Rewards cards, ranked and reviewed

Who it suits

Frequent flyers who use lounges, book premium hotels and would spend at several of the credit partners anyway. Pair it with a card that earns on dining and groceries.

Earns · Amex Membership Rewards

• 5x on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel (up to $500,000 a year)
• 5x on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Up to $600 a year on Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection ($300 twice a year)
• Up to $400 at Resy restaurants ($100 a quarter)
• Up to $300 digital entertainment, $300 lululemon, $300 Equinox, $200 Uber Cash, $200 airline fees, $219 CLEAR+, $200 Oura, $155 Walmart+, $120 Uber One
• Centurion, Priority Pass and 10 Delta Sky Club visits a year on Delta flights

Who it suits

Frequent travelers who already use The Edit, StubHub and the dining credit, and who value lounge access for a companion.

Earns · Chase Ultimate Rewards

• 8x on Chase Travel
• 4x on flights and hotels booked directly
• 3x on dining
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• $300 annual travel credit
• Up to $500 a year on The Edit hotels ($250 per booking, two-night minimum)
• Up to $300 dining at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables, $300 StubHub, Apple TV and Apple Music
• Sapphire Lounges and Priority Pass with two guests

Fee note: $195 per authorized user

Who it suits

People who want one premium card with lounge access at a fee well below Amex and Chase, and who don't want to track categories.

Earns · Capital One Miles

• 10x on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel
• 5x on flights and vacation rentals through Capital One Travel
• 2x on everything else

Worth knowing

• $300 a year toward bookings through Capital One Travel
• 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
• Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass for the primary cardholder

Who it suits

Renters and homeowners with large everyday spending who want one premium card for everything, rent included.

Earns · Bilt Points

• 2x on everyday purchases
• Up to 5x at Bilt partner restaurants
• 4x on hotels and 3x on flights booked on Bilt Travel
• 4x on Lyft (linked accounts)
• Up to 1.25x on rent and mortgage with no transaction fee (the rate depends on everyday card spend relative to the housing payment)

Worth knowing

• $400 Bilt Travel hotel credit ($200 twice a year)
• $200 of Bilt Cash a year (up to $100 rolls over)
• Priority Pass
• No foreign transaction fees
• Issued by Column N.A., a U.S. bank; Bilt runs the rewards program

Who it suits

People who want simple, transferable travel miles without a premium fee.

Earns · Capital One Miles

• 5x on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars through Capital One Travel
• 2x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• $50 experience credit on Lifestyle Collection stays
• Hertz Five Star status

Who it suits

The first serious travel card for most people. Low enough in fee to keep for years, and the points open the Hyatt transfer that makes Chase points worth more than their cash value.

Earns · Chase Ultimate Rewards

• 5x on Chase Travel
• 3x on dining
• 3x on gas stations and EV charging
• 3x on select streaming and online grocery
• 2x on other travel
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Up to $100 a year toward hotels booked through Chase Travel
• Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS credit every four years
• DashPass for 12 months; Apple TV for a year (activate by Dec 31, 2026)

Who it suits

Households that spend heavily on restaurants and groceries and want transferable points rather than cash back.

Earns · Amex Membership Rewards

• 4x at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 a year)
• 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 a year)
• 5x on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel
• 3x on flights booked directly or through Amex Travel
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Up to $120 a year in dining credits ($10 a month at Grubhub, Five Guys and others)
• Up to $120 Uber Cash ($10 a month)
• Up to $100 at Resy restaurants ($50 twice a year)
• Up to $84 at Dunkin' ($7 a month)

Who it suits

People who want broad 3x earning and access to American Airlines miles via transfer.

Earns · Citi ThankYou Points

• 10x on hotels, car rentals and attractions through Citi Travel
• 3x on air travel and other hotels
• 3x at restaurants, supermarkets and gas or EV charging
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• $100 off a hotel stay of $500 or more through Citi Travel, once a year
• No foreign transaction fees

Who it suits

Renters who spend heavily on dining or groceries.

