Best Rewards Credit Cards of May 2025

All information about the American Express® Green Card, Citi Custom Cash® Card, Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, My GM Rewards Mastercard and the Chase Freedom Flex has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Comparing the best rewards credit cards of 2025

What is a rewards credit card?

A rewards credit card is a credit card that earns points, miles or cash back on your spending. You might get rewards for specific types of purchases, like buying fuel at gas stations or groceries at supermarkets, or you might get a flat rate for all charges. Typically, you’ll need at least good credit to get a rewards credit card, though there are exceptions. If you’re interested in exploring some card options, our CardMatch tool can show you what rewards credit cards you may qualify for without hurting your credit score.

How do rewards credit cards work?

You can earn rewards for making purchases on a credit card, then redeem those rewards for travel, cash back or other redemption options. These are the basic steps to earning credit card rewards:

1. Make purchases with your rewards card, ideally in bonus categories or through the issuer’s travel portal to earn rewards
2. Visit your card’s rewards portal to evaluate your redemption options, which may include cash back, statement credits, travel and gift cards.
3. Redeem your rewards.

Types of rewards cards

Cash back credit cards

With a cash back credit card, a percentage of each qualifying purchase will be paid back to you. For example, a card with a 2% cash back rate will reward you with $2 for every $100 you spend. Earning cash back offers the most flexibility, as you can redeem it as a statement credit or direct deposit.

Types of cash back cards include flat rate, tiered and rotating cash back cards.

• A flat-rate cash back card earns the same rate of cash back on all purchases, usually between 1% and 2%. For example, Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card earns 2% cash rewards on all purchases.
• Tiered cash back cards have bonus categories that earn more when you spend in qualifying categories, such as dining or gas, while all other purchases will typically earn 1% cash back. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, for example, offers boosted cash back rewards on select U.S. streaming services, U.S. supermarkets, transit and U.S. gas stations.
• Rotating category cash back cards offer boosted rewards rates in categories that change, usually each quarter. A great rotating category cash back card is the Discover it® Cash Back card, which typically earns 5% cash back on quarterly rotating categories you activate.

Travel credit cards

Travel credit cards reward cardholders with points or miles that you can use to book travel. Some of the best travel credit cards offer perks such as lounge access, companion passes, free checked bags, and TSA PreCheck credits. Among travel rewards cards, you can choose general purpose, airline or hotel credit cards.

• General-purpose travel cards earn points that can be redeemed for flights or hotel stays with any partner brand. These offer a high level of flexibility, as you’re not limited to one airline or hotel chain and may get a better deal when redeeming rewards through an issuer-specific redemption portal. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular general travel card that rewards cardholders with 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3X points on dining and 2X points on other travel purchases.
• Airline credit cards reward cardholders with miles for a specific airline, usually at a boosted rate through spending on flights or other categories, such as gas stations or dining. If you’re loyal to one brand, you’ll likely find your best redemption value with an airline card like the Delta Skymiles® Gold American Express Card, which offers 2X miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets.
• Hotel credit cards, like airline cards, are co-branded and encourage loyalty to a single brand. You can earn free nights and become eligible for room upgrades, free breakfast and status boosts. Using the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, you can earn 12X points at Hilton properties; 6X points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations; and 3X points on general purchases.

If you’re new to earning points — or just feeling overwhelmed by all the options out there — our travel credit cards roundup for beginners can point you in the right direction.

Business

Business credit cards are designed for business owners and generally offer cash back or points on business-related spending, like office supplies or internet services, as well as money-saving perks and flexible financing benefits. The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card rewards cardholders with 1.5% cash back on all purchases for your business.

Student

Student credit cards are specifically designed for students with little-to-no credit history. These cards typically carry low credit limits and incentives for responsible use, but can also offer enticing rewards on student-focused categories as well. For example, the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).

Gas credit cards

Gas cards reward you for each gallon you buy and sometimes only require fair credit. You can get a credit card that rewards purchases at any gas station, or one that rewards purchases at a specific gas station chain.The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers bonus rewards for your purchases made at the pump as well as in other everyday categories.

Retail credit cards

Sometimes called a co-branded card, retail credit cards are a type of loyalty card tied to department stores or other store brands. These cards can offerlucrative rewards, but typically have high APRs.

Store cards come in two categories: closed loop or open loop. Closed-loop cards only work at the retailer whose name is on the card or at any related brands connected to that retailer. Open-loop store cards can be used anywhere that type of card is accepted. An open-loop Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card, for example, can be used wherever Visa cards are accepted.

