Editor's note: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress. com to learn more. A rewards credit card is one of the best ways to maximize every dollar you spend.

With 2x miles on every purchase, you can easily rack up rewards toward future travel with everyday purchases. Plus, the miles you earn are flexible.

Capital One also has nearly 20 airline and hotel partners you can transfer your miles to. While the exact transfer values vary, many of these partners offer a transfer. Other than that, the card offers access to presales and experiences through Citi Entertainment.

Why we like it: We like the Citi Double Cash Card as a flat cash-back option for a few reasons. Benefits: Blue Cash Preferred comes with a few added benefits that go a long way in reducing the annual fee cost. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.

com checkout. Why we like it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred would be a great rewards card for its price based on the range of rewards categories and benefits alone, but what really sets it apart is redemption value.

For the biggest potential value, you can redeem the points you earn for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards at a boosted rate of 1. Chase also has a huge list of airline and hotel transfer partners you can transfer points to at a ratio.

These include domestic airlines like JetBlue and Southwest, international programs like Emirates and Flying Blue Air France KLM, and hotel brands like Marriott and Hyatt. Why we like it: For some, rewards cards are synonymous with luxury and premium perks — and no card is a better example of this than the Platinum Card.

Just make sure all of those credits apply to purchases you would make even without the card. As for points redemptions, this card is best if you want to use your Membership Rewards points for future flights. You may only get a full 1 cent per point when you use points to book flights through Amex Travel, while other redemption options can have a lower value.

Transfer partners are another way to gain outsized rewards value, but the exact amount can depend on the partner and your itinerary. Why we like it: We like Chase Freedom Unlimited because it works like a hybrid rewards card in a few ways.

For one, it has both tiered and flat cash-back rewards. You can use them to book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards at a value of 1 cent per point.

But if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® in your wallet, you can also pool your points together and get the boosted redemptions those cards offer. You could transfer them to your Chase Sapphire Reserve account, which earns a redemption value of 1.

Benefits: In addition to rewards, you can get credit-building benefits with this card. These include an option for pre-approval and an automatic credit line review, which could get you a higher credit limit in just six months.

Plus, with responsible use over time, you can earn the chance to get your deposit back and upgrade to the unsecured version of the Quicksilver card.

We like that, on top of rewards, this card has all of the features that we look for when building credit. The automatic credit line review is a great way to score a higher credit limit without any extra upfront deposit and bring down your credit utilization, a major factor in your credit score.

The unsecured Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is also a great cash-back rewards option. The ability to earn an upgrade to that card and get your deposit back makes this card even more appealing.

Not only can you earn rewards while you build credit now , but you can keep gaining value from this card over the long term. The best rewards credit cards offer you valuable incentives points, miles, or cash back for money you're already spending.

For example, someone who wants to earn rewards on everyday spending without strategizing too much may enjoy the ease of cash-back rewards. On the other hand, if you are a jet-setter, you may use the Capital One miles program whenever you have travel purchases for its unique earnings.

Perfectly acceptable, and arguably a smart way to maximize earnings. Remember that your rewards credit card is still a high-interest credit card. As a credit cardholder, you should know exactly how to best earn and redeem rewards with your card.

That starts with learning the differences between each reward type: how to earn them and the most valuable ways to use them. Some may offer the same value for your rewards whether you redeem for gift cards, cash, or travel, while others may offer much higher redemption value for one over another.

Credit cards that earn points are often part of a larger rewards program , such as Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards. You can earn points on every purchase, but will get extra points in specific bonus categories, which may range from dining out to streaming services to travel spending and more.

Points are a flexible rewards currency. You can redeem them for statement credits, travel, partner transfers, gift cards, and more. Best for: Credit card points are best suited for individuals with varied spending habits and looking for flexibility in their redemption options.

They're particularly beneficial for those who prefer a range of rewards rather than being restricted to cash back or specific travel perks. However, you will find that many points-earning cards offer great travel rewards and redemptions. Sign-up bonuses: Many credit cards offer lucrative bonuses for new cardholders once they spend a certain amount within the first few months.

Regular purchases: Cardholders typically earn points for every dollar they spend on eligible purchases. Bonus categories: Some cards offer higher point rates for specific categories, like dining, supermarkets , or gas stations.

