Chart: Compare some of the best rewards cardsBy Pat Curry
While credit card issuers are in general cutting back on rewards, there are still good deals out there for rewards seekers. Here are some of the best:
| Reward card features
|
| Issuer |
Base interest rate
|
Annual fee
|
Features
|
| Chase
|
9.24% to 13.24% APR
|
$0
|
Choose any reward you want, including gift cards, travel, merchandise or cash
|
| Bank of America |
8.99% to 18.99% APR
|
$0
|
Add It Up, which allows cardholders to earn cash back on top of any available rewards on a card, as well as discounts from more than 270 participating retailers
|
| Citi
|
8.24% variable to 13.24% APR
|
$0 to $125, depending on the card. The two most popular cards, the Diamond Preferred Rewards Card and PremierPass Card, have no annual fee |
Ability to use points toward mortgage payments with any financial institution |
| American Express
|
0% -- paid off monthly -- to prime rate plus 9.99% APR, depending on the card
|
$0 to $450, depending on the card
|
Practical Points, which lets members redeem points for basic necessities, from gas cards to appliances
|
| Capital One
|
8.15% to 15.15% APR
|
$0 for customers with good or excellent credit, $29 for customers with average credit
|
No Hassle Giving. Cardholders can cash out rewards to contribute to any 501(c)(3) organization in the U.S. Capital One pays the transaction fees, so 100% of the donation gets to the charity
|
| Discover
|
10.99% to 18.99% APR
|
$0
|
5% Cashback Program, the ability to increase or even double your cash back rewards when you redeem for a gift card from one of the 100 brand name partners, and ShopDiscover
|
HSBC
|
8.99% to 17.99% APR
|
$0
|
With the ecosmart MasterCard, you can donate points to conservation causes or redeem them for organic merchandise; with the Weekend MasterCard, you get double cash back for purchase made on Saturdays and Sundays
|
Wells Fargo
|
7.65% to 21.65% APR
|
$0 for new cardholders. For existing cardholders, $19 to enroll credit card in points-based rewards program; additional $10 to link check card. In May 2009, fee for existing cardholders will be changed to a flat $19 for both credit card and check card
|
Cardholders in any level of rewards program can redeem points for any itinerary from coach to first class
|
USAA (available only to members of the military and their immediate families)
|
7.75% to 18.9% APR
|
$0
|
On travel rewards, if a plane ticket costs less than the listed rewards amount, cardholders get cash credited to their accounts
|
US Bank
|
Prime plus 3.99% to 14.99% APR
|
$0 to $80, depending on the card
|
The only bank among the top rewards cards issuers with a Harley-Davidson-branded card that offers a chance to win a free motorcycle
|
See related: Good deals for rewards seekers
Published: February 12, 2009
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