10 Best Points Rewards Credit Cards
10 Best Points Rewards Credit Cards
Points rewards credit cards are designed to help you earn points for every dollar you spend, which can later be redeemed for a variety of rewards such as travel, merchandise, or statement credits. These cards function by offering bonus categories, allowing you to earn more points on specific types of purchases, such as dining, gas, or groceries. The points you accumulate can be redeemed through the credit card issuer's rewards program, which typically partners with airlines, hotels, and other merchants.
The main benefit of points rewards credit cards is that they allow cardholders to earn rewards for everyday spending. If you choose a card with the right bonus categories, you can maximize your rewards and enjoy valuable perks such as travel discounts, cashback, and access to exclusive events. Many points rewards credit cards also come with additional benefits such as sign-up bonuses, no annual fees for the first year, or access to special offers for loyal customers. Now, let's take a look at the 10 best points rewards credit cards available in the market today.
1.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a travel rewards credit card that offers a generous points system for travel and dining purchases. It is popular for its low annual fee compared to other premium cards and strong value for frequent travelers.
2X Points on Travel and Dining: Earn two points per dollar on travel and dining purchases.
Sign-Up Bonus: Large bonus offer for new cardholders who meet the spending requirement.
Travel Protection: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay, and primary car rental insurance.
Point Redemption Flexibility: Use points for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program, which provides extra value when booking flights and hotels.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travelers.
Sign-Up Bonus: Large bonus offer for new cardholders who meet the spending requirement.
Travel Protection: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay, and primary car rental insurance.
Point Redemption Flexibility: Use points for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program, which provides extra value when booking flights and hotels.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travelers.
Chase Sapphire Preferred CardCheck HereChase Sapphire Preferred Card - - Offers excellent travel rewards with no annual fee for active-duty service members, along with 2X points on travel and dining.
Pros
Great value for travel and dining purchases- Strong sign-up bonus
- Comprehensive travel insurance benefits
Cons
Requires good credit for approval- Lower rewards rate compared to premium cards
- Annual fee applies
Key Features
2X points on travel and dining
Travel protections
Flexible points redemption with Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Travel protections
Flexible points redemption with Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Why Is Recommended
This card is recommended for those who want a solid travel rewards card with a relatively low annual fee. It is perfect for individuals who travel occasionally and want to earn points for travel and dining, along with strong travel protections.
2.
American Express® Gold Card
A rewards card designed for foodies and travelers, offering high rewards on dining and groceries.
Rewards: 4 points per $1 on dining, 3 points on flights, 1 point on other purchases.
Dining Credits: $120 dining credit annually, divided between $10/month at select restaurants.
Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months.
Dining Credits: $120 dining credit annually, divided between $10/month at select restaurants.
Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months.
- American Express® Gold CardCheck Here
American Express® Gold Card - - Earn 4x points on dining at restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and 3x points on flights, perfect for food lovers and travelers.
Pros
- High rewards on dining and travel.
- $120 dining credit.
- Flexible redemption options.
Cons
- High annual fee ($250).
- Requires good to excellent credit for approval.
Key Features
Rewards: 4 points on dining, 3 points on flights, 1 point on others.
APR: 20.24% – 27.24% variable.
Annual Fee: $250.
Bonus: 60,000 points after $4,000 in the first 6 months.
APR: 20.24% – 27.24% variable.
Annual Fee: $250.
Bonus: 60,000 points after $4,000 in the first 6 months.
Why Is Recommended
Perfect for those who eat out often and travel, providing high rewards rates and travel-related benefits like no foreign transaction fees.
3.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
A travel rewards card that earns unlimited miles on every purchase.
Rewards: 2 miles per $1 on every purchase.
Sign-Up Bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Fee Credit: $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Sign-Up Bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Fee Credit: $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardCheck Here
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card - - Earn 2x miles on every purchase, and use your miles for flexible travel rewards, including flights, hotels, and car rentals.
Pros
- Simple 2x miles on every purchase.
- Big sign-up bonus.
- Global entry/PreCheck credit.
Cons
- High annual fee ($95).
- Limited bonus categories.
Key Features
Rewards: 2 miles per $1 on all purchases.
APR: 20.99% – 28.99% variable.
Annual Fee: $95.
Bonus: 75,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months.
APR: 20.99% – 28.99% variable.
Annual Fee: $95.