Shopping portals: Many credit card issuers have online shopping portals where users can earn extra points by shopping with partner retailers. Credit Card Articles. Credit Card Calculators. Credit Card Insights. Search Credit Cards. Personal Loans Personal Loans.

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Money Articles. Money Calculators. Credit Scores Credit Builder. Understanding your Credit Scores. What is a Good Credit Score? Free Credit Report. Sign up here. At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money.

Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best credit cards. To determine which cards offer the best value, CNBC Select analyzed over of the most popular credit cards available in the U. that are open to anyone and offer welcome bonuses. We compared each card on a range of features, including cash-back rewards, annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR, balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees, as well as factors such as required credit and customer reviews when available.

CNBC Select teamed up with location intelligence firm Esri. The company's data development team provided the most up-to-date and comprehensive consumer spending data based on the Consumer Expenditure Surveys from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

You can read more about their methodology here. General purchases include items such as housekeeping supplies, clothing, personal care products, prescription drugs and vitamins, and other vehicle expenses.

CNBC Select used this budget to estimate how much the average consumer would save over the course of a year, two years and five years, assuming they would attempt to maximize their rewards potential by earning all welcome bonuses offered and using the card for all applicable purchases. All rewards total estimations are net the annual fee.

It's important to note the value of a point or mile varies from card to card and is based on how you redeem them. When we calculated the estimated returns, we assumed that cardholders are redeeming cash back for a typical maximum value of 1 cent per point or mile.

Extreme optimizers might be able to achieve more value. Our final picks are weighted heavily toward the highest five-year returns since it's generally wise to hold onto a credit card for years.

This method also avoids giving an unfair advantage to cards with large welcome bonuses. While the five-year estimates we've included are derived from a budget similar to the average American's spending, you may earn a higher or lower return depending on your shopping habits.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards , banking and money , and follow us on TikTok , Facebook , Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here. For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, click here.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, click here.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here.

For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click here.

For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, click here.

Information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, Prime Visa Card and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply. Skip Navigation. Credit Cards. Follow Select. Our top picks of timely offers from our partners More details. Choice Home Warranty. National Debt Relief. LendingClub High-Yield Savings. Freedom Debt Relief. UFB Secure Savings.

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17 best rewards credit cards of February · Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for beginner travelers · Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Best Rewards Credit Cards in February · Chase Freedom Unlimited® · Chase Freedom Unlimited® · Why we like it Read Forbes Advisor's guide to the best rewards credit cards tailored for the way you spend— whether it's cash back, points or miles

Best points cards - U.S. News' Best Rewards Credit Cards of February · United Gateway℠ Card · Discover it® Cash Back · Chase Freedom Unlimited® · Chase Sapphire Preferred® 17 best rewards credit cards of February · Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for beginner travelers · Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Best Rewards Credit Cards in February · Chase Freedom Unlimited® · Chase Freedom Unlimited® · Why we like it Read Forbes Advisor's guide to the best rewards credit cards tailored for the way you spend— whether it's cash back, points or miles

And if you ever plan to close an account, make sure to utilize all of your rewards before closing the card. The rewards credit card world can be confusing with rotating rewards, bonus categories and points and miles transfers.

Which is what makes fixed-rate rewards credit cards so valuable. With a f ixed-rate rewards credit card , you can earn flat rewards rates on all purchases without the need to track rotating categories or activate certain offers on a monthly or quarterly basis. With this streamlined method, you can earn rewards on every purchase while maintaining an easy and straightforward reward-earning process.

Many credit cards offer a bonus category , which is a spending category that earns elevated reward rates. For example, the Amex Platinum has airfare as a bonus category and earns 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with an airline or via Amex Travel.

All other purchases, like dining or online shopping, earn just 1 point per dollar. Skip to content. Advertiser disclosure. Credit Cards. By Matt Moffitt. Matt Moffitt Senior credit cards editor. Matt Moffitt is TPG's senior credit cards editor and an expert in getting the most out of credit cards and points.

He has at least 25 cards in his wallet at any given time. Originally from Sydney, he won the green card lottery and has been based in Austin since and Christina Ly. Christina Ly Credit Cards Writer. Christina Ly is a writer at TPG.