Earns · Bilt Points

• 3x on dining or groceries (your choice; groceries up to $25,000 a year)
• Up to 6x at Bilt partner restaurants
• 4x on hotels and 3x on flights booked on Bilt Travel
• 3x on Lyft (linked accounts); 2x on other travel
• 1x on everything else
• Up to 1.25x on rent and mortgage with no transaction fee (the rate depends on everyday card spend relative to the housing payment)

Worth knowing

• $100 Bilt Travel hotel credit ($50 twice a year)
• Trip delay insurance
• No foreign transaction fees
• Issued by Column N.A., a U.S. bank; Bilt runs the rewards program

Who it suits

Sapphire holders who want a no-fee card for everything the Sapphire doesn't reward well.

Earns · Chase Ultimate Rewards (as cash back)

• 5% on Chase Travel
• 3% on dining and drugstores
• 1.5% on everything else

Worth knowing

• No annual fee

Who it suits

Prime households that buy a meaningful amount on Amazon or at Whole Foods.

Earns · Amazon cash back

• 5% at Amazon, Audible, Whole Foods and Chase Travel
• 2% at gas stations, restaurants and local transit
• 1% on everything else

Worth knowing

• No annual card fee

Fee note: requires an eligible Prime membership

Who it suits

Anyone who wants strong food and entertainment rewards without paying a fee.

Earns · Cash back

• 5% on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars through Capital One Travel
• 3% at grocery stores, on dining, entertainment and popular streaming
• 1% on everything else

Worth knowing

• No foreign transaction fees

Who it suits

People who want one simple no-fee card to travel with.

Earns · Cash back

• 1.5% on everything

Worth knowing

• No annual fee

Who it suits

Organised spenders who will activate and follow the quarterly categories.

Earns · Chase Ultimate Rewards (as cash back)

• 5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 a quarter, activation required)
• 5% on Chase Travel
• 3% on dining and drugstores
• 1% on everything else

Worth knowing

• No foreign transaction fee

Who it suits

People who want no-fee cash back on groceries, gas and online shopping.

Earns · Cash back

• 3% at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online retail and U.S. gas stations (each up to $6,000 a year)
• 1% on everything else

Worth knowing

• Up to $84 a year Disney streaming credit ($7 a month)

Who it suits

Families with a large grocery bill who prefer cash to points.

Earns · Cash back

• 6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 a year)
• 6% on select U.S. streaming
• 3% on transit and U.S. gas stations
• 1% on everything else

Worth knowing

• Up to $120 a year Disney streaming credit ($10 a month)

Who it suits

Renters who want points on rent without paying a fee.

Earns · Bilt Points

• Up to 4x at Bilt partner restaurants
• 3x on hotels and 2x on flights booked on Bilt Travel
• 3x on Lyft (linked accounts)
• 1x on everything else
• Up to 1.25x on rent and mortgage with no transaction fee (the rate depends on everyday card spend relative to the housing payment)

Worth knowing

• Cell phone protection
• No foreign transaction fees
• Issued by Column N.A., a U.S. bank; Bilt runs the rewards program

Who it suits

Occasional Delta flyers who check bags.

Earns · Delta SkyMiles

• 2x on Delta purchases
• 2x at U.S. restaurants and supermarkets
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• First checked bag free, and a second bag free on domestic Delta flights
• 15% off Delta award flights
• $200 Delta flight credit after $10,000 spend a year; $100 Delta Stays credit; $120 rideshare credit from the first renewal

Who it suits

Delta flyers chasing Medallion status who will use the companion fare.

Earns · Delta SkyMiles

• 3x on Delta purchases and hotels booked directly
• 2x at U.S. restaurants and supermarkets
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Annual Companion Certificate for a domestic Main Cabin round trip
• $2,500 MQD Headstart toward Medallion status
• $120 rideshare and $120 Resy credits

Who it suits

Delta frequent flyers who want lounge access and status.

Earns · Delta SkyMiles

• 3x on Delta purchases
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• 15 Delta Sky Club visits a year (unlimited after $75,000 spend)
• Annual Companion Certificate including First Class
• Centurion Lounge access on Delta flights
• $240 Resy credit

Who it suits

Anyone who flies United a few times a year.

Earns · United MileagePlus

• Up to 9x total on United flights (6x from MileagePlus plus 3x from the card)
• 3x on other United purchases
• 2x on dining and hotels booked directly
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• First checked bag free for the cardholder and one companion
• Two United Club passes a year
• Up to $500+ in partner credits (hotels, rideshare, Instacart, JSX, Avis)

Who it suits

Frequent United flyers who check bags and want status progress.

