1.Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase
- 8%Points on Chase Travel
- 4%Points on flights/hotels booked directly
- 3%Points on dining
- 1%Points on all other purchases
Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Earn 8x points on Chase Travel, 4x on flights/hotels booked direct, 3x on dining, and 1x on others.
19.74%-28.24% Variable APR
The Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out as the top choice because of its extensive travel rewards and premium benefits, including a $300 annual travel credit and access to exclusive lounges, making it ideal for frequent travelers.
Pros:
- High rewards on travel and dining
- Access to premium lounges
Cons:
- High annual fee
- Requires excellent credit
- 5%Points on travel via Chase Travel
- 3%Points on dining
- 2%Points on other travel
- 1%Points on all other purchases
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months.
Earn 5x points on travel via Chase Travel, 3x on dining, and 2x on other travel.
19.49%-27.74% Variable APR
What sets the Chase Sapphire Preferred apart is its excellent earning potential on travel and dining, making it a fantastic option for both new and experienced travelers looking to maximize their rewards.
Pros:
- Low annual fee
- Strong earning rates on travel and dining
Cons:
- Limited premium benefits compared to Reserve
- Requires good credit
- 10%Points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via Citi Travel
- 3%Points on air travel, dining, supermarkets, and gas/EV charging
- 1%Points on all other purchases
Earn 60,000 ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
Earn 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via Citi Travel, 3x on air travel, dining, supermarkets, and gas/EV charging.
19.49%-28.24% Variable APR
The standout feature of the Citi Strata Premier is its high earning potential on travel-related purchases, making it a versatile card for both everyday spending and travel enthusiasts.
Pros:
- High rewards on travel and dining
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons:
- Annual fee
- Requires good credit
4.Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase
- 5%Cash back on travel booked through Chase
- 3%Cash back on dining and drugstores
- 1.5%Cash back on all other purchases
Earn $300 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months.
Earn 5% on travel booked through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% on everything else.
18.49%-27.99% Variable APR
This card shines for its straightforward cash back structure, offering high rewards on dining and travel, making it an excellent choice for everyday spending without the burden of an annual fee.
Pros:
- No annual fee
- High cash back on dining and travel
Cons:
- Lower base cash back rate
- Limited to Chase Travel for higher rewards
5.Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One
- 10%Miles on hotels/rentals booked via Capital One Travel
- 5%Miles on flights
- 2%Miles on all other purchases
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
Earn 10x on hotels/rentals booked via Capital One Travel, 5x on flights, and 2x on everything else.
19.49%-28.49% Variable APR
The Capital One Venture X is a premium travel card that offers exceptional rewards on travel bookings, making it a top choice for frequent travelers looking to maximize their benefits.
Pros:
- High rewards on travel
- Annual travel credit offsets fee
Cons:
- High annual fee
- Requires excellent credit
6.Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One
- 8%Cash back on Capital One Entertainment
- 5%Cash back on Capital One Travel
- 3%Cash back on dining, entertainment, and groceries
- 1%Cash back on all other purchases
Earn a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
Earn 8% on Capital One Entertainment, 5% on Capital One Travel, and 3% on dining, entertainment, and groceries.
18.49%-28.49% Variable APR
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards card is ideal for foodies and entertainment lovers, offering high cash back rates in popular spending categories without the burden of an annual fee.
Pros:
- High cash back on dining and entertainment
- No annual fee
Cons:
- Limited to specific categories for high rewards
- Requires good credit
7.Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
American Express
- 6%Cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year)
- 6%Cash back on select streaming subscriptions
- 3%Cash back at U.S. gas stations and transit
- 1%Cash back on all other purchases
Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months.
Earn 6% on U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year), 6% on select streaming, 3% on gas and transit, and 1% on everything else.
19.49%-28.49% Variable APR
The Blue Cash Preferred card is perfect for families and individuals who spend heavily on groceries and streaming services, offering substantial cash back that can easily offset the annual fee.
Pros:
- High rewards on groceries and streaming
- Introductory fee waived
Cons:
- Annual fee after the first year
- Requires good credit
8.Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Wells Fargo
- 2%Cash rewards on all purchases
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after you spend $500 in purchases within the first 3 months.
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases.
18.49%-28.49% Variable APR
The Wells Fargo Active Cash card is an excellent choice for those who prefer a straightforward cash back structure without the hassle of tracking categories, making it ideal for everyday spending.
Pros:
- Unlimited 2% cash back
- No annual fee
Cons:
- Limited to flat rate rewards
- Requires good credit
9.Citi Double Cash® Card
Citi
- 2%Cash back on all purchases
- 5%Cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via Citi Travel
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months.
Earn 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy, 1% as you pay), plus 5% on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via Citi Travel.
17.49%-27.49% Variable APR
The Citi Double Cash card is a strong contender for those who want a simple and effective cash back strategy, rewarding users consistently on every purchase without the need for rotating categories.
Pros:
- Unlimited 2% cash back
- No annual fee
Cons:
- Requires good credit
- No intro APR on purchases
10.Discover it® Cash Back
Discover
- 5%Cash back on rotating quarterly categories
- 1%Cash back on all other purchases
Discover automatically matches all the cash back you earn in your first year.
Earn 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500) and 1% on all other purchases.
17.49%-26.49% Variable APR
The Discover it Cash Back card is particularly appealing for those who can maximize the rotating categories, offering a unique cash back match in the first year that can significantly enhance rewards.
Pros:
- First-year cash back match
- No annual fee
Cons:
- Requires activation for bonus categories
- Limited to quarterly categories
Final Words
As you navigate the world of rewards credit cards this January, remember that the best choice for you depends on your spending habits and lifestyle. Take time to compare the options available to ensure you select a card that maximizes your rewards and benefits effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card offers a welcome bonus of 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months. You can earn 8x points on Chase Travel, 4x on flights/hotels booked direct, 3x on dining, and 1x on others.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has an annual fee of $95. It also offers a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months.
With the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, you can earn a welcome bonus of 60,000 ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. You earn 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via Citi Travel, 3x on air travel, dining, supermarkets, and gas/EV charging.
When selecting a rewards credit card, consider factors like the card's annual fee, the types of purchases you make most often, and the rewards structure that best aligns with your spending habits. Additionally, evaluate any welcome bonuses and other benefits that may enhance your overall rewards experience.
Many rewards credit cards do charge foreign transaction fees, which can add to your costs while traveling abroad. However, some cards, especially those designed for travel rewards, waive these fees, so it's important to check the card's terms before applying.
To maximize your rewards, use your credit card for everyday purchases and take advantage of bonus categories that offer higher rewards rates. Additionally, pay off your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges, which can negate the benefits of earning rewards.
Travel rewards credit cards offer various benefits such as earning points on travel-related purchases, access to travel perks like airport lounges, and opportunities to redeem points for flights and hotels. These cards often come with travel insurance and purchase protections, providing added security for frequent travelers.