Bonus: 75,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months.
Why Is Recommended
Ideal for travelers who want simple, straightforward rewards with global travel benefits.
4.
Citi Premier Card
The Citi Premier® Card is a travel rewards credit card that offers substantial earning potential on travel, dining, and entertainment purchases. It's a great card for those who want to earn rewards on everyday spending while also maximizing benefits for travel-related purchases.
3X Points on Travel: Earn 3 points per dollar on travel purchases, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.
2X Points on Dining & Entertainment: Earn 2 points per dollar on restaurants, including takeout, and entertainment, such as concerts and sporting events.
1X Points on Other Purchases: Earn 1 point on all other purchases.
$100 Annual Hotel Credit: Receive $100 in statement credits annually for hotel stays booked through the ThankYou® portal.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: Great for international travel.
Access to Citi Entertainment: Enjoy access to presale tickets and special events.
2X Points on Dining & Entertainment: Earn 2 points per dollar on restaurants, including takeout, and entertainment, such as concerts and sporting events.
1X Points on Other Purchases: Earn 1 point on all other purchases.
$100 Annual Hotel Credit: Receive $100 in statement credits annually for hotel stays booked through the ThankYou® portal.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: Great for international travel.
Access to Citi Entertainment: Enjoy access to presale tickets and special events.
- Citi Premier CardCheck Here
Citi Premier Card - - Earn 3x points on travel (including gas stations), and 2x points on dining and entertainment, making it ideal for versatile spenders.
Pros
- High earning rate for travel, dining, and entertainment
- $100 annual hotel credit
- No foreign transaction fees
- Valuable Citi ThankYou® rewards program
Cons
- High annual fee
- Points redemption can be less flexible than some other programs
- Requires good credit for approval
Key Features
3X points on travel, 2X on dining and entertainment
$100 annual hotel credit
Citi ThankYou® rewards program
No foreign transaction fees
$100 annual hotel credit
Citi ThankYou® rewards program
No foreign transaction fees
Why Is Recommended
The Citi Premier® Card is recommended for those who want to maximize rewards on travel, dining, and entertainment purchases. The generous rewards program and additional travel benefits like the hotel credit make it a great choice for frequent travelers.
5.
Discover it® Miles
Earns miles for travel-related rewards.
No annual fee.
First-year cash back match.
No annual fee.
First-year cash back match.
1.5 miles per dollar on every purchase.
First-year cash back match: Discover matches all the miles you've earned in the first year.
No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
Free FICO® score access and credit score monitoring tools.
First-year cash back match: Discover matches all the miles you've earned in the first year.
No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
Free FICO® score access and credit score monitoring tools.
- Discover it® MilesCheck Here
Discover it® Miles - - A no-annual-fee card that earns 1.5x miles on all purchases and features Discover's Cashback Match, which doubles your miles at the end of your first year.
Pros
- 1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases, making it simple and rewarding for all types of spending.
- First-year miles match can significantly increase the value of your rewards.
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
- Good for building credit and tracking your FICO score.
Cons
- 1.5 miles per dollar is relatively low compared to other travel-focused cards.
- Rewards can only be redeemed for travel-related expenses, so it's less versatile than cash-back cards.
Key Features
1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases.
First-year miles match.
No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
Free access to your FICO® score.
First-year miles match.
No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
Free access to your FICO® score.
Why Is Recommended
This card is great for students who want to earn miles for travel and have no interest in paying annual or foreign transaction fees. The first-year miles match can significantly boost rewards, making it ideal for those looking to accumulate travel rewards over time.
6.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card is a cashback card offering high cash back rates on everyday spending categories like US supermarkets, US streaming services, and transit.
6% Cash Back at US Supermarkets: Earn 6% on up to $6,000 per year in purchases at US supermarkets (then 1%).
3% Cash Back on Transit: Earn 3% on taxis, rideshares, parking, public transportation, and US gas stations.
1% Cash Back on All Other Purchases: Earn 1% on all other purchases.
$300 Sign-Up Bonus: Earn $300 after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months.
Intro 0% APR for 12 Months: No interest on purchases for the first 12 months (then 18.24%–29.99% variable APR).
3% Cash Back on Transit: Earn 3% on taxis, rideshares, parking, public transportation, and US gas stations.
1% Cash Back on All Other Purchases: Earn 1% on all other purchases.
