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Interest free period
Annual fees
Benefits
Network
Product Statistics
A complete breakdown of all data points across the products in this comparison to help you make the right decision.
Cash back
5 (71.4%)
Rewards
5 (71.4%)
Secured
3 (42.9%)
Personal
7 (100%)
Balance transfer
1 (14.3%)
Annual fee
$0 - $35 ($5.83)
APR range
14.99% - 29.99% (24.62%)
Interest free period
21 - 25 (23.57)
Base reward rate
1% - 2% (1.5%)
Extended warranty
1 (14.3%)
Minimum age
18 - 18 (18)
Statistics based on 7 Credit cards products in our database.
CompanyLowestHighest
Upgrade14.99%29.99%
Citi17.49%27.49%
Capital One18.49%28.49%
OpenSky23.89%23.89%
Chase18.24%27.74%
Capital One29.74%29.74%
Discover27.24%27.24%
APR range
See how rates compare across all providers. The bars show the range between lowest and highest rates offered by each company.
Historical Best rewards credit cards Interest Rates
Average rates tracked monthly across 1 providers
Average rates tracked monthly across 1 providers
Average
Lowest
Highest
Aug 2025
21.31%
15.25%
26.31%
Sep 2025
21.65%
15.32%
26.65%
Oct 2025
21.88%
15.37%
26.88%
Nov 2025
21.94%
15.38%
26.94%
Dec 2025
21.77%
15.35%
26.77%
Jan 2026
21.4%
15.27%
26.4%
Feb 2026
20.87%
15.17%
25.87%
Mar 2026
20.28%
15.05%
25.28%
Apr 2026
19.73%
14.94%
24.73%
May 2026
19.32%
14.86%
24.32%
Jun 2026
19.11%
14.81%
24.11%
Jul 2026
19.13%
14.82%
24.13%
Aug 2026
19.99%
14.99%
24.99%
Current Average19.99%↑ 0.86pp
Lowest Available14.99%
Highest Available24.99%
Providers Tracked1
Financer's Choice
Top Rated
Upgrade
APRs range from 7.74% to 35.99%. Origination fees of 1.85% to 9.99% are deducted upfront, which is higher than average. No prepayment penalties. Checking account holders receive up to 20% rate discounts.
Support available by phone and email with generally prompt responses. No live chat option. Customer service reps are knowledgeable about loan terms and the application process.
Repayment terms of 24-84 months with transparent fee disclosures. Joint applications and secured loan options add flexibility. Lowest rates require Autopay and direct creditor payments.
A+ BBB rating. Users praise the fast application and quick funding. Some complaints about credit line decreases and account closures. Overall, the majority report positive experiences.
Get exclusive conditions from the best financial companies
Whether you're looking for cash back, travel miles, or points, finding the right rewards credit card can significantly boost your financial benefits. With the average American holding 4.1 credit cards and rewards programs driving most new card applications, choosing the right card has never been more important.
Remember to compare offers, read the fine print, and choose a card that aligns with your spending habits and financial goals.
What Is a Rewards Credit Card?
A rewards credit card is a type of credit card that offers incentives for your spending. These rewards typically come in the form of cash back, points, or miles. Every time you make a purchase with your rewards card, you earn a percentage back based on the card's reward structure.
While rewards cards function like standard credit cards in terms of credit limits, interest charges, and monthly payments, they provide additional value through their rewards programs. This added benefit can translate into significant savings or enhanced purchasing power over time.
Types of Credit Card Rewards
Credit card rewards generally fall into three main categories:
Cash Back
Points
Miles
Credit card rewards generally fall into three main categories:
1. Cash Back Rewards
Cash back rewards are straightforward and flexible. You earn a percentage of your purchases back as cash, which can typically be redeemed as a statement credit, direct deposit, or check. Base cash back cards offer 1%, flat-rate cards provide 1.5-2%, and bonus category cards can earn 3-5%.
Popular cash back cards in 2026:
Citi Double Cash Card: 2% on all purchases (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay), $0 annual fee
Chase Freedom Flex: 5% on rotating categories (capped at $1,500/quarter), 3% on dining and drugstores, $0 annual fee
Discover it Cash Back: 5% on rotating categories with first-year cashback match, $0 annual fee
2. Points Rewards
Points-based rewards allow you to earn points for every dollar spent. These points can often be redeemed for a variety of options, including travel, gift cards, merchandise, or cash back. The key advantage is flexibility: points typically offer 1 cent baseline value but can be worth 2+ cents when transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Top points rewards cards include:
Chase Sapphire Reserve: 3X on travel and dining, 10X on hotels and 5X on flights booked through Chase Travel, $795 annual fee
American Express Gold Card: 4X on dining (up to $50,000/yr) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/yr), $325 annual fee
Capital One Venture X: 2X on all purchases, 10X on hotels and rental cars and 5X on flights through Capital One Travel, $395 annual fee
3. Miles Rewards
Miles rewards are typically geared towards frequent travelers. These cards allow you to earn miles that can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and other travel expenses. Co-branded airline cards often provide additional perks like priority boarding and free checked bags.
