in a broader range of purchases.

For instance, coupling the Venture X with a card like the Citi Premier can help you earn points at an accelerated rate on everyday purchases like gas, dining and grocery spending. By strategically using each card for its respective bonus categories, you can optimize your points accumulation and ultimately increase the value of your rewards.

Other Cards To Consider

While the Citi Premier is a great card to pair with the Venture X, it has some drawbacks. Primarily, the card lacks purchase and travel protections. While the Venture X makes up for this disadvantage, some consumers prefer that all their credit cards offer these protections. If the Citi Premier doesn’t quite fit the bill, here are some alternatives to pair with the Capital One Venture X Card.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

If you want a card similar to the Citi Premier but with better category bonuses, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is worth a look. The card earns an unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 3% at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Target and Walmart). While the rewards are in cash back form , the elevated earning rate compared to the Venture X makes it worthwhile.

The Savor Cash Rewards card has a $95 annual fee, which is reasonable considering the Venture X card comes in at $395. Further, new applicants can earn a welcome bonus of $300 cash bonus after spending $3,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is one of the best no-annual-fee cards to pair with the Capital One Venture X. The card earns 3X points on gas, transit, travel, restaurants, popular streaming services and phone plans—all pretty significant purchase categories for most people. By charging these expenses to the Autograph Card and all others to the Venture X, you can earn a lot of rewards quickly.

The great thing about the Autograph Card is that it recently introduced transfer partners . In addition to redeeming points for cash back at 1 cent each, cardholders can transfer their points 1:1 or better to five loyalty programs: Aer Lingus AerClub, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Avianca Lifemiles, British Airways Executive Club, Choice Privileges and Iberia Plus Avios. Three of these programs overlap with Capital One, allowing you to stack rewards easily for an award redemption.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business card is a great addition to your wallet if you want to earn 2X miles on all purchases while separating your business expenses. The card earns unlimited 2X miles on all purchases and 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. The Spark Miles for Business has a $95 ongoing annual fee with no annual fee in the first year, making it an excellent option for business owners who want rewards similar to those of the Venture X without a steep annual fee.

Cardholders also get access to up to a $100 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit every four years. Additionally, the card comes with a generous one-time welcome bonus of 50,000 miles earned once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the downsides of the capital one venture x.

The main downside of the Capital One Venture X card is the high annual fee. Some cardholders will have trouble justifying the $395 annual fee if they don’t utilize the card’s benefits fully or earn enough rewards. Additionally, Capital One pulls your credit from all three credit bureaus when you apply for the card. Most other banks pull from one or two.

Is the Capital One Venture X Hard To Get Approved For?

The Capital One Venture X card is somewhat hard to get approved for since it’s recommended for those with excellent credit, or a FICO Score of 800 and above.

Can I Get a Venture X Card if I Have a Capital One Venture Card?

Yes, you can get the Venture X card if you have the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . Many cardholders, myself included, have been approved for both. Keep in mind that Capital One considers numerous criteria when evaluating credit applications. Being an existing card member won’t guarantee you’ll be approved.

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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. We may earn a commission from partner links on Newsweek, but commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.