Looking for the perfect credit card to maximize rewards, save on everyday purchases, or earn travel perks? Whether you’re a seasoned traveler, savvy shopper, or someone building credit, we’ve curated the 15 best credit cards to fit every lifestyle and financial goal in 2024. Get ready to unlock the power of top-notch rewards and unbeatable benefits!
In this post, you’ll learn:
- The best credit cards for rewards, cash back, and travel perks
- Key features and benefits tailored to specific needs
- How to choose the right credit card for your lifestyle
- Insider tips to maximize your savings and rewards
- Which credit cards offer the best welcome bonuses
- How to avoid common credit card fees and pitfalls
1. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for Welcome Bonus
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a substantial welcome bonus, making it ideal for travelers seeking to maximize initial rewards.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months
- Rewards: 2 miles per dollar on all purchases; 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Regular APR: 19.99% – 29.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee: Balance transfer fee applies
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670-850)
- Additional Perks: Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit; no foreign transaction fees
Why It’s the Best:
The generous welcome bonus and straightforward earning structure make it a top choice for those looking to quickly accumulate travel rewards.
2. American Express® Gold Card: Best for Dining
The American Express® Gold Card stands out for dining enthusiasts, offering high rewards on restaurant and supermarket purchases.
- Annual Fee: $325
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 within the first 6 months
- Rewards: 4x points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year); 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel
- Regular APR: See Pay Over Time APR
- Balance Transfer Fee: N/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670-850)
- Additional Perks: $120 annual dining credit; $120 in Uber Cash annually; no foreign transaction fees
Why It’s the Best:
Exceptional rewards on dining and groceries, coupled with valuable credits, make it ideal for food lovers.
3. Citi® Double Cash Card: Best for No Annual Fee
The Citi® Double Cash Card offers a simple and effective cashback program without an annual fee.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months
- Rewards: 1% cash back on purchases plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases
- Regular APR: 18.49% – 28.49% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of each transfer (minimum $5)
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction
- Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670-850)
- Additional Perks: Balance transfer option with an introductory APR
Why It’s the Best:
Its straightforward cashback structure and no annual fee make it perfect for those seeking simplicity and value.
4. Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for Cash Back
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card provides versatile cashback opportunities across various spending categories.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: Extra 1.5% cash back on all purchases up to $20,000 spent in the first year
- Rewards: 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3% on dining and drugstores; 1.5% on all other purchases
- Regular APR: 19.74% – 28.49% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of each transfer in the first 60 days, then 5% (minimum $5)
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction
- Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670-850)
- Additional Perks: Purchase protection; extended warranty
Why It’s the Best:
The elevated cashback rates in key categories and a lucrative first-year bonus offer substantial earning potential.
5. Bilt Mastercard®: Best for Paying Rent
The Bilt Mastercard® allows cardholders to earn rewards on rent payments without any fees.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: None
- Rewards: 1x points on rent payments without a fee (up to 100,000 points annually); 2x on travel; 3x on dining
- Regular APR: 20.74% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee: N/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670-850)
- Additional Perks: Cell phone protection; no foreign transaction fees
Why It’s the Best:
It uniquely offers the ability to earn rewards on rent, a significant monthly expense for many, enhancing overall reward accumulation.
6. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for Travel Rewards
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is renowned for its flexible travel rewards and valuable point redemptions.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
- Rewards: 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠; 3x on dining, select streaming services and online grocery purchases; 2x on other travel purchases
- Regular APR: 20.74% – 27.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee: 5% of each transfer (minimum $5)
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670-850)
- Additional Perks: 25% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Why It’s the Best:
Its robust rewards on travel and dining, combined with flexible redemption options, make it a favorite among travelers.
7. Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best for Bad Credit
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card helps individuals build or rebuild credit while earning cash back.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: Discover matches all cash back earned in the first year
- Rewards: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter); 1% on all other purchases
- Regular APR: 27.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of each transfer in the first 60 days, then 5%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Credit Needed: Poor to Fair (300-669)
- Additional Perks: Free FICO® Credit Score; reports to all three major credit bureaus
Why It’s the Best:
It offers a pathway to build credit responsibly while earning rewards, with no annual fee.