$300 Sign-Up Bonus: Earn $300 after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months.
Intro 0% APR for 12 Months: No interest on purchases for the first 12 months (then 18.24%–29.99% variable APR).
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American ExpressCheck Here
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express - - Earn 6% cashback on US supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year), plus 3% on transit and 1% on other purchases.
Pros
- High cash back on groceries and transit
- $300 welcome bonus
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Limited to US supermarkets for 6% cash back
- Requires good to excellent credit
Key Features
6% cash back at US supermarkets
3% on transit
$300 sign-up bonus
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
3% on transit
$300 sign-up bonus
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
Why Is Recommended
Ideal for families and individuals who spend heavily on groceries and transit. The high cash back in these categories and the strong intro bonus make it a solid choice for everyday spending.
7.
Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card
A premium travel rewards card offering a strong rewards rate on travel and dining.
Rewards: 2 points per $1 on travel and dining, 1.5 points on all other purchases.
Sign-Up Bonus: 50,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days.
Travel Credit: $100 annual airline incidental credit.
Sign-Up Bonus: 50,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days.
Travel Credit: $100 annual airline incidental credit.
- Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit CardCheck Here
Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card - - Earn 2x points on travel and dining, and enjoy benefits like no foreign transaction fees and up to $200 in annual travel credits.
Pros
- High points for travel and dining.
- $100 airline credit.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- High annual fee ($95).
- Requires good credit.
Key Features
Rewards: 2 points on travel and dining, 1.5 points on others.
APR: 18.24% – 25.24% variable.
Annual Fee: $95.
Bonus: 50,000 points after $3,000.
APR: 18.24% – 25.24% variable.
Annual Fee: $95.
Bonus: 50,000 points after $3,000.
Why Is Recommended
Ideal for travelers who want a solid rewards rate and useful travel benefits like the annual airline credit.
8.
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express is a high-end credit card offering a wide range of luxury travel benefits, including access to airport lounges, fine hotels, and exclusive experiences. It also offers Membership Rewards points, which can be redeemed for a variety of luxury rewards.
Membership Rewards Points: Earn points on every purchase, with accelerated earnings on travel-related purchases.
Lounge Access: Access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, including The Centurion Lounge.
Fine Hotels & Resorts: Exclusive perks at over 1,000 luxury hotels, including room upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out.
Concierge Service: 24/7 concierge to assist with dining, travel, and lifestyle needs.
Travel Insurance: Extensive coverage, including trip cancellation, lost baggage, and travel accident insurance.
Lounge Access: Access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, including The Centurion Lounge.
Fine Hotels & Resorts: Exclusive perks at over 1,000 luxury hotels, including room upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out.
Concierge Service: 24/7 concierge to assist with dining, travel, and lifestyle needs.
Travel Insurance: Extensive coverage, including trip cancellation, lost baggage, and travel accident insurance.
- The Platinum Card from American ExpressCheck Here
The Platinum Card from American Express - - Earn 5x points on flights booked through American Express Travel, plus exclusive travel perks such as VIP airport lounge access and hotel upgrades.
Pros
- High rewards earning rate, especially on travel
- Excellent travel perks and lounge access
- Exclusive access to premium events and experiences
Cons
- High annual fee
- Requires excellent credit
- May not be the best for everyday spending outside of travel
Key Features
Membership Rewards points
Access to premium travel perks (lounge access, Fine Hotels & Resorts)
Concierge services and travel insurance
Access to premium travel perks (lounge access, Fine Hotels & Resorts)
Concierge services and travel insurance
Why Is Recommended
Ideal for frequent travelers who value luxury experiences, this card provides significant rewards for those willing to pay a high annual fee. It is especially recommended for individuals who want elite status and premium perks in their travel lifestyle.
9.
US Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
- US Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® CardCheck Here
US Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card - - A top-tier travel rewards card that provides 3X points on travel and mobile wallet purchases, along with a military fee waiver.
Conclusion
Points rewards credit cards are an excellent way to earn valuable rewards for your everyday purchases. By choosing the right card and strategically using it for bonus categories, you can maximize the points you earn and redeem them for travel, shopping, or statement credits. Whether you're a frequent traveler or someone looking to make the most of everyday expenses, the best points rewards credit cards offer a range of benefits tailored to your needs. Make sure to pick a card that fits your spending habits and enjoy the rewards that come with it!