Earns · United MileagePlus

• Up to 10x total on United flights (4x from the card)
• 2x on other travel, dining and select streaming
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• $200 United TravelBank cash each year
• First and second checked bags free for two
• 10,000-mile award discount each anniversary; 1,000 bonus PQP a year

Who it suits

Southwest flyers who want the bag benefit at the lowest fee.

Earns · Southwest Rapid Rewards

• 2x on Southwest purchases
• 2x at gas stations and grocery stores (first $5,000 a year)
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• 3,000 points every anniversary
• First checked bag free for up to 9 travelers on the reservation
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each year

Who it suits

Frequent Southwest flyers who value seat selection.

Earns · Southwest Rapid Rewards

• 4x on Southwest purchases
• 2x at gas stations and restaurants
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• 7,500 points every anniversary
• Preferred seat at booking and Extra Legroom upgrades within 48 hours
• First checked bag free; 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points a year

Who it suits

Occasional American Airlines flyers, especially families.

Earns · American Airlines AAdvantage

• 2x on American Airlines purchases
• 2x at restaurants and gas stations
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• First checked bag free on domestic American itineraries for up to 5 travelers
• Preferred boarding
• Loyalty Points toward AAdvantage status on every mile earned

Who it suits

Marriott regulars who will use the annual free night.

Earns · Marriott Bonvoy

• Up to 17x at Marriott hotels (6x from the card)
• 3x on grocery, gas and dining (first $6,000 a year), then 2x
• 2x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Annual Free Night Award up to 35,000 points
• Silver Elite status and 15 Elite Night Credits a year

Who it suits

Marriott loyalists who want Platinum status without 50 nights a year.

Earns · Marriott Bonvoy

• 6x at Marriott hotels
• 3x at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly
• 2x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Annual Free Night Award up to 85,000 points
• Up to $300 a year dining credit ($25 a month)
• Platinum Elite status

Who it suits

Occasional Hilton guests who want a no-fee card tied to the program.

Earns · Hilton Honors

• 7x at Hilton hotels
• 5x at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations
• 3x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Hilton Silver status
• No foreign transaction fees

Who it suits

Regular Hilton guests who want Gold status and a free night.

Earns · Hilton Honors

• 12x at Hilton hotels
• 6x at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations
• 4x on U.S. online retail
• 3x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Hilton Gold status
• Up to $200 a year Hilton credit ($50 a quarter)
• Free Night Reward after $15,000 spend a year

Who it suits

Hilton loyalists who travel to resorts and want Diamond status.

Earns · Hilton Honors

• 14x at Hilton hotels
• 7x on flights booked directly or through Amex Travel, select car rentals and U.S. restaurants
• 3x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Hilton Diamond status
• Annual Free Night Reward
• Up to $400 a year at Hilton resorts, $200 flight credit, $219 CLEAR+

Who it suits

Anyone who stays at Hyatt even once or twice a year.

Earns · World of Hyatt

• Up to 9x at Hyatt (4x from the card)
• 2x at restaurants, on airline tickets bought directly, local transit and gym memberships
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Annual Category 1–4 free night, plus a second after $15,000 spend
• Discoverist status, 5 qualifying nights a year and 2 more per $5,000 spent

Who it suits

IHG guests who will use the annual free night and fourth-night-free.

Earns · IHG One Rewards

• Up to 24x at IHG hotels (10x from the card)
• 5x on direct airline tickets, car rentals, dining, grocery and gas
• 3x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Anniversary free night up to 50,000 points
• Gold Elite status, and Platinum Elite after $15,000 of spending a year
• Fourth night free on award stays; up to $100 a year in IHG food and beverage vouchers ($25 a quarter)

Who it suits

Frequent business travelers who would use the Dell, Indeed, Adobe or ChatGPT credits anyway.

Earns · Amex Membership Rewards

• 5x on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel
• 2x on electronics, software, shipping and construction suppliers
• 2x on purchases of $5,000 or more
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• $3,399 a year in credits at face value
• Centurion, Priority Pass and Delta Sky Club access
• Welcome offer as high as 300,000 points

Who it suits

Frequent business travelers who will use lounges and the travel credit.

