travel cash back cards

Best cash back credit cards for travel

Advertiser disclosure.

We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence.

Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.

• Share this article on Facebook Facebook
• Share this article on Twitter Twitter
• Share this article on LinkedIn Linkedin
• Share this article via email Email

• • Rewards credit cards
• • Credit card comparisons

• • Travel credit cards

The Bankrate promise

At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money . The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

At Bankrate, we have a mission to demystify the credit cards industry — regardless or where you are in your journey — and make it one you can navigate with confidence. Our team is full of a diverse range of experts from credit card pros to data analysts and, most importantly, people who shop for credit cards just like you. With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit card industry year-round to:

• Meet you wherever you are in your credit card journey to guide your information search and help you understand your options.
• Consistently provide up-to-date, reliable market information so you're well-equipped to make confident decisions.
• Reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible, so you can make the right decision for you.

At Bankrate, we focus on the points consumers care about most: rewards, welcome offers and bonuses, APR, and overall customer experience. Any issuers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide to consumers at each of these levels. At each step of the way, we fact-check ourselves to prioritize accuracy so we can continue to be here for your every next.

Editorial integrity

Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions.

Key Principles

We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers.

Editorial Independence

Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU — the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information.

How we make money

You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey.

Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers.

We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money.

Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.

Key takeaways

• If you travel two or more times per year, or if you plan to travel more in the future, you might find a lot of value in a travel credit card
• If you don't travel frequently, you might find more value in strategically using a cash back credit card to cover travel-related purchases
• Many cash back cards offer travel-related perks like bonus rewards on travel purchases, no foreign transaction fees, access to the issuer's travel portal and limited-time offers on select travel purchases

Once you’ve got the travel itch, you know it’s time to plan your next getaway. But if you only travel occasionally, a travel credit card might not be the right fit for you. Sure, travel cards often come with incredible welcome bonuses, higher rewards rates, annual statement credits, airport lounge access and other major perks, but they also tend to come with high annual fees, which can be hard to recoup if you don’t use enough card benefits each year.

In that case, it might make more sense to use a cash back credit card to help fund your next vacation. Many cash back cards offer rewards on both everyday spending and travel spending, and you can redeem your rewards for statement credits to cover travel-related expenses. Plus, some cash back cards also come with access to an issuer’s travel portal, no foreign transaction fees and other travel benefits.

Below, we’ll go over some of the best cash back credit cards for travel, along with some tips and considerations.

Chase Freedom Flex: Best for rotating bonus categories

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ * offers 5 percent cash back on activated, rotating bonus category purchases each quarter (on up to $1,500, then 1 percent back). These bonus categories change each quarter, but the annual calendar often includes gas stations or other travel-related categories.

This card also earns 5 percent cash back on Chase Ultimate Rewards travel purchases; 5 percent cash back on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025); 3 percent cash back on dining and drugstore purchases; and 1 percent cash back on all other purchases. This card also comes with no annual fee, trip cancellation and interruption insurance , travel and emergency assistance services and the ability to redeem rewards for travel through Chase.

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express: Best for higher rewards on everyday spending

With the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express , you’ll earn 6 percent cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1 percent back); 6 percent cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3 percent cash back on transit and at U.S. gas station; and 1 percent cash back on everything else. Also, note that you’ll get a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, after which an annual fee of $95 applies.

With this card, you can save up your cash back earnings and redeem them for a statement credit to cover travel purchases like hotels or flights. Plus, this card also comes with access to Amex Offers , allowing you to earn more rewards on qualifying purchases with select brands (including travel brands like hotels), along with access to the American Express Travel portal .

Citi Double Cash Card: Best for flat cash back

If you’d prefer a simpler rewards strategy, the Citi Double Cash ® Card is one of the best flat-rate cards on the market. This card comes with no annual fee, and you’ll earn up to 2 percent cash back on all purchases — 1 percent back as you make purchases and 1 percent back as you pay for purchases. That’s $20 in rewards for every $1,000 you spend on your card. Over time, you can earn enough rewards to cover a flight or hotel (in the form of a statement credit to your account).

This card also allows you to redeem your rewards for travel through the Citi travel portal , though it’s important to note that you won’t be able to transfer your rewards to Citi travel partners since this card only earns basic Citi ThankYou points .

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for entertainment and international travel

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is, by far, one of the best cash back credit cards for international travel. It comes with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, along with impressive rewards rates on entertainment and select travel purchases. You’ll earn 10 percent cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases (through Nov. 14, 2024); 8 percent cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 5 percent cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 3 percent cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming subscriptions and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target); and 1 percent cash back on all other purchases.

This card also comes with travel-related benefits like travel accident insurance, 24-hour travel assistance services and complimentary concierge services, which can help you with any travel, dining and entertainment plans. Plus, cash back rewards can be redeemed for Capital One Travel reservations (not including taxes and fees).

How to use cash back credit cards for travel

Look for cards that offer cash back on everyday expenses and travel.

Numerous cash back cards offer rewards on both everyday expenses and travel purchases, so look for a card with bonus categories that fit well with your everyday and travel spending. And don’t forget: If you have a cash back card that offers rewards on dining and gas, for example, you’ll still earn rewards on dining and gas purchases when you travel. However, with some cards, you’ll only earn rewards on U.S. category purchases, so be sure to check the fine print of your credit card agreement for any terms or limitations.

Redeem cash back as a statement credit to cover travel expenses

With a cash back credit card, you can redeem your cash back to cover a wide variety of travel-related expenses. For instance, you could save up your rewards until you reach $100 to $200 in cash back. Then, you could redeem your rewards for a statement credit to cover hotel bookings, flights, rideshares, dining out or any other travel-related expenses you have.

Check your issuer’s limited-time offers program for travel deals

Most credit cards come with access to an issuer’s limited-time offers program, which allows you to earn more rewards when you make eligible purchases with participating merchants. For example, you might find offers on hotel bookings with a specific chain (such as 10 percent back on a booking or $100 off a booking when you spend $300 or more) or offers for purchases made with travel-booking sites or rideshare companies.

See if you have access to your issuer’s travel portal

In order to stay competitive, many cash back credit cards now offer access to issuer travel portals . These portals may offer exclusive deals on travel or other benefits. For example, some cash back cards offer boosted rewards rates for select purchases made through a travel portal, while others allow you to redeem your rewards for travel purchases through the travel portal.

If you travel abroad, look for a card with no foreign transaction fees

Many cash back credit cards include a foreign transaction fee (usually 3 percent) on any purchases you make outside of the United States. If you travel abroad frequently, it would be worth getting a card with no foreign transaction fee so you don’t cancel out the rewards you’ll earn with your card. For instance, all Discover and Capital One credit cards come with no foreign transaction fees.

Is a cash back card for travel right for you?

While you can use the rewards you earn from a cash back credit card to help fund your vacation, make sure that you’re truly better off with a cash back card rather than a points or miles credit card .

For instance, if you travel two or more times per year, or if you plan to travel more frequently in the near future, it would be worth looking at some of the top travel credit cards available. Travel credit cards frequently come with perks like high welcome bonuses, travel protections, annual statement credits for travel-related purchases or airport lounge access. Just make sure that you’re able to recoup the cost of membership through card spending or benefits if you pick a card with an annual fee.

If you’re just starting to travel more frequently — or if you’re not sure if a travel card is right for you — there are a number of entry-level travel cards with low annual fees or no annual fees . That way, you can test out the travel card space to see if it’s right for you before committing to a card with a higher annual fee.

The bottom line

If you don’t travel that frequently, getting a travel credit card doesn’t make sense. Instead, you might find more value in strategically using a cash back credit card to cover travel-related purchases. With the right cash back card , you might even get some travel-related card perks such as bonus rewards on travel purchases, no foreign transaction fees, access to the issuer’s travel portal and limited-time offers on select travel purchases.

*The information about the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Why you should have a 2% cash back card

How to choose a cash back credit card

Best Cash Back Credit Cards of 2024

The Best Cash-Back Travel Rewards Cards

By Eric Rosen

Condé Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Condé Nast Traveler and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. We don't review or include all companies, or all available products. Moreover, the editorial content on this page was not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are entirely those of Condé Nast Traveler's editorial team.

UPDATE: Welcome offers for the cards listed below may be out of date. Confirm the current welcome offers on each card issuer's site.

Travel rewards credit cards come in many forms: Some are co-branded with a specific airline or hotel chain , while others accrue points that can be transferred to travel partners through the issuer’s own loyalty program , like Chase Ultimate Rewards. And then there's a third type: One that earns fixed-rate points that can be redeemed for cash back on travel and other purchases.

That third type is especially useful for consumers who don’t have the time or inclination to search for airline and hotel awards, and just want to earn a solid return on their spending. What’s more, fixed-value cash-back points are more versatile than airline miles and hotel points—you can use them on a wider range of travel expenses than standard travel rewards cards, like car rentals, train tickets, and campground fees.

Here are the top nine rewards credit cards for earning cash back towards travel, and why each is especially useful.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Earning and cash-back value: The Venture Rewards card earns two miles per dollar on every purchase, but five miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Each mile can be redeemed for statement credits toward travel purchases such as airline or train tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, taxis and cruises, or retail gift cards at a rate of one cent apiece, so your return on spending is a sterling two percent.

Annual fee: $95

Sign-up bonus: 50,000 bonus miles (worth $500) when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months.

Why it’s worth considering: In addition to redeeming miles for cash back, cardholders can also transfer their miles at a rate of two Capital One miles to 1-1.5 airline miles to 15 airline partners such as Air Canada, JetBlue, and Singapore Airlines. Capital One waives foreign transaction fees and will reimburse you for a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application once every four years. Beware, though: While travel and gift card redemption rates are one cent per mile, if you redeem miles for statement credits toward other purchases, such as a restaurant bill or a grocery tab, you only get a half-cent in value.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Earning and cash-back value: Cardholders earn 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases and 10 miles per dollar on Hotels.com bookings through January 2020. Miles can be redeemed at one cent apiece toward travel and gift cards.

Annual fee: $0

Sign-up bonus: 20,000 bonus miles (worth $200) when you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.

Why it’s worth considering: If you're looking for a CapitalOne card, the VentureOne is a great no-fee alternative to the Venture. It still has a solid rate of return and waives foreign transaction fees. Stick to travel and gift-card redemptions since you only get half the value by redeeming for other purchases.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Earning and cash-back value: Cardholders earn 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, plus five points per dollar on travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal and three points per dollar on drugstore purchases and dining. Points can then be redeemed at a rate of one cent apiece for travel or any other purchase.

Why it’s worth considering: A potential first-year return on spending of 3% for a card with no annual fee is reason enough to apply. And if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Chase Sapphire Reserve too, you can combine your cash-back points with the ones you earn with them. That means the ability to transfer your points to the Ultimate Rewards program’s airline and hotel partners like Southwest and United, or get a better rate of return on your cash-back redemptions for travel bookings made through the Chase travel site (1.25 cents per point with the Preferred and 1.5 cents with the Reserve).

Learn more about applying for the Chase Freedom Unlimited here .

Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard

Earning and cash-back value: This card earns two miles per dollar on all purchases. Miles can be redeemed for a broad array of travel expenses, including airline tickets and hotel stays, but also taxes and fees on tickets, incidental charges like room service, as well as purchases like cruises, train fares , and car rentals. The redemption rate is one cent per mile but you get a 5% mileage refund, so your return on spending is more like 2.1%.

Annual fee: $89, waived the first year.

Sign-up bonus: Usually 50,000 miles (worth $500) after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days. However, it was recently as high as 70,000 miles after spending $5,000 in the first 90 days.

Why it’s worth considering: the Barclaycard Arrival Plus is a top choice for international travel since it waives foreign transaction fees and has Chip + PIN capability, making it more compatible with machines in other countries. Its World Elite Mastercard benefits include a $10 credit for every five Lyft rides taken each calendar month, and $5 off Postmates orders of $25 or more.

Learn more about applying for the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard here .

Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card

Earning and cash-back value: This card earns two points per dollar on travel purchases and 1.5 points per dollar on everything else. Depending on how much you have in deposits with Bank of America and Merrill Lynch through their Preferred Rewards banking tiers, you can boost your earnings 25% to 75%. ( Read more about the terms on Bank of America's website, here. ) Points can then be redeemed for cash back as a statement credit, for gift cards or purchases through the Bank of America Travel Center, or as a deposit to a Bank of America account—all at a rate of one cent apiece. That means your rate of return could be as high as 3.5%, depending on your purchases and deposits.

Olivia Morelli

Gianluca Longo

Charlie Hobbs

Sign-up bonus: 50,000 bonus points (worth $500) after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days.

Why it’s worth considering: In addition to waived foreign transaction fees, cardholders can enjoy $100 in statement credits for airline incidentals like checked bags or upgrades each year, and a reimbursement of up to $100 for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck applications once every four years.

Learn more about applying for the Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card here .

SunTrust Travel Rewards Credit Card

Earning and cash-back value: This card’s earning structure includes unlimited 3% cash back on travel purchases, 2% back on dining, and 1% on everything else.

Sign-up bonus: $250 statement credit after making $3,000 in qualifying purchases in the first three months.

Why it’s worth considering: Waived foreign transaction fees, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application reimbursement every five years, and the ease of redeeming points for simple cash back are all reasons to get the SunTrust Travel Rewards card.

Learn more about applying for the SunTrust Travel Rewards Credit Card here .

Citi Rewards+

Earning and cash-back value: Cardholders earn two points per dollar at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 per year, and one point per dollar on everything else. Plus, your earnings are rounded up to the nearest 10 points on each purchase—so if you spend a dollar, you still earn 10 points. Those points are worth one cent apiece when redeemed for gift cards, cash back, or travel booked through ThankYou.com. Plus, you get 10% of your points back on the first 100,000 you redeem each year.

