Cash-back cards return a percentage of your spending, while travel cards earn points for flights and hotels. Pick the best rewards card based on your spending habits!
1. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Rating: 4.5 NerdWallet rating
Annual Fee: $95
Rewards Rate: 2x-5x miles
Intro Offer: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
Rewards Breakdown:
Earn unlimited 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, every day.
Card Details:
Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s equal to $1,000 in travel.
Earn unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options.
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day.
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 $120 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.
Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network.
Pros:
This card comes with a fantastic limited-time offer: new cardholders can earn a bonus worth $1,000 in travel. That includes a $250 credit to use on Capital One Travel in the first year, plus 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. After that, you’ll earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and a solid 2x miles on all other purchases. Miles are easy to redeem for travel — either through Capital One’s portal or as a statement credit for travel purchases — and don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
Cons:
That lucrative welcome bonus comes with a hefty spending requirement: $4,000 within three months. The card also carries a $95 annual fee and lacks some of the premium travel perks — like unlimited lounge access or big annual credits — found on higher-end cards like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rating: 5.0 NerdWallet rating
Annual Fee: $95
Rewards Rate: 1x-5x points
Intro Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards Breakdown:
Earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
Earn 3x points on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
Earn 2x points on all other travel purchases.
Earn 1x points on all other purchases.
Card Details:
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
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, 2027.
Pros:
This card’s sign-up bonus — 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months — is worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠, thanks to a 25% bonus on point value. You’ll earn valuable, transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points at strong rates: 5x on travel booked through Chase, 3x on dining, streaming and online groceries, and 2x on other travel. The $95 annual fee is reasonable, especially with perks like a $50 annual hotel credit for Chase Travel℠ bookings.
Cons:
The $4,000 spending requirement might be steep for some, and the card lacks premium perks like airport lounge access, which you’d get with the pricier Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Its bonus categories also won’t pay off as much if your spending doesn’t align with travel, dining or online groceries.
3. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Rating: 5.0 NerdWallet rating
Annual Fee: $0
Rewards Rate: 2% cash rewards
Intro Offer: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months
Rewards Breakdown:
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Card Details:
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft (subject to a $25 deductible)
Pros:
This card offers a straightforward $200 cash rewards bonus after spending just $500 in the first three months — a low bar for a solid payout. You’ll also earn an unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases with no annual fee, plus get a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, making it a versatile, no-fuss option.
Cons:
While the 2% rate is strong, other cards offer higher rewards in specific categories like dining or gas if you’re willing to track them. It also charges a foreign transaction fee, so it’s not ideal for international use.
4. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Rating: 5.0 NerdWallet rating
Annual Fee: $395
Rewards Rate: 2x-10x miles
Intro Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening – that’s equal to $750 in travel
Rewards Breakdown:
Earn 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Earn 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
Earn unlimited 2x miles on all other purchases.
Card Details:
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening – that’s equal to $750 in travel.
Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
Receive a $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel.
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary.
Receive up to $120 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.
Redeem your miles for any travel purchase or book through Capital One Travel.
Enjoy unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network.
Pros:
The welcome offer — 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in three months — is worth $750 in travel, and perks like a $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles ($100 value) can offset the $395 fee. You’ll earn 10x miles on hotels and rental cars and 5x on flights booked through Capital One Travel, plus unlimited lounge access for you and two guests.
Cons:
The $395 annual fee is steep if you don’t maximize travel credits or lounge access, and the 2x miles on everyday purchases outside the portal lags behind cards with richer bonus categories. The $4,000 spending requirement might also be a stretch for some.
5. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Rating: 5.0 NerdWallet rating
Annual Fee: $0
Rewards Rate: 1.5% – 5% cash back
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!
Rewards Breakdown:
Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
Earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
Earn 3% cash back on drugstore purchases.
Earn 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Card Details:
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 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 19.49% – 28.24%.
No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card.
Pros:
New cardholders can earn up to $300 cash back with an extra 1.5% on up to $20,000 spent in the first year — a unique and generous bonus structure. With no annual fee, you’ll also get 5% cash back on Chase Travel℠ purchases, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% on everything else, plus a 0% intro APR for 15 months.
