The best rewards credit cards for November 2024 #CashNews.co

A rewards credit card is one of the best ways to maximize every dollar you spend. But to make the most of the major savings rewards credit cards offer, you’ll need to choose the best credit card that suits your spending and how you want to use your earned rewards. We’ve put together a list of the best rewards credit cards available today to help you find the right card for you.

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Why we like it: Capital One Venture is a travel credit card that’s easy to maximize no matter where you spend most. With 2x miles on every purchase, you can easily rack up rewards toward future travel with everyday purchases. Plus, the miles you earn are flexible. For a value of 1 cent per mile, you can use them to book new travel through Capital One Travel or redeem for past travel purchases you’ve made with your card — including airfare, hotels, car rentals, taxis, bus fares, cruises, and more. Capital One also has 15+ airline and hotel partners you can transfer your miles to. While the exact transfer values vary, many of these partners offer a 1:1 transfer.

Related: Capital One Venture Rewards card review

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Why we like it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred would be a great rewards card for its price based on the range of rewards categories and benefits alone, but what really sets it apart is redemption value. For the biggest potential value, you can redeem your points in the Chase Travel portal at a boosted rate of 1.25 cents per point.

But that’s not the only lucrative way to redeem points. Chase also has a huge list of airline and hotel transfer partners you can transfer points to at a 1:1 ratio. These include domestic airlines like JetBlue and Southwest, international programs like Emirates and Flying Blue Air France KLM, and hotel brands like Marriott and Hilton.

Learn more: See our picks for the best Chase credit card

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Why we like it: We like Chase Freedom Unlimited because it works like a hybrid rewards card in a few ways. For one, it has both tiered and flat cash-back rewards. You’ll get a minimum 1.5% back on everything you buy — already the max for some other flat cash-back cards — but also maximize a few everyday spending categories with up to 5% back.

It’s also unique in that the cash back you earn can also be used as Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You can use them to book travel through Chase Travel at a value of 1 cent per point. But if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® in your wallet, you can also pool your points together and get the boosted redemptions those cards offer.

For example, say you earn $300 cash back with your Chase Freedom Unlimited in a year, or 30,000 points. You could transfer them to your Chase Sapphire Reserve account, which earns a redemption value of 1.5 cents per point through Chase Travel. Now, your original 30,000 points are worth up to $450 of travel.

Learn more: See how the Chase Freedom Unlimited fares against the Chase Freedom Flex®, another top cash-back card.

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We like the Savor card for restaurants thanks to its 3% rewards rate — unmatched among most cash-back rewards credit cards for dining out. But it can be ideal for both nights out and nights in, with other bonus rewards on entertainment spending (including movie theaters and tourist attractions), grocery stores, and streaming subscriptions.

According to our calculations, the average consumer can get a total $447.38 in value with this card each year — one of the highest cash-back credit card returns with no annual fee. And if much of your spending is focused in the Savor card’s top categories, you can potentially get rewarded even more for where you spend most.

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Why we like it: We’ve crunched the numbers to see how much value different cash-back credit cards can offer based on average American spending data, and the Blue Cash Preferred is definitely among the most rewarding credit cards — even with its annual fee. If your spending is largely focused within this card’s rewards categories, you can get hundreds of dollars in value each year on the things you would have purchased anyway. Plus, the ongoing annual benefits offer even more ways to maximize the card’s value.

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Why we like it: For some, rewards cards are synonymous with luxury and premium perks — and no card is a better example of this than the Platinum Card. If you’re able to use all of the added benefits, you can more than make up the very high annual fee cost. Just make sure all of those credits apply to purchases you would make even without the card. If you don’t already shop at Saks, use Uber for ridesharing, or enjoy airport lounge access, for example, it’ll be difficult to maximize the Platinum Card.

As for points redemptions, this card is best if you want to use your Membership Rewards points for future flights. You can get a full 1 cent per point when you use points to book flights through Amex Travel, while other redemption options can have a lower value. Transfer partners are another way to gain outsized rewards value, but the exact amount can depend on the partner and your itinerary.