8. Discover it® Student Cash Back: Best for College Students
The Discover it® Student Cash Back card provides rotating cashback categories tailored for students.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: Discover matches all cash back earned in the first year
- Rewards: 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations each quarter (activation required); 1% on all other purchases
- Regular APR: 27.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of each transfer in the first 60 days, then 5%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Credit Needed: Fair to Good (580-739)
- Additional Perks: $20 statement credit each school year for a GPA of 3.0 or higher for up to 5 years
Why It’s the Best:
Tailored for students, it rewards good grades and offers substantial cash back in popular spending categories.
9. The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for Airport Lounge Access
The Platinum Card® from American Express is the ultimate luxury travel card, offering premium perks like extensive airport lounge access and travel credits.
- Annual Fee: $695
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months
- Rewards: 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel; 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel; 1x on other purchases
- Regular APR: N/A (Charge Card)
- Balance Transfer Fee: N/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Credit Needed: Excellent (740-850)
- Additional Perks: Access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, up to $200 annual airline fee credit, TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit
Why It’s the Best:
Unparalleled airport lounge access and premium travel benefits make it the go-to card for luxury travelers seeking comfort and exclusivity.
10. Citi Simplicity® Card: Best for Balance Transfers
The Citi Simplicity® Card is perfect for those looking to consolidate debt with its lengthy 0% introductory APR period for balance transfers.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: None
- Balance Transfer Offer: 0% APR for 21 months on balance transfers; 0% APR for 12 months on purchases
- Regular APR: 18.49% – 29.24% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of each transfer (minimum $5)
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction
- Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670-850)
- Additional Perks: No late fees, no penalty APR
Why It’s the Best:
The extended 0% APR period on balance transfers and no late fees make it a top choice for managing existing debt.
11. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for Groceries
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card is unbeatable for grocery shopping, with high cashback rates on supermarket purchases and streaming services.
- Annual Fee: $95 (waived for the first year)
- Welcome Bonus: Earn $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months
- Rewards: 6% cash back on U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year); 6% on select streaming services; 3% on transit and gas; 1% on everything else
- Regular APR: 18.49% – 29.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee: N/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7% of each transaction
- Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670-850)
- Additional Perks: Extended warranty and purchase protection
Why It’s the Best:
The 6% cashback rate on groceries and streaming services ensures maximum savings for everyday expenses.
12. Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for Luxury Travel
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is ideal for frequent travelers who want to enjoy premium benefits, elevated rewards, and exclusive travel perks.
- Annual Fee: $550
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
- Rewards: 10x points on Chase Dining and Ultimate Rewards Travel purchases; 3x on other travel and dining; 1x on everything else
- Regular APR: 21.74% – 28.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee: 5% of each transfer (minimum $5)
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Credit Needed: Excellent (740-850)
- Additional Perks: $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access, TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit
Why It’s the Best:
The combination of high rewards on travel and dining, plus luxury benefits like lounge access, makes it the top card for travelers who want a premium experience.
13. Prime Visa: Best for Online Shopping
Prime Visa, exclusively for Amazon Prime members, delivers outstanding rewards on Amazon and Whole Foods Market purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0 (requires Amazon Prime membership)
- Welcome Bonus: Earn a $150 Amazon gift card upon approval
- Rewards: 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods Market purchases; 2% back on restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores; 1% on everything else
- Regular APR: 19.99% – 28.74% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee: 5% of each transfer (minimum $5)
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670-850)
- Additional Perks: No foreign transaction fees
Why It’s the Best:
The 5% cashback on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases makes it a no-brainer for online shoppers and Prime members.
14. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Entertainment
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is perfect for those who love dining out, attending events, and indulging in entertainment.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: Earn $250 cash back after spending $500 in the first 3 months
- Rewards: 8% cash back on dining and entertainment; 3% on groceries; 1% on all other purchases
- Regular APR: 19.74% – 29.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of each transfer
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Credit Needed: Excellent (740-850)
- Additional Perks: No foreign transaction fees, travel accident insurance
Why It’s the Best:
Its high cashback rate on entertainment makes it the ultimate card for foodies and event-goers.