She has covered credit cards and personal finance topics since joining the team in Edited by Summer Hull. Summer Hull Director of Content. Summer Hull has been covering and using travel tips, rewards credit cards and loyalty programs for over a decade. She has flown close to a million miles, often on points and miles and with her family in tow.

Reviewed by Stanley Sanford. Stanley Sanford Senior Compliance Associate. Senior compliance associate Stanley Sanford has years of compliance experience in the credit card industry dating back to He's reviewed content for several reputable sites, including CreditCards.

com, Bankrate, CNET. and even thepointsguy. com before leading the compliance team for The Points Guy full time in early Updated Feb. At The Points Guy, our goal is to help you maximize your travel experiences while minimizing spending.

Our travel and credit cards experts share their own experiences and give honest analyses to help you make decisions that benefit you the most. While we do receive compensation through our credit card application links, ads, and clearly indicated sponsored content, our editorial content , points valuations and card analysis are entirely our own.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best for beginner travelers. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best for airline rewards. The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for luxury benefits.

American Express® Gold Card : Best for dining rewards at restaurants. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best for airline rewards. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card : Best for maximizing business purchases.

Citi Premier® Card : Best for starter travel. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card : Best for freelancers. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express : Best for U. streaming rewards. Citi Double Cash® Card : Best for no-frills cash-back rewards.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® : Best for bonus categories. Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : Best for travel rewards beginners. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card : Best for entertainment rewards. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for travel perks.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card : Best for flat-rate earning. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express : Best for cash back beginners. Browse by card categories Cash Back. Best Overall. Everyday Spending. Best for beginner travelers. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Compare this card. Apply now.

at Chase's secure site. Rewards rate 5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 3x 3x on dining. Annual Fee. Regular APR.

Recommended Credit Open Credit score description Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. Why We Chose It The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards on the market.

VIEW MORE. Member FDIC. Best for airline rewards. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. at Capital One's secure site. Rewards rate 5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 2 Miles 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.

Why We Chose It When it comes to simplicity and strong rewards, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice for most travelers.

Cons A couple of partners' transfer ratios are mediocre at a less than ratio. Capital One airline partners do not include any large U. Best for luxury benefits. The Platinum Card® from American Express. at American Express's secure site. Why We Chose It The Amex Platinum is unmatched when it comes to travel perks and benefits.

Pros The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.

The annual airline fee credit and other statement credits can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.

Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay. Enrollment required. Plus Up Benefits are excluded. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.

Learn more. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost. com on your Platinum Card®.

Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U. Enrollment Required. Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile. Terms Apply.

Best for dining rewards at restaurants. American Express® Gold Card. Rewards rate 4X Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.

Pros 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants and U. Cons Weak on travel and everyday spending bonus categories Not as effective for those living outside the U.

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U. Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel. com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations.

Experience credit varies by property. Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold. No Foreign Transaction Fees.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Rewards rate 10 Miles 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel 2 Miles 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.

Lower Spend Threshold. Best for maximizing business purchases. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. Best for starter travel. Citi Premier® Card. at Citi's secure site. Why We Chose It The Citi Premier is a solid travel card choice with a plethora of travel partners and solid earning rates.

com No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card. Rewards rate 1. Cons Higher spend to receive sign-up bonus No conversion to Chase points without holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred.

Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control. Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.

BEST FOR GROCERIES AT U. Best for U. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. Why We Chose It The Blue Cash Preferred Card is one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. Pros This card has one of the best earning structures out for among cash-back credit cards The card comes with access to Amex Offers activation required , which can save you even more money on specific purchases.

Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of Variable APRs will not exceed streaming subscriptions.

Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon. com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card.

Best for no-frills cash-back rewards. Citi Double Cash® Card. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Now that you have the ability to convert rewards to ThankYou points with an eligible card, your redemption options are even more flexible. After that, the variable APR of After that, the variable APR will be Balance Transfers do not earn cash back.

Intro APR does not apply to purchases. If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance including balance transfers by the due date each month.

Best for bonus categories. Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Intro Offer Open Intro bonus Earn an extra 1. That's 6. Why We Chose It The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a surprisingly powerful card that earns at least 1. Pros At least 1. INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1. Enjoy 6.

No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.

checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open! No annual fee — You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.

Best for travel rewards beginners. Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card. at Bank of America's secure site. Why We Chose It The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is a great starter card thanks to its no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees when you travel internationally.

