- 10%Cash back on Citi Travel bookings
- 5%Cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 3%Cash back on dining, online groceries, streaming, gas, EV charging
- 1%Cash back on all other purchases
Earn 75,000 points after you spend $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel, 3x points on dining, online groceries, streaming, gas, EV charging, and vacation rentals.
19.24%-27.49% Variable APR
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card stands out as the top choice because it offers a robust rewards structure with 5x points on travel and 3x points on dining, making it ideal for frequent travelers and foodies alike.
Pros:
- High rewards on travel and dining
- Generous welcome bonus
Cons:
- Annual fee
- High spending requirement for bonus
2.Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One
- 10%Miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5%Miles on flights
- 2%Miles on all other purchases
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x on flights, and 2x on all other purchases.
19.49%-28.49% Variable APR
What sets the Capital One Venture X apart is its exceptional earning potential on travel-related purchases, making it a premier choice for avid travelers looking to maximize their rewards.
Pros:
- High earning potential on travel
- Generous welcome bonus
Cons:
- High annual fee
- Requires significant spending to maximize rewards
3.American Express Gold Card
American Express
- 4%Points on restaurants worldwide
- 3%Points on flights booked directly with airlines
- 1%Points on all other purchases
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases within your first 6 months of card membership.
Earn 4x points on restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
19.49%-28.49% Variable APR
The American Express Gold Card shines for its exceptional rewards on dining and groceries, making it the best option for food lovers who want to earn points while enjoying their meals.
Pros:
- High rewards on dining
- Flexible redemption options
Cons:
- Annual fee
- High spending requirement for bonus
4.American Express Platinum Card
American Express
- 5%Points on flights booked directly with airlines
- 1%Points on all other purchases
Earn 175,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership.
Earn 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com and 1x points on other purchases.
19.49%-28.49% Variable APR
The American Express Platinum Card is a premier luxury travel card that offers unparalleled benefits and rewards for frequent travelers, justifying its high annual fee for those who can take advantage of its perks.
Pros:
- Luxury travel benefits
- High rewards on travel
Cons:
- Very high annual fee
- Requires significant spending to maximize rewards
5.Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One
- 2%Miles on every purchase
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Earn 2x miles on every purchase.
19.49%-28.49% Variable APR
The Capital One Venture Rewards Card is a solid choice for those who want a straightforward rewards structure with 2x miles on all purchases, making it easy to earn rewards without tracking categories.
Pros:
- No foreign transaction fees
- Flat-rate rewards
Cons:
- Annual fee
- Lower rewards on non-travel purchases
6.Citi Double Cash Card
Citi
- 2%Cash back on all purchases
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when you buy and an additional 1% as you pay.
18.24%-28.49% Variable APR
The Citi Double Cash Card is an excellent choice for those who prefer a simple cash back structure, earning 2% on every purchase without the hassle of rotating categories.
Pros:
- No annual fee
- Flat-rate cash back
Cons:
- Lower rewards on specific categories
- Requires timely payments to maximize rewards
7.Chase Freedom Unlimited Card
Chase
- 5%Cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
- 3%Cash back on dining and drugstores
- 1.5%Cash back on all other purchases
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel.
18.24%-27.74% Variable APR
The Chase Freedom Unlimited Card is a fantastic option for those looking for a no-annual-fee card that offers solid cash back on everyday purchases, especially for travel and dining.
Pros:
- No annual fee
- High rewards on travel and dining
Cons:
- Limited to Chase Travel for higher rewards
- Lower rewards on non-bonus categories
8.Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
Wells Fargo
- 2%Cash rewards on all purchases
Earn $200 cash rewards after you spend $500 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
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 want a straightforward cash back card with no annual fee and a solid 2% cash back on all purchases.
Pros:
- Unlimited 2% cash rewards
- No annual fee
Cons:
- Limited bonus categories
- Lower rewards on specific categories
9.Citi Strata Premier Card
Citi
- 10%Points on Citi Travel bookings
- 3%Points on air travel, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas/EV stations
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Earn 10x points on Citi Travel bookings, 3x points on air travel, other hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas/EV stations.
19.49%-27.49% Variable APR
The Citi Strata Premier Card is a strong contender for travelers, offering high rewards on travel bookings and a valuable annual hotel benefit, making it a great choice for those who travel frequently.
Pros:
- High rewards on travel bookings
- Annual hotel benefit
Cons:
- Annual fee
- Requires significant spending to maximize rewards
10.Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card
Wells Fargo
- 5%Points on hotels
- 4%Points on airlines
- 3%Points on dining and other travel
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Earn unlimited 5x points on hotels, 4x points on airlines, and 3x points on dining and other travel.
19.49%-28.49% Variable APR
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card is designed for frequent travelers, offering high point multipliers on travel-related purchases and a valuable welcome bonus, making it a strong option for those who travel often.
Pros:
- High rewards on travel
- Annual airline statement credit
Cons:
- Annual fee
- Requires significant spending to maximize rewards
Did you know?
Before you apply, look up credit card basics like APR and fees in our Financial Dictionary. Rewards pay off most when your real spending already hits the card's bonus categories.
Final Words
As you consider the best rewards credit cards this September, remember that the right choice depends on your spending habits and financial goals. Take time to compare your options and make informed decisions, ensuring that your selected card maximizes your rewards and fits your lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Earn 75,000 points after you spend $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x on flights, and 2x on all other purchases.
Earn 4x points on restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
Yes, many rewards credit cards charge annual fees. The fees can range significantly, so it's important to weigh the benefits and rewards against these costs to ensure they align with your spending habits.
Consider your spending habits, such as where you spend the most (dining, travel, groceries), and look for cards that offer higher rewards in those categories. Also, evaluate the welcome bonuses, annual fees, and any additional perks that might benefit you.
Eligibility often includes being at least 18 years old, having a valid Social Security number, and meeting a minimum credit score. Additionally, some cards may require a certain income level or a history of responsible credit use.
The application process typically involves filling out an online form with your personal and financial information. Approval can be instant or take a few days, and it's wise to check your credit report beforehand to ensure accuracy and avoid surprises.
