15 Best Rewards Credit Cards of December 2024
Updated: Nov 18, 2024+ 2 more+ 2 more
Rewards credit cards come in two main varieties. Cash-back cards pay you back a percentage of each transaction. Travel rewards cards give you points or miles that you can redeem for free flights, hotel stays and more. The right rewards credit card for you is all about how you spend money and what kind of rewards you value.
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NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Rewards credit cards come in two main varieties. Cash-back cards pay you back a percentage of each transaction. Travel rewards cards give you points or miles that you can redeem for free flights, hotel stays and more. The right rewards credit card for you is all about how you spend money and what kind of rewards you value.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards.
Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today,
The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America"
and many other national, regional and local media outlets.
Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
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Rewards credit cards come in two main varieties. Cash-back cards pay you back a percentage of each transaction. Travel rewards cards give you points or miles that you can redeem for free flights, hotel stays and more. The right rewards credit card for you is all about how you spend money and what kind of rewards you value.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Rewards credit cards come in two main varieties. Cash-back cards pay you back a percentage of each transaction. Travel rewards cards give you points or miles that you can redeem for free flights, hotel stays and more. The right rewards credit card for you is all about how you spend money and what kind of rewards you value.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
NerdWallet's Best Rewards Credit Cards of December 2024
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for Flat-rate cash back
Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for Simplicity + high rate
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for Families & households
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for All-around cash back
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Going out & staying in
Chase Freedom Flex®: Best for Quarterly categories + cash bonus
Discover it® Cash Back: Best for Quarterly categories + matching bonus
Citi Custom Cash® Card: Best for Automatic 5% rewards
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card: Best for Maximum customizability
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for Simple travel rewards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for Bonus travel rewards
Discover it® Student Chrome: Best for College students
Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card: Best for Rewards on rent payments
World of Hyatt Credit Card: Best for Hotel credit card
United℠ Explorer Card: Best for Airline card
Show SummaryHide Summary
Best Rewards Credit Cards From Our Partners
Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website | Best for Bonus travel rewards | $95 | 1x-5x | 60,000 points | Apply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website |
Apply Now on American Express' website on American Express' website | Best for Families & households | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. | 1%-6% | $250 | Apply Now on American Express' website on American Express' website |
Apply Now on Capital One's website on Capital One's website | Best for Simple travel rewards | $95 | 2x-5x | 75,000 miles | Apply Now on Capital One's website on Capital One's website |
Apply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website | Best for All-around cash back | $0 | 1.5%-5% | Up to $300 | Apply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website |
Apply Now on Wells Fargo's website on Wells Fargo's website | Best for Flat-rate cash back | $0 | 2% | $200 | Apply Now on Wells Fargo's website on Wells Fargo's website |
Apply Now on Capital One's website on Capital One's website | Best for Going out & staying in | $0 | 1%-8% | $250 | Apply Now on Capital One's website on Capital One's website |
Apply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website | Best for Quarterly categories + cash bonus | $0 | 1%-5% | $200 | Apply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website |
Apply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application | Best for Automatic 5% rewards | $0 | 1%-5% | $200 | Apply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application |
Apply Now on U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website | Best for Maximum customizability | $0 | 1%-5% | $200 | Apply Now on U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website |
Apply Now on Discover's website, on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264 | Best for Quarterly categories + matching bonus | $0 | 1%-5% | Cashback Match™ | Apply Now on Discover's website, on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264 |
Apply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application | Best for Simplicity + high rate | $0 | 1%-5% | $200 | Apply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application |
Apply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website | Best for Airline card | $0 intro for the first year, then $95 | 1x-2x | 60,000 miles | Apply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website |
Apply Now on Discover's website, on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264 | Best for College students | $0 | 1%-2% | Cashback Match™ | Apply Now on Discover's website, on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264 |
Apply Now on Bilt's website on Bilt's website | Best for Rewards on rent payments | None | 1X-3X | N/A | Apply Now on Bilt's website on Bilt's website |
Apply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website | Best for Hotel credit card | $95 | 1x-9x | Up to 60,000 Points | Apply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website |
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Our pick for: Simple travel rewards
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
Easy-to-earn, easy-to-redeem rewards have rightly made the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card one of the best-loved travel credit cards on the market.
You earn 5 points per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases. Miles can be redeemed for credit on your statement against most travel expenses. You’re not restricted to any particular airline or hotel, and there’s no minimum amount required to redeem. Just book your own travel, then pay for it with rewards. The great sign-up bonus starts you off right, too.