Pros 1. Cons Bank of America does not offer airline or hotel transfer partners like other banks such as American Express, Chase or Capital One. No travel and purchase protections. Earn unlimited 1. Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.

Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.

Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap. This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Best for no annual fee. at Wells Fargo's secure site. Rewards rate 3X Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans.

Why We Chose It The Wells Fargo Autograph card packs a punch for a no-annual-fee product, with an array of bonus categories plus solid perks and straightforward redemption options. Pros This card offers 3 points per dollar on various everyday purchases with no annual fee.

It also comes with a 20,point welcome bonus and an introductory APR offer on purchases. Cons Despite the lucrative earning structure, Wells Fargo doesn't offer any ways to maximize your redemptions — you're limited to fixed-value rewards like gift cards and statement credits.

Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions. Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans.

Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases. Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal. BEST FOR CASH BACK. Best for entertainment rewards.

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. Why We Chose It The Capital One SavorOne is a great cash back credit card for beginners looking for a solid rewards structure and no annual fee.

No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR. Best for travel perks. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Rewards rate 5X 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.

com 1. Why We Chose It The Business Platinum Card from American Express is a great card for frequent travelers looking to add a touch of luxury to their business trips. International Airline Program; and Cruise Privileges Program.

Limited high bonus categories outside of travel. com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. Earn 1. wireless service providers. The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport.

Best for flat-rate earning. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. Other cash rewards cards can offer better welcome bonuses. No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open. Best for cash back beginners. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express.

Why We Chose It The Blue Cash Everyday card is a good option for people who want a simple cash back structure with no annual fee.

No annual fee. supermarket bonus category, which may not work for those with larger annual grocery spend. No Annual Fee. Balance Transfer is back! After that, Comparing the best rewards credit cards Credit card. Apply Now. beginner travelers. Open Rewards rates 5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 3x 3x on dining.

airline rewards. Open Rewards rates 5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 2 Miles 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. luxury benefits. dining rewards at restaurants. Open Rewards rates 4X Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.

Open Rewards rates 10 Miles 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel 2 Miles 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.

maximizing business purchases. starter travel. Open Rewards rates 1. no-frills cash-back rewards. bonus categories. travel rewards beginners. no annual fee. Open Rewards rates 3X Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans.

entertainment rewards. travel perks. Open Rewards rates 5X 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel. flat-rate earning. cash back beginners.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card What we love Who it's for Why it's in my wallet Alternatives. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card What we love Who it's for Why it's in my wallet Alternatives.

The Platinum Card® from American Express What we love Who it's for Why it's in my wallet Alternatives. American Express® Gold Card What we love Who it's for Why it's in my wallet Alternatives.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card What we love Who it's for Why it's in my wallet Alternatives. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card What we love Who it's for Why it's in my wallet Alternatives.

Citi Premier® Card What we love Who it's for Why it's in my wallet Alternatives. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card What we love Who it's for Why it's in my wallet Alternatives. Points programs. Every major card issuer has at least one travel card with a points program.

American Express calls its program Membership Rewards, while Chase has Ultimate Rewards® and Citi pays in ThankYou points. Wells Fargo has Wells Fargo Rewards, and U. Bank has FlexPerks. Bank of America® travel cards offer points without a fancy name.

Travel cards from Capital One, Barclays and Discover all call their points "miles. These programs differ in how much their points are worth and how you can use them. Some offer the full range of redemption options, including transfers to loyalty programs. Others let you use them only to book travel or get statement credit.

Airline credit cards earn "miles" with each purchase. You typically get 1 mile per dollar spent, with a higher rate 2 or more miles per dollar on purchases with the airline itself. Some airline cards have also begun offering extra miles for purchases in additional categories, such as restaurants or car rental agencies.

These miles go into the same frequent-flyer account as the ones you earn by flying the airline, and you can redeem them for free flights with the airline or its alliance partners. Co-branded airline cards typically offer sign-up bonuses or welcome offers.

But what really sets them apart are the perks they give you. With some cards, for example, the checked-bag benefit alone can make up for the annual fee after a single roundtrip by a couple. Common perks of airline cards include:. Free checked bags.

