I first got started in the points and miles game when I realized I was leaving money on the table with every purchase.
While I was once hesitant to open a credit card, I’ve since learned just how valuable the right rewards card can be, and now I’m building my wallet into a rewards powerhouse that helps me travel more, earn faster and get more out of every dollar.
One of my cards (hint: it’s on this list) even helped me spend three unforgettable weeks traveling through Europe this past summer — a bucket-list trip I never would’ve been able to swing otherwise.
Here are my top picks for the best rewards credit cards to add to your wallet, including the one I use now and the ones I plan to add next.
Comparing my top picks for the best rewards credit cards
Here’s a quick overview of what each of my favorite rewards cards has to offer.
CardWelcome offerEarning ratesAnnual feePrime Visa (see rates and fees)For a limited time, the Prime Visa offers a $250 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval, exclusively for Prime members.
- 10% or more back on a rotating selection of items and categories on amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
- Unlimited 5% back at amazon.com, Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel℠ purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Unlimited 2% back at gas stations and restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including ride-hailing services)
- Unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
$0 (Prime membership required to apply)Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase Travel
- 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft (through Sept. 30, 2027)
- 3 points per dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and online grocery orders (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- 2 points per dollar spent on all other travel
- 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
$95Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardEarn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
- 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases
$395American Express Platinum Card®Find out your offer and see if you’re eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- 5 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly or through American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 in spending per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent)
- 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
- 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
$895 annual fee (see rates and fees)
Prime Visa
Standout benefits: A straightforward, no-annual-fee card that earns 5% back on amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases, making it a top choice for frequent Amazon shoppers.
THE POINTS GUY
If there is one card I wish I got before my recent move (and many subsequent Amazon orders), it’s the Prime Visa. While unassuming with its $0 annual fee, this card is a simple yet effective option that helps turn everyday spending into meaningful rewards.
Offering 5% back at amazon.com, Whole Foods Market and Amazon Fresh, this card is a solid choice for furnishing a new apartment, holiday shopping, purchasing weekly groceries and beyond.
Plus, it also offers 2% back at restaurants and gas stations and on local transit, which (combined with its lack of foreign transaction fees), makes for a surprisingly travel-friendly cash-back card.
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The Prime Visa also provides a host of protections, including purchase protection and extended warranty protection — something you don’t often see with a no-annual-fee card.
I’m thinking about adding this one to my wallet soon, as it is currently offering a $250 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval (exclusively for Prime members), making it an easy way to put some money back in my pocket ahead of the holiday season.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Prime Visa.
Apply here: Prime Visa
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Standout benefits: Flexible travel redemptions, valuable transfer partners and a modest annual fee make this one of the best rewards credit cards for anyone starting out with points and miles.
THE POINTS GUY
The Chase Sapphire Preferred was the first travel card I ever opened, and it completely changed how I think about spending. Instead of earning cash back, I began earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points that could be transferred to partners like World of Hyatt, United Airlines MileagePlus and Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
That flexibility is what makes this card a favorite among travelers. Whether you want to book flights through the Chase Travel portal or transfer points to travel partners to maximize value, the Sapphire Preferred keeps your options open.
By taking advantage of a 25% Chase-Flying Blue transfer bonus this past summer, I was able to transfer just 15,000 points for a nonstop flight from Washington, D.C., to Paris — a flight that would have otherwise cost me more than $600. The Sapphire Preferred is simple enough to utilize that I’d say it is one of, if not the, best travel card for beginners (I might be biased, but don’t just take my word for it).
Even with its approachable $95 annual fee, the perks easily justify the cost. You get a $50 annual hotel credit for bookings through Chase Travel, a 10% anniversary points boost each year and useful protections like trip cancellation and purchase coverage.
The Sapphire Preferred has been the foundation of my rewards strategy, and I am always recommending it to people who want to turn everyday spending into their next trip.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Standout benefits: Premium travel perks, flexible redemptions and simple earning make this one of the best rewards credit cards for travelers who want strong value without unnecessary complexity.
THE POINTS GUY
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been on my wish list for months, and it’s the next card I plan to apply for.
After watching friends, family members and co-workers use their Venture X to book flights, relax in airport lounges and rack up rewards with ease, I realized it deserves a place in my wallet.
The card’s simple earning structure is part of its magic. Cardholders earn:
- 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase
- 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Plus, the Venture X also offers cardholders $300 in annual statement credits for bookings made through Capital One Travel, which can help cover a last-minute holiday trip or a much-needed getaway.
The Venture X is currently offering a generous welcome offer of 100,000 miles after you spend $10,000 in six months. According to TPG’s November 2025 valuations, 100,000 Capital One miles are worth $1,850, thanks to the outsize value you can get from transferring Capital One miles to the program’s airline and hotel partners.
With its straightforward rewards, lounge access and flexible redemptions, the Venture X proves year over year why it’s one of the best rewards credit cards currently on the market.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Capital One Venture X.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
American Express Platinum Card
Standout benefits: Premium travel perks, extensive lounge access and generous statement credits make this one of the best rewards cards for frequent travelers who value comfort and convenience.
THE POINTS GUY
The Amex Platinum has long been considered the gold standard of premium travel rewards, and for good reason.
And while the Amex Platinum isn’t in my wallet yet, it’s firmly on my list.
Offering a valuable mix of travel and lifestyle credits that easily justify the card’s high annual fee when used strategically, it’s a card built for those who value both convenience and elevated experiences.
Add in complimentary access for eligible cardmembers to the American Express Global Lounge Collection — including Centurion Lounges — and it’s easy to see why this card consistently ranks among the best rewards cards available.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum.
Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
How I chose my top rewards cards
When narrowing down the best rewards credit cards, I focused on versatility, long-term value and the ability to earn meaningful rewards from everyday spending.
Each of these cards offers strong earning potential across popular categories like dining, travel and online shopping — but more importantly, they make redemptions simple, whether you’re booking flights, transferring points to partners or covering everyday purchases.
Bottom line
Finding the best rewards credit card is about choosing the one that fits your lifestyle and goals.
For me, that meant starting with a versatile card I could use every day, while building toward more premium options as my travel habits evolve. When you take the time to learn how each benefit works, even just one great rewards card can turn everyday spending into something bigger — whether that’s a free flight, a five-star stay or simply more freedom in how you spend.
Related: How to pick the right travel credit card for you
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