Sign-up bonus: Earn 15,000 points (worth $150) after spending $1,000 in the first three months.

Why we love it: Depending where you spend money, the Citi Rewards card can be a top earner thanks not only to its category bonuses, but also that rounding-up feature. If you have a more premium Citi card that earns ThankYou points , like the Prestige, you can also transfer the points you earn with this one to the program’s 15 airline partners, including Air France/KLM, JetBlue, and Virgin Atlantic.

Learn more about applying for the Citi Rewards+ Card here .

Discover it Miles

Earning and cash-back value: Earn an unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases, which can be redeemed for one cent apiece for travel or for cash as a direct deposit to your bank account. Your final return on spending: 1.5%.

Sign-up bonus: Discover will match the miles you earn at the end of your first year, which effectively gives you a 3% return on spending for your first year.

Why it’s worth considering: No annual fee, a great rate of return, and a simple earning/redeeming formula that applies to all purchases—not just travel—make the Discover it Miles card a no-brainer. Discover typically isn't accepted as broadly as Visa and Mastercard, though.

Learn more about applying for the Discover it Miles Card here .

U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card

Earning and cash-back value: Earn three points per dollar on travel and mobile wallet purchases, and one point per dollar on everything else. Cardholders can redeem points for 1.5 cents apiece on airfare, hotels, and car rentals (or lower values for other purchases). If used mostly for travel, your rate of return is a considerable 4.5%.

Annual fee: $400

Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 points (worth $750 toward travel) after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days.

Why it’s worth considering: The annual fee is high, but in return, cardholders enjoy $325 in travel statement credits annually, 12 complimentary Gogo in-flight Wi-Fi passes each year, a 12-month Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access , reimbursement for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application every four years, and waived foreign transaction fees.

Learn more about applying for the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card here .

Condé Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Condé Nast Traveler and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

This story was originally published in July 2019. It has since been updated with new information.

11 best cash-back credit cards of April 2024

If you’re looking to earn money back on your spending, check out our top picks for the best cash-back credit cards. For many, cash is king, and with the right cash-back credit card, you can earn rewards on every purchase. Each card on this list has been chosen for its great earning rates — from simple 2% flat-rate cash-back cards to those with optimized cash back on specialized spending categories.

No matter your typical spending habits, these cards can help you maximize your everyday purchases and earn rewards that are easy to use. Keep reading to learn more about some of the best cash-back credit cards on the market, chosen by our team of experts. 

Check out our curated selection and comprehensive guide on some of the best cash back cards from our partners below.

• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express : Best for gas and supermarkets
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card : Best for freelancers
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card : Best for simple cash-back
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® : Best for bonus categories
• Capital One Spark Cash Plus : Best for business card with unlimited cash back
• Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card : Best for flat-rate cash back
• Citi Double Cash® Card : Best for balance transfers
• Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card : Best for entertainment cash back
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express : Best for beginner cash back
• Citi Custom Cash® Card : Best for flexibility
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card : Best for small businesses

Browse by card categories

Comparing the best cash-back credit cards, more details on the best credit cards, credit pointers with brian kelly, how to maximize cash-back credit cards, how we rate cards, what is a cash-back credit card, how to choose the best cash back credit card, ask our experts, frequently asked questions.

• No Annual Fee

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred Card is one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. You’ll get a great return across a wide range of bonus categories, a solid welcome bonus and a low annual fee. Read our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express .

• This card has one of the best earning structures out for among cash-back credit cards.
• The card comes with access to Amex Offers (activation required), which can save you even more money on specific purchases.
• There is a $6,000 spending cap on the U.S. supermarket bonus category, which may not work for those with large grocery budgets.
• You’ll have to pay a foreign transaction fee on international purchases, so it’s not a great choice when you’re traveling abroad.
• Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
• Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
• 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
• 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
• 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
• 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
• Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
• Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
• Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required.
• Terms Apply.
• See Rates & Fees

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

The Ink Business Unlimited’s sign-up bonus gives you a generous $750 cash back spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening plus unlimited 1.5% cash back on every business purchase. It fills in rewards gaps not covered by the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. You can maximize this card by pairing it with cards including the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Ink Business Preferred. Read our full review of the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card .

• No annual fee.
• A generous $750 cash-back sign-up bonus.
• High spend to receive sign-up bonus.
• No conversion to Chase points without holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred
• Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
• Member FDIC

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash card delivers simplicity to cardholders who want to pay for their purchases without worrying if you’re maximizing every last dollar. With a 2% cash rewards rate, you’ll rest easy knowing that you’re earning bonus points whether you’re online shopping or paying your hairdresser. Plus, enjoy other benefits like cell phone protection and access to the Visa Signature Concierge luxury hotels. Read our full review of the Wells Fargo Active Cash .

• There’s no annual fee, meaning that you can keep your costs low while focusing on earning rewards.
• Earn 2% cash rewards on purchases — no bonus categories to track or remember.
• Get up to $600 in cell phone protection (with a $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with this card.
• Don’t take this card abroad with you, as this card incurs a 3% foreign currency conversion fee.
• Other cash rewards cards can offer better welcome bonuses.
• Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
• $0 annual fee.
• No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a surprisingly powerful card that earns at least 1.5% back on everything. However, it becomes a standout card if you pair it with a card that earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points, doubling their potential value. Read our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited .

• At least 1.5% back on every purchase, with up to 5% or 3% back on select categories.
• There is no annual fee - Perfect for everyday, non-bonused spending - incredible value when paired with a premium Chase card.
• There is a foreign transaction fee so the card shouldn't be used abroad.
• Limited card perks and benefits.
• Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is a business cash-back card that offers 2% on all purchases. If your business spends more than $7,500 annually and doesn’t want to keep up with multiple bonus categories, this is the perfect card for you. Read our full  review of the Capital One Spark Cash Plus credit card.

• Unlimited 2% on all purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• $150 annual fee.
• Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
• Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
• Comes with no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history and credit profile
• Get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Add employee cards for free, and earn unlimited 2% cash back from their purchases
• $150 annual fee
• Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a decent option for those in need of a straightforward cash back card. However, there are other options that offer more flexibility to redeem your rewards. Read our full  review of the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card .

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
• Cash back doesn't expire.
• Other cards offer more potential and upside when it comes to redeeming cash back.
• Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
• No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Citi Double Cash® Card

The Citi Double Cash Card caters to beginners establishing good credit habits, since users will earn 2% cash back; 1% when they buy and 1% when they pay their statement. The Citi Double Cash is a great pick for those looking for the utmost simplicity and want cash back in their pocket. Read our full review of the Citi Double Cash here .

• Earning 2% back on every purchase is an industry-leading return on everyday spending for a no-annual-fee credit card.
• Now that you have the ability to convert rewards to ThankYou points with an eligible card, your redemption options are even more flexible.
• It’s great for those looking to consolidate debt, since it offers new cardmembers 18 months of 0% intro APR on balance transfers made. After that, the variable APR of 19.24% - 29.24% applies.
• Those looking to make a balance transfer will have to pay 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
• Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
• If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
• There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One SavorOne is a great cash-back credit card for beginners looking for a solid cash back structure and no annual fee. Dining, entertainment and groceries are high-value bonus categories, and it’s rare for a card to hit all three. Read our full  review of the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card .

• Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
• This card is great for beginners.
• The intro APR offer that comes with this card makes it a solid choice for those looking to finance a large purchase. You’ll get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after, there's a 3% balance transfer fee for the first 15 months or 4% at a promotional APR offered at any other time).
• If you spend a lot on dining and entertainment each year, there are cards that provide better value with higher rewards potential.
• The sign-up bonus isn’t anything to write home about (though it is easy to earn).
• Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
• Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
• No foreign transaction fee
• No annual fee

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday card is a good option for people who want a simple cash-back structure with no annual fee. You'll earn bonus cash-back on popular bonus categories, including U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations. Read our full review of the Blue Cash Everyday card .

• 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets
• 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retail purchases.
• Amex Offers, which earn you statement credits or extra points on purchases with a wide variety of merchants. (Enrollment required)
• There is a $6,000 spending cap on the U.S. supermarket bonus category, which may not work for those with larger annual grocery spend.
• You’ll have to pay a foreign transaction fee on purchases abroad, so it’s not a great choice to take with you when traveling outside of the U.S.
• Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
• No Annual Fee.
• Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
• 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
• Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
• Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.

Citi Custom Cash® Card

The Citi Custom Cash is the most flexible cash-back card on the market, allowing you to earn 5% back on your top eligible spend category on up to $500 spent each billing cycle. Read our full review of the Citi Custom Cash .

• Choice of bonus category.
• Cap on bonus earning.
• Foreign transaction fees.
• Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
• Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

The Chase Ink Business Cash is an excellent no annual fee card for small business owners. Cardholders can earn 5% cash back on office supplies and select utilities, as well as 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations. Read our full review of the Ink Business Cash Credit Card .

• The current sign-up bonus on this card is an impressive up to $750.
• There is no annual fee which is perfect for small business owners.
• You’ll earn 5% at office supply stores and on common monthly bills such as internet, cable and phone services. Plus, you’ll earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year.
• 5% and 2% cash back earned on certain categories is capped at the first $25,000 you make in combined purchases each account anniversary year.
• Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
• Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
• Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• 10% Business Relationship Bonus If you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

It has bonus categories that match the spending patterns of many busy, modern-day U.S. households. Its rewards are simple to use, as they come in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout, so you don’t need a lot of experience maximizing rewards to make the most of this solid cash-back card.

Families that spend a fair amount on groceries and streaming services and who want to keep their rewards simple will do great with adding the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card. For example, if you spend an average of $500 a month on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, you’d earn $360 per year by putting that expense on the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card, versus just $120 in rewards on a card that earns 2% back in that category.

It should not be used by frequent international travelers while abroad as it does have a 2.7% foreign transaction fee ( see rates and fees ).

"The Blue Cash Preferred Card is the card I recommended to my parents when they were looking for a new cash-back rewards card for their groceries. My parents prefer the simplicity of cash-back rewards and I knew they'd benefit from earning 6% cash back on up to $6,000 per year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets (then 1% after). Compared to the 1.5% cash back they were earning on these purchases, the elevated earnings easily justified adding the Blue Cash Preferred to their wallet." —  Katie Genter , senior writer

If you want to earn bonus cash back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets and gas stations without an annual fee (see rates and fees ), you can instead look to The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express , which awards bonus cash back in many of the same categories.

If you’re looking for ease of earning on all your purchases — or a card that earns well on purchases that don’t fall into bonus categories with other credit cards — the Ink Business Unlimited card is a clear winner. Freelancers and independent contractors love the ability to earn 1.5% back on all purchases, pay no annual fee and even combine the points they earn with Chase Ultimate Rewards from other eligible Chase credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Plus, there are no earning limits on this card.

There are two types of business owners who will benefit from this card. The first is the person looking for a card with a lucrative earning structure but no annual fee. The second is someone who needs a card for those “other” expenses that fall outside the bonus categories offered by other rewards cards in their wallet. This is an ideal card for everyday business expenses.

“I have the Chase Ink Business trilogy — the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card. The first two cards maximize my points-earning on things like office supply, internet and phone purchases, while the Ink Unlimited covers everything else with a flat 1.5% earn rate. The fact that I have the Ink Preferred means I can convert my cash back from the Ink Unlimited into more valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. This no-annual-fee card will stay in my wallet for years to come.” — Matt Moffitt , senior credit cards editor

If you’re looking for a card that rewards you based on your banking relationship, the Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card earns 1.5% back on all purchases. Those with banking and investment accounts at Bank of America can bump their earning rate up to 2.625% on all purchases thanks to Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business .

Sometimes simplicity is key, and keeping things easy is the name of the game for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees ), which provides 2% cash rewards on purchases without an annual fee. As a nice value-added bonus, the card also provides up to $600 in cellphone protection against damage or theft (subject to a $25 deductible) if you pay your monthly cellphone bill with your Active Cash card.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is best for those who don’t want to give a second thought to earning rewards and just want to pick up some easy cash back on everyday purchases.

“This card offers a generous 15 months of 0% APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then a variable APR of 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% applies) and 2% cash rewards. When the time came to pay my daughter’s preschool tuition, I got the card. I figured I could split the expense up monthly and pay a service fee to the school, or I could spread it out with the introductory APR and get 2% cash rewards. It was a no brainer for me!” — Eileen Sullivan, senior UX researcher

  If you want the ability to turn your rewards into travel miles or points down the road, consider the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees ), which also has no annual fee and awards 1% back as you charge purchases to the card and another 1% back as you pay off those purchases. However, with the Citi Double Cash, if you add a more premium card, such as the Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees ), to your wallet down the line, you can convert those rewards to more valuable Citi ThankYou points.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is one of the most popular no-annual-fee cards at TPG because it has a good mix of elevated everyday earning and bonus categories that go as high as 5%. But perhaps even better is that the Chase Freedom Unlimited can be paired with a premium Chase credit card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, to amp up the value of the rewards when used for travel. In fact, it makes up one-third of what we call the Chase Trifecta .

This card is unique in that it’s a great match for those new to credit card rewards and those looking to squeeze all possible value out of every dollar charged. This makes it a good match for almost anyone, but especially for those who want to one day use some of their rewards for travel.

“ The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a great option, especially for anyone with a card like the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve. It has solid bonus categories but also gives 1.5% back on all other purchases. And, if you have a higher-end Chase card, you can effectively convert these cash-back earnings into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points.” — Nick Ewen , director of content

If you like the idea of a no-annual-fee card in the Chase credit card ecosystem but want even more bonus categories, check out the Chase Freedom Flex℠ , which has unique, rotating 5% bonus categories (up to $1,500 in total spending each quarter, activation required).