This commonly applies to the first checked bag for you and at least one companion on your reservation. Some cards extend this perk to more people, and higher-end cards with higher annual fees may even let you check two bags apiece for free.

Priority boarding. Holders of co-branded airline credit cards often get to board the plane early — after the airline's elite-status frequent flyers but before the general population. This gives you time to settle in and gives you a leg up on claiming that coveted overhead bin space.

In-flight discounts or freebies. High-end cards often include a membership to the airline's airport lounges, where you can get away from the frenzy in the terminal and enjoy a complimentary snack. Some less-expensive airline cards give you only limited or discounted lounge access; others give you none at all.

Companion fares. This perk lets you bring someone with you for a lower cost when you buy a ticket at full price. A boost toward elite status.

Miles earned with a credit card, as opposed to those earned from actually flying on the airline, usually do not count toward earning elite status in an airline's frequent-flyer program. However, carrying an airline's high-end card might automatically qualify you for a higher tier within the program.

The biggest U. airlines — American, United and Delta — offer an array of credit cards. Each airline has a no-annual-fee card that earns miles on purchases but provides little in the way of perks no free bags or priority boarding. Southwest offers three credit cards with varying fees; smaller carriers may just have a single card.

Which airline card you get depends in large part on what airline you fly, and that's heavily influenced by where you live. Alaska Airlines, for example, has an outstanding credit card, but the airline's routes are concentrated primarily on the West Coast.

So it's not a great option for those who live in, say, Buffalo, New York, or Montgomery, Alabama. If your local airport is dominated by a single airline, then you're probably flying that carrier most or all of the time by default.

Delta, for example, is the pound gorilla at Minneapolis-St. Paul and Salt Lake City. United has the bulk of the traffic at Newark and Washington Dulles. American calls the shots at Charlotte and Dallas-Fort Worth.

That airline's credit card may be your only realistic option. If you're in a large or midsize market with frequent service from multiple airlines, you have more choice. Hotel credit cards earn points with each purchase. As with airline cards, you typically get more points per dollar for purchases from the co-brand partner, and some cards also give bonus points in additional categories.

Hotel cards tend to give you a greater number of points overall than airline cards, but each individual point is generally worth less than a typical airline mile. Similar to the airline model, the points you earn with the card go into the same loyalty account as the points you earn from actually staying at a hotel.

You redeem your points for free stays. Hotel cards usually offer a sign-up bonus, but like airline cards, they really make their bones with the ongoing perks. Common perks on hotel cards include:. Free nights. Several cards offer this perk, which can make up for the card's annual fee.

You may get a free night automatically every year, or you may unlock it by spending a certain amount within a year. In the latter case, it comes on top of the points you earn for your spending. Upgrades and freebies. Cardholders may qualify for automatic room upgrades when available, or free or discounted amenities such as meals or spa packages.

No one likes having to cool their heels in the hotel lobby waiting for 3 o'clock to check in. And no one likes have to vacate their room by 11 a. when their flight doesn't leave till evening.

Accelerated elite status. Some hotel cards automatically bump you up a level in their loyalty program just for being a cardholder.

If you decide to go the hotel-card route, you'll need to decide which hotel group gets your business. Hotels aren't as market-concentrated as airlines, so if your travels take you mostly to metropolitan areas, you'll have a decent amount of choice.

Keep in mind that even though there are dozens of nationally recognizable hotel brands, ranging from budget inns to luxury resorts, many of them are just units in a larger hotel company, and that company's card can unlock benefits across the group.

Marriott, for example, includes not only its namesake properties but nearly 30 other brands, including Courtyard, Fairfield, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton and Westin.

The Hilton family includes DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn and Waldorf-Astoria. InterContinental includes Holiday Inn, Candlewood, Staybridge and Crowne Plaza.

Wyndham and Choice have more than 15 mid-tier and budget-oriented brands between them. No travel rewards credit card is going to have everything you want.

You're going to be disappointed if you expect to find a high rewards rate, a generous sign-up bonus, top-notch perks and no annual fee. Each card delivers value through a different combination of features; it's up to you to compare cards based on the following features and choose the best travel credit card for your needs and preferences.

Most of the best travel cards charge an annual fee. Weigh the value of the rewards and perks you'll get to make sure they'll make up for the fee.

