Best Rewards Credit Card

Credit card rewards differ greatly. They are issued by different companies, are accrued in different forms and can be redeemed in different ways for different things. However, the best rewards credit cards all have one thing in common: they provide better rewards than the standard programs offering one point/mile per dollar spent or 1% cash back. While, the majority of the best rewards credit cards require excellent credit for approval, it's not a prerequisite and options with less stringent requirements do exist, though they are likely to be limited in both number and associated benefit. Read more about our Editor's Picks for the Best Rewards Credit Card.

best rewards credit card

More Options? Compare All Rewards Credit Cards

Up-to-date as of: Feb 8, 2012

Best Rewards Credit Card for Excellent Credit Excellent Credit
Capital One® VentureSM Rewards Credit Card

Credit Card Application for Venture Offer Apply Now

  • Annual Fee: $0 for 1st yr, $59 after
  • Rewards: Miles - Any Airline
    • Initial Bonus: 10,000 miles
    • Base Earn: 2 miles / $1
    • Max Earn: 2 miles / $1
  • Learn More
 
Chase SapphireSM Preferred Card

Credit Cards from Chase Preferred Apply Now

  • Annual Fee: None 1st yr, $95 after
  • Rewards: Points - Generic
    • Initial Bonus: 50,000 points
    • Base Earn: 1 point / $1
    • Max Earn: 2 points / $1
  • Learn More
 
Capital One® VentureOneSM Rewards Credit Card

Credit Card Application from Capital One Apply Now

  • Annual Fee: None
  • Rewards: Miles - Any Airline
    • Initial Bonus: 10,000 miles
    • Base Earn: 1.25 miles / $1
    • Max Earn: 1.25 miles / $1
  • Learn More
Best Rewards Credit Card for Good Credit Good Credit
Capital One® VentureOneSM Rewards Credit Card

Credit Card Application from Capital One Apply Now

  • Annual Fee: None
  • Rewards: Miles - Any Airline
    • Initial Bonus: 10,000 miles
    • Base Earn: 1.25 miles / $1
    • Max Earn: 1.25 miles / $1
  • Learn More
 
Capital One® VentureSM Rewards Credit Card

Credit Card Application for Venture Offer Apply Now

  • Annual Fee: $0 for 1st yr, $59 after
  • Rewards: Miles - Any Airline
    • Initial Bonus: 10,000 miles
    • Base Earn: 2 miles / $1
    • Max Earn: 2 miles / $1
  • Learn More
Best Rewards Credit Card for Fair Credit Fair Credit
Capital One® No Hassle CashSM Rewards Credit Card

Cash Back Credit Card from Capital One Apply Now

  • Annual Fee: $39
  • Rewards: Cash Back - Extra on Gas
    • Initial Bonus: None
    • Base Earn: 1%
    • Max Earn: 2%
  • Learn More
 
Capital One® Cash Rewards for Newcomers

Starter Credit Cards for People with No Credit Apply Now

  • Annual Fee: None
  • Rewards: Cash Back
    • Initial Bonus: None
    • Base Earn: 1%
    • Max Earn: 2%
  • Learn More
Best Rewards Credit Card for Limited History Limited History
College Students
Citi Forward® Card for College Students

citi forward card for college students Apply Now

  • Annual Fee: None
  • Rewards: Points - Generic
    • Initial Bonus: 1,000 points
    • Base Earn: 1 point / $1
    • Max Earn: 5 points / $1
  • Learn More
Non-College Students
Capital One® Cash Rewards for Newcomers

Starter Credit Cards for People with No Credit Apply Now

  • Annual Fee: None
  • Rewards: Cash Back
    • Initial Bonus: None
    • Base Earn: 1%
    • Max Earn: 2%
  • Learn More
 
Capital One® No Hassle CashSM Rewards Credit Card

Cash Back Credit Card from Capital One Apply Now

  • Annual Fee: $39
  • Rewards: Cash Back - Extra on Gas
    • Initial Bonus: None
    • Base Earn: 1%
    • Max Earn: 2%
  • Learn More
Best Rewards Credit Card for Bad Credit Bad Credit
Secured Card

Unfortunately, there are no rewards credit cards for people with bad credit. Below is the best secured credit card for people with bad credit.

Orchard Bank® Secured MasterCard

secured credit card orchard Apply Now

  • Min Deposit: $200
  • Annual Fee: None 1st yr, $35 after
  • Monthly Fee: None
  • One-time Setup Fees: None
  • Regular Rate: 7.99% (V)
  • Learn More
Learn more about the Best Rewards Credit Card

How are the best reward credit cards selected?
The main criterion that our editors used to pick these products is the amount of rewards (i.e. airline miles, points, cash back, etc.) offered. The best rewards credit cards typically set themselves apart from the pack with one or more of the following features: a significant initial rewards bonus, a high points/miles/cash back earning rate on all purchases and/or extra rewards on certain spending categories.

What is the correlation between credit standing and rewards credit cards?
The lower your credit score, the fewer the options available to you in terms of rewards credit cards as it is only natural that the best credit card rewards programs be found on the cards with the highest credit lines. In addition, it's actually the norm for credit cards geared toward people who have not yet reached good credit standing (FICO score > 660) not to have rewards, so products that do provide such benefits really stand out. However, as rewards credit cards for people with fair or limited credit typically bring high annual fees with them, you should think carefully and evaluate the overall benefit of such a card before opening it.

How do I know what kind of rewards to get?
The best credit card rewards complement your lifestyle. Therefore, before picking a rewards credit card you must evaluate your spending and pinpoint your main expenses (e.g. travel, gas, groceries). The best reward credit card will be the option that provides the most lucrative savings in these areas. If no one spending category sticks out, the best credit card rewards program will be the one that provides the most cash back on all purchases.

Can I have more than one rewards credit card?
Depending on your credit level and monthly spending, having more than one rewards card might be advisable. According to the Card Hub Island Approach, consumers with excellent credit who spend at least $1,000/month should segment their rewards (i.e. open the best rewards credit card for each of their main spending categories) in order to garner the greatest possible savings. If, for example, your main expenses are gas and airfare, the most lucrative rewards will not come from a single general rewards card but instead from a airline credit card used in concert with a gas rewards credit card.

About the Editors' Picks — Best Rewards Credit Card
Our editors' recommendations for the Best Rewards Credit Card are a reflection of their own subjective opinions, and they should not be relied upon as the sole basis for choosing your credit card. Certain offers originate from paying advertisers, and this will be noted on a card’s details page, when applicable. We work hard to present you with the most accurate credit card information, however, the credit card terms and conditions do not originate from us and thus we do not guarantee the accuracy of the information. Before applying for a credit card we recommend that you verify the credit card terms and conditions on the credit card company's web site. Please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.