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is a business card that offers 2% cash-back rewards on all eligible purchases with no limits. It is a charge card, which means the balance must be paid in full each month — but you won’t rack up interest charges for your purchases.

This card is best suited for business owners with thousands of dollars in chargeable expenses since it does have an annual fee of $150 (see rates and fees ). To recoup that cost in rewards, you’ll need to charge at least $7,500 throughout the year on the card.

You can earn unlimited cash back on business expenses, which means you’ll never have to worry about juggling different bonus categories to maximize its value.

If your business wants to earn 2% cash back but doesn’t charge more than $50,000 per year, then The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is a great option to consider because it does not have an annual fee (see rates and fees ), though the rewards-earning power drops to 1% per year after the $50,000 threshold has been passed.

The Quicksilver Cash Rewards card is a no-fuss card with a 1.5% cash-back rate no matter the purchase type. You won’t have to worry about paying foreign transaction fees or an annual fee with this card (see rates and fees ), and you’ll get access to many Capital One benefits. This includes access to the Capital One Travel site, which even allows you to get some fare purchase protection on eligible flights if the price drops.

This card is great for those who occasionally travel and want access to some related Uber and travel site perks that come with the card — all while still keeping their rewards strategy very simple.

“ This is my oldest credit card, but I’ve kept it open for more than just its history to aid my credit score. With no annual fee and a fair earning structure, it’s a good option for purchases that don’t fall into bonus categories on my other credit cards. I’m happy knowing I’ll never earn less than 1.5% back on spending.” — Ryan Smith , credit cards writer

While there are some perks to having a Capital One-issued card in your wallet, if what you’re after is a higher earning structure on your purchases, you can check out the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees ), which awards 2% cash rewards on purchases and still has no annual fee.

One of the simplest and most rewarding cash-back cards out there is the Citi Double Cash Card. It awards 1% cash back when you buy and then another 1% as you pay off your bill. You can even convert the cash back to ThankYou points via a linked ThankYou card, such as the Citi Prestige® Card or Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees ). 

The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

This card is best for two groups of people: those who want to keep rewards lucrative but simple, earning 1% cash back as you buy things and 1% cash back as you pay them off, and those who want to ramp up rewards-earning by converting these rewards to Citi ThankYou points, which TPG values at 1.8 cents each .

"I wasn’t the biggest fan of this card previously, thinking it was just average, but I am a big fan now that it earns Citi ThankYou points. Paired with my other Citi cards, it unlocks huge earning potential on everyday spending. The fact it has no annual fee means it’s a long-term keeper for me.” — Ryan Smith , credit cards writer

If you want an even simpler rewards-earning structure, also with no annual fee, check out the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees ), which earns 2% back in cash rewards on purchases.

The Capital One SavorOne is the card to have for going out, eating out and seeing the latest concert — all with no annual fee (see rates and fees ). To put numbers to it, this card awards 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other eligible purchases.

This card is for those who like to live life to its fullest by being out and about and who will make use of its unique combination of bonus categories — not to mention the card’s occasional must-have concert presale access so you can swiftly lock up that hot ticket.

It’s easily the best no-annual-fee credit card for dining, entertainment and streaming. Whether you’re going out for the night or staying in, this card ensures your maximizing rewards.

If you want a Capital One card with a higher everyday earning rate (but without the category bonuses), look into the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card , which also has no annual fee (see rates and fees ) but awards 1.5% cash back on everyday purchases.

Those newer to credit card rewards will appreciate the Blue Cash Everyday’s no annual fee (see rates and fees ) and simple cash-back structure. With popular 3% bonus categories of U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 in annual purchases in each category, then 1%), you’ll quickly rack up Reward Dollars that can easily be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

If you want no annual fee and some popular bonus categories, then the Blue Cash Everyday Card may well be the best card for you. Additionally, if you are a fan of the streaming Disney+ service, know that the card comes with a $7 statement credit monthly toward a subscription to the Disney Bundle (subscription must be $12.99 or more; subject to auto-renewal).

"I added this card to my wallet shortly after my first travel card as a way to earn better rewards on gas and groceries. 3% back on both categories was a great way for me to earn higher cash-back on many of my everyday purchases without any added annual fee.” — Jack Markham, senior director

If you don’t want to think about bonus categories, or don’t spend enough in these particular bonus categories, consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees ), which awards 2% cash rewards on purchases with no annual fee.

As the name suggests, the Citi Custom Cash card is meant to be customized to fit your lifestyle — without you having to remember to select a bonus category each month. It earns 5% cash back on up to $500 in purchases each billing cycle on your top spending category (then 1%). The 10 eligible categories include things like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, gyms and home improvement stores.

This card is best for those who have spending patterns that vary and want a card that can keep up. Maybe one month you splurge on concert tickets and the next you are cooking meals at home and leaning into grocery shopping — this card can adjust automatically to reward you where you are spending the most.

Customizable rewards means you have more control over your rewards strategy and can build a card that is personalized for your specific needs.

If you don’t typically have one standout spending category and want a card that earns more cash back across the board, the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees ) is a great choice, as it awards 1% back as you spend and another 1% back as you pay.

The Ink Business Cash is one of the most rewarding business cash-back cards , as it earns 5% back on the first $25,000 spent each account anniversary year at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services.

If that’s not enough of a reason to grab the no-annual-fee card, it also usually has a very lucrative welcome bonus and earns 2% on the first $25,000 spent each same account anniversary year at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on all other eligible purchases.

The Ink Business Cash is great for small-business owners who want to dip their toes into the Chase Ultimate Rewards world, since you can turn those cash-back rewards into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points if you also have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.

“I love this card for awarding 5% back on my telecommunication services and office supply purchases, all with no annual fee. But my favorite perk is taking those cash-back rewards and combining them with my earnings from the Chase Sapphire Reserve. This means I’m effectively earning 5 fully-transferable Ultimate Rewards points for every dollar I spend in these categories — which I then can transfer to valuable partners like World of Hyatt and Air Canada Aeroplan.” — Nick Ewen , director of content

If you want the benefits of being in the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem and aren't a fan of keeping track of bonus categories, look at the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card , which also has no annual fee and awards 1.5% back on all purchases with no limits.

Activate your bonus categories

If your cash-back credit card requires you to activate or select your bonus categories, make sure you set a reminder to do that so you don't leave valuable rewards on the table. This is most common with cards that have rotating bonus categories or the option to select your own bonus categories.

Consider multiple cash-back cards

After you have identified your major spending categories, you will be able to choose a cash back card that offers the most rewards for your spending. For example, if groceries are a major expense , consider a card that offers elevated earning rates on these purchases. On the other hand, if you’re a foodie and dine out frequently, aim for a card with bonus cash back at restaurants.

Then, in order to maximize your cash-back rewards , consider getting a card with a flat-rate earning structure. A handful of popular cards offer 2% cash back on all purchases, allowing you to fill in the spending gaps where your other cards don’t have an elevated earning rate.

Just be sure to pay attention to foreign transaction fees , as many popular cash-back cards tack on up to 3% when you swipe them outside the U.S. 

Stack your rewards

But don’t just settle for the rewards you earn by swiping your card. Another way to maximize your cash-back cards is by using them alongside cash-back apps and online shopping portals . Many popular sites like Rakuten give users bonus rewards on qualifying purchases, and this can be stacked with the cash back you earn by using your credit card. 

In addition, the major credit card issuers offer discounts or bonus rewards with targeted promotions on your spending — including Amex Offers , Chase Offers and Citi Merchant Offers . By activating these offers ahead of your shopping trips, you can increase your card’s cash-back potential and maximize your rewards.

A cash-back credit card awards you cash – or a cash-like reward – for every dollar charged to the card. For example, if the card awarded 2% back on all purchases and you made a $100 purchase on the card, you’d earn $2 cash back.

Some cash-back credit cards offer a fixed amount rewarded back across all purchase categories, such as in the example above, while others award different percentages back in the form of rewards on various types of spending, such as dining or groceries.

Earned cash back is often awarded in the form of a statement credit. However, it may also be available for deposit into your bank account or via a check. In some cases, cash-like rewards can be cashed out for gift cards or other travel and merchandise items at a fixed rate similar to the value you’d get if you opted for a statement credit.

Cash back vs travel credit cards

The cash back vs points debate is a common credit card contention. Some credit cards reward you with airline miles, hotel points or flexible travel points that can be used in different ways to book that next trip. Sometimes, the points earned by those cards are worth a fixed value (1 cent per point, for example). In other cases, the value of the points may vary based on how you use them.

However, with cash-back credit cards, you are earning a cash equivalent reward . The benefit of this is that you can have more flexibility when it comes to using the rewards. The downside is that you likely won’t get an outsized return for your spending the way you would if you redeemed hotel points or airline miles.

How do cash-back credit cards work?

When you charge a purchase to your cash-back credit card, you earn rewards based on the percentage of cash back your card awards in that purchase category . You are then able to cash out your rewards via options such as a statement credit, a check, a deposit in your checking account, etc.

Types of cash-back credit cards

Cash-back credit cards are a great way to earn on your spending. Luckily, there are many types of cash-back credit cards which means there is a good fit for any wallet.

The simplest cash-back credit cards are the ones that earn the same percentage of cash back on all purchases. This flat rate is often 1.5% to 2% cash back on all purchases, though that amount occasionally goes higher with some credit cards, especially if you have a qualifying existing relationship with the issuing bank. At TPG, we recommend at least a 2% cash back credit card if you're looking for a cash-back card.

Many cash-back credit cards offer different amounts of cash back on various categories or purchases. 

For example, a card may award:

• 1% back on everyday spending.
• 2% back at gas stations.
• 3% back on dining and at grocery stores.

This means that tiered cash-back cards often make it so you earn a little less on a broader everyday spending category than you would with some other cards, but you’ll earn a higher amount back in some targeted spending categories. 

A few cash-back credit cards award a fixed amount of cash back for everyday spending but also offer as much as 5% cash back for bonus categories that alternate every quarter.

For example, the bonus categories in the first quarter of the year might be restaurants and streaming services before switching to grocery stores and Amazon purchases in the second quarter of the year. In some cases, you have to remember to activate the bonus categories each quarter in order to be eligible for the increased earnings. There is typically a cap on how much you can earn in cash back on those rotating categories per quarter. 

There are some cash-back credit cards that put the cardholder in the driver seat and let them choose the categories that earn bonus cash back. With some of these cards, you make the selections yourself. One of the largest cash back credit card mistakes is not selecting the right category to earn the most on your spending. Others automatically give bonus cash back in the eligible category you spent the most in within a billing cycle.

While most cash-back credit cards are available to anyone who meets their approval requirements, a few deem it necessary to have a specific membership in order to be a cardholder. This may include having a membership to a warehouse store, a specific bank or credit union, or another entity.

Some stores will offer a co-branded store card with an elevated cash back rate. Choosing between a credit card or store card will mostly be dictated by your spending but we generally recommend a general cash back card over a co-branded store card.

Common cash-back bonus categories

Some cash-back cards offer an elevated earning rate on select spending categories. This is known as a bonus category and some common ones include:

• Restaurant dining
• Gas stations
• Entertainment and streaming
• Travel including rideshares, trains, buses and more

The best way to get the most out of your cash-back card is to look for one that offers bonus earnings on your most common spending category.

• 1 Sign-up bonus While cash back credit cards don’t typically offer larger sign-up bonuses, they do usually provide the chance to earn a couple hundred dollars. There are exceptions to this which is ideal since you can choose which card from our roster is best for you.
• 2 Annual fee The good news is that almost all of the cash back cards on this list don’t come with an annual fee. The better news is that of the cards requiring the cardholder to pay an annual fee, most of these options are sub-$200.
• 3 Bonus categories The best cash back card for you will depend heavily on your preferred bonus categories. If you spend a lot on groceries, dining out or streaming services, opt for a card that will provide cash back every time you use it to make a purchase in one or more of your main categories.

What's your favorite cash-back card — and why?

If you can earn 2% cash back on all your purchases made with a no-annual-fee credit card that you otherwise weren’t earning rewards on, then having a cash-back card is certainly worth it … as long as you pay your balance off in full each month to avoid interest charges. Even if you only earn 2% back on $1,000 in monthly charges, that is still $240 in annual rewards you otherwise wouldn’t have had.

Know, though, that whether a cash-back credit card is the absolute best option for you ultimately depends on your spending patterns and the goals you have for your credit card rewards.

Credit card issuers don’t want their cards to just sit in your wallet and collect dust. They want you to use them frequently so they can make money off of interchange fees charged to the retailers and potential interest fees. Having the card provide you a reward for using it in the form of cash back is a way for the card issuer to encourage you to select that card over the others in your wallet when it comes time to make a purchase.

There isn’t one credit card that gives the most cash back in all areas. Some have rotating or fixed bonus categories that provide as much as 6% cash back, while others give around 2% cash back for all spending categories. The one that will result in the most cash back for you depends on your spending patterns and what other cards you already have in your wallet.

Typically, cash-back rewards do not expire as long as your card remains open and in good standing. However, you should check the terms and conditions of your specific cash-back card to know the circumstances under which your cash-back rewards could expire or otherwise be forfeited. Be sure to utilize or cash out the rewards you’ve accrued before closing your account.

While you should always consult an accountant for specific tax advice, rewards earned from purchases on your credit cards usually are not taxable, as they are considered purchase rebates. That said, if you get cash back from something other than a purchase (such as for referring a friend to the card), that may be considered taxable.

Essentially, yes. No one from the bank is likely to walk up and hand you some crisp bills after using your cash-back credit card, but you will earn cash back in the form of a statement credit, a deposit in your bank account, a check or another method.