Can you find good cards without an annual fee? There are no-fee options on our list of the best travel credit cards, and we've rounded up more here. Just be aware that if you go with a no-fee travel card, you'll earn rewards at a lower rate, your sign-up bonus will be smaller, and you won't get as many if any perks.

Rewards can be thought of in terms of "earn rate" and "burn rate". The earn rate is how many points or miles you receive per dollar spent. Some general travel cards offer flat-rate rewards, meaning you get the same rate on all purchases, all the time — 2 miles per dollar, for example, or 1. Others, including most co-branded cards, offer a base rate of maybe 1 point per dollar and then pay a higher rate in certain categories, such as airline tickets, hotel stays, general travel expenses or restaurant meals.

The burn rate is the value you get for those points or miles when you redeem them. The industry average is about 1 cent per point or mile. Some cards, particularly hotel cards, have lower value per point on the "burn" side but give you more points per dollar on the earning side.

When comparing rewards rates, don't just look at the numbers. Look at the categories to which those numbers apply, and find a card that matches your spending patterns. Getting 5 points per dollar seems great — but if those 5X points come only on purchases at, say, office supply stores, and you don't spend money on office supplies, then you're getting lousy value.

Travel cards tend to have the biggest sign-up bonuses — tens of thousands of points that you earn by hitting a certain amount of spending. But there's more to consider when comparing sign-up bonuses than just how many points or miles you earn. You must also take into account how much you have to spend to earn the bonus.

Never spend money you don't have just to earn a sign-up bonus. Finally, keep in mind that the biggest bonuses will come on cards with annual fees. A good travel card will not charge a foreign transaction fee. These fees are surcharges on purchases made outside the U.

If you never leave the U. Some issuers don't charge foreign transaction fees on any of their cards. Others charge them on some cards but not all. Not all travel credit cards are great companions for international travel. While Visa and Mastercard are good pretty much worldwide, you may encounter limited acceptance for American Express and, especially, Discover, depending on the destination.

This doesn't mean world travelers should dismiss AmEx and Discover. Just know that if you take one of these cards with you overseas, you'd be smart to bring along a backup in case you run into acceptance problems.

Having a backup card is good advice within the U. Consider which travel protections — car rental insurance , trip cancellation coverage , lost baggage protection — are important to you.

There's a very close correlation between the annual fee on a card and the perks you get for carrying it. Cards with no annual fee are all about rewards and go very light on perks. Assuming you take advantage of them, the perks often make up for the annual fee on a card quite easily.

This is especially true with co-branded cards. Free checked bags can pay for an airline card several times over, and a free night is usually worth more than the fee on a hotel card. When comparing the perks of various cards, be realistic about which ones you will and won't use.

Sure, that card may entitle you to a free spa package the next time you're at a five-star hotel, but how often do you stay at five-star hotels? The sign-up bonus gives you a big head-start on travel. Perks make travel less expensive and more relaxing. You won't have to worry about cramming a week's worth of clothes into a carry-on if your travel credit card gives you a free checked bag or automatically reimburses you for the bag fee.

Hate the crush of travelers in the terminal? Escape to the airport lounge. Renting a car? Use a travel card that provides primary rental car insurance. Rewards get you closer to your next trip with every purchase.

No foreign transaction fee can mean big savings. Take just any old credit card with you on vacation outside the U. Good travel cards don't charge this fee. Buy a plane ticket or book a hotel room, and you'll earn loyalty points or miles regardless of how you pay.

Use the right credit card, though, and you'll earn even more points and miles on top of those. Strategic redemption can multiply your value. With cash-back credit cards, 1 cent is worth 1 cent, and that's just how it goes.

The points and miles on many travel credit cards have variable value based on how you redeem them — booking travel with them vs. transferring them to a partner, booking domestic vs.

international flights and economy vs. business class, staying at budget hotels vs. high-end resorts, and so on. The best cards charge annual fees. In many cases, the value you get from a credit card more than makes up for the annual fee. But some people are dead set against paying a fee under any circumstances.

If that's you, your options in travel cards will be sharply limited, and you won't get the perks that provide a big portion of the value on many cards.

Sign-up bonus spending requirements can be steep. If you have to amass thousands of dollars in debt and then pay interest on it, it's not worth it. Travel cards aren't ideal for infrequent travelers. In the first year with a travel card, you're probably going to come out ahead: You can earn a big sign-up bonus, and several popular cards waive the first year's annual fee, too.