American Express Platinum Card review: An elite travel card with first-class benefits

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Why we like it: It’s somewhat rare to find secured credit cards that offer rewards — especially rewards with as much potential value as the Quicksilver Secured. We like that, on top of rewards, this card has all of the features that we look for when building credit. The automatic credit line review is a great way to score a higher credit limit without any extra upfront deposit and bring down your credit utilization, a major factor in your credit score.

The unsecured Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is also a great cash-back rewards option. The ability to earn an upgrade to that card and get your deposit back makes this card even more appealing. Not only can you earn rewards while you build credit now, but you can keep gaining value from this card over the long term.

Learn more: Best secured credit cards

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Why we like it: We like the Citi Double Cash Card as a flat cash-back option for a few reasons. It earns a top rate among flat cash-back cards today, at up to 2% back. The rewards structure also encourages paying your balances in full, since you won’t earn the full 2% until you pay off your purchases. And finally, it doubles as a balance transfer card, with a very competitive long 0% APR period that you can use to pay down any existing debt before you use it as a rewards credit card.

Read our full review of the Citi Double Cash Card

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A good credit card with rewards that suit your spending can help you save money on daily expenses, earn free or discounted travel, and get annual benefits that put money back into your pocket year after year.

The best credit card with the best rewards for you should always offer valuable incentives — points, miles, or cash-back rewards and other benefits — for money you’re already spending. For example, you can earn rewards on everyday spending and keep redemptions simple by using cash-back rewards. On the other hand, if you are a jet-setter and don’t mind strategizing redemption options, you may prefer points or miles you can use for future flights and hotel stays.

If you’re like many spenders, you may do a little bit of both and want to use different credit cards for different purposes — a smart way to maximize earnings even more.

Just remember that your rewards credit card is still a high-interest credit card. Earning great rewards only works if you’re not carrying a balance on the card — which can quickly lead to expensive credit card debt.

Find a card that earns rewards on the purchases you already make most, and track your budget so you don’t overspend each month. You can save a lot of money with rewards, but only if it’s not costing you in interest at the same time.

To find the best rewards credit card for you, start with differences between different types of rewards, how to earn them, and the most valuable ways to use them.

Credit card rewards programs differ depending on the issuer and specific card you choose. Some may offer the same value for your rewards whether you’re redeeming for gift cards, cash, or travel, while others may award much higher value for one redemption over another. Always read the terms of your card’s rewards program to know what you can get for each redemption.

The three types of credit card rewards you should know include points rewards, miles rewards, and cash-back rewards. Here’s a look at how they differ and how to choose between them:

Credit cards that earn points are often part of a larger rewards program, such as American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Travel. You can typically earn points on every purchase with your card, but will get extra points in specific bonus categories, which may range from dining out to streaming services to travel spending and more.

Points are a flexible rewards currency. You can redeem them for statement credits, booking travel, partner transfers, gift cards, and more. Many points-earning cards are travel rewards credit cards, so you’ll often find travel redemptions are most valuable.

Best for: Credit card points are best suited for individuals with varied spending habits who want flexibility in their redemption options. Points-earning cards typically offer great travel rewards and redemptions.They’re particularly beneficial for those who prefer a range of redemption options rather than being restricted to cash back or specific travel brands.

• Sign-up bonuses: Many credit cards offer lucrative bonuses for new cardholders once they spend a certain amount within the first few months.

• Regular purchases: Cardholders typically earn points for every dollar they spend on eligible purchases.

• Bonus categories: Some cards offer higher point rates for specific categories, like travel, dining, supermarkets, or gas stations.

• Shopping portals: Many credit card issuers have online shopping portals where users can earn extra points by shopping with partner retailers.

• Special promotions: Occasionally, issuers might run promotions or partnerships where cardholders can earn additional points for a limited time.

Miles-earning credit cards may be general travel cards with flexible rewards or co-branded cards that earn rewards toward specific airline loyalty programs. They often earn the best rates in travel-related bonus categories, though you’ll find many of these cards with everyday bonus categories, too. You can typically redeem miles for travel expenses, including airfare, upgrades, and other benefits.

Best for: Credit card miles are ideal for frequent travelers, be it for business or leisure. They cater to individuals who are looking to offset their travel expenses or enjoy travel perks, such as a faster path to elite status with your preferred airline, airport lounge access, priority boarding, and free baggage check. Many cards that earn miles are also co-branded airline cards, making them a good choice for travelers who prefer flying with a specific brand each time.