We'll Be Right Back!

Cash Back vs. Travel Rewards: Which Is Better for You?

The right card for you will depend on your spending habits and lifestyle choices.

Cash Back vs. Travel Rewards Cards

Getty Images

Both cash back and travel rewards credit cards offer perks, but a travel card may not deliver as much value if you don't travel often.

If you love to travel, you can easily put thousands of dollars in vacation expenses on your credit card every year. But the right rewards credit card can earn perks that reduce the sting of those bills.

Some rewards cards put a little cash back in your pocket whenever you spend. Others offer the opportunity to rack up travel rewards with each charge you make on the card.

Zeroing in on your spending habits and lifestyle preferences can help you choose the right rewards card.

How Rewards Credit Cards Work

Rewards credit cards provide benefits that make spending your hard-earned cash a little more pleasant. Each time you use one of these cards, you get something in return.

For example, a cash back credit card might return a certain percentage of your spending – often 1% to 5% – as dollars to redeem for statement credits, checks or direct deposits. On the other hand, a travel rewards card might earn airline miles or points that can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, rental cars and various types of vacation expenses.

But paying down or paying off the balance on your card every month is crucial to get the most from a rewards credit card. That's because rewards credit cards tend to have higher interest rates than other cards, says Kassi M. Fetters, certified financial planner and founder of Artica Financial Services in Anchorage, Alaska.

"If you carry a balance on your credit card from month to month, the interest rate becomes a critical factor," Fetters says.

Choosing the Right Type of Rewards Credit Card

Knowing your spending habits is key to choosing the right type of rewards credit card, says Martha Cruz Zuniga, clinical associate professor and chair of the department of economics at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

"The main mistake is picking a rewards card based on the potential benefit – rewards – without comparing the actual cost: the interest rate it charges," Zuniga says.

For users who carry a balance , interest rates can take a heavy toll, with some cards charging annual percentage rates as high as 30%, she says.

"In most cases and when carrying a credit card balance, that cost would tend to exceed the potential rewards from a card," Zuniga says.

For this reason, she says folks who tend to carry a balance are better off finding a credit card that has "the most lenient fees and lower rates" rather than the biggest and best rewards. On the other hand, if you are confident that you will pay off the balance each month, a credit card that offers more rewards can be a good choice, even if the interest rate is higher.

Pros and Cons of Cash Back Credit Cards

Weighing the pros and cons of cash back credit cards can help you decide whether you want to apply for one.

If you want to keep things simple, a cash back rewards card might be a better bet than a travel rewards credit card, Zuniga says. "A cash back rewards card tends to be more straightforward than travel rewards," she says.

Other advantages to consider of cash back cards compared with travel cards:

• Low annual fee. If you pay an annual fee to use a card, it could be worthwhile based on the cash back you earn.
• Introductory APR. Cash back credit cards often come with an introductory 0% APR that can help you pay down a big purchase or debt without interest.
• Sign-up bonus. Many cards have a sign-up bonus , but you have to meet a spending requirement within a certain period to earn one.

A cash back credit card can boost your bottom line if you use it strategically, says Jennifer Bush, certified financial planner with Mainstreet Financial Planning in Los Gatos, California. Bush says she uses a couple of cash back credit cards in her everyday life.

"One of my cards gives great cash back on restaurants, gas and travel, so I use that one exclusively for those categories and nothing else," she says. "I use a second one for all other spending for 1.5% flat cash back."

However, cash back cards might not be the best fit for everyone. Disadvantages of these cards to keep in mind:

• High APRs. The ongoing rate you pay after any introductory APR can be high depending on your creditworthiness .
• Other benefits. These cards focus on cash back, which means that another type of card would be better if you were looking for travel benefits.
• Limited redemption options. Cash back is the primary option for most cash back credit cards.

Generally, cash back rewards are worth less than travel rewards, Fetters says. "The percentage of cash back is typically lower than the value of points or miles earned through travel rewards programs," she says.

Pros and Cons of Travel Rewards Credit Cards

You'll want to review the general pros and cons of travel rewards cards when you're trying to choose between this type of card and a cash back card.

Typically, a travel card can be a better option than a cash back card if you take frequent trips, says James Shagawat, certified financial planner and partner advisor at AdvicePeriod in Paramus, New Jersey.

"Travel-focused cards have higher point values in their rewards ecosystems," Shagawat says. That often makes them more valuable for travel than cash back on your purchases, he adds.

You may be able to transfer points from your card to hotel and airline loyalty programs, and perks might be available as soon as you open your account, Fetters says.

Other pros:

• Rewards value. You can earn points and miles at higher rates on travel spending than other rewards cards.
• Travel benefits. If you travel a lot, you may appreciate perks such as airport lounge access, travel insurance, free checked baggage – even travel credits. Some cards come with premium benefits, including VIP access to events and hotel room upgrades.
• Welcome bonuses. "Travel rewards cards often come with generous sign-up bonuses," Fetters says. "You can earn a significant number of points or miles after meeting specific spending requirements."

Some of the cons of travel rewards cards include:

• Annual fees. They tend to be higher than the fees for cash back credit cards. "While some cards waive the fee for the first year, it's important to consider whether the benefits outweigh the cost in the long run," Fetters says.
• Extensive rules. Redeeming points can be complicated with some travel credit cards.
• Limited redemption options. Some cards only earn rewards with specific travel brands. A general travel rewards credit card may offer more value if you don't want to be tied down to a particular airline or hotel chain.
• Credit requirements. You may need very good or excellent credit for certain travel credit cards.

If you want a straightforward choice, a travel rewards card might not be for you, says Patrick Payne, associate professor of practice, personal and family financial planning at the University of Arizona. "They are less flexible to use and are often much more complex," he says.

The cards may come with blackout dates and other restrictions. The complexity of the cards, Payne says, can make it difficult to figure out the true value of rewards.

Finding the Best Rewards Credit Cards

If you are looking for a great rewards credit card, do not focus exclusively on the rewards, Payne says.

Tread carefully before choosing a rewards card with a high annual fee, for example. Otherwise, cardholders might end up paying "more in the fee than they earn in higher rewards," Payne says.

Choose a card that is the right match for your spending patterns, he adds.

"Don't adjust your budget to fit the card – fit the card to your budget," he says. "Paying more for things you don't really value just to get points only leads to greater inefficiencies in your finances, which is the opposite of your goal."

If you're shopping for a card, use online tools to compare cards , Zuniga says. Look beyond the rewards to other aspects of cardholder experience.

"Look at online customer reviews to have a sense of the type of customer service, responsiveness to problems and solutions offered by a specific credit card," she says. "That should give you a sense of what to expect."

Tags: credit cards , cash back credit cards , Travel Credit Cards

Comparative assessments and other editorial opinions are those of U.S. News and have not been previously reviewed, approved or endorsed by any other entities, such as banks, credit card issuers or travel companies. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired.

• Auto Insurance Best Car Insurance Cheapest Car Insurance Compare Car Insurance Quotes Best Car Insurance For Young Drivers Best Auto & Home Bundles Cheapest Cars To Insure
• Home Insurance Best Home Insurance Best Renters Insurance Cheapest Homeowners Insurance Types Of Homeowners Insurance
• Life Insurance Best Life Insurance Best Term Life Insurance Best Senior Life Insurance Best Whole Life Insurance Best No Exam Life Insurance
• Pet Insurance Best Pet Insurance Cheap Pet Insurance Pet Insurance Costs Compare Pet Insurance Quotes
• Travel Insurance Best Travel Insurance Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance Best Cruise Travel Insurance Best Senior Travel Insurance
• Health Insurance Best Health Insurance Plans Best Affordable Health Insurance Best Dental Insurance Best Vision Insurance Best Disability Insurance
• Credit Cards Best Credit Cards 2024 Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards Best Rewards Credit Cards Best Cash Back Credit Cards Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards Best 0% APR Credit Cards Best Business Credit Cards Best Credit Cards for Startups Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Best Cards for Students without Credit
• Credit Card Reviews Chase Sapphire Preferred Wells Fargo Active Cash® Chase Sapphire Reserve Citi Double Cash Citi Diamond Preferred Chase Ink Business Unlimited American Express Blue Business Plus
• Credit Card by Issuer Best Chase Credit Cards Best American Express Credit Cards Best Bank of America Credit Cards Best Visa Credit Cards
• Credit Score Best Credit Monitoring Services Best Identity Theft Protection
• CDs Best CD Rates Best No Penalty CDs Best Jumbo CD Rates Best 3 Month CD Rates Best 6 Month CD Rates Best 9 Month CD Rates Best 1 Year CD Rates Best 2 Year CD Rates Best 5 Year CD Rates
• Checking Best High-Yield Checking Accounts Best Checking Accounts Best No Fee Checking Accounts Best Teen Checking Accounts Best Student Checking Accounts Best Joint Checking Accounts Best Business Checking Accounts Best Free Checking Accounts
• Savings Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Best Free No-Fee Savings Accounts Simple Savings Calculator Monthly Budget Calculator: 50/30/20
• Mortgages Best Mortgage Lenders Best Online Mortgage Lenders Current Mortgage Rates Best HELOC Rates Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders Best Home Equity Loan Lenders Best VA Mortgage Lenders Mortgage Refinance Rates Mortgage Interest Rate Forecast
• Personal Loans Best Personal Loans Best Debt Consolidation Loans Best Emergency Loans Best Home Improvement Loans Best Bad Credit Loans Best Installment Loans For Bad Credit Best Personal Loans For Fair Credit Best Low Interest Personal Loans
• Student Loans Best Student Loans Best Student Loan Refinance Best Student Loans for Bad or No Credit Best Low-Interest Student Loans
• Business Loans Best Business Loans Best Business Lines of Credit Apply For A Business Loan Business Loan vs. Business Line Of Credit What Is An SBA Loan?
• Investing Best Online Brokers Top 10 Cryptocurrencies Best Low-Risk Investments Best Cheap Stocks To Buy Now Best S&P 500 Index Funds Best Stocks For Beginners How To Make Money From Investing In Stocks
• Retirement Best Gold IRAs Best Investments for a Roth IRA Best Bitcoin IRAs Protecting Your 401(k) In a Recession Types of IRAs Roth vs Traditional IRA How To Open A Roth IRA
• Business Formation Best LLC Services Best Registered Agent Services How To Start An LLC How To Start A Business
• Web Design & Hosting Best Website Builders Best E-commerce Platforms Best Domain Registrar
• HR & Payroll Best Payroll Software Best HR Software Best HRIS Systems Best Recruiting Software Best Applicant Tracking Systems
• Payment Processing Best Credit Card Processing Companies Best POS Systems Best Merchant Services Best Credit Card Readers How To Accept Credit Cards
• More Business Solutions Best VPNs Best VoIP Services Best Project Management Software Best CRM Software Best Accounting Software
• Manage Topics
• Investigations
• Visual Explainers
• Newsletters
• Abortion news
• Coronavirus
• Climate Change
• Vertical Storytelling
• Corrections Policy
• College Football
• High School Sports
• H.S. Sports Awards
• Sports Betting
• College Basketball (M)
• College Basketball (W)
• For The Win
• Sports Pulse
• Weekly Pulse
• Buy Tickets
• Sports Seriously
• Sports+ States
• Celebrities
• Entertainment This!
• Celebrity Deaths
• American Influencer Awards
• Women of the Century
• Problem Solved
• Personal Finance
• Small Business
• Consumer Recalls
• Video Games
• Product Reviews
• Destinations
• Airline News
• Experience America
• Today's Debate
• Suzette Hackney
• Policing the USA
• Meet the Editorial Board
• How to Submit Content
• Hidden Common Ground
• Race in America

Personal Loans

Best Personal Loans

Auto Insurance

Best Auto Insurance

Best High-Yields Savings Accounts

CREDIT CARDS

Best Credit Cards

Advertiser Disclosure

Blueprint is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service focused on helping readers make smarter decisions. We receive compensation from the companies that advertise on Blueprint which may impact how and where products appear on this site. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Blueprint. Blueprint does not include all companies, products or offers that may be available to you within the market. A list of selected affiliate partners is available here .

Credit Cards

6 ways to maximize the Citi Double Cash Card

Allie Johnson

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Robin Saks Frankel

Published 5:50 a.m. UTC April 1, 2024

• path]:fill-[#49619B]" alt="Facebook" width="18" height="18" viewBox="0 0 18 18" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
• path]:fill-[#202020]" alt="Email" width="19" height="14" viewBox="0 0 19 14" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">

Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

Madeleine_Steinbach, Getty Images

Citi is a Blueprint partner.

The Citi Double Cash® Card is one of the best 2% cash-back credit cards on the market, offering an unlimited 2% cash back on purchases — 1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off, plus, for a limited time, 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24. But while the card’s rewards structure is straightforward, you still have opportunities to get extra value. 

Whether you’re considering applying for the Citi Double Cash Card or you already have it in your wallet, here are six ways you can make the most of the card’s features.

our partner

Blueprint receives compensation from our partners for featured offers, which impacts how and where the placement is displayed.

Citi Double Cash® Card

Welcome Bonus

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s Take

• No annual fees.
• Introductory APR period on balance transfers.
• Excellent cash-back rewards.
• Charges foreign transaction fees.
• There’s a balance transfer fee.
• Few additional benefits.

Card Details

• Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
• Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
• If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
• There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

1. Accelerate your cash back with the welcome bonus

Historically, the Citi Double Cash Card hasn’t offered a cash bonus to new cardholders. But in November 2023, the card issuer added a welcome offer to the card.

Now, you’ll earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. That’s a higher spending requirement than similar cash-back bonus offers, but you get twice as long to meet the threshold, which comes out to just $250 in monthly spending over that time. 

