Anyone who knows me knows that I love to rave about credit card rewards whenever I get the chance.
But the credit card industry offers so many options that it can be difficult even for an expert like me to navigate. That’s why I love helping my friends and family sift through the options and find cards that fit their lifestyle and travel goals.
With that in mind, let’s review my picks for the best rewards credit cards.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) | Get a $200 bonus when you spend $500 in the first three months after opening an account. |
|
without any |
| 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 |
| Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) | Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. |
|
$95 |
| American Express Platinum Card® | New American Express Platinum members can learn about their offers and see if they qualify for up to 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in purchases within the first six months of membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not qualify for one. |
|
Annual fee $895 (see rates and fees) |
Chasing freedom and flexibility
Outstanding benefits: The best thing about this card is its quarterly bonus category rotation. You’ll earn 5% cash back (and then 1% back; activation required) when you spend up to $1,500 in these categories each quarter. Additionally, cardholders receive six months of free DoorDash DashPass membership (activate on December 31, 2027).
In my opinion, the Freedom Flex is one of Chase’s most underrated cards. It is often overshadowed by its larger brother Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve® (See Rates and Fees).
This card is best for beginners and those looking for an affordable, flexible product. This was my first official rewards card and the one that really got me hooked on the hobby.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Freedom Flex.
Apply here: Chasing freedom and flexibility
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Chase Sapphire Preferred
Outstanding benefits: This card gives you access to Chase’s transfer partners, a key component in maximizing your rewards. If you have an eligible Chase card with no annual fee, e.g. Free and flexibleyou can use Sapphire Preferred to convert the card’s rewards into transferable Ultimate Rewards points.
Sapphire Preferred is highly regarded by TPG, and for good reason. This is an affordable card that earns valuable, transferable Ultimate Rewards points. Plus, with the Sapphire Preferred’s DoorDash DashPass membership (activated December 31, 2027), you can easily get your money back (or even some of it) with Sapphire Preferred’s annual fee.
Cardholders also earn $50 in points each year on eligible hotel reservations through Chase Travel, plus a 10% anniversary point boost. These approachable perks make this card a great introduction to the world of points and miles—it was even my first transferable rewards card.
To learn more, check out our full review of Sapphire Top Picks.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Citi Strata Premium
Outstanding benefits: The card covers a variety of daily spending categories and is perfect for a single-card wallet. If you prefer to book using your card issuer’s travel portal, you’ll receive a $100 annual hotel benefit with this card on a single hotel booking of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) made through Citi Travel.
Ask enough people here at TPG and you’ll quickly find a few who agree with me that Strata Premier is a dark horse in the midrange credit card space. With this card, you’ll be able to earn extra rewards on most everyday expenses, including groceries, gas, electric vehicle charging and dining. You’ll also get access to Citigroup’s 22 transfer partners, including favorites among rewards enthusiasts like American Airlines and Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
I don’t own a Strata Premier myself, but if I had the desire (and willpower) to limit myself to just one card, I would definitely choose it.
To learn more, check out our full review of Strata Premier.
Apply here: Citi Strata Premier Card
American Express Platinum Card
Outstanding benefits: Trying to condense the outstanding benefits of this card into a few sentences is nearly impossible. It comes with a long list of claim points, elite status and lounge access you can access, among other perks. Its annual fee may be the highest of any card on the market, but it’s well worth it for the right cardholder.
The American Express Platinum is my most expensive card, but I am able to justify it due to its various benefits. I just used my statement points towards Resy*, up to $400 per year (up to $100 per quarter), and Lululemon**, up to $300 per year (up to $75 per quarter). This means that the annual fee for this card has reached breakeven, which is approximately $175.
I also value this card’s lounge access, which has the widest reach of any card currently available. If you can afford to pay $895 for a card in one bill cycle, the Amex Platinum is definitely worth considering.
To learn more, check out our full review of the American Express Platinum Card.
*US restaurants only; registration required
**Available in US stores and online stores only; except outlets; registration required
Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
How I choose my top rewards card
The best rewards cards offer flexibility and a lot of value. Some charge an annual fee, some don’t, but each has at least some proven ways to justify their place in your wallet. They all offer bonus categories tied to co-spends, solid lifestyle points, brand benefits, or some combination.
I recommend these cards time and time again because I believe they are the best fit for most travelers. You don’t need all four of these cards to have a well-rounded wallet, but your travels will definitely improve if you do.
bottom line
If you ask me for recommendations on the best rewards cards, this is what you’ll hear. I have three quarters of them in my wallet and I don’t regret opening any of them. The Strata Premier, while not a good fit for my personal card strategy, is still in the same playing field as the other cards on this list.
Be interested in rewards credit cards instead of being intimidated. These options can all unlock travel opportunities you may have never thought of.
RELATED: Best Credit Cards: These 4 Credit Cards Keep Me Busy About 180 Days a Year
For American Express Platinum Card rates and fees, click here.
