The Best Rewards Credit Cards to Add to Your Wallet

Picture yourself on the balcony of a boutique hotel along the Amalfi Coast, the air rich with sea salt and lemon blossoms. The sun warms your shoulders as you take in the view. Best of all, your stay and first-class flight were paid for with points from a rewards credit card. This isn’t a dream. It’s the kind of experience made possible through the smart use of today’s most valuable credit cards.

In 2025, rewards credit cards are more than tools for earning points. They unlock curated travel experiences, lifestyle upgrades, and everyday savings on essentials like groceries and gas. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, a passionate foodie, or someone looking to stretch every dollar, there’s a card tailored to your needs. With expert insights from Bankrate, NerdWallet, and The Points Guy, this guide reveals the top rewards cards to consider adding to your wallet this year.

The Top Cards for Travel Rewards

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Best for: Entry-level travelers seeking top-tier rewards value

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is consistently recognized as one of the best all-around travel rewards cards. Why? Because it strikes a nearly perfect balance of rewards, value, and flexibility.

For a modest annual fee of $95, you receive a massive 100,000-point welcome bonus after spending $5,000 in the first three months. Those points are worth up to $1,250 when redeemed through Chase Travel. With 5X points on travel booked through the portal, 3X on dining, streaming, and online groceries, and 2X on all other travel purchases, this card is built for globe-trotters.

Even better, Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred 1:1 to a suite of top-tier airline and hotel partners including Hyatt, United Airlines, and British Airways. This transferability gives you the freedom to unlock international business-class flights, boutique hotel stays, or curated vacation packages.

Whether you are booking a romantic getaway or a solo backpacking tour, this card opens doors. Literally.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best for: Flat-rate travel rewards with strong transfer options

If simplicity is your love language, the Capital One Venture Rewards Card should be on your radar. It earns a straightforward 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, plus 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

This card features a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles, plus a $250 Capital One Travel credit after you spend $4,000 in the first three months. These miles can be redeemed for nearly any travel purchase or transferred to more than 15 airline and hotel partners.

It also includes valuable perks like rental car insurance and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. The $95 annual fee is modest, and there are no foreign transaction fees, making this an excellent card for international adventurers who want high return and low fuss.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Best for: Luxury travel and premium perks

The Platinum Card® from American Express is the crown jewel of luxury travel cards. While its $695 annual fee may appear high, the benefits make a compelling case. You earn 5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, and on prepaid hotel bookings made via the Amex portal.

The welcome offer stands at 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in six months. But the real value lies in the perks. You receive up to $1,500 in annual statement credits across Uber, airline incidental fees, streaming services, hotel bookings, CLEAR Plus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more.

Access to Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), and more than 1,400 Priority Pass lounges worldwide elevates your airport experience. Plus, cardholders enjoy Gold status with Hilton and Marriott and exclusive hotel benefits like room upgrades and complimentary breakfast. If you travel more than a couple of times per year and value comfort, this card could be a transformative investment.

Everyday Rewards and Lifestyle Benefits

American Express® Gold Card

Best for: Food lovers and frequent flyers

If your spending revolves around dining, groceries, and travel, Amex Gold is a powerhouse. You earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year), 3X on flights booked directly or via Amex Travel, and 1X on everything else.

The welcome bonus is 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in six months. You also receive up to $240 annually in credits: $10 per month in Uber Cash and $10 monthly dining credits with partners like Grubhub and Goldbelly.

At $325 per year, the fee is lower than the Platinum, but it packs excellent value. If you love to eat out, cook in, or travel for culinary experiences, this card can supercharge your points balance.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Best for: Families, homebodies, and streamers

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card is arguably the best cash-back card for families. It offers 6 percent back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year), 6 percent on select streaming services, 3 percent on U.S. gas stations and transit, and 1 percent on everything else.

New cardholders earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in six months. The annual fee is $0 for the first year, then $95 afterward. For those who spend big on groceries and media, this card delivers consistent value without requiring points strategy or redemption acrobatics.

Best Business and Freelance Cards

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Best for: Business owners who want strong rewards and protections

The Ink Business Preferred® Card earns 3X points on the first $150,000 spent annually in combined purchases on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and social media advertising. All other purchases earn 1X.

Its 90,000-point welcome bonus after $8,000 in spending is one of the largest in the business card world. For just $95 per year, you also gain robust protections like trip cancellation insurance, extended warranty coverage, and cellphone protection.

Pair it with a Chase Sapphire card, and you can pool your points for travel redemptions or 1:1 transfers. For entrepreneurs and digital nomads alike, this is a go-to business card.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Best for: Simplicity and cashback power for small business

The Ink Business Unlimited® Card offers unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on every purchase. It comes with a $750 bonus after spending $6,000 in three months, and a 0 percent introductory APR for 12 months on purchases.

There is no annual fee, making this a solid choice for freelancers or startups who want consistent rewards without complication.

Innovative and Unique Rewards Solutions

Bilt Mastercard®

Best for: Renters who want to earn points with every payment

The Bilt Mastercard® has carved out a niche by letting you earn 1X points on rent without paying transaction fees. You also earn 3X on dining, 2X on travel, and 1X on other purchases. On the first day of each month, called Rent Day, you earn double points in non-rent categories.

There is no annual fee, and points can be transferred to 18 travel partners including Hyatt and American Airlines. For renters looking to convert their largest monthly expense into future flights or hotel nights, Bilt is a revolutionary tool.

Simplicity and Cash Back Champions

Citi Double Cash® Card

Best for: No-nonsense rewards on all purchases

With the Citi Double Cash® Card, you earn 2 percent cash back on everything — 1 percent when you buy and 1 percent when you pay it off. There are no rotating categories, no annual fee, and no tricks.

If you want a straightforward cash-back experience with strong returns, this card is unmatched in ease and efficiency.

Discover it® Cash Back

Best for: High earners in rotating bonus categories

This card earns 5 percent cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 per quarter with activation) and 1 percent on all other purchases. Discover also offers a unique Cashback Match for your first year, effectively doubling your rewards.

Past categories have included grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and Amazon. For users who are willing to track their spending windows, the value is exceptional.

Final Thoughts

In a world where every swipe can bring you closer to a dream vacation, gourmet dinner, or upgraded hotel suite, rewards credit cards offer more than financial tools. They are lifestyle enhancers, experience makers, and smart companions for the mindful spender.

Whether you are building a dream trip, saving money on everyday essentials, or stacking points for a five-star future, the right card can make all the difference. With insights from the leading credit experts and careful strategy, you can turn every dollar into an opportunity.

Add the right card to your wallet, and the world becomes a lot more accessible.