As you track your progress toward the welcome bonus, make sure to avoid spending more than you would normally just to earn it.

2. Use the card to book travel with Citi

The Double Cash Card typically doesn’t offer bonus rewards categories. However, through December 31, 2024, cardholders can earn an up to 5% cash back when booking hotels, car rentals and attractions through the Citi Travel portal.

3. Pay your balance in full each month

Rewards credit cards make it possible to get value from everyday spending, but carrying a balance can essentially wipe out your rewards by costing you more than you earn.

For example, let’s say you have an average daily balance of $1,000 for a given month and a 24% APR. If you pay off that balance in full, you won’t pay a dime in interest. However, if it takes you three months to pay off the debt, you’ll pay roughly $40 in interest, or double the amount you earned in cash back on the purchases. 

4. Use your rewards to book flights with JetBlue

The Citi Double Cash Card is technically a cash-back credit card, but your rewards come in the form of ThankYou® Points.

The Citi ThankYou rewards program allows cardholders to transfer points to several airline and hotel loyalty program partners. If you only have the Double Cash card, you get access to just three of those transfer partners: JetBlue TrueBlue, Choice Privileges and Wyndham Rewards. 

If you transfer your points to JetBlue, you’ll get 800 TrueBlue points for every 1,000 ThankYou points you move. That’s below the standard 1:1 transfer ratio you can expect from most travel rewards programs. However, TrueBlue points are worth an average of 1.6 cents apiece, so you can still get more value than you would with cash back. 

What can you do with the rewards earned on the Citi Double Cash card? Here’s our complete guide to earning and redeeming Citi ThankYou rewards

5. Pair the card with the Citi Premier® Card * The information for the Citi Premier® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The Double Cash Card is an excellent choice for your everyday spending. But depending on your spending habits, you could get far more value out of your daily purchases by pairing the Double Cash with the Citi Premier® Card * The information for the Citi Premier® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .

The Citi Premier Card earns 3 ThankYou® points per $1 at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. Plus, through June 30, 2024, earn 10 ThankYou points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel portal.

By using the Citi Premier for its bonus rewards categories and the Double Cash for everything else, you’ll be able to rack up ThankYou points a lot faster. What’s more, the Citi Premier Card gives you full access to the card issuer’s list of transfer partners, plus a better 1:1 transfer ratio with the JetBlue TrueBlue program. 

Citi allows you to combine points earned with different ThankYou credit cards, giving you a chance to maximize the rewards you earn with both cards.

Aren’t sure how to book travel through Citi? We’ll explain all about the Citi ThankYou travel portal

6. Pay down high-interest credit card debt

In addition to a welcome bonus, the Citi Double Cash Card also offers an introductory balance transfer offer. New cardholders can get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the standard variable APR will be 19.24% to 29.24%. An intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, applies to transfers completed in the first 4 months. After that, the fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

While balance transfer offers typically don’t get the same fanfare as welcome bonuses, a generous offer could give you far more value in the long run. 

For example, let’s say that you have a $6,000 balance on a card with a 24% APR. If you were to pay off the debt over 18 months, you’d have a monthly payment of $400.21, and pay roughly $1,203 in interest.

However, if you transferred the balance to the Double Cash Card and paid it off in 18 months, you’d have a monthly payment of $343.33, and your only cost would be the $180 balance transfer fee (3% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum within the first 4 months of account opening) — that’s a savings of $1,023, or more than five times the value of the card’s welcome bonus. 

Final verdict

People like the Citi Double Cash for its simplicity, but with the right approach, you can get even more value out of the card than it appears on the surface. If you’re already a Double Cash cardholder, consider how you might use some of these approaches to get even more value in the future. 

If you don’t yet have the card, think about your situation and preferences, as well as these strategies, to determine whether the Double Cash Card is right for you.

Read more: How to choose the best cash-back card .

*The information for the Citi Premier® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Ben Luthi is a freelance writer who covers all things personal finance and travel. His work has appeared in dozens of online publications. Ben lives in Salt Lake City with his two children and two cats.

Allie is a journalist with a passion for money tips and advice. She's been writing about personal finance since the Great Recession for online publications such as Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MyWalletJoy and ValuePenguin. She's also written personal finance content for Discover, First Horizon Bank, The Hartford, Travelers and Synovus.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

Welcome offer on Chase’s IHG One Rewards Premier Business card soars to 175K points

Credit Cards Carissa Rawson

You might be a small business owner and not even know it

Credit Cards Jason Steele

Chase Freedom Flex benefits guide 2024

Credit Cards Julie Sherrier

How to use the Citi trifecta to maximize your rewards

Credit Cards Ryan Smith

Hilton Honors American Express business card unveils new profile, plumps up annual fee

Why my Citi Double Cash Card keeps getting better

Credit Cards Lee Huffman

Is the Citi Premier worth the annual fee?

Credit Cards Juan Ruiz

6 little known perks of the Citi Custom Cash Card

Credit Cards Harrison Pierce

Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Worth it?

Credit Cards Tamara Aydinyan

Why I got the Citi Custom Cash Card this year instead of another travel rewards card

Credit Cards Kevin Payne

Breeze Airways releases new Breeze Easy credit card with lofty rewards, up to 10 points per $1

Credit Cards Stella Shon

6 little-known perks of the Citi Diamond Preferred Card

Guide to Wells Fargo Rewards: How to earn and redeem points for travel and other uses

Best ways to use Citi ThankYou points

Credit Cards Michael Dempster

Why the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select is the best card for earning elite status

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

15 Best Travel Credit Cards of April 2024

ALSO CONSIDER: Best credit cards of 2024 || Best rewards credit cards || Best airline credit cards || Best hotel credit cards

A travel rewards credit card brings your next trip a little closer every time you use it. Each purchase earns points or miles that you can redeem for travel expenses. If you're loyal to a specific airline or hotel chain, consider getting one of that company's branded credit cards. Otherwise, check out the general-purpose travel cards on this page, which give you flexible rewards that you can use without the restrictions and blackout dates of branded cards.

Some of our selections for the best travel credit cards can be applied for through NerdWallet, and some cannot. Below, you'll find application links for the credit cards from our partners that are available through NerdWallet, followed by the full list of our picks.

250+ credit cards reviewed and rated by our team of experts

80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance

100+ categories of best credit card selections ( See our top picks )

Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics ( Methodology )

NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity .

Show summary

NerdWallet's Best Travel Credit Cards of April 2024

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best for Flexibility + point transfers + big sign-up bonus

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best for Flat-rate travel rewards

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best for Travel portal benefits

Chase Freedom Unlimited® : Best for Cash back for travel bookings

Chase Freedom Flex℠ : Best for Cash back for travel bookings

American Express® Gold Card : Best for Big rewards on everyday spending

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card : Best for Bonus rewards + no annual fee

The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for Luxury travel perks

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card : Best for Business travelers — bonus rewards + big sign-up offer

Citi Premier® Card : Best for Triple points on multiple categories

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : Best for Flat-rate rewards + no annual fee, and for balance transfers

Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best for Bonus travel rewards + high-end perks

World of Hyatt Credit Card : Best for Hotel credit card

Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card : Best for Travel rewards for rent payments + no annual fee

United℠ Explorer Card : Best for Airline card

Best Travel Credit Cards From Our Partners

Find the right credit card for you..

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

Flexibility + point transfers + big sign-up bonus

Flat-rate travel rewards, travel portal benefits, cash back for travel bookings, big rewards on everyday spending, bonus rewards + no annual fee, luxury travel perks, business travelers — bonus rewards + big sign-up offer, triple points on multiple categories, flat-rate rewards + no annual fee, and for balance transfers, bonus travel rewards + high-end perks, hotel credit card, travel rewards for rent payments + no annual fee, airline card, full list of editorial picks: best travel credit cards.

Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Our pick for: Flat-rate rewards

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is probably the best-known general-purpose travel credit card, thanks to its ubiquitous advertising. You earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases. Miles can be redeemed at a value of 1 cent apiece for any travel purchase, without the blackout dates and other restrictions of branded hotel and airline cards. The card offers a great sign-up bonus and other worthwhile perks ( see rates and fees ). Read our review.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Our pick for: Flat-rate rewards + no annual fee, and for balance transfers

One of the best no-annual-fee travel cards available, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card gives you a solid rewards rate on every purchase, with points that can be redeemed for any travel purchase, without the restrictions of branded airline and hotel cards. Bank of America® has an expansive definition of "travel," too, giving you additional flexibility in how you use your rewards. Read our review.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Our pick for: Bonus travel rewards + high-end perks

The high annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® gives many potential applicants pause, but frequent travelers should be able to wring enough value out of this card to more than make up for the cost. Cardholders get bonus rewards (up to 10X) on dining and travel, a fat bonus offer, annual travel credits, airport lounge access, and a 50% boost in point value when redeeming points for travel booked through Chase. Points can also be transferred to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. Read our review. 

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Our pick for: Flexibility + point transfers + big sign-up bonus

For a reasonable annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns bonus rewards (up to 5X) on travel, dining, select streaming services, and select online grocery purchases. Points are worth 25% more when you redeem them for travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. The sign-up bonus is stellar, too. Read our review. 

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Our pick for: Bonus rewards + no annual fee

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers so much value, it's hard to believe there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards in a host of common spending categories — restaurants, gas stations, transit, travel, streaming and more. Read our review.

Citi Premier® Card

Our pick for: Triple points in multiple categories

The Citi Premier® Card earns bonus points on airfare, hotels, supermarkets, dining and gas stations. There's a solid sign-up bonus as well.  Read our review.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

Our pick for: Road trips

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is one of the most generous cards on the market if you're taking to the skies or the road, thanks to the quadruple points it earns on travel and purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations. It's also a solid card for everyday expenses like groceries, dining and streaming, and it comes with ongoing credits that can offset its annual fee:  $0 intro for the first year, then $95 .  Read our review .

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Our pick for: Travel portal benefits

Capital One's premium travel credit card can deliver terrific benefits — provided you're willing to do your travel spending through the issuer's online booking portal. That's where you'll earn the highest rewards rates plus credits that can make back the bulk of your annual fee ( see rates and fees ). Read our review.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Our pick for: Cash back for travel bookings

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® was already a fine card when it offered 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Now it's even better, with bonus rewards on travel booked through Chase, as well as at restaurants and drugstores. On top of all that, new cardholders get a 0% introductory APR period and the opportunity to earn a sweet bonus. Read our review.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers bonus cash back in quarterly categories that you activate, as well as on travel booked through Chase, at restaurants and at drugstores. Category activation can be a hassle, but if your spending matches the categories — and for a lot of people, it will — you can rack up hundreds of dollars a year. There's a fantastic bonus offer for new cardholders and an intro APR offer, too. Read our review.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Our pick for: Luxury travel perks

The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a hefty annual fee, but travelers who like to go in style (and aren't afraid to pay for comfort) can more than get their money's worth. Enjoy extensive airport lounge access, hundreds of dollars a year in travel and shopping credits, hotel benefits and more. That's not even getting into the high rewards rate on eligible travel purchases and the rich welcome offer for new cardholders. Read our review.

American Express® Gold Card

Our pick for: Big rewards on everyday spending

The American Express® Gold Card can earn you a pile of points from everyday spending, with generous rewards at U.S. supermarkets, at restaurants and on certain flights booked through amextravel.com. Other benefits include hundreds of dollars a year in available dining and travel credits and a solid welcome offer for new cardholders. There's an annual fee, though, and a pretty substantial one, so it's not for smaller spenders. Read our review.

Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card

Our pick for: Rewards on rent payments

The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card stands out by offering credit card rewards on rent payments without incurring an additional transaction fee. The ability to earn rewards on what for many people is their single biggest monthly expense makes this card worth a look for any renter. You also get bonus points on dining and travel when you make at least five transactions on the card each statement period, and redemption options include point transfers to partner hotel and loyalty programs. Read our review.

PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card

Our pick for: Credit union rewards

With premium perks for a $95 annual fee (which can be waived in some cases), jet-setters will get a lot of value from the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card . It also offers a generous rewards rate on travel purchases and a decent flat rate on everything else. Plus, you’ll get travel credits and a Priority Pass membership that offers airport lounge access for $32 per visit. Read our review.

United℠ Explorer Card

Our pick for: United Airlines + best domestic airline card

The United℠ Explorer Card earns bonus rewards not only on spending with United Airlines but also at restaurants and on eligible hotel stays. And the perks are outstanding for a basic airline card — a free checked bag, priority boarding, lounge passes and more. Read our review.

» Not a United frequent flyer? See our best airline cards for other options

World of Hyatt Credit Card

Our pick for: Hotel credit card

Hyatt isn't as big as its competitors, but World of Hyatt Credit Card is worth a look for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road. You can earn a lot of points even on non-Hyatt spending, and those points have a high value compared with rival programs. There's a great sign-up bonus, free nights, automatic elite status and more. Read our review.

» Not a Hyatt customer? See our best hotel cards for other options.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Our pick for: Small business — bonus categories + big sign-up offer

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card starts you off with one of the biggest sign-up bonuses of any credit card anywhere: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠. You also get bonus rewards on travel expenses and common business spending categories, like advertising, shipping and internet, cable and phone service. Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. Learn more and apply .

Are you in Canada?

See NerdWallet's best travel cards for Canada.

OTHER RESOURCES

How travel rewards work.

Modern-day adventurers and once-a-year vacationers alike love the idea of earning rewards toward their next big trip. According to a NerdWallet study , 68% of American adults say they have a credit card that earns travel rewards.