• Sign-up bonuses: Many miles-based credit cards offer a sizable chunk of miles as a bonus for new users who meet a certain spending threshold within the initial months.

• Everyday purchases: Typically, cardholders earn a set number of miles for every dollar they spend.

• Travel-related expenses: Many travel credit cards offer additional miles for expenses related to travel, like booking flights, hotels, or car rentals with the associated brand or partners.

• Dining programs: Some card issuers have dining reward programs that give extra miles when you dine at partner restaurants.

• Promotional campaigns: Issuers often run limited-time offers where spending in certain categories or with certain partners can yield bonus miles.

Cash back may be the most straightforward form of credit card rewards. Cash-back credit cards return a percentage of each purchase amount to you as a reward. Rewards categories generally focus on everyday spending, like grocery stores, gas stations, and online purchases. When you’re ready to redeem, you can trade in your cash back for a statement credit or receive the cash value as a check or bank account deposit.

Best for: Cash-back credit cards are ideal for individuals who value simple rewards and tangible, immediate returns on their spending. They are especially beneficial for those who may not travel frequently and prefer a clear-cut, monetary reward over points or miles.

• Sign-up bonuses: Some cash-back cards offer a bonus cash reward for new users who spend a specific amount within the first few months.

• Everyday purchases: Cardholders earn a defined percentage back on all qualifying purchases.

• Category-specific rewards: Many cash-back cards offer higher percentages for specific categories, such as groceries, gas, or dining.

• Rotating categories: Some cards offer higher cash-back rates on categories that change periodically, requiring cardholders to activate these categories to earn the bonus.

• Shopping through issuer portals: Similar to points-based cards, some cash-back cards allow users to earn additional rewards by shopping through the issuer’s online portal with partner retailers.

Choosing the best rewards credit card for you depends a lot on your individual goals. Start by identifying your regular spending patterns and figuring out how you want to use your rewards. Then, you can compare different credit cards with varying rewards programs, benefits, annual credits, and fees.

Here are a few ways you can get started:

Review of your monthly expenses to identify where you spend most, whether it’s at the grocery store, dining out at restaurants, filling up at gas stations, or booking frequent travel. When you know those most frequent expenses, you can choose a card that rewards those specific categories more generously.

Pinpoint the type of rewards that align with your lifestyle and aspirations. Are you aiming for straightforward cash back, or are you more interested in accumulating points or miles for unique experiences and travel?

The best credit card rewards type for you will make it easy to maximize what you earn to save money on future expenses.

List and compare

Narrow down a preliminary list of credit cards with great rewards value, a solid welcome offer, and other benefits that add value to your spending. Then, you can compare these cards specifically to find which ones have the right combination of opportunities to earn and redeem rewards best for you.

A high-value welcome bonus or long introductory offer can save you a lot of money as a new cardholder. But don’t forget to compare these with long-term benefits and rewards too, so you can ensure you’re getting the most from your new rewards credit card year-after-year.

Before diving into an application, check if you can pre qualify before you open an account. This can give you an idea of your likelihood of approval without impacting your credit score.

Comparing rewards credit cards (or any credit card for that matter) is a personal choice that depends on your unique finances and personal spending. But you can start by considering these six major factors:

While there are cards that have no annual fee or waive the annual fee for the first year, standard annual fees range from below $100 to over $500. The point isn’t the fee itself. The one question you need to ask is “Will the benefits offset the cost?”

In addition to the annual fee, make sure you stay on top of any other fees you could take on with your new rewards credit card. Many rewards cards offer travel rewards, for example; if you plan to use your card abroad, make sure there are no foreign transaction fees, which could add 1%-3% on top of each international purchase.

Other fees to consider include balance transfer fees, late fees and penalties, cash advance fees, and more. Knowing when you may be charged these fees — and how you can avoid them — can help you avoid extra charges over time.

Before applying, it helps to have a good idea of how much you can expect to earn over time. To do this, take your average spending and compare it to the rewards offered.

