Rewards Credit Cards - Reviews
Credit card rewards come in many forms -- from miles to cash back to points -- that can redeemed for a variety of goodies. Some cards offer large sign-up bonuses, others offer extra earnings on bonus categories. Some cards charge annual fees. All these differences can make it difficult to compare.
We've created a rating system to cut through the complicated details and compare cards on a similar basis. Our ratings take into account the estimated value of their rewards, the ease of redeeming rewards and special perks and benefits.
Chase Sapphire Reserve card
Last reviewed: September 26, 2017
The price of admission for this luxury card from J.P. Morgan Chase is steep, but its large sign-up bonus and generous travel allowance more than make up for the card’s $450 annual fee.
United MileagePlus Explorer card
Last reviewed: September 28, 2017
With a generous sign-up bonus, the Chase United Mileage Plus Explorer card makes it easy to earn a free flight quickly; but you’ll have to fly United often to make up for the card’s $95 annual fee.
Capital One Venture Rewards credit card
Last reviewed: October 17, 2017
This is a flexible rewards card with a high rewards rate and valuable perks for frequent travelers.
Club Carlson Premier Rewards Visa Signature card
Last reviewed: September 26, 2017
One of our favorite travel cards, this premium hotel card was tailor made for fans of luxury hotel stays: for just $75 a year, it offers some of the generous rewards available on hotel stays and regular purchases as well as some the industry’s best bonuses.
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
Last reviewed: October 4, 2017
This premium airline card offers a generous sign-up bonus in the card’s first year and some modest perks for frequent American Airlines passengers; but unless you’re a heavy traveler, you could have a hard time justifying the card’s annual fee after the first year.
Discover it Miles credit card
Last reviewed: October 10, 2017
The Discover it Miles card offers a range of high-end travel perks and an industry-leading rewards rate for the card’s first 12 months, but the benefits drop off significantly after the first year.
Chase Sapphire Preferred card
Last reviewed: September 26, 2017
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers valuable rewards for frequent travelers, as well as the potential for savvy rewards card users to glean some extra value out of their rewards.
The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express
Last reviewed: October 5, 2017
The perk-heavy American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card offers one of the most valuable rewards programs on the market, making it our go-to card for year-round travelers.
Wells Fargo Visa Signature credit card
Last reviewed: October 10, 2017
The Wells Fargo Visa Signature card offers more value than meets the eye thanks to its 50 percent bonus on airfare redemptions.
British Airways Visa Signature card
Last reviewed: October 9, 2017
One of the best airline cards on the market, this super charged premium card offers frequent transatlantic fliers an accessible sign-up bonus that amply rewards heavy spenders, a plentiful point bonus on airfare, valuable travel perks and generously priced rewards points that are worth more than twice the average credit card rewards point.
USAA Limitless Cashback Rewards Visa Signature credit card
Last reviewed: October 11, 2017
The rewards on this cash back card are exceptionally generous, but you have to jump through a lot of hoops to qualify for the highest cash back rate, and membership is only open to military members and their families in certain states.
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card
Last reviewed: September 26, 2017
Packed with lucrative benefits, the new U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card offers more than enough value to make up for the card’s $400 annual fee – especially if you don’t mind using your phone to make many of your purchases.