Pros and cons of rewards cards

Offers of discounted travel, complimentary hotel stays, rewards and other frills can be hard to pass up, but rewards cards aren’t a good fit for everyone. As you search for a card that best aligns with your budget and lifestyle, consider both the pros and cons of rewards credit cards.

Who should get a rewards credit card?

Choosing the right rewards card depends on a number of factors, but they’re not for everyone. Before applying, make sure a rewards credit card is a good fit for you.

You should get a rewards card if:

• You travel frequently and can use travel card perks enough to make the annual fee worth it.
• You’ll pay your balance on time and in full monthly to avoid costly interest charges.
• You want to earn rewards on everyday purchases to get cash back or book travel.

You shouldn’t get a rewards card if:

• You consistently carry a balance. You’d be better off getting a low interest credit card, which could help reduce interest charges.
• You want to simplify your finances and don’t want to track rewards programs or benefits value.
• You won’t read the terms and conditions of your rewards card, where you’ll find important information, such as penalty APRs, limitations, blackout date policies and spending caps.

How to compare rewards cards

Selecting the right rewards card depends on your financial goals and spending habits.  With options ranging from cash back to points or miles—and incentives tailored to specific spending categories—it’s important to match your card to the way you spend.

“Credit card companies offer all types of reward options these days, from points to miles to cash back, and each card provides incentives based on certain purchases or stores/retailers, so it’s important to find the card that rewards you for the purchases you make the most,” says money-saving expert Andrea Woroch, whose advice has been featured in media such as Time’s Next Advisor, Huffington Post and The New York Times.

Start by asking yourself these key questions:

• What type of rewards do you want? Consider whether you prefer cash back for everyday flexibility or travel rewards that can be redeemed for flights and hotel stays.

• What are your spending habits? Identify the categories that make up the bulk of your expenses, such as travel, dining, groceries or gas, and look for cards that offer the best rewards where you spend the most.

• Are you willing to pay an annual fee? Consider whether you’re comfortable paying an annual fee and weigh it against the value of potential rewards and benefits you’re likely to use.

As you compare credit cards, keep these factors in mind:

• Rewards earning. Any rewards card you choose should align well with your spending habits to earn the most rewards on the purchases you make most often.
• Annual fee. If the card you’re eyeing has an annual fee, you should do some quick math to ensure that your yearly rewards earnings will be greater than the cost of the fee.
• Cardholder benefits. Rewards cards often offer perks just for having the card. For example, many travel cards offer benefits like credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, airport lounge access and free checked bags. If you’re torn between two cards or on the fence about whether an annual fee is worth it, perks like these can tip the scale in one direction.
• Sign-up/welcome bonus. Most rewards cards offer an incentive to new cardholders who spend a certain amount on their card within a specified time frame. You might get a few hundred dollars in cash back or a chunk of points you can redeem for a free flight. Though valuable, a sign-up bonus is a one-time perk. Make sure the long-term value checks out, too.
• APR. Some rewards cards offer new cardholders an introductory 0% interest rate on purchases or balance transfers for a certain number of months, which can be helpful if you need to make a large purchase or pay down debt. If you’ll carry a balance from month to month, a rewards card isn’t a good choice.
• Foreign transaction fees. Many travel credit cards let you skip this charge, which is otherwise imposed when you use the card overseas. Standard foreign transaction fees run between 2% and 3% of each purchase. See the best credit cards for no foreign transaction fees.

Still stuck? Check out our step-by-step guide to choosing the right credit card.

How to maximize your rewards credit card

Once you’ve picked the best card for you, here are some strategies you can use to unlock your card’s full potential and maximize the value of your rewards.

• Match your spending patterns with your rewards strategy.
• Snag a sign-up/welcome bonus to supercharge early rewards earning.
• Know your rewards program by reading the terms and conditions, so you can avoid missing out on rewards opportunities.
• Pool points between multiple credit cards or share points with family and friends when possible.
• Take advantage additional benefits such as consumer protections and travel perks, which can add value and convenience to travel and purchases you make with the card.
• Redeem for maximum value by comparing your card’s redemption options, such as transferring points to a travel partner instead of claiming a lower-value cash back redemption.
• Pay your bills in full to avoid paying more in interest than you earn in rewards.

What are points and miles worth?

