I first got into the points and miles game when I realized I was leaving money behind with every purchase I made.
While I was once hesitant about starting a credit card, I’ve since learned how valuable the right rewards card can be, and now I’m building my wallet into a rewards powerhouse that helps me travel more, earn faster, and get more from every dollar.
One of my cards (hint: it’s on this list) even helped me spend an unforgettable three weeks in Europe last summer—a bucket list trip I would never have made possible otherwise.
Here are my picks for the best rewards credit cards to add to your wallet, including the ones I use now and those I plan to add next.
Compare my picks for the best rewards credit cards
Here’s a quick overview of my favorite features each rewards card offers.
| card | Welcome offer | Yield | annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium visa (see rates and fees) | For a limited time, Prime Visa offers a $250 Amazon gift card immediately upon approval, exclusively for Prime members. |
|
$0 (requires premium membership to apply) |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) | Earn 75,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. |
|
$95 |
| Capital One Ventures X Rewards Credit Card | Earn 100,000 bonus miles when you spend $10,000 in purchases within the first six months of account opening. |
|
$395 |
| American Express Platinum Card® | Know your offers and see if you’re eligible for up to 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in your first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not qualify for one. |
|
Annual fee $895 (see rates and fees) |
Premium visa
Outstanding benefits: A simple, no-annual-fee card that earns 5% back on purchases at amazon.com and Whole Foods, making it a top choice among Amazon regulars.
If there was one card I wished I had gotten before my recent move (and the many Amazon orders that followed) it would have been Premium visa. While this card has a modest $0 annual fee, it’s a simple yet effective option that helps turn everyday expenses into meaningful rewards.
Offering 5% back on amazon.com, Whole Foods Market, and Amazon Fresh, this card is a great choice for decorating a new apartment, holiday shopping, picking up weekly groceries, and more.
Plus, it offers 2% back on restaurants, gas stations, and local transportation, which (plus no foreign transaction fees) makes it a great cashback card for travel.
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this Premium visa It also offers a range of protections, including purchase protection and extended warranty protection—something you don’t often see among no-annual-fee cards.
I’m considering adding this to my wallet soon, since it currently offers a $250 Amazon gift card immediately upon approval (Prime members only), making it an easy way to put money back in my pocket before the holidays.
To learn more, check out our full review of Prime Visa.
Apply here: Premium visa
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Outstanding benefits: Flexible travel redemptions, valuable transfer partners, and a modest annual fee make this card one of the best rewards credit cards for anyone starting to use points and miles.
this Chase Sapphire Preferred This was the first travel card I ever opened, and it completely changed the way I think about spending. Instead of earning cash back, I started earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to partners like World of Hyatt, United Airlines MileagePlus and Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
This flexibility makes this card a favorite among travelers. Whether you want to book flights through the Chase Travel portal or transfer points to a travel partner to maximize value, Sapphire preferred Keep your options open.
Last summer, by taking advantage of Chase-Flying Blue’s 25% transfer bonus, I was able to transfer just 15,000 points for a nonstop flight from Washington, D.C. to Paris, which would have otherwise cost me more than $600 to fly. Sapphire Preferred is so easy to use I would say it is one of the best if not thisthe best travel cards for beginners (I may be biased, but don’t just take my word for it).
Although the annual fee is $95, the benefits easily justify the cost. Book with Chase Travel and you’ll get a $50 hotel credit per year, a 10% annual anniversary credit, and helpful protections like trip cancellation and purchase insurance.
Sapphire Preferred has been the foundation of my rewards strategy and I always recommend it to people who want to convert their daily spend into their next trip.
To learn more, check out our full review of Sapphire Top Picks.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Capital One Ventures X Rewards Credit Card
Outstanding benefits: Great travel benefits, flexible redemptions, and easy ways to earn make this card one of the best rewards credit cards for travelers who want great value without unnecessary complexity.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been on my wish list for months and it’s the next card I plan to apply for.
After seeing friends, family, and colleagues use Venture X to book flights, relax in airport lounges, and easily earn rewards, I realized it deserved a spot in my wallet.
The card’s simple earnings structure is part of its magic. Cardholders earn:
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on every purchase
- Earn 5 miles for every $1 spent on flights and vacation rentals booked with Capital One Travel
- Earn 10 miles for every $1 spent on hotel and rental car bookings with Capital One Travel
In addition, Venture
Venture X is currently offering a generous welcome offer of 100,000 miles after you spend $10,000 within 6 months. According to TPG’s November 2025 valuation, 100,000 Capital One miles are worth $1,850, thanks to the tremendous value you can get by transferring Capital One miles to the program’s airline and hotel partners.
With its simple rewards, lounge access, and flexible redemptions, Venture X proves year after year why it’s one of the best rewards credit cards on the market right now.
To learn more, check out our full review of Capital One Venture X.
Learn more: Capital One Ventures X Rewards Credit Card
American Express Platinum Card
Outstanding benefits: Premium travel benefits, extensive lounge access, and generous statement points make this card one of the best rewards cards for frequent travelers who value comfort and convenience.
this American Express Platinum Card has long been considered the gold standard for premium travel rewards, and for good reason.
While the American Express Platinum Card hasn’t found its way into my wallet yet, it’s firmly on my bucket list.
The card offers a valuable combination of travel and lifestyle points that, if used strategically, easily justify the card’s high annual fee. It’s a card designed for those who value convenience and enhanced experiences.
Add in free access to the American Express global collection of lounges for eligible card members, including Centurion Lounges, and it’s easy to see why this card consistently ranks among the best rewards cards.
To learn more, check out our full review of the American Express Platinum Card.
Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
How I choose my top rewards card
When narrowing down the best rewards credit cards, I focused on versatility, long-term value, and the ability to earn meaningful rewards on everyday spending.
Each of these cards offers strong earning potential in popular categories like dining, travel and online shopping, but more importantly, they make redemption simple, whether you’re booking a flight, transferring points to a partner or making everyday purchases.
bottom line
Finding the best rewards credit card is all about choosing one that fits your lifestyle and goals.
For me, that means starting with a versatile card that I can use every day, while offering more great options as my travel habits evolve. Even just a great rewards card can turn an everyday expense into something bigger when you take the time to understand how each benefit works – whether it’s free flights, five-star accommodations or simply spending more freely.
Related: How to choose the right travel credit card for you
For American Express Platinum Card rates and fees, click here.