15. Chase Freedom Flex®: Best for Rotating Bonus Categories
The Chase Freedom Flex® maximizes cashback in rotating bonus categories, offering unmatched flexibility and rewards.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: Earn $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months
- Rewards: 5% cash back on rotating categories (activation required); 5% on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 3% on dining and drugstores; 1% on everything else
- Regular APR: 19.74% – 28.49% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of each transfer in the first 60 days, then 5% (minimum $5)
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction
- Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670-850)
- Additional Perks: Purchase protection, extended warranty, cell phone protection
Why It’s the Best:
Its rotating 5% cashback categories provide tailored rewards throughout the year, making it ideal for savvy spenders.
16. American Express Cobalt Card: Best Overall Credit Card
The American Express Cobalt Card is a top pick for maximizing everyday spending rewards. With 5x points on dining and groceries, it’s perfect for foodies and families.
- Monthly Fee: $12.99
- Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points in the first year (2,500 points each month after spending $750)
- Rewards: 5x points on restaurants 3x on streaming services; 2x on gas; 1x on everything else
- Regular APR: 21.99% on cash advances
- Balance Transfer Fee: N/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.5% of the transaction amount
- Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670-850)
- Additional Perks: Comprehensive travel insurance, flexible points redemption options for travel, statement credits, and merchandise
Why It’s the Best:
The Cobalt Card offers outstanding rewards for food-related purchases and streaming services. Its monthly fee structure is accessible, and the Membership Rewards® program provides versatile redemption options.
17. Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card: Best for Customizable Cashback Categories
The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card stands out for its flexibility, allowing users to choose up to three categories to maximize cashback rewards.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: Earn an extra 15% cash back on up to $1,000 in purchases within the first two months
- Rewards: 2% cashback in up to 3 chosen spending categories (e.g., groceries, dining, gas); 0.5% cash back on all other purchases
- Regular APR: 22.95%
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of the transferred amount (minimum $5)
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.5% of the transaction amount
- Credit Needed: Fair to Good (650-850)
- Additional Perks: Unlimited cashback earnings, easy online category selection
Why It’s the Best:
Its no-fee structure and customizable cashback categories make it ideal for individuals looking to optimize rewards based on their spending habits.
Comparison Table: 17 Best Rewards Credit Cards of 2024
| Card Name | Annual Fee | Welcome Bonus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Cobalt Card | $12.99/month | Up to 30,000 points in the first year | Overall value |
| Tangerine Money-Back Card | $0 | 15% cashback on up to $1,000 in 2 months | Customizable cashback |
| Capital One Venture | $95 | 75,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months | Welcome bonus |
| Amex® Gold Card | $325 | 60,000 points after $6,000 in 6 months | Dining |
| Citi® Double Cash | $0 | $200 cashback after $1,500 in 6 months | No annual fee |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | $0 | Extra 1.5% cashback on $20,000 in 1 year | Cashback |
| Bilt Mastercard® | $0 | None | Rent payments |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® | $95 | 60,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months | Travel rewards |
| Discover it® Secured | $0 | Cashback match for first year | Bad credit |
| Discover it® Student Cash Back | $0 | Cashback match for first year | College students |
| The Platinum Card® from Amex | $695 | 80,000 points after $6,000 in 6 months | Lounge access |
| Citi Simplicity® | $0 | None | Balance transfers |
| Blue Cash Preferred® | $95 (waived 1st yr) | $250 after $3,000 in 6 months | Groceries |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | $550 | 60,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months | Luxury travel |
| Prime Visa | $0 (Prime required) | $150 Amazon gift card | Online shopping |
| Capital One Savor Rewards | $95 | $300 cashback after $3,000 in 3 months | Entertainment |
| Chase Freedom Flex® | $0 | $200 cashback after $500 in 3 months | Rotating categories |
Conclusion
Finding the perfect rewards credit card can transform everyday spending into incredible benefits like cashback, travel perks, and dining rewards. Whether you’re looking for a no-fee option, generous welcome bonuses, or luxury travel perks, this curated list of 17 top cards has something for everyone. Compare your options, consider your spending habits, and choose the card that fits your lifestyle to maximize rewards and savings. Start earning today and make every dollar count!
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