Earns · Chase Ultimate Rewards

• 8x through Chase Travel
• 4x on flights and hotels booked directly
• 3x on social media and search engine ads
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• $300 travel credit, used automatically
• $200 Google Workspace credit
• $400 ZipRecruiter and $500 The Edit credits for some
• Welcome offer about $4,100 at TPG’s value

Who it suits

Businesses with large, varied spending that book some travel through Capital One.

Earns · Capital One miles

• 10x on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Business Travel
• 5x on flights and vacation rentals through Capital One Business Travel
• 2x on everything else

Worth knowing

• $300 Capital One Business Travel credit each year
• 10,000 anniversary miles each year
• Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass for the cardholder
• Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit

Who it suits

Businesses spending on ads, shipping, phones and travel.

Earns · Chase Ultimate Rewards

• 3x on advertising, shipping, internet and phone, and travel
• Up to $150,000 combined a year
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Welcome offer about $2,050 at TPG’s value
• $1,000 a month in 3x categories is about $738 a year
• Makes Ink Cash and Unlimited points transferable

Who it suits

Businesses whose biggest bills are advertising, software or meals.

Earns · Amex Membership Rewards

• 4x on the top 2 of 6 categories each billing cycle
• 3x on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• $240 credit on UPS.com, office supplies or Grubhub
• $300 ChatGPT Business and $150 Squarespace credits
• Welcome offer as high as 200,000 points

Who it suits

Small businesses that want 2x transferable miles for a modest fee.

Earns · Capital One miles

• 5x on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars through Capital One Business Travel
• 2x on everything else

Worth knowing

• $50 Capital One Business Travel credit each year
• $50 software and advertising credit each year
• Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit

Who it suits

Businesses that want transferable points on everyday spending without tracking categories.

Earns · Amex Membership Rewards

• 2x on the first $50,000 a year
• 2x on Amex Travel bookings
• 1x after $50,000

Worth knowing

• $50,000 a year earns 100,000 points, about $2,000 at TPG’s value
• No fee to earn back

Who it suits

Businesses with steady phone, internet and office supply bills.

Earns · Chase Ultimate Rewards

• 5x at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone
• 2x on gas and dining
• Each on the first $25,000 combined a year
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Welcome offer $750, or about $1,538 transferred at TPG’s value
• Up to 125,000 points a year at 5x
• No fee to repay

Who it suits

Businesses wanting one simple card for unbonused spending.

Earns · Chase Ultimate Rewards

• 1.5x on every purchase, no cap
• 5x on Lyft through September 2027

Worth knowing

• Welcome offer $750, or about $1,538 transferred at TPG’s value
• About 3.1¢ per dollar beside an Ink Preferred
• No fee to repay

Who it suits

Businesses that want transferable miles without a fee.

Earns · Capital One miles

• 5x on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Business Travel
• 1.5x on everything else

Worth knowing

• 50,000-mile welcome offer
• Transfers to 22 airline and hotel programs
• Primary rental car cover on business rentals

Who it suits

Businesses that want a charge card and book travel through Amex Travel.

Earns · Amex Membership Rewards

• 2x on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• 15,000-point welcome offer, about $300 at TPG’s value
• The fee equals the value of points on $4,750 of spending

Who it suits

Businesses that fly Delta a few times a year and check bags.

Earns · Delta SkyMiles

• 2x on Delta purchases
• 2x at restaurants worldwide
• 2x on U.S. advertising and shipping (first $50,000 each a year)
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• First checked bag free; second bag free on U.S. Delta flights for the cardholder
• 15% off Delta award flights
• $200 Delta flight credit after $10,000 spend a year
• $150 Delta Stays credit; $120 rideshare credit from year two

Who it suits

Business owners who fly Delta often, with a companion, and want Medallion status.

Earns · Delta SkyMiles

• 3x on Delta purchases
• 3x on hotels booked directly
• 1.5x on transit, U.S. shipping and purchases of $5,000+ (first $100,000 a year)
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Delta Main Companion Certificate after each renewal
• First bag free; second bag free on U.S. Delta flights for the cardholder
• $200 Delta Stays, $120 Resy and $120 rideshare credits

Who it suits

Businesses that fly Delta most months and want lounges and status.