The value of your points and miles can vary, depending on the card and how you redeem them. If you like to redeem your points for statement credits or gift cards, a card where your points are worth at least 1 cent is a safe bet. When redeeming for travel, your points could swing lower, but they can also go a lot higher, especially if you’re using a card with transferable points.

Transferable points give you the flexibility to move your points over to a transfer partner’s loyalty program. This can give you more options when booking travel and give you a chance to redeem your points or miles for greater value. In some cases, the right transfer partner could bump the value of your points or miles to over 2 cents.

For example, with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, your points are worth 1.25 cents when you redeem through the Chase Travel℠ portal. But with the right high-value transfer partner, we estimate your points could be worth an average of 2 cents.

Here are some of the best credit card rewards programs that offer travel cards with transferable points:

Before you apply for a new card, check to see if your points or miles can be transferred and that you’re able to transfer your rewards to your favorite airline or hotel. And to make sure you’re getting the best value, make sure you know how to do the math to see how much your rewards are worth.

Alternatives to getting a rewards card

Rewards credit cards are a great way to earn free travel, cash back and more, but if you don’t have any credit history or don’t meet the requirements for most rewards cards, there are other options for you.

• If you qualify, get a student credit card, which may offer better terms and higher limits than typical starter cards (such as secured cards). The Discover it® Student Cash Back Card is a great option to start with.
• Try for a secured credit card, which requires security deposit but can get you an account that reports positive payment history to major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion). If you want to earn rewards on everyday purchases, the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal.
• Consider a retail credit card that offers rewards on all purchases made at the issuing store and can help youduild or rebuild credit when used responsibly.
• Apply for an alternative credit card, such as the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card designed for people who don’t qualify for traditional credit cards or those who may not have access to mainstream banking products.

How we picked the best rewards credit cards

Our editorial team and expert review board analyzed over 300 credit cards to identify the best rewards credit cards currently on the market. These factors and more inform our decisions on which cards can work the best for you.

• Rewards rate: We considered rewards categories and rates, earning caps, point values, and other fine print that may affect total earnings potential, including bonus spending categories and limits.
• Welcome offer: We evaluated the value of the sign-up bonus, alongside the required spend to receive it, especially for cards with higher annual fees. For travel cards, we also considered the bonus in relation to its potential to offset the card’s annual fee.
• Interest rate: Though you shouldn’t have to worry about interest rates if you’re paying your bill in full each month, we excluded rewards cards with excessively high interest rates that could impact consumers who carry balances.
• Fees: We compared each card’s fees to its rewards rate, sign-up bonus, and other perks to determine whether the average consumer could earn enough rewards to justify the annual fee within the first year and beyond.
• Travel benefits: For travel cards, we assessed point values, transfer partners, redemption options, and the flexibility of rewards. We also considered additional travel perks, such as airport lounge access, travel credits, and insurance benefits, to help you weigh your options based on your lifestyle and goals.

All criteria used: Credit needed, rates and fees, transfer partners, travel benefits, point values, redemption options and flexibility, customer service, sign-up bonus, rewards rate.

Our comparison service is compensated by our credit card company partners, which may affect product placement. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Star ratings are based solely on our independent card scoring methodology and are not influenced by advertisers or card issuers. Learn more about our partners and how we make money.

More information on rewards cards

For more information on all things rewards cards, continue reading content from our credit card experts:

• Do all purchases count when racking up rewards?
• Best credit cards for large purchases
• How to choose a rewards credit card

About the Author

Ryan Noonan

Ryan Noonan Ryan Noonan is a former writer for Bankrate and CreditCards.com and is a graduate of the School of Journalism at Ohio State University. 

About the Author

Jessica Merritt

Jessica Merritt is a personal finance writer with 8 years of experience covering credit cards, banking, and financial wellness. She specializes in turning complex financial topics into clear, actionable advice, with work featured in U.S. News, CNN Underscored, and DepositAccounts.com.

About the Editor

Robert Thorpe

Robert Thorpe is an editor for CreditCards.com

About the Reviewer

Jason Steele

Jason Steele is a professional journalist and credit card expert who has been contributing to online publications since 2008. He was one of the original contributors to The Points Guy, and his work has been appearing there since 2011. He has also contributed to over 100 of the leading personal finance and travel outlets. He’s frequently interviewed and quoted by mainstream outlets on the subjects of credit cards and travel. Jason is passionate about travel rewards credit cards, which he uses to earn rewards that he can redeem for him and his family to travel around the world. Jason is also the founder and producer of CardCon, a conference for credit and credit card journalists that’s held annually.