Cons:
The rewards lose some value unless paired with a premium Chase card like the Sapphire Preferred for transfers to travel partners. It also has a foreign transaction fee, making it less ideal for overseas use.
6. American Express® Gold Card
Rating: 5.0 NerdWallet rating
Annual Fee: $325 (see rates and fees)
Rewards Rate: 1x-4x points
Intro Offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Offer Ends 11/6/2024.
Rewards Breakdown:
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on Restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
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.
Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
Card Details:
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Offer Ends 11/6/2024.
Get 4X Membership Rewards® points on dining at restaurants worldwide (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.), 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
$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, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: Get $10 monthly to use on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account.
$84 Dunkin’ Credit: Get up to $7 monthly credits towards Dunkin’ purchases when you enroll and pay with your Gold Card.
Pros:
This card’s welcome offer — 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in six months, plus up to $100 in restaurant statement credits — is a strong start. You’ll earn 4x points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year), and credits like $120 for dining and $120 for Uber Cash can offset the $325 annual fee if you use them fully.
Cons:
The $6,000 spending requirement is high, and the $325 fee can hurt if you don’t maximize credits or bonus categories. It also lacks premium travel perks like lounge access, which you might expect for the price.
7. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Rating: 4.5 NerdWallet rating
Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Rewards Rate: 1% – 6% cash back
Intro Offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Rewards Breakdown:
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 and on transit.
1% cash back on other purchases.
Card Details:
Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from account opening
Annual fee of $95 after the first year
Pros:
The $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in six months is a solid bonus, and you’ll earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year) and on streaming, plus 3% at gas stations and on transit. The $0 intro annual fee for the first year sweetens the deal.
Cons:
The $95 fee kicks in after year one, and the 6% supermarket rate has a $6,000 cap, dropping to 1% after that. Other cards might offer more flexibility or higher rates without caps.
8. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
Rating: 4.5 NerdWallet rating
Annual Fee: $95
Rewards Rate: 1x-5x points
Intro Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip!
Rewards Breakdown:
Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels.
Earn 4X points on airlines.
Earn 3X points on other travel and restaurants.
Earn 1X points on other purchases.
Card Details:
Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip!
Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.
Get up to $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
Redeem points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits.
$95 annual fee.
Pros:
The 60,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in three months is worth $600 in travel, and you’ll earn 5x points on hotels and 4x on airlines booked directly — rare flexibility for a mid-tier card. The $50 airline credit helps offset the $95 fee.
Cons:
The $4,000 spending requirement is significant, and it lacks premium perks like lounge access. The 1x rate on non-travel, non-dining purchases trails flat-rate cards like the Wells Fargo Active Cash®.
9. Citi Double Cash® Card
Rating: 4.5 NerdWallet rating
Annual Fee: $0
Rewards Rate: Up to 2% cash back
Intro Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening
Rewards Breakdown:
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
Card Details:
Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
No annual fee and no categories to track
Pros:
The $200 cash back bonus after spending $1,500 in six months is easy to achieve, and the unlimited 2% cash back (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay) with no annual fee is simple and valuable. The 18-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers is a standout perk.
Cons:
You need to pay on time to earn the full 2%, which could trip up those who carry balances. It also has a foreign transaction fee, limiting its appeal for international spending.
10. U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Rating: 4.0 NerdWallet rating
Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Rewards Rate: 1x-4x points
Intro Offer: Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening – worth $500 in travel rewards
Rewards Breakdown:
Earn 4x points on travel, gas stations and EV charging stations.
Earn 2x points on grocery stores, dining and streaming services.
Earn 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
Card Details:
Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening – worth $500 in travel rewards
Earn 4X points on travel purchases, at gas stations and EV charging stations
Earn 2X points at grocery stores, on dining and on streaming services
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 thereafter
Pros:
The 50,000-point bonus after spending $2,000 in 120 days is worth $500 in travel, and the $0 intro fee for the first year is a nice touch. You’ll earn 4x points on travel, gas, and EV charging, making it great for road trippers or frequent travelers.
Cons:
The $95 fee after year one might not justify the rewards if you don’t spend heavily in bonus categories. It also lacks premium travel perks like lounge access, and the 1x rate on non-bonus spending is underwhelming.