Earns · Delta SkyMiles

• 3x on Delta purchases
• 1.5x on transit, U.S. shipping and U.S. office supply stores
• 1.5x on everything after $150,000 a year
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• 15 Sky Club visits a year, unlimited after $75,000 spend
• Companion Certificate in First, Comfort or Main after each renewal
• $250 Delta Stays, $240 Resy and $120 rideshare credits
• First bag free; second bag free on U.S. Delta flights for the cardholder

Who it suits

Businesses that fly United a few times a year.

Earns · United MileagePlus miles

• Up to 8x total on United flights (6x from MileagePlus plus 2x from the card)
• 2x on other United purchases
• 2x on dining, gas, office supply stores and local transit
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• First checked bag free for the cardholder and one companion
• Two United Club passes a year
• Over $600 in partner credits (United, hotels, rideshare, Instacart, JSX, Avis, FareLock)
• 5,000 miles each anniversary with a personal United card too

Who it suits

Frequent United flyers who would pay for Club access anyway.

Earns · United MileagePlus miles

• Up to 8x total on United flights (6x from MileagePlus plus 2x from the card)
• 5x on Renowned Hotels and Resorts stays
• 2x on other United purchases
• 1.5x on everything else

Worth knowing

• United Club membership for the cardholder and a guest
• First and second bags free for the cardholder and one companion
• Over $925 in partner credits (Instacart, Renowned Hotels, JSX, rideshare, Avis, FareLock)
• Up to 28,000 Premier qualifying points a year from spending

Who it suits

Businesses that fly Southwest a few times a year.

Earns · Southwest Rapid Rewards points

• 3x on Southwest purchases
• 2x on gas and restaurants (first $8,000 a year combined)
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• First bag free for up to 9 on one reservation
• 6,000 anniversary points a year
• 15% flight discount code each anniversary
• Group 5 boarding

Who it suits

Frequent Southwest flyers who want better seats.

Earns · Southwest Rapid Rewards points

• 4x on Southwest purchases
• 2x on hotels booked directly, gas, restaurants and local transit
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Preferred seat at booking and Extra Legroom upgrades within 48 hours
• First bag free for up to 9 on one reservation
• 9,000 anniversary points a year
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit every 4 years

Who it suits

Small teams that fly American domestically and check bags.

Earns · American AAdvantage miles

• 2x on American Airlines purchases
• 2x on telecom, cable and satellite, car rentals and gas
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• First checked bag free on domestic American itineraries
• Companion certificate after $30,000 a year
• 1 Loyalty Point per $1 for each cardholder

Who it suits

Business owners who stay at Marriott and will use the annual free night.

Earns · Marriott Bonvoy points

• Up to 18.5x total at Marriott hotels (6x from the card)
• 4x at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, U.S. wireless phone service and U.S. shipping
• 2x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Free night up to 35,000 points after each renewal
• Second free night after $60,000 spend a year
• Gold Elite status and 15 Elite Night Credits
• 7% off room rates booked directly

Who it suits

Hilton-loyal businesses that put most spending on one card.

Earns · Hilton Honors points

• 12x at Hilton hotels
• 5x on everything else (first $100,000 a year)
• 3x after $100,000

Worth knowing

• Hilton Gold status
• Diamond status after $40,000 spend a year
• Up to $240 a year Hilton credit ($60 a quarter)

Who it suits

Businesses with heavy spending in a few categories.

Earns · World of Hyatt points

• Up to 9x total at Hyatt (4x from the card)
• 2x on the top three of eight business categories each quarter
• 2x on gyms and fitness clubs
• 1x on everything else

Worth knowing

• $100 Hyatt credit a year
• Discoverist status, plus five upgrades to gift to employees
• 5 night credits per $10,000 spent
• 10% of points back after $50,000 a year

Who it suits

Business travelers who stay at IHG hotels.

Earns · IHG One Rewards points

• Up to 26x total at IHG hotels (10x from the card)
• 5x on dining, gas, social and search advertising, flights booked directly and car rentals
• 5x on other travel and office supplies through 2026
• 3x on everything else

Worth knowing

• Anniversary free night up to 50,000 points
• Platinum Elite and 15 Elite Night Credits a year
• Second free night after $60,000 a year
• Airline, Expensify and quarterly food and beverage credits