September 2024: Best Credit Cards. We’ve included a list of some of the top credit cards available right now below, with a focus on cashback and travel-rewards cards:
Best Cash Back Credit Cards
Why We Like the American Express Blue Cash Everyday® Card: With no annual fee and an unusual 3% return for all other online transactions, this rewards credit card may be the finest option for grocery shopping. EARN 3% cash back on purchases up to $6,000 per year at U.S. supermarkets (then 1%), 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases up to $6,000 per year (then 1%), 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations on purchases up to $6,000 per year (then 1%), and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Reward Dollars, which may be redeemed for a statement credit, are received as cash back. Cardholder: New Welcome Bonus CHANCE: After making $2,000 purchases with your new Card during the first six months, you will get a $200 statement credit. Conditions apply; see Rates and Fees. An advertiser is American Express.
Why We Like the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: offers significant cash back with no yearly fee in common areas where you are likely to make actual purchases! Earn 3% cash back on dining out, watching movies or television, using popular streaming services, and shopping at grocery stores (but not at superstores like Walmart® and Target®). You’ll also earn 1% cash back on all other transactions. EARLY SPEND BONUS: $200 Cash Back when you spend $500 within three months of your account opening on purchases.
Why We Like Chase Freedom Unlimited®: No annual fee, good cash back on regular spending areas, and a decent “catch-all” return rate on other purchases. Earn 5% when you book travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% when you dine out (including takeout and qualified delivery services), 3% when you buy prescription medicines, and 1.5% when you buy anything else. FIRST-TIME CARDHOLDERS’ OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% on all purchases (up to $20,000 in the first year), which equates to up to $300 in cash back. That works out to 6.5% for travel purchased using Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 4.5% for meals and prescription medicines, and 3% for everything else.
The best credit cards for travel
Travellers have a variety of demands in terms of budget, frequency of travel, desired amenities, etc., making it challenging to rate travel credit cards. As you analyze these cards, consider your requirements and wants:
Why We Like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: A vital component of the “Chase Trifecta” is the HUGE new cardholder bonus potential, outstanding everyday benefits, and annual 10% points boost.
EARN 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out, 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), 3x points on select streaming services, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases when using Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Chase Trifecta: Use the Chase Sapphire Preferred as the cornerstone of a larger plan to get several Chase cards and combine points to redeem at a 25% discount through Chase’s travel booking site or to gain access to Chase travel transfer partners like United, Southwest, Hyatt, Marriott, and more.
Earn 60,000 extra points after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months of opening your account with this new cardholder incentive opportunity. When you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, it amounts to $700.
(In addition, you will receive bonus points on each anniversary of your account, equivalent to 10% of your total purchases for the preceding year. For instance, you will receive 2,000 extra points if you spend $20,000 on purchases.) Cost per year: $95.
Why We Like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: offers the appealing features of more costly travel cards while eliminating the extraneous elements to keep the yearly charge affordable. Although there is a $395 annual fee, Capital One Travel customers can receive up to $300 in travel credits and an Early Spend Bonus. Spend $4,000 on purchases during the first three months after account opening to receive 75,000 bonus miles. The Anniversary Miles Bonus begins on your first anniversary, offering 10,000 bonus miles (equivalent to $100 for travel).
Earn unlimited 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars, unlimited 5 miles per dollar on flights, and complete 2 miles per dollar on all other transactions when making regular purchases via Capital One Travel. Not to mention the new Capital One Lounges and airport lounge access through the Priority Pass network, among many other things.
The American Express® Gold Card is a hybrid card because it offers points in the Membership Rewards® program, which most people use to get travel rewards but whose everyday benefits aren’t particularly travel-focused. There are several ways to gain points and benefits/credits. You must perform the math to discover if it suits your spending habits. $250 yearly charge. Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points as a new cardholder after making $4,000 in qualifying purchases with your new Card within the first six months of card membership. Conditions apply; see Rates and Fees. An advertiser is American Express.
The American Express Platinum Card® – Rewards and benefits abound, including 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), 5X points on prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com, likely the best, most extensive airport lounge network of all the luxury travel cards, substantial travel insurances/protections, and numerous potential credits on particular airline and hotel purchases as well as specific investments from Uber, Clear, Saks Fifth Avenue, and other retailers. $695 yearly charge. Terms apply; see Rates and Fees. An advertiser is American Express.
Best Business Credit Cards
Why We Like the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: There is no annual charge, a sizable new cardholder bonus possibility, and significant reward chances (as high as 5%) on popular small company categories.
Each account anniversary year, you may get 5% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend on office supply stores, internet, cable, and phone services combined. Every year, on the anniversary of your account, you may get 2% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend in gas stations and restaurants combined. On all other purchases, get 1% cashback.
Earn $750 in bonus cash after spending $6,000 on purchases within three months of opening your account, thanks to a new cardholder incentive opportunity.
Why We Like the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card: generous, easy-to-understand CASH BACK rewards program without an annual charge, If you want outstanding rewards without spending too much time considering them while managing your firm, pick this.
Your company receives: Automatically applied 2% Cash Back on qualified business purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year. (Purchases for products and services that are eligible are those that do not include returns or other credits.) After spending the first $50K on your Card, your business will automatically get 1% cash back on all other qualified purchases.
Opportunity for a Welcome Bonus for New Cardholders: N/A Conditions apply; see Rates and Fees. An advertiser is American Express.
Why We Like the American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card: Generous incentives with a clear understanding and no yearly cost. Excellent choice if you already have American Express credit cards that earn Membership Rewards® points.
Up to $50,000 in your company’s qualified business purchases each year can earn you 2X Points. (Purchases for products and services that are eligible are those that do not include returns or other credits.) After spending the first $50,000 on the card, your company will earn 1X Points on all subsequent qualified purchases. The well-known Membership awards program allows members to exchange points for various benefits, including travel awards.