In subsequent years, though, you'll break even on that fee only if you use the card enough to make up for it with the rewards you earn and redeem and the perks you use. Infrequent travelers are more likely to get more total rewards from a cash-back card with no annual fee.

Cash back is simpler and more flexible. Some travel cards allow you to redeem your rewards only for travel. Others give you poor value unless you redeem for travel. Still others have complicated redemption options, making it hard to get the most out of your rewards.

With cash-back credit cards, you can use your rewards on anything, you know exactly how much your rewards are worth, and redemption is usually simple. Rewards cards tend to charge higher interest rates. If you regularly carry a balance from month to month, a travel credit card — or any rewards credit card — probably isn't your best choice.

The interest you pay is eating up the value of your rewards. You're better off with a low-interest card that reduces the cost of carrying debt. Maximize your rewards with the following tips:.

Plan your credit card application around a big purchase to earn the sign-up bonus. Seize every opportunity to pick up the tab, especially if your travel credit card pays bonus rewards on dining; your friends can pay you back while you collect rewards.

Redeem rewards for travel instead of gift cards, merchandise or in most cases cash back to get the best value. Join the loyalty program associated with a co-branded card — a frequent-flyer or frequent-guest program.

A NerdWallet study found that cash-back credit cards often earn more money — even for many travelers. If you carry a balance from month to month, the higher interest rates typically charged by rewards cards can cancel out any rewards earned. If you have a good credit score, you're better off with a low-interest credit card that can save you money on interest.

A good travel credit card shouldn't charge foreign transaction fees, but there are good non-travel cards that also don't charge them. See our best cards with no foreign transaction fee. If you value transparency and flexibility in your rewards, you can't go wrong with a cash-back card — and you can still use the rewards for travel, if you want.

Finally, if you're still not sure what's right for you, take a look at our best rewards credit cards for options beyond travel and cash back. To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page. NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best travel rewards credit cards based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of travelers.

Factors in our evaluation include each card's annual fee, foreign transaction fees, rewards earnings rates, ease of use, redemption options, domestic and international acceptance, promotional APR period, bonus offers, and cardholder perks such as automatic statement credits and airport lounge access.

Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards. Travel credit cards earn points sometimes called miles each time you buy something. The standard earning rate is 1 to 2 points per dollar spent, and many cards give you extra points for certain purchases, particularly travel expenses.

The value of a point depends on the card that earned it and how you redeem it, but a good rule of thumb is to assume each point is worth an average of about 1 cent. Your points accumulate in a rewards account, where you can use them to pay for travel.

Most cards let you book travel directly using a portal similar to those at online travel agencies or on airline and hotel websites, but instead of paying cash, you pay with your points.

Depending on the card, you may also have the option of booking travel any way you want, paying for it with the card and then cashing in your points for a credit against those expenses.

Points and miles are just different names for the same thing: the currency used in a travel rewards program. Some travel credit cards call them points, some call them miles. There are a few exceptions, though, notably Alaska Airlines. The value of a point or mile depends on the card you earned it with and how you redeem it.

A common rule of thumb is to assume that each point or mile is worth an average of 1 cent, although you can certainly get a much higher or lower redemption value. Travel credit cards fall into two main categories: co-branded and general-purpose. The rewards you earn on the card can typically be redeemed only with that brand or maybe its partners.

Co-branded cards limit your flexibility, but because they are issued in partnership with an airline or hotel, they can give you special perks, like free checked bags or room upgrades. They earn points in the issuer's own program, such as American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards® or Citi ThankYou.

These points are a lot more flexible, as you can use them to pay for a range of travel expenses, including flights on any airline or stays at any hotel. Travel cards — like rewards cards in general — typically require good to excellent credit for approval.

Good credit is generally defined as a credit score of or better. However, credit scores alone do not guarantee approval. Every issuer has its own criteria for evaluating applications. CREDIT CARDS CREDIT CARDS BEST TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS OF FEBRUARY Advertiser disclosure BEST OF 15 Best Travel Credit Cards of February By NerdWallet.

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.

Show summary. Best Travel Credit Cards From Our Partners. Credit card. NerdWallet rating.

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