With a travel rewards credit card, you earn points or miles every time you use the card, but you can often earn more points per dollar in select categories. Some top travel credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , offer bonus points on any travel spending, while the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card grants bonus points when you use the card at Marriott hotels, grocery stores, restaurants or gas stations.

Not all points and miles earned on travel rewards credit cards are the same:

General-purpose travel credit cards — including the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , the American Express® Gold Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card — give you rewards that can be used like cash to pay for travel or that can be exchanged for points in airline or hotel loyalty programs. With their flexible rewards, general-purpose options are usually the best travel credit cards for those who don't stick to a single airline or hotel chain.

Airline- and hotel-specific cards — such as the United℠ Explorer Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Card — give points and miles that can be used only with the brand on the card. (Although it's possible in some cases to transfer hotel points to airlines, we recommend against it because you get a poor value.) These so-called co-branded cards are usually the best travel credit cards for those who always fly one particular airline or stay with one hotel group.

How do we value points and miles? With the rewards earned on general travel cards, it's simple: They have a fixed value, usually between 1 and 1.5 cents per point, and you can spend them like cash. With airline miles and hotel points, finding the true value is more difficult. How much value you get depends on how you redeem them.

To better understand what miles are worth, NerdWallet researched the cash prices and reward-redemption values for hundreds of flights. Our results:

Keep in mind that the airline values are based on main cabin economy tickets and exclude premium cabin redemptions. See our valuations page for business class valuations and details about our methodology.

Our valuations are different from many others you may find. That’s because we looked at the average value of a point based on reasonable price searches that anyone can perform, not a maximized value that only travel rewards experts can expect to reach.

You should therefore use these values as a baseline for your own redemptions. If you can redeem your points for the values listed on our valuations page, you are doing well. Of course, if you are able to get higher value out of your miles, that’s even better.

HOW TO CHOOSE A TRAVEL CREDIT CARD

There are scores of travel rewards cards to choose from. The best travel credit card for you has as much to do with you as with the card. How often you travel, how much flexibility you want, how much you value airline or hotel perks — these are all things to take into account when deciding on a travel card. Our article on how to choose a travel credit card recommends that you prioritize:

Rewards you will actually use (points and miles are only as good as your ability to redeem them for travel).

A high earning rate (how much value you get in rewards for every dollar spent on the card).

A sign-up bonus (a windfall of points for meeting a spending requirement in your first few months).

Even with these goals in mind, there are all kinds of considerations that will influence your decision on a travel rewards credit card.

Travel cards are for travelers

Travel cards vs. cash-back cards.

The very first question to ask yourself when choosing a travel credit card is: Should I get a travel card at all? Travel credit cards are best for frequent travelers, who are more likely to get enough value from rewards and perks to make up for the annual fees that the best travel credit cards charge. (Some travel cards charge no annual fee, but they tend to offer lesser rewards than full-fee cards.) A NerdWallet study found that those who travel only occasionally — say, once a year — will probably get greater overall rewards from cash-back credit cards , most of which charge no annual fee, than from a travel card.

Flexibility and perks: A trade-off

Co-branded cards vs. general travel cards.

Travel credit cards fall into two basic categories: co-branded cards and general travel cards.

Co-branded cards carry the name of an airline or hotel group, such as the United℠ Explorer Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card . The rewards you earn are redeemable only with that particular brand, which can limit your flexibility, sometimes sharply. For example, if your credit card's co-branded airline partner doesn't have any award seats available on the flight you want on the day you want, you're out of luck. On the other hand, co-branded cards commonly offer airline- or hotel-specific perks that general travel cards can't match.

General travel cards aren't tied to a specific airline or hotel, so they offer much greater flexibility. Well-known general travel cards include the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . Rewards on general travel cards come as points (sometimes called "miles" but they're really points) that you can redeem for any travel expense. You're not locked into using a single airline or hotel, but you also won't enjoy the perks of a co-branded card.

Evaluating general travel credit cards

What you get with a general travel card.

The credit cards featured at the top of this page are general travel cards. They're issued by a bank (such as Chase or Capital One), carry only that bank's name, and aren't tied to any single airline or hotel group. With these cards, you earn points on every purchase — usually 1 to 2 points per dollar spent, sometimes with additional points in certain categories.

Issuers of general travel cards typically entice new applicants with big sign-up bonuses (also known as "welcome offers") — tens of thousands of miles that you can earn by spending a certain amount of money on the card in your first few months.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best credit card sign-up offers

What do you do with those points? Depending on the card, you may have several ways to redeem them:

Booking travel. With this option, your points pay for travel booked through the issuer's website, using a utility similar to Orbitz or Expedia. For example, if points were worth 1 cent apiece when redeemed this way, you could book a $400 flight on the issuer's portal and pay for it with 40,000 points

Statement credit. This lets you essentially erase travel purchases by using your points for credit on your statement. You make travel arrangements however you want (directly with an airline or hotel, through a travel agency, etc.) and charge it to your card. Once the charge shows up on your account, you apply the necessary points and eliminate the cost.

Transferring to partners. The card issuer may allow you to transfer your points to loyalty programs for airlines or hotel chains, turning your general card into something like a co-branded card (although you don't get the perks of a co-brand).

Cash back, gift cards or merchandise. If you don't plan to travel, you can burn off your rewards with these options, although you'll often get a lower value per point.

Airline and hotel cards sharply limit your choice, but they make up for it with perks that only they can offer, like free checked bags or room upgrades. General travel cards, on the other hand, offer maximum flexibility but can't provide the same kinds of perks, because the banks that issue them don't operate the airlines or hotels. Still, there are some noteworthy perks on general travel cards, including:

Travel credit. This is automatic reimbursement for travel-related spending. Some top travel credit cards offer hundreds of dollars a year in travel credit.

Trusted traveler reimbursement. More and more travel credit cards are covering the application fee for TSA Precheck and Global Entry, programs that allow you to move through airport security and customs more quickly.

Airport lounge access. Hundreds of lounges worldwide operate separately from airlines under such networks as Priority Pass and Airspace, and several general travel cards offer access to these lounges.

Points programs

Every major card issuer has at least one travel card with a points program. American Express calls its program Membership Rewards, while Chase has Ultimate Rewards® and Citi pays in ThankYou points. Wells Fargo has Wells Fargo Rewards, and U.S. Bank has FlexPerks. Bank of America® travel cards offer points without a fancy name. Travel cards from Capital One, Barclays and Discover all call their points "miles."

These programs differ in how much their points are worth and how you can use them. Some offer the full range of redemption options, including transfers to loyalty programs. Others let you use them only to book travel or get statement credit.

» MORE: Travel loyalty program reviews

Evaluating airline credit cards

What you get with an airline credit card.

Airline credit cards earn "miles" with each purchase. You typically get 1 mile per dollar spent, with a higher rate (2 or more miles per dollar) on purchases with the airline itself. (Some airline cards have also begun offering extra miles for purchases in additional categories, such as restaurants or car rental agencies.) These miles go into the same frequent-flyer account as the ones you earn by flying the airline, and you can redeem them for free flights with the airline or its alliance partners.

Co-branded airline cards typically offer sign-up bonuses (or welcome offers). But what really sets them apart are the perks they give you. With some cards, for example, the checked-bag benefit alone can make up for the annual fee after a single roundtrip by a couple. Common perks of airline cards include:

Free checked bags. This commonly applies to the first checked bag for you and at least one companion on your reservation. Some cards extend this perk to more people, and higher-end cards (with higher annual fees) may even let you check two bags apiece for free.

Priority boarding. Holders of co-branded airline credit cards often get to board the plane early — after the airline's elite-status frequent flyers but before the general population. This gives you time to settle in and gives you a leg up on claiming that coveted overhead bin space.

In-flight discounts or freebies. You might get, say, 25% off the cost of food and beverages during the flight, or free Wi-Fi.

Airport lounge access. High-end cards often include a membership to the airline's airport lounges, where you can get away from the frenzy in the terminal and enjoy a complimentary snack. Some less-expensive airline cards give you only limited or discounted lounge access; others give you none at all.

Companion fares. This perk lets you bring someone with you for a lower cost when you buy a ticket at full price.

A boost toward elite status. Miles earned with a credit card, as opposed to those earned from actually flying on the airline, usually do not count toward earning elite status in an airline's frequent-flyer program. However, carrying an airline's high-end card might automatically qualify you for a higher tier within the program.

The biggest U.S. airlines — American, United and Delta — offer an array of credit cards. Each airline has a no-annual-fee card that earns miles on purchases but provides little in the way of perks (no free bags or priority boarding). Each has a high-end card with an annual fee in the neighborhood of $450 that offers lounge access and sumptuous perks. And each has a "middle-class" card with a fee of around $100 and solid ongoing perks. Southwest offers three credit cards with varying fees; smaller carriers may just have a single card.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best airline credit cards

Choosing an airline

Which airline card you get depends in large part on what airline you fly, and that's heavily influenced by where you live. Alaska Airlines, for example, has an outstanding credit card, but the airline's routes are concentrated primarily on the West Coast. So it's not a great option for those who live in, say, Buffalo, New York, or Montgomery, Alabama.

If your local airport is dominated by a single airline, then you're probably flying that carrier most (or all) of the time by default. Delta, for example, is the 800-pound gorilla at Minneapolis-St. Paul and Salt Lake City. United has the bulk of the traffic at Newark and Washington Dulles. American calls the shots at Charlotte and Dallas-Fort Worth. That airline's credit card may be your only realistic option. If you're in a large or midsize market with frequent service from multiple airlines, you have more choice.

» MORE: How to choose an airline credit card

Evaluating hotel credit cards

What you get with a hotel card.

Hotel credit cards earn points with each purchase. As with airline cards, you typically get more points per dollar for purchases from the co-brand partner, and some cards also give bonus points in additional categories. (Hotel cards tend to give you a greater number of points overall than airline cards, but each individual point is generally worth less than a typical airline mile.) Similar to the airline model, the points you earn with the card go into the same loyalty account as the points you earn from actually staying at a hotel. You redeem your points for free stays.

Hotel cards usually offer a sign-up bonus, but like airline cards, they really make their bones with the ongoing perks. Common perks on hotel cards include:

Free nights. Several cards offer this perk, which can make up for the card's annual fee. You may get a free night automatically every year, or you may unlock it by spending a certain amount within a year. In the latter case, it comes on top of the points you earn for your spending.

Upgrades and freebies. Cardholders may qualify for automatic room upgrades when available, or free or discounted amenities such as meals or spa packages.

Early check-in/late check-out. No one likes having to cool their heels in the hotel lobby waiting for 3 o'clock to check in. And no one likes have to vacate their room by 11 a.m. when their flight doesn't leave till evening.

Accelerated elite status. Some hotel cards automatically bump you up a level in their loyalty program just for being a cardholder.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best hotel credit cards

Choosing a hotel group

If you decide to go the hotel-card route, you'll need to decide which hotel group gets your business. Hotels aren't as market-concentrated as airlines, so if your travels take you mostly to metropolitan areas, you'll have a decent amount of choice. Keep in mind that even though there are dozens of nationally recognizable hotel brands, ranging from budget inns to luxury resorts, many of them are just units in a larger hotel company, and that company's card can unlock benefits across the group.

Marriott, for example, includes not only its namesake properties but nearly 30 other brands, including Courtyard, Fairfield, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton and Westin. The Hilton family includes DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn and Waldorf-Astoria. InterContinental includes Holiday Inn, Candlewood, Staybridge and Crowne Plaza. Wyndham and Choice have more than 15 mid-tier and budget-oriented brands between them.

HOW TO COMPARE TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS

No travel rewards credit card is going to have everything you want. You're going to be disappointed if you expect to find a high rewards rate, a generous sign-up bonus, top-notch perks and no annual fee. Each card delivers value through a different combination of features; it's up to you to compare cards based on the following features and choose the best travel credit card for your needs and preferences.

Most of the best travel cards charge an annual fee. Fees in the range of $90 to $100 are standard for travel cards. Premium cards with extensive perks will have fees of $450 or more. Weigh the value of the rewards and perks you'll get to make sure they'll make up for the fee.

Can you find good cards without an annual fee? Absolutely! There are no-fee options on our list of the best travel credit cards, and we've rounded up more here . Just be aware that if you go with a no-fee travel card, you'll earn rewards at a lower rate, your sign-up bonus will be smaller, and you won't get as many (if any) perks.

Rewards rate

Rewards can be thought of in terms of "earn rate" and "burn rate".

The earn rate is how many points or miles you receive per dollar spent. Some general travel cards offer flat-rate rewards, meaning you get the same rate on all purchases, all the time — 2 miles per dollar, for example, or 1.5 points per dollar. Others, including most co-branded cards, offer a base rate of maybe 1 point per dollar and then pay a higher rate in certain categories, such as airline tickets, hotel stays, general travel expenses or restaurant meals.

The burn rate is the value you get for those points or miles when you redeem them. The industry average is about 1 cent per point or mile. Some cards, particularly hotel cards, have lower value per point on the "burn" side but give you more points per dollar on the earning side.

When comparing rewards rates, don't just look at the numbers. Look at the categories to which those numbers apply, and find a card that matches your spending patterns. Getting 5 points per dollar seems great — but if those 5X points come only on purchases at, say, office supply stores, and you don't spend money on office supplies, then you're getting lousy value.

Sign-up bonus

Travel cards tend to have the biggest sign-up bonuses — tens of thousands of points that you earn by hitting a certain amount of spending. But there's more to consider when comparing sign-up bonuses than just how many points or miles you earn. You must also take into account how much you have to spend to earn the bonus. While cash-back credit cards often require just $500 to $1,000 in spending over three months to unlock a bonus, travel cards commonly have thresholds of $3,000 to $5,000.