If you're loyal to a particular airline or hotel chain, you may get more value from one of that brand's own cards. This card allows you to transfer miles to several airline frequent-flyer programs, but the options aren't very strong.
Our pick for: Families & households
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
- Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 18.49% - 29.49%.
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
- 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
If groceries, gas and/or commuting are among your most common expenses, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a winner.
This card offers industry-leading rewards at U.S. supermarkets — 6% cash back on up to $6,000 in spending per year (then 1%) — supplemented by 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including such things as taxis, rideshares, buses, trains, tolls and parking). You also get 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. All other purchases earn 1% back. A welcome offer adds to the appeal.
This card has a high annual fee, although if you spend at least $31 a week at U.S. supermarkets, the cash back will offset it. Because it’s from American Express, you might have trouble using it in some places.
Our pick for: All-around cash back
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
- 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, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
NerdWallet's take
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® was already a fine card when it offered 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Now it's even better, with bonus rewards on travel booked through Chase, as well as at restaurants and drugstores. New cardholders get a great bonus offer, too.
This card earns 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase; 3% cash back at restaurants and drugstores; and 1.5% on other purchases. There's a great intro APR offer, and new cardholders who apply through NerdWallet can snag this bonus offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!. If you're a maximizer, you can transfer your rewards to one of Chase's Sapphire cards to boost their value by 25% or 50%.
While you can earn big rewards on travel bookings with this card, it also charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, so it's not a good companion abroad.
This card earns 5% cash back on quarterly categories that you activate (on up to $1,500 per quarter in category spending) and 1% on other purchases. The categories for October through December 2024 are especially enticing for holiday shoppers: Amazon.com and Target.
Our pick for: Quarterly categories + matching bonus
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- Apply and you could get a decision in as little as 60 seconds. No annual fee.
- Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with our digital card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.74% to 27.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- Terms and conditions apply.
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The bonus categories, $0 annual fee and new-cardmember bonus make this card an all-around winner. There's also a solid 0% intro APR offer: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 18.74%-27.74% Variable APR.
This card has broad bonus categories that you activate each quarter, allowing you to earn 5% cash back at such places as restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations. (The 5% rewards are capped at $1,500 in spending per quarter; after that, you get 1%. There’s also a distinctive sign-up bonus: INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Keeping track of the changing bonus categories, and remembering to opt in to them every three months, can be a hassle.
Our pick for: Going out & staying in
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- For a limited time, earn a $250 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.74% - 29.74% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The $0-annual-fee Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is a powerhouse card for foodies — whether they prefer to dine out or cook at home.
The card earns 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 3% cash back on dining, grocery stores, eligible streaming services and entertainment. (1% back on other purchases.) That's an impressive and hard-to-find combination of rewards categories. Plus, there's a rich sign-up bonus and an intro APR offer.
If your spending is more focused specifically on either dining OR groceries, then other cards with higher rewards rates in one of those categories may be a better fit.
Our pick for: Automatic 5% rewards
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.49% - 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.
- No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
- No Annual Fee
- Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The Citi Custom Cash® Card offers a twist on existing 5%-back credit cards: You'll earn 5% back automatically based on your spending habits, not based on rotating quarterly bonus calendars. Terms apply. That makes it a low-maintenance — and potentially valuable — option.
This card earns 5% cash back on up to $500 spent in your highest-spend category per billing cycle (from a list of eligible options). And those options happen to be popular spending categories like restaurants, grocery stores, streaming services, select travel expenses and more. There's also a sign-up bonus and an intro APR period, all for an annual fee of $0.
The monthly spending cap on your 5% rate will limit the amount of cash back you can accrue. And other spending beyond your one eligible bonus category will earn just 1% back.
Our pick for: Flat-rate cash back
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers a combination of features that few other flat-rate cards can match, starting out with a rich and unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase.
Aside from the excellent flat cash-back rewards rate, new cardholders also are eligible for a generous sign-up bonus: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. There's also an intro APR period.
There's a foreign transaction fee, common among cash-back credit cards. And you can find cards with richer rates on popular spending categories, if you're willing to put up with their more complex reward structures.
Our pick for: Simplicity + high rate
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.49% - 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- 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.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
With the Citi Double Cash® Card, earning cash back is simple and lucrative. If you're looking for a low-hassle cash back card to use daily, this is it.
The value in this card is pretty much all in its stellar rewards rate: 2% cash back on purchases — 1% when you buy something, and 1% when you pay it off.
Other cards offer higher cash back percentages in specific categories.