Top travel rewards cards in 2026:
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Ultimate Rewards transferable to 14+ airline and hotel partners
American Express Platinum: 5X on flights booked directly or through Amex Travel, $895 annual fee with over $1,400 in annual statement credits
Capital One Venture X: No foreign transaction fees, 10,000 bonus miles on each anniversary
Understanding Annual Fees and Statement Credits
Premium rewards cards now justify high annual fees through extensive statement credits and perks. The Chase Sapphire Reserve ($795 annual fee) offers over $2,700 in annual cardmember value, including:
$300 annual travel credit through Chase Travel
Two $250 credits per year for The Edit (Chase's luxury hotel portal)
$300 annual StubHub credit ($150 per half-year)
Up to $250 annually for Apple TV and Apple Music subscriptions
Loyalty status and $500 Southwest Airlines credit after $120,000 annual spend
The American Express Platinum ($895 annual fee) provides over $1,400 in annual credits including:
$200 annual airline fee credit
$200 annual Uber credit plus Uber One membership
$400 Resy dining credit
$600 in luxury hotel credits
$300 in digital entertainment credits
$200 Oura Ring credit
$100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit
Access to 1,550+ airport lounges worldwide
With annual fees for premium cards continuing to rise, the key question is whether you will actually use enough of the credits to justify the cost.
Flat Vs. Tiered Rewards Structures
Rewards credit cards typically offer either a flat-rate or a tiered rewards structure:
Flat-rate rewards: Offer the same reward rate on all purchases
Tiered rewards: Provide higher rewards in specific spending categories
Flat-rate cards, like the Citi Double Cash Card, are simple to use and beneficial for those with varied spending habits. Tiered rewards cards, such as the American Express Gold Card, can offer higher rewards in specific categories, making them ideal for those who spend heavily in particular areas.
Understanding Spending Caps: Many tiered cards have category spending limits that cap your bonus earnings:
Chase Freedom Flex: 5% on $1,500/quarter in rotating categories ($300/year maximum bonus)
Discover it Cash Back: 5% on $1,500/quarter in rotating categories ($300/year maximum bonus)
Amex Gold: 4X points on first $50,000/year at restaurants, first $25,000/year at U.S. supermarkets (then 1X)
Blue Cash Preferred: 6% on first $6,000/year at U.S. supermarkets (then 1%)
Best Rewards Credit Cards With No Annual Fee
You don't need to pay an annual fee to earn solid rewards. Several no-annual-fee cards offer competitive earning rates that work well for everyday spending:
Citi Double Cash Card: 2% cash back on all purchases (1% at purchase + 1% when you pay). No categories to track, no activation required.
Chase Freedom Unlimited: 1.5% on all purchases, plus 3% on dining and drugstores, and 5% on travel booked through Chase Travel.
Chase Freedom Flex: 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in rotating quarterly categories (activation required), 3% on dining and drugstores.
Discover it Cash Back: 5% on rotating categories (up to $1,500/quarter), plus a first-year cashback match that effectively doubles your rewards.
Capital One SavorOne: 3% on dining, entertainment, streaming, and grocery stores.
For most people, a strong no-annual-fee card paired with one or two category-specific cards provides the best overall value without the pressure of justifying an annual fee through credits and perks.
Rewards credit cards earn you cash back, points, or miles on every purchase. The amount depends on the card's reward structure. Flat-rate cards like the Citi Double Cash earn 2% on everything, while category cards like the Chase Freedom Flex earn 5% in rotating categories. You can redeem rewards as statement credits, direct deposits, travel bookings, gift cards, or merchandise.
What is the most rewarding credit card?
The most rewarding credit card depends on your spending habits. For dining and groceries, the American Express Gold Card earns 4X points in both categories. For flat-rate simplicity, the Citi Double Cash Card gives 2% on everything with no annual fee. For travel, the Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3X on travel and dining plus up to 10X through Chase Travel. Premium cards with high annual fees tend to offer the most total value if you use their credits.
What free credit card has the best rewards?
The Citi Double Cash Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited are among the best no-annual-fee rewards cards. The Citi Double Cash earns a flat 2% on all purchases. The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5% on everything plus 3% on dining and drugstores. The Discover it Cash Back is also strong because it matches all cash back earned in your first year, effectively doubling your rewards.
Are there any drawbacks to rewards credit cards?
Yes. Rewards cards often come with higher interest rates (averaging 17-22% APR depending on creditworthiness) and some carry annual fees. Overspending to earn rewards is a common trap. If you carry a balance, the interest charges will almost always exceed the value of rewards earned. Annual fee cards only make sense if you actually use the statement credits and perks they offer.
What credit score do I need for a rewards credit card?
Most rewards credit cards require good to excellent credit. Premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum typically need FICO scores of 740 or higher. Standard rewards cards generally require 670+. For those with fair credit (580-669), the Discover it Cash Back and Capital One QuicksilverOne are accessible options. Secured credit cards are available for those still building credit.
How can I redeem my credit card rewards?
Redemption options vary by card but commonly include statement credits, direct deposits, travel bookings, gift cards, and merchandise. Some programs let you transfer points to airline and hotel partners, which often provides the best value per point. Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, and Capital One miles all offer transfer partnerships with major travel loyalty programs.
Which credit card gives the best reward points?
For pure points earning, the American Express Gold Card leads with 4X on dining and U.S. supermarkets. The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3X on travel and dining, with points worth 50% more when redeemed through Chase Travel. The Capital One Venture X earns 2X on all purchases plus 10X on hotels and 5X on flights through Capital One Travel. The best choice depends on where you spend the most.
Do rewards expire?
Most major rewards programs (Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One, Citi ThankYou, Discover) never expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. However, co-branded airline and hotel cards follow their loyalty program rules, which may require account activity within 12-24 months to keep points active.
Should I pay an annual fee for a rewards card?
It depends on your spending habits and how you use the card's benefits. Premium cards now offer extensive statement credits that can offset annual fees. The Chase Sapphire Reserve ($795/year) provides over $2,700 in annual value, while the Capital One Venture X ($395/year) includes a $300 travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles. Run the math on credits you will actually use before committing to a fee card.
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