Never spend money you don't have just to earn a sign-up bonus. Carrying $3,000 in debt for a year in order to earn a $500 bonus doesn't make economic sense — the interest you'll pay could easily wipe out the value of the bonus.

Finally, keep in mind that the biggest bonuses will come on cards with annual fees.

Foreign transaction fees

A good travel card will not charge a foreign transaction fee. These fees are surcharges on purchases made outside the U.S. The industry standard is about 3%, which is enough to wipe out most if not all of the rewards you earn on a purchase. If you never leave the U.S., then this isn't much of a concern, but anyone who travels abroad should bring a no-foreign-transaction-fee card with them.

Some issuers don't charge foreign transaction fees on any of their cards. Others charge them on some cards but not all.

International acceptance

Not all travel credit cards are great companions for international travel. While Visa and Mastercard are good pretty much worldwide, you may encounter limited acceptance for American Express and, especially, Discover, depending on the destination. This doesn't mean world travelers should dismiss AmEx and Discover. Just know that if you take one of these cards with you overseas, you'd be smart to bring along a backup in case you run into acceptance problems. (Having a backup card is good advice within the U.S., too, really.)

Travel protections

Consider which travel protections — car rental insurance , trip cancellation coverage , lost baggage protection — are important to you.

"Rewards" are what you get for using a credit card — the points earned with each transaction and the bonuses you unlock with your spending. "Perks" are goodies that you get just for carrying the card. There's a very close correlation between the annual fee on a card and the perks you get for carrying it. Cards with no annual fee are all about rewards and go very light on perks. Premium cards with annual fees of $450 or more are laden with perks (although sometimes their rewards aren't too special). Midtier cards (in the $100 range) tend to have solid rewards and a handful of high-value perks.

Assuming you take advantage of them, the perks often make up for the annual fee on a card quite easily. This is especially true with co-branded cards. Free checked bags can pay for an airline card several times over, and a free night is usually worth more than the fee on a hotel card. When comparing the perks of various cards, be realistic about which ones you will and won't use. Sure, that card may entitle you to a free spa package the next time you're at a five-star hotel, but how often do you stay at five-star hotels?

SHOULD YOU GET A TRAVEL CARD? PROS AND CONS

Pros: why it's worth getting a travel card.

The sign-up bonus gives you a big head-start on travel. Bonuses on the best travel credit cards typically run $500 or more — enough for a roundtrip ticket in many instances.

Perks make travel less expensive and more relaxing. You won't have to worry about cramming a week's worth of clothes into a carry-on if your travel credit card gives you a free checked bag (or automatically reimburses you for the bag fee). Hate the crush of travelers in the terminal? Escape to the airport lounge. Renting a car? Use a travel card that provides primary rental car insurance.

Rewards get you closer to your next trip with every purchase. Spending money on the mundane activities of daily life has a silver lining when you know that every $1,000 you spend will knock $10 or $20 off the cost of that future beach vacation or trip home to see Mom and Dad.

No foreign transaction fee can mean big savings. Take just any old credit card with you on vacation outside the U.S., and $1,000 worth of purchases can cost you $30 off the top due to the foreign transaction surcharge. Good travel cards don't charge this fee.

"Double dipping" gives you more points on travel purchases. Buy a plane ticket or book a hotel room, and you'll earn loyalty points or miles regardless of how you pay. Use the right credit card, though, and you'll earn even more points and miles on top of those.

Strategic redemption can multiply your value. With cash-back credit cards, 1 cent is worth 1 cent, and that's just how it goes. The points and miles on many travel credit cards have variable value based on how you redeem them — booking travel with them vs. transferring them to a partner, booking domestic vs. international flights and economy vs. business class, staying at budget hotels vs. high-end resorts, and so on.

Cons: Why a travel card might not be for you

The best cards charge annual fees. In many cases, the value you get from a credit card more than makes up for the annual fee. But some people are dead set against paying a fee under any circumstances. If that's you, your options in travel cards will be sharply limited, and you won't get the perks that provide a big portion of the value on many cards.

Sign-up bonus spending requirements can be steep. A bonus worth $500, $600 or $700 is attractive, but only if you can afford to earn it with spending you were going to do anyway. If you have to amass thousands of dollars in debt and then pay interest on it, it's not worth it.

Travel cards aren't ideal for infrequent travelers. In the first year with a travel card, you're probably going to come out ahead: You can earn a big sign-up bonus, and several popular cards waive the first year's annual fee, too. In subsequent years, though, you'll break even on that fee only if you use the card enough to make up for it (with the rewards you earn and redeem and the perks you use). Infrequent travelers are more likely to get more total rewards from a cash-back card with no annual fee.

Cash back is simpler and more flexible. Some travel cards allow you to redeem your rewards only for travel. Others give you poor value unless you redeem for travel. Still others have complicated redemption options, making it hard to get the most out of your rewards. With cash-back credit cards, you can use your rewards on anything, you know exactly how much your rewards are worth, and redemption is usually simple.

Rewards cards tend to charge higher interest rates. If you regularly carry a balance from month to month, a travel credit card — or any rewards credit card — probably isn't your best choice. The interest you pay is eating up the value of your rewards. You're better off with a low-interest card that reduces the cost of carrying debt.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TRAVEL CARD

Maximize your rewards with the following tips:

Plan your credit card application around a big purchase to earn the sign-up bonus.

Seize every opportunity to pick up the tab, especially if your travel credit card pays bonus rewards on dining; your friends can pay you back while you collect rewards.

Redeem rewards for travel instead of gift cards, merchandise or (in most cases) cash back to get the best value.

Join the loyalty program associated with a co-branded card — a frequent-flyer or frequent-guest program.

Shop for essentials in your card’s online bonus mall or through its exclusive offers, if available, to get extra rewards.

OTHER CARDS TO CONSIDER

It’s worth considering whether a travel credit card is even right for you in the first place. A NerdWallet study found that cash-back credit cards often earn more money — even for many travelers.

If you carry a balance from month to month, the higher interest rates typically charged by rewards cards can cancel out any rewards earned. If you have a good credit score, you're better off with a low-interest credit card that can save you money on interest.

A good travel credit card shouldn't charge foreign transaction fees, but there are good non-travel cards that also don't charge them. See our best cards with no foreign transaction fee .

If you value transparency and flexibility in your rewards, you can't go wrong with a cash-back card — and you can still use the rewards for travel, if you want.

Finally, if you're still not sure what's right for you, take a look at our best rewards credit cards for options beyond travel and cash back.

NerdWallet's Sam Kemmis contributed to this article.

To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card , see this page . To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express , see this page .

Last updated on April 5 , 2024

Methodology

NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best travel rewards credit cards based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of travelers. Factors in our evaluation include each card's annual fee, foreign transaction fees, rewards earnings rates, ease of use, redemption options, domestic and international acceptance, promotional APR period, bonus offers, and cardholder perks such as automatic statement credits and airport lounge access. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.

Frequently asked questions

Travel credit cards earn points (sometimes called miles) each time you buy something. The standard earning rate is 1 to 2 points per dollar spent, and many cards give you extra points for certain purchases, particularly travel expenses. The value of a point depends on the card that earned it and how you redeem it, but a good rule of thumb is to assume each point is worth an average of about 1 cent.

Your points accumulate in a rewards account, where you can use them to pay for travel. Most cards let you book travel directly using a portal similar to those at online travel agencies or on airline and hotel websites, but instead of paying cash, you pay with your points. Depending on the card, you may also have the option of booking travel any way you want, paying for it with the card and then cashing in your points for a credit against those expenses.

Points and miles are just different names for the same thing: the currency used in a travel rewards program. Some travel credit cards call them points, some call them miles.

Airline frequent flyer programs have long used the term “miles” to refer to the rewards you earn for flying. That’s because at one time, you really did earn rewards according to how many miles you flew — the longer the flight, the more miles you earned. Nowadays, most domestic airlines give out “miles” based on how much you spend, not how far you fly, so they’re really just points. (There are a few exceptions, though, notably Alaska Airlines.)

Especially when it comes to redeeming your rewards, there’s no difference between points and miles. The number of points or miles you need is based mostly on the cost of what you’re redeeming them for. It takes more than 500 miles (value about: $5) to get a free 500-mile flight!

The value of a point or mile depends on the card you earned it with and how you redeem it. A common rule of thumb is to assume that each point or mile is worth an average of 1 cent, although you can certainly get a much higher (or lower) redemption value. See our travel loyalty roundup page for NerdWallet’s current valuations for airline miles and hotel points.

Travel credit cards fall into two main categories: co-branded and general-purpose.

• Co-branded travel cards carry the name of an airline or hotel chain. The rewards you earn on the card can typically be redeemed only with that brand (or maybe its partners). Co-branded cards limit your flexibility, but because they are issued in partnership with an airline or hotel, they can give you special perks, like free checked bags or room upgrades.

• General-purpose travel cards are issued by a credit card company and are not directly tied to any particular airline or hotel. They earn points in the issuer's own program, such as American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards® or Citi ThankYou. These points are a lot more flexible, as you can use them to pay for a range of travel expenses, including flights on any airline or stays at any hotel. However, they don’t offer the airline- or hotel-specific perks of co-branded cards.

Travel cards — like rewards cards in general — typically require good to excellent credit for approval. Good credit is generally defined as a credit score of 690 or better. However, credit scores alone do not guarantee approval. Every issuer has its own criteria for evaluating applications.

About the author

Sara Rathner

Courtney Johnston

Senior Editor

Courtney Johnston is a senior editor leading the CNET Money team. Passionate about financial literacy and inclusion, she has a decade of experience as a freelance journalist covering policy, financial news, real estate and investing. A New Jersey native, she graduated with an M.A. in English Literature and Professional Writing from the University of Indianapolis, where she also worked as a graduate writing instructor.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

When it comes to managing your money or earning rewards , I’m a big fan of eliminating unnecessary complications. So I love the simple structure of a competitive flat-rate rewards credit card, like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card . But the gold standard in credit cards is facing new competition.

The Robinhood Gold Card * was recently announced and offers 3% back on every purchase -- and a competitive 5% back on travel booked in the new Robinhood travel portal. That’s a higher rewards rate than the Active Cash, which recently won a CNET Editors’ Choice award for its competitive rewards and ease of use.

The catch? You’ll need to be a Robinhood Gold member to apply, which costs $5 a month. That brings the annual cost up to $60 a year, but if you pay annually, it will only cost you $50, saving you an extra $10. That’s not a steep fee, but is it worth the cost when most 2% flat-rate cards don’t charge an annual fee?

Let’s find out.

Robinhood Gold Card

If we focus just on flat-rate rewards , the Robinhood Gold card can earn more in rewards after you hit a certain spending threshold.

Let’s say you spend $1,000 a month regularly with a 2% flat-rate card like the Active Cash. Assuming you pay your bill in full and don’t accrue interest or penalties, you could earn $240 in a given year.

If you spend the same amount with the Robinhood card and earn a flat 3% rewards rate, you’d earn $360. When you subtract the Robinhood Gold membership’s annual cost ($50), that brings your earnings to $310 -- $70 higher than you would earn with a 2% flat-rate card.

But if you spend less than $400 a month, you’ll earn more with the Active Cash (assuming you pay $50 for the annual Robinhood Gold membership).

How much you can earn in rewards each year, after annual fees :

Aside from the flat rewards rates, you’ll also want to weigh other benefits each card offers. While the Robinhood Gold could net you a bigger return, the Active Cash offers an easy-to-earn welcome bonus that can earn you an extra $200 in cash rewards after spending $500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. When you take this bonus into consideration, the tables turn slightly.

How much you can earn in rewards the first year, after annual fees, including welcome bonuses :

With the additional $200 welcome bonus, the Active Cash becomes the clear winner -- but only for the first year. After that, the Robinhood Gold would eventually start to pull ahead.

What about the Robinhood Gold Card’s travel rewards?

If you plan on booking travel with your card, then the Robinhood Gold can earn 5% rewards through its travel portal. While that sounds great -- and it may be -- the card isn’t live yet. You’ll need to add your name to the card’s waitlist. So we don’t know enough about how the travel portal works to determine if it’s worthwhile. 

It’s worth keeping a eye on, but if you already earn a 5% rewards rate with a travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card* or the new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® *, I wouldn’t jump ship just yet.

How you like to redeem your rewards will help you decide which flat-rate card is best for you. You might earn more with Robinhood’s card and you can technically redeem your rewards as cash-back, but it’s not always that simple. You’ll need to transfer your rewards to your Robinhood brokerage account and then transfer them to a linked bank account. 

The Active Cash makes it easier to redeem rewards for cash back, cutting out this two-transfer step. But if you’re looking to invest your rewards or earn the same 1% redemption rate when using them at checkout, Robinhood’s card has the edge. 

Here’s a more comprehensive look at how the Robinhood Gold card compares to similar flat-rate cards, like the Wells Fargo Active Cash and the Citi Double Cash® Card .

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Citi Double Cash® Card

If you’re already a Robinhood Gold member, signing up for this card is a no-brainer -- unless there’s another rewards card you like more. If you’re not a member, you’ll want to look at how much you spend each month and consider how you like to redeem your rewards. 

Recommended Articles

Robinhood’s new gold card goes head-to-head with apple and paypal, the chase sapphire preferred could lose its crown to this wells fargo travel card, credit card rewards shake-up: visa and mastercard agree to lower swipe fees.

*All information about the Capital One Venture Card, Robinhood Gold Card and the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

CNET editors independently choose every product and service we cover. Though we can’t review every available financial company or offer, we strive to make comprehensive, rigorous comparisons in order to highlight the best of them. For many of these products and services, we earn a commission. The compensation we receive may impact how products and links appear on our site.