For example, if you’re researching a flat rate 1.5% unlimited cash-back card and you spend roughly $500 on your card per week, here’s what your approximate annual return will be:

• $500 p/week x 52 weeks = $26,000 in annual spending

• $26,000 x .015 (1.5% cash back) = $390 cash rewards

While some rewards credit cards offer blanket points, miles, and cash back for every purchase, not all of them do. Some have tiered programs where you earn more in one category and less in another. For example:

Credit Card X offers the following spending categories:

• 5x points on gas and grocery store purchases

• 3x points on dining and takeout

• 1x points on everything else

Welcome bonuses can help you earn hundreds of dollars in miles, points, or cash back as a new cardholder. If you have a cash-back credit card, you’ll earn a given amount of cash back after meeting a spending threshold; for credit cards with rewards programs earning points or miles, you’ll get bonus rewards after you meet the spending requirement.

Here’s the catch:

• You usually have to spend a certain amount within a given timeframe to receive the bonus (example: spend $500 in the first 3 months and receive $200 cash back)

• If you fail to make your payments on time or don’t spend the required amount during the introductory window, you forfeit the bonus

Read more about welcome bonuses and the best credit card bonuses for 2024.

The value of your credit card rewards depends a lot on the available redemptions. Don’t forget to compare credit card rewards redemptions alongside the earning potential. A good rule of thumb is to look for a redemption value of at least 1 cent per point or mile. This is equivalent to what you’ll get from credit cards that reward cash back.

But credit cards with the best points redemptions can help you earn even more than that, depending on your travel plans. For example, some rewards credit cards offer boosted value for your points or miles via the issuer’s credit card rewards program. Top credit card rewards programs today include American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Travel, and Capital One Travel.

Another way to get the highest reward value is through your credit card’s transfer program. You can transfer the points you earn through your credit card rewards program to airline and hotel partners and potentially get an outsized value for them, depending on the value of your trip and individual booking.

Learn more: How do travel credit cards work?

Introductory 0% APR offers will allow a free pass on incurring interest for any balances held during that period. They often apply to new purchases or balance transfers (or both). But once the period expires you will incur interest charges for outstanding balances when your billing cycle ends.

The average credit card APR today is over 22% according to the Federal Reserve. If you can pay off your balance every month, there is no need to worry about this interest rate.

For the best chances of getting approved for a rewards credit card, you’ll often need to meet some criteria that proves your creditworthiness to credit lenders:

That being said, don’t waste a hard credit inquiry on a card that is presumably out of your credit realm. For example:

A beginner with no established credit will have a much better chance of getting a student credit card or a secured credit card than a high annual fee premium travel card.

Some credit card companies offer pre-approvals on select cards, which you can use to avoid a potential (temporary) hit to your credit. This will let you know if you have a good chance of getting approved without a hard credit inquiry.

Every swipe of your credit card can earn you a reward, but how much? These are the five steps you can apply to almost any transaction:

• Identify the reward rate: Check your credit card’s terms and conditions. In our example, the reward rate is 2% flat cash back.

• Determine the purchase amount: This would be the total amount you spent. Let’s say your bill was $100.

• Multiply the purchase amount by the reward rate: $100 x 0.02 = $2.

• Consider any caps or limits: Some cards have a maximum reward limit per month or year. Ensure your calculated reward doesn’t exceed this limit.

• Factor in bonuses: Some cards offer bonus points or cashback for reaching certain spending thresholds.

Keep in mind, some transactions won’t earn credit card rewards, including:

• Balance transfers/balance transfer fees

• Cash advances

• Lottery tickets

• Casino gaming chips

• Race track wagers or similar betting transactions

• Any checks that access your account

• Interest

• Unauthorized or fraudulent charges

• Fees of any kind, including an annual fee

There’s no shortage of ways to redeem your credit card points. Here are some of the most common options (though remember, not all credit cards will offer all of these potential redemptions):

• Statement credit: A reduction or credit applied directly to your credit card balance.

• Direct deposit into your bank account: Transfer your rewards’ cash value directly into your linked bank account.

• A check: A paper instrument issued by the credit card company representing the cash value of your rewards, which you can deposit or cash.

• Gift cards: Preloaded cards that can be used for purchases at specific retailers or a group of retailers.

• Tickets to events: Passes for events like concerts or sports games.

• Charitable donations: Using rewards to make a monetary contribution to a nonprofit organization or cause.

