Best Rewards Credit Cards of 2024

Other rewards cards we love:

Airline (learn more in our guide to the best airline credit cards)

United Club℠ Infinite Card
United℠ Explorer Card
Aeroplan® Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Hotel (learn more in our guide to the best hotel credit cards)

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card

Cash-back (learn more in our guide to the best cash-back credit cards)

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Business (learn more in our guide to the best business credit cards)

American Express® Business Gold Card
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Travel (learn more in our guide to the best travel credit cards)

American Express® Gold Card
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

What is a rewards credit card?

A rewards credit card lets you earn rewards for each dollar you spend.

Some rewards cards offer a flat rate of points, miles, or cash back on everything you buy, whereas others offer more points in specific categories people shop in. In some cases, bonus rewards can be capped based on a specific amount of spending each calendar year or in certain billing cycles. In other cases, the rewards you can earn are unlimited.

Many cards in this niche also offer extra perks like consumer protections, travel insurance benefits, statement credits, and third-party memberships. The best rewards credit cards of 2024 may also offer generous welcome bonuses, an opportunity for new cardholders to earn extra rewards after spending a certain amount in a set period.

How do rewards credit cards work?

Rewards cards work similarly to other credit cards. They offer a line of credit you can borrow against, and you can choose to carry a balance month-to-month. However, if you don’t pay your credit card balance in full before your due date, you’ll be charged your credit card’s interest rate on revolving balances. 

After making an eligible purchase on a credit card with rewards, you’ll receive a portion of that purchase back in the form of cash back, points, or miles. These rewards will likely be redeemable through your account on the credit card issuer’s website or mobile app. 

For example, let’s say you make a $200 purchase on an eligible hotel stay using the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. You’ll receive 1,000 miles (worth approximately $14) as a reward. 

Types of rewards credit cards

There are several types of reward cards to be aware of, which include the following:

Cash-back credit cards 

These cards let consumers earn a specific percentage of cash back on their spending, often between 1% and 6%. Some offer a flat rate on all purchases and others have bonus categories, such as dining or grocery purchases. Usually, the rewards on these cards are given to you in the form of a statement credit. 
Our pick: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Flexible rewards credit cards 

On a flexible reward card, you can earn points that can be redeemed in multiple ways, including gift cards, travel, merchandise, and more. A flexible rewards card is often the best credit card for points. 
Our pick: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (See our detailed comparison of Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Capital One Venture).

Travel credit cards 

Premium, flexible travel cards offer various rewards redemption options, including the chance to transfer points to airline and hotel partners. These cards often offer rewards on everyday purchases, as well as eligible travel purchases. They typically aren’t affiliated with a specific brand, giving you flexibility when earning or redeeming points. 
Our pick: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Airline credit cards 

Cobranded airline cards let users earn airline miles and enjoy frequent flyer perks with programs like Southwest, United, or Delta. Some of these cards offer top-of-the-line perks like airport lounge access, in-flight discounts, companion tickets, and more.
Our pick: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Hotel-specific rewards cards 

Co-branded hotel cards let users earn points in specific hotel loyalty programs, such as Wyndham Rewards or the Marriott Bonvoy program. Some cards offer perks like elite status, annual night rewards, travel insurance, and more.
Our pick: Hilton Honors American Express Credit Card

Business rewards credit cards

Business rewards cards work similarly to other rewards cards, allowing you to earn points, miles, or cash back on purchases. Many of these cards have business-specific reward categories, others offer flat-rate cash back, and others offer travel rewards. They can help build business credit and keep your business and personal expenses separate.
Our pick: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The vast majority of rewards credit cards let you earn unlimited rewards, although some cap bonus category rewards each calendar year (or each quarter). Before you earn credit card rewards, make sure you understand the type of card you signed up for and how its rewards program works.

Pros and cons of rewards credit cards

Reasons to get a rewards credit card

Should you get a rewards card? That depends, but if the following statements sound like you, you may want to consider it:

• Building up a stash of points you can spend sounds appealing to you.
• You spend quite a bit on groceries, gas, dining, travel, or entertainment each month
• Travel is important to you, and you want a way to make it more affordable
• You have a large purchase coming up and you want to earn a large welcome bonus in return
• You’re responsible with your finances and manage your credit well.

These are just some of the reasons to pick up a rewards credit card, but there are plenty of others. Most people can benefit from a rewards credit card, as even 1% back on purchases can add up quickly. 

Unlock valuable strategies to maximize your cash back or points, and explore the seamless process of directing these rewards into an account like a Marcus Savings Account or Synchrony Savings Account for amplified savings.

Reasons to not get a rewards credit card

Although most people can benefit from a rewards credit card, they aren’t right for everyone. 

• If the possibility of earning rewards will make you more susceptible to overspending, it may not be the smartest financial decision.
• If you have bad credit or are just starting on your credit journey, you may not qualify for a top rewards credit card yet. 

Earning credit card rewards: What to watch out for

Here are some of the potential problems to be aware of before you pick up a new rewards card:

• Transaction fees: Watch out for transaction fees such as foreign purchase fees, balance transfer fees, and cash advance fees.
• Overspending: The potential for rewards causes many consumers to spend more than they planned, especially when it comes to earning a sign-up offer in a short amount of time.
• Complicated rewards programs: Some programs make you jump through a lot of hoops before you can use your points or miles.
• High APRs: Most rewards cards charge a high regular APR when you carry a balance month-to-month.
• Pricey benefits you can’t use: Although many rewards cards offer valuable benefits, they aren’t worth it if you can’t utilize them. Some rewards cards have high annual fees, so make sure you can get your money’s worth before committing.

How to choose a rewards credit card

Choosing a rewards card can be tricky, but there are plenty of factors that can help narrow down your choices.

Here are the main rewards card factors you should think about before you decide:

Making the most of your credit card rewards

After choosing your perfect rewards credit card, it’s time to ensure you maximize those rewards. 

• Keep track of bonus categories. Especially if you have multiple credit cards, ensure you’re earning the most value on your expenses by making purchases that maximize those categories.
• Use your card to buy almost everything. Although some people prefer to use debit cards or cash to make purchases, that won’t earn you any rewards. Even 1% back on a $3 purchase earns you something. 
• Study the rewards program. Some credit card issuers offer additional value when redeeming rewards in a specific way. For example, 1 Capital One mile is equal to 0.5 cents when redeemed as cash back and can be worth over 1 cent when redeemed with select transfer partners.
• Use the other perks. If your credit card offers statement credits, travel insurance, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, airport lounge access, etc., use them! These perks can be worth hundreds of dollars and often make up the bulk of a card’s value. 

How we selected our top rewards cards

We looked at more than 100 rewards credit cards on the market today to find the best credit cards overall. We compared credit cards with sign-up offers, rewards for all purchases, rewards for travel purchases, rewards earned in bonus categories, and annual fees. We also compared cards based on their benefits, with preference given to cards that offer generous perks for a reasonable annual fee.