• Credit Cards
• All Credit Cards
• Find the Credit Card for You
• Best Credit Cards
• Best Rewards Credit Cards
• Best Travel Credit Cards
• Best 0% APR Credit Cards
• Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards
• Best Cash Back Credit Cards
• Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
• Best Credit Cards to Build Credit
• Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping
• Find the Best Personal Loan for You
• Best Personal Loans
• Best Debt Consolidation Loans
• Best Loans to Refinance Credit Card Debt
• Best Loans with Fast Funding
• Best Small Personal Loans
• Best Large Personal Loans
• Best Personal Loans to Apply Online
• Best Student Loan Refinance
• Best Car Loans
• All Banking
• Find the Savings Account for You
• Best High Yield Savings Accounts
• Best Big Bank Savings Accounts
• Best Big Bank Checking Accounts
• Best No Fee Checking Accounts
• No Overdraft Fee Checking Accounts
• Best Checking Account Bonuses
• Best Money Market Accounts
• Best Credit Unions
• All Mortgages
• Best Mortgages
• Best Mortgages for Small Down Payment
• Best Mortgages for No Down Payment
• Best Mortgages for Average Credit Score
• Best Mortgages No Origination Fee
• Adjustable Rate Mortgages
• Affording a Mortgage
• All Insurance
• Best Life Insurance
• Best Life Insurance for Seniors
• Best Homeowners Insurance
• Best Renters Insurance
• Best Car Insurance
• Best Pet Insurance
• Best Boat Insurance
• Best Motorcycle Insurance
• Travel Insurance
• Event Ticket Insurance
• Small Business
• All Small Business
• Best Small Business Savings Accounts
• Best Small Business Checking Accounts
• Best Credit Cards for Small Business
• Best Small Business Loans
• Best Tax Software for Small Business
• Personal Finance
• All Personal Finance
• Best Budgeting Apps
• Best Expense Tracker Apps
• Best Money Transfer Apps
• Best Resale Apps and Sites
• Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) Apps
• Best Debt Relief
• Credit Monitoring
• All Credit Monitoring
• Best Credit Monitoring Services
• Best Identity Theft Protection
• How to Boost Your Credit Score
• Best Credit Repair Companies
• Filing For Free
• Best Tax Software
• Best Tax Software for Small Businesses
• Tax Refunds
• Tax Brackets
• Taxes By State
• Tax Payment Plans
• Help for Low Credit Scores
• All Help for Low Credit Scores
• Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit
• Best Personal Loans for Bad Credit
• Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit
• Personal Loans if You Don't Have Credit
• Best Credit Cards for Building Credit
• Personal Loans for 580 Credit Score Lower
• Personal Loans for 670 Credit Score or Lower
• Best Mortgages for Bad Credit
• Best Hardship Loans
• All Investing
• Best IRA Accounts
• Best Roth IRA Accounts
• Best Investing Apps
• Best Free Stock Trading Platforms
• Best Robo-Advisors
• Index Funds
• Mutual Funds
• Home & Kitchen
• Gift Guides
• Deals & Sales
• Best of Wellness Awards 2024
• Sign up for the CNBC Select Newsletter
• Subscribe to CNBC PRO
• Privacy Policy
• Your Privacy Choices
• Terms Of Service
• CNBC Sitemap

Follow Select

Our top picks of timely offers from our partners

Find the best credit card for you

Robinhood gold card announced — earn 3% cash back everywhere, this card isn't open to applications yet, but you can get on the waitlist..

The investing app Robinhood is making headlines with the announcement of the Robinhood Gold Card . This credit card features a minimum of 3% cash back on all purchases and there's even a limited-edition 10-karat gold version. When compared to other cards, that rewards rate is typically capped after a certain amount of spending or to a specific category of purchases (i.e. gas or dining), but with this card you'll be able to earn 3% cash back on all purchases — with no limit on the amount you can earn.

It's not open for applications yet, but you can add yourself to the waitlist . While it's technically a no-annual-fee card , it's only open to Robinhood Gold members, which costs $5/mo or $50 a year.

Below, CNBC Select has the details on what you need to know about the card's features and benefits.

Robinhood Gold Card

5% cash back on travel purchased through the Robin travel portal; 3% cash back on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Requires a Gold membership which costs $5 a month or $50 a year

Regular APR

20.24% - 29.99% variable

Balance transfer fee

Foreign transaction fees.

Terms apply.

• High cash-back rate on everyday purchases
• No foreign transaction fees
• Robinhood Gold subscription required

Robinhood Gold Card benefits

On top of the 3% cash back everywhere, cardholders also receive 5% cash back on travel purchases made through the Robinhood travel portal. Other benefits include:

• Trip interruption protection
• Travel and emergency assistance
• Roadside Dispatch
• Visa Signature Concierge
• Rental car collision damage waiver
• Purchase security
• Return protection
• Extended warranty protection

If you're on the Robinhood Gold Card waitlist and refer 10 people to both sign up for a Robinhood Gold subscription and join the Gold Card's waitlist too, you are eligible to receive a 10-karat gold version of this card. Learn more at Robinhood .

Compare investing resources

Robinhood gold membership benefits.

Robinhood offers a 1.5% APY on uninvested cash sitting in your brokerage account , but once you upgrade to a paid Gold membership you'll receive a 5% APY on those balances. Gold members also receive a 3% match on eligible contributions to a Robinhood IRA . If you can take advantage of these perks, the Gold subscription fee may be worth it, and the benefits you receive from a Robinhood Gold Card are icing on the cake.

Robinhood Retirement

Minimum deposit and balance.

There is a $20 minimum to invest in the portfolio Robinhood recommends to you

Robinhood doesn't charge any management fees or commission fees for the IRA account. However, an IRA Match Early Withdrawal Fee may apply in some circumstances

The Robinhood IRA offers a 1% match on eligible contributions up to IRA contribution limits. Limitations apply.*

Investment vehicles

Traditional IRA and Roth IRA

Investment options

Stocks and ETFs (users can invest in Robinhood's selection of 5–8 recommended ETFs, pick their own, or do a combination of both). According to the website, eligible users will soon be able to trade options in their IRA

Educational resources

Robinhood offers education materials on their website

Terms apply. Does not apply to crypto asset portfolios.

*The IRA Match is automatically added after eligible contributions from an external bank account. Keep the contributions in your IRA for at least 5 years from the date you contribute.  IRA Match FAQ . Other fees may apply. See Fee Schedule  for more details.

This membership tier also comes with a handful of other features such as larger instant deposits and access to Morningstar research and NASDAQ Level II market data.

Alternate cards to consider

If you don't want to wait for the Robinhood Gold Card to open for applications or you aren't interested in joining Robinhood Gold, these alternate cards can help you start earning rewards right now.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card earns an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases and new card members can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after meeting the card's spending requirement (spend $500 in purchases in the first 3 months). This card earns 1% less than the Robinhood Gold Card on non-bonus spending, but it has no annual fee and you have to pay at least $50 a year for a Robinhood Gold membership. To earn $50 in rewards at 1%, you have to spend $5,000, so you'll get a head start on earning cash rewards back with the Active Cash Card , especially when you factor in the welcome bonus.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

3% intro for 120 days from account opening then BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Excellent/Good

See rates and fees , terms apply.

The Discover it® Cash Back earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in rotating quarterly categories (when you activate), then 1% cash back (which you also earn on all purchases outside of the quarterly categories). The welcome offer makes this card even more enticing because it matches the cash back new cardmembers earn for the first year. With this offer, you're effectively earning 10% cash back from spending that qualifies for the rotating bonus categories for the first year, and then 2% cash back on all purchases for the remainder of that year.

Discover it® Cash Back

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases-automatically.

Discover will match all the cash back earned for all new cardmembers at the end of your first year.

0% for 15 months on purchases

17.24% to 28.24% Variable

3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*

Good / Excellent

* See rates and fees , terms apply.

Read our Discover it® Cash Back review.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Compare investing products

Bottom line.

Robinhood has announced a new cash-back credit card that will be available for its Gold members. The Robinhood Gold Card will earn at least 3% cash back on all purchases, which is an exceptional return for everyday purchases. A Robinhood Gold membership is relatively affordable compared to most credit card annual fees, which will make this card one of the best cash-back credit cards once it opens for applications.

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of financial products .  While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of  credit cards ,  banking  and  money , and follow us on  TikTok ,  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Twitter  to stay up to date.

For rates and fees of the Discover it® Cash Back, click here .

• What to do if your homeowners insurance claim is denied Liz Knueven
• Best car insurance companies in Illinois based on price, customer service and coverage Liz Knueven
• Does car insurance cover hail damage? Liz Knueven

Robinhood’s new credit card goes after Apple Card with ability to invest cash-back perks

Eight months after acquiring credit card startup X1 for $95 million, Robinhood announced today the launch of its new Gold Card, with a list of features that could even give Apple Card users envy.

Robinhood, better known for its brokerage app aimed at the everyday investor, is touting all sorts of benefits with its new card in an attempt to attract users. The card has no annual or foreign transaction fees. However, it will only be available for Robinhood Gold members, which costs $5 a month, or $50 annually. ( Gold is a program that offers other benefits like 5% APY on an account’s uninvested brokerage cash.) 

Gold Card users can earn 3% cash back on all categories, including restaurants and groceries, and 5% cash bank when booking travel at Robinhood’s new travel portal. That cash back can be transferred to brokerage accounts, which can go toward making investments like stock purchases, the company says. The ability to invest using cash back is th e big innovation that X1 developed prior to getting acquired .

Another interesting feature of the Gold Card includes the ability to provide cards for family members. This is the first time that Robinhood has introduced a family-oriented financial product, Robinhood Money General Manager Deepak Rao told TechCrunch. Rao was the founder and CEO of X1 before joining Robinhood in the acquisition. 

Users will have the ability to add up to five family members as cardholders to their account with every cardholder receiving their own card. Additional cardholders can be any age, giving parents a way to help teens build credit and monitor spending. The ability to provide cards to family members will extend even to those visiting from other countries.

“A user can provide cards to parents, children or caregivers and set the right kind of controls and protection, while also helping them build their credit,” Rao said. “They don’t have to provide any other information than their name and date of birth and Social Security number if they have one. If you’re worried about spending limits, you can put a dollar amount limit and also a child-safe mode for kids.”

The Card also allows users to create and delete virtual cards for one-time purchases and will have an APR of 20.24% – 29.99%, which Robinhood said will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.

Robinhood is also making its physical cards numberless so if they are lost or stolen, users won’t have to swap out all their card information. The company is also launching a new app to go along with the new Gold Card that will be completely separate from its investment app, Rao said. 

Generally, the Gold account offers up to $2.25 million FDIC insurance from a network of partner banks.

Robinhood’s entrance into the credit card market is clearly taking a cue from the likes of Apple, which has seen great success with its own card (despite hiccups with its partnership with Goldman Sachs ). By forgoing hidden fees like annual or late fees, and by applying its cash back daily, Apple Card topped more than 12 million users as of January.

Many cards offer cash back but often restrict it to certain categories. This card is generous in its cash-back offer. Apple, for instance, offers 3% cash back on all purchases made at Apple, and on purchases made at select merchants when using the Apple Card with Apple Pay. In general, purchases made on Apple Card with Apple Pay earn users 2% back. But Apple also offers a Family Sharing feature, and a high-yield savings account offering 4.5% interest.

Obviously, Robinhood will earn interchange revenue from the credit cards, standard transaction fees paid by the merchants. It has earned interchange revenue off of its debit cards, which launched in 2018 . Coastal Community Bank is Robinhood’s banking partner on the new Gold Card.

The new credit card is part of Robinhood’s evolving business model and offerings over the years. In December of 2022, the company announced Robinhood Retirement , which it described as the “first and only” individual retirement account (IRA) with a 1% match on every eligible dollar contributed. Gold Membership, a requirement to get the Gold Card, increases the eligible match to  up to 3% match.

“There’s always been special perks and opportunities reserved for the wealthy that make them even richer. It’s why we started Robinhood…” Robinhood co-founder and CEO Vlad Tenev said in a written statement. “Today’s announcements…bring us one step closer to the goal of giving everyone better access to the financial system.”

Robinhood Gold Card, explained:

What are the requirements to apply for a robinhood gold card.

You must be a Robinhood Gold card member.

You must first meet the following credentials in order to apply for a card:

• Must have a Robinhood Gold account.
• Be 18 years or older
• Have a valid social security number (not a taxpayer identification number)
• Have a legal U.S. residential address within the 50 states (exceptions may apply for active U.S. military personnel stationed abroad)
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or have a valid U.S. visa

Are there monthly fees associated with a Robinhood Gold Card?

You must be a Robinhood Gold member to apply for the card. It costs $5 a month, or $50 a year, to become a Robinhood Gold member.

Are there foreign transaction fees associated with a Robinhood Gold Card?

No, there are no foreign transaction fees.

Will my credit be pulled when applying for a Robinhood Gold Card?

Robinhood doesn’t do a hard pull on your credit until you accept the card offer. 

What are the cash back perks and benefits of this card?

• Users can earn 3% cash back on all categories. That cash back can be transferred to brokerage accounts, which can go toward making investments like stock purchases.
• Users will have the ability to add up to five family members as cardholders to their account with every cardholder receiving their own card. 
• Cardholders can create and delete virtual cards for one-time purchases.
• The physical cards will be numberless so if they are lost or stolen, users won’t have to swap out all their card information. 

Is Robinhood Gold FDIC insured?

Robinhood offers up to $2.25 million in FDIC insurance through a network of partner banks.

Want more fintech news in your inbox? Sign up for TechCrunch Fintech here .

This post was originally published March 26 at 4 p.m. PT, and has been updated to include Robinhood’s stream and additional remarks.