• Travel upgrades: Using points or rewards to enhance travel experiences, such as upgrading a flight seat or getting a room upgrade in a hotel.

• Airline miles: Rewards that can be redeemed for flight tickets or discounts with specific airlines.

• Hotel stays: Points or rewards that can be used to book accommodations in participating hotels.

• Annual fee waivers: Using accumulated rewards to offset or cover the yearly fee associated with a credit card.

Want to know more about choosing the best credit card with rewards that fit your spending? The answers to these frequently asked questions may help:

A rewards credit card is a type of card that earns cash back, points, or miles on purchases. Some rewards cards offer a flat rewards rate on every purchase, while others have boosted bonus rewards rates in specific categories. Rewards categories can vary, but often cover a range of everyday spending (groceries, dining, gas, streaming services) or travel (airfare, hotel stays, rideshares, car rentals).

The best credit card for rewards will depend a lot on your spending and preferences.

A cash-back rewards credit card like the Blue Cash Preferred from American Express may be best for someone who spends a lot of their budget at U.S. supermarkets, for example, while the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card may work better for someone with varied spending categories. A co-branded travel rewards card may be ideal for someone who has one preferred airline or hotel while the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card could be a better option for someone who wants different travel booking options through a flexible rewards program.

Before you decide on a new rewards card, think about your spending habits, how you want to redeem rewards, what annual fee works for you, and other card details to find the option that holds the maximum value for you over time.

Rewards credit cards typically require good-to-excellent credit (or a FICO Score of at least 670) for the best chances of approval. This is true for top cash-back credit cards, travel credit cards, and other popular rewards credit cards.

If you don’t already have a great credit score, there are some cards for building credit that offer some rewards. Read more about today’s best secured credit cards and best student credit cards for a look at credit-building cards with rewards.

With some of today’s best credit card welcome offers, you can earn hundreds of dollars in rewards value — and in some cases even over $1,000 in value. In addition to high-value ongoing sign-up bonuses, you can occasionally find boosted, limited-time credit card offers too.

For the most up-to-date info about the most rewarding offers for new cardholders, see our current list of the best credit card sign-up bonuses.

Rewards credit cards are worth it if you can get more value from the card’s benefits and rewards than you pay for the annual fee.

If you choose a card with rewards that add value in the categories you already spend most, and that has benefits for purchases you already make, you can outpace the cost for most cards with annual fees. Even better, consider a rewards card with no annual fee to make sure you maximize the value of every purchase.

Rewards cards are often not worth it if you carry a balance and accrue interest on your purchases. Even the best credit card rewards cannot compete with interest charges well over 20% APR. Focus on paying down existing credit card debt before you use a new rewards credit card to maximize spending.

Credit card reward points value can vary depending on the rewards program and which redemption option you choose.

For example, cash-back credit cards typically earn a percentage of your purchase back, which you can redeem for the cash value in the form of statement credits, gift cards, or a check. But credit cards that earn points or miles often have more flexible redemption options. Under the issuer’s rewards program, you might get more return for travel redemptions compared to cash redemptions. If there’s an option to transfer your rewards to travel partners, you may boost your value even more.

In general, a good way to make sure you’re getting a good value for your points is to aim for at least 1 cent per point when you redeem.

Compare two of today’s top credit cards rewards programs – Amex vs. Chase points: Who has the best rewards program?

Choosing the best rewards credit cards began with the dozens of cards we’ve already ranked and rated. These ratings come from our proprietary criteria for the best travel credit cards (which includes points- and miles-earning rewards cards) and the best cash-back credit cards. The list above is made up of cards you’ll also find on each of those lists.

From there, we focused on varying categories to develop a representative range of the best credit cards with rewards. These include everything from flat cash-back cards to premium travel cards and rewards cards for people working to build credit. This helped narrow down the rewards credit cards we already rated highly to a succinct list for new users and rewards chasers alike.

We also wanted to focus on credit cards that would make the most sense for the widest variety of users. So we did not include any co-branded airline, hotel, or retail credit cards. The final picks are made up of our top choices in the chosen categories that we believe can add value to anyone’s wallet and help those with the goal of maximizing their spending over the long term.

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Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn’t include all currently available offers.