The Best Rewards Credit Cards in a Nutshell

by Gary Leff

I receive compensation for content and many links on this blog. Citibank is an advertising partner of this site, as is American Express, Chase, Barclays and Capital One. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by my advertising partners. I do not write about all credit cards that are available -- instead focusing on miles, points, and cash back (and currencies that can be converted into the same). Terms apply to the offers and benefits listed on this page.

We often delve into the extreme detail and minutiae of rewards cards, there are tons of benefits and features and lots of details but it’s easy to lose the forest from the trees.

I thought I’d try to keep it simple, with just a single statement to encapsulate the key value proposition offered by several of the best rewards cards. See if you agree with my cutting to the chase on each:

  • Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Best all-around card to get started with (best signup bonus, strong earning, valuable points)


    Transfer Points to Singapore Airlines Krisflyer and Redeem for Suites

  • Chase Sapphire Reserve Card: Best premium card ($450 annual fee) for points-earning


    Also Gets Lounge Access

  • Platinum Card By American Express Best card benefits, elite status and lounge access


    American Express Centurion Lounge Houston

  • Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card: best business credit card for points-earning

  • Business Platinum Card from American Express: amazing benefits and receive a rebate on ‘pay with points’ to book flights instead of worrying about award space

  • British Airways Visa Signature® Card has the best signup bonus you can still get if you’re over 5/24.

  • Fidelity Investment Rewards Visa Signature Card: great cash back card

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Editorial note: any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Comments made in response to this post are not provided or commissioned nor have they been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any bank. It is not the responsibility of advertisers Citibank, Chase, American Express, Barclays, Capital One or any other advertiser to ensure that questions are answered, either. Terms and limitations apply to all offers.

Comments

  1. What about the AmEx Blue Plus that gives 2x points on all purchases up to $50k? I use this for all of my non-bonused spend.

  2. Surely the Amex Blue Business Plus shakes some of this up?

    It definitely beats Amex Everyday for “the only no annual fee card whose points transfer 1:1 into a variety of airline miles,” since 2x MR on 50k spend is much better than 2x on 6k grocery spend (even with the 20% points bonus).

    It probably makes a case for beating the SPG card as well for straight earning power on unbonused spend (sure, 1 SPG > 1 MR, but 2 MR > 1 SPG).

    It might even be a contender in the business card spending space depending on whether you hit the categories for Ink Business Preferred (and especially depending on 5/24!).

  3. Foobar I just posted the same thing but it was denied on moderation for some reason. Easily my go to card for non-bonused spend. Makes it easier on my wife to remember. Putting my taxes on it this year.

  4. I think Ink Cash is a contender against Ink Preferred depending on your spending habits.

Comments are closed.