Best Rewards Credit Cards in USA 2023

17 min readJan 10, 2023

It’s difficult for me to say which credit card is the “Best Rewards Credit Cards” , as that can vary depending on an individual’s spending habits and personal preferences. However, I can provide you with information on some popular and highly-rated rewards credit cards in the US that you might consider.

Best Rewards Credit Cards

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a popular choice for its generous rewards program and sign-up bonus. It offers 2x points on travel and dining, and 1x points on all other purchases, and a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The Platinum Card from American Express is a premium rewards card that offers 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, and on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com. Plus, cardholders can enjoy a variety of travel perks, such as access to airport lounges and a $200 annual airline fee credit.
The Citi Premier Card offers 3x Thank You points on travel and gas, 2x points on dining and entertainment, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. and also a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is another popular option for travelers, offering 2x miles on every purchase, every day. Cardholders can also enjoy a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once they spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
The Discover it Cash Back credit card, it offers a rotating 5% cashback on categories such as gas, restaurants, and department stores. This card also offers 1% cashback on all other purchases and double cashback on the first year.

These are just a few examples of rewards credit cards that you may consider, but there are many other options available. It’s important to do your own research and compare the rewards and fees of different cards before deciding which one is right for you.

It’s also important to know your credit score and make sure you are eligible for the credit cards you are looking at as well as your budget and ability to pay on time, every month.

1- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a popular rewards credit card for a number of reasons. Some of the key features of this card include:

2x points on travel and dining: Cardholders can earn 2x points for every dollar spent on travel and dining purchases. This includes things like airfare, hotels, rental cars, and meals at restaurants.
1x points on all other purchases: Cardholders earn 1 point for every dollar spent on all other purchases.
Sign-up bonus: new cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after they spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Points transfer: The points earned with this card can be transferred at a 1:1 value to a variety of travel partners including United, Southwest, and JetBlue.
No foreign transaction fees: You can use this card abroad without any additional fee
Travel coverage: The card also offers a variety of travel benefits, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, and rental car insurance.
24/7 customer service
The card has a annual fee of $95 which is waived for the first year.

It’s worth noting that to be eligible for this card, you generally need a good credit score. It is best to check your credit score before applying.

Also, you should compare the benefits and rewards with other credit cards that offer similar rewards. It’s also important to consider whether the annual fee and other expenses associated with the card are worth it for you.

How to apply Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

To apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you can follow these steps:

Visit the Chase website: Go to the Chase website and navigate to the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card page.
Review the card’s details: Before applying, it is important to review the details of the card including rewards, fees, and benefits.
Click “Apply now”: Once you have reviewed the card’s details and you decide to proceed with the application, click on the “Apply now” button.
Fill in your personal information: You will need to provide your personal information, including your name, address, income, and employment status.
Submit your application: After you have filled in all the required information, you can submit your application.
Wait for a decision: Chase will review your application and let you know if you’re approved or denied. This process usually takes a few days.
Activate your card: Once you are approved, you will receive your card in the mail. You will need to activate it before you can use it.

You should make sure you read the terms and conditions for the card, make sure you understand the annual fee, APR and other details before you submit the application. Also, It’s important to remember that approval for credit cards often depends on your credit score and credit history, so if your credit score is low, you may be denied or given a lower credit limit.

You can also apply for the card via Phone by calling their customer service, they will assist you through the process.

Pros and Cons of Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a popular rewards credit card that offers many benefits, but it also has some drawbacks. Here are some of the pros and cons of the card:

Pros:

Generous rewards program: Cardholders can earn 2x points on travel and dining, and 1x points on all other purchases. The points can be used for travel, statement credits, or gift cards, and they can also be transferred to a variety of travel partners.
Sign-up bonus: New cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after they spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Travel coverage: The card offers a variety of travel benefits, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, and rental car insurance.
No foreign transaction fees: Cardholders can use the card abroad without any additional fee.
24/7 customer service
No additional fee for the first year

Cons:

Annual fee: The card has an annual fee of $95, which can add up over time.
High Credit Score requirement: To be eligible for this card, you generally need a good credit score.
Bonus rewards category changes: The categories for bonus rewards have been known to change, which might affect the rewards earning rate.
Points transfer: Some cardholders may find that the value of the points decreases when they transfer them to certain travel partners, which can make it less beneficial to use.

It’s important to weigh the pros and cons and compare them to other credit cards before deciding if the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is the right choice for you.

You should also consider your spending habits and whether the rewards and benefits align with your financial goals.

Additionally, you should make sure that you can comfortably pay off the balance every month and that the annual fee will not affect your financial situation.

2- Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express is a premium credit card that offers a variety of exclusive benefits and rewards to cardholders. Some of the key features of this card include:

Membership Rewards: Cardholders can earn points on every purchase, which can be redeemed for a wide range of travel, shopping, and dining experiences.
Travel benefits: The Platinum Card offers a variety of travel benefits, including access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide through the Lounge Buddy program, a $200 annual airline fee credit, and a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
Fine Hotels & Resorts: Cardholders have access to exclusive perks and benefits at over 1,000 luxury hotels and resorts worldwide when they book through American Express Travel.
Global Dining Collection: Cardholders can enjoy exclusive access to dining experiences at some of the world’s most celebrated restaurants, as well as a complimentary wine or cocktail when dining with the Global Dining Collection.
Purchase protection: The Platinum Card provides purchase protection for eligible items, which means that if an item is damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase, American Express may reimburse the cardholder for the cost of the item.
Concierge service: The Platinum Card comes with a dedicated concierge service that can help cardholders with a wide range of requests, such as making restaurant reservations, booking travel, and even finding hard-to-get tickets to events.

Please keep in mind that the benefits offered by the Platinum Card are subject to change, and that there are also additional terms and conditions, fees and annual membership fee that may apply. It is important to weigh the cost of the card fee and the benefits you would use, to see if the card is worth it for you.

How to apply Platinum Card from American Express

To apply for The Platinum Card from American Express, you can follow these steps:

Go to the American Express website: You can find the application for The Platinum Card on the American Express website.

Click on the “Apply Now” button: You’ll find the button on the card’s page, it will lead you to the application form.

Fill out the application form: You’ll need to provide personal information such as your name, address, date of birth, and income. You will also need to provide information about your employment and financial situation.
Submit the application: After you’ve filled out the application form, you’ll need to submit it to American Express for review.
Wait for a decision: American Express will review your application and determine whether or not you qualify for the card. This process can take a few weeks.
Activate the card: After you have been approved, you will receive your card in the mail and you should activate it to use it.

It’s worth noting that the eligibility for Platinum card from American Express may be based on factors like your credit score, income and credit history, so it is always good to check your credit report and score before applying to have an idea of what to expect.

Also, you should be prepared to pay an annual fee for the card, which can be substantial, and that the terms and conditions of the card may be subject to change in the future.

Pro and Cons of Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express offers a wide range of exclusive benefits and rewards, but it also has some drawbacks that you should consider before applying. Here are some of the pros and cons of this card:

Pros:

Membership Rewards: Cardholders can earn points on every purchase, which can be redeemed for a wide range of travel, shopping, and dining experiences.
Travel benefits: The Platinum Card offers a variety of travel benefits, including access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide through the LoungeBuddy program, a $200 annual airline fee credit, and a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
Fine Hotels & Resorts: Cardholders have access to exclusive perks and benefits at over 1,000 luxury hotels and resorts worldwide when they book through American Express Travel.
Global Dining Collection: Cardholders can enjoy exclusive access to dining experiences at some of the world’s most celebrated restaurants, as well as a complimentary wine or cocktail when dining with the Global Dining Collection.
Purchase protection: The Platinum Card provides purchase protection for eligible items, which means that if an item is damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase, American Express may reimburse the cardholder for the cost of the item.
Concierge service: The Platinum Card comes with a dedicated concierge service that can help cardholders with a wide range of requests, such as making restaurant reservations, booking travel, and even finding hard-to-get tickets to events.

Cons:

High annual fee: The Platinum Card has a high annual fee, which can be a significant expense for some people.
High interest rate: The Platinum Card also has a high interest rate, which means that cardholders will pay more in interest charges if they carry a balance on the card.
Limited acceptance: American Express is not as widely accepted as Visa and Mastercard, so cardholders may find it more difficult to use their card at certain merchants.
Limited bonus categories: the card rewards mostly focus on travel and dining, other expenses will yield lower rewards.

It’s important to weigh the cost of the card fee and the benefits you would use, to see if the card is worth it for you and if it fits your spending habits and lifestyle, also, keep in mind that the benefits offered by the Platinum Card are subject to change.

If you’re interested in the card, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of the card, and compare it to other premium credit cards that are available to make an informed decision that fits you the most.

3- Citi Premier Card

The Citi Premier Card is a rewards credit card offered by Citibank. Some of the key features of this card include:

ThankYou Points: Cardholders can earn ThankYou points on every purchase with this card, which can be redeemed for a wide range of travel, shopping, and dining experiences.
Bonus categories: Cardholders can earn extra ThankYou points in several spending categories, such as dining, entertainment, and travel.
Flexible rewards: ThankYou points can be redeemed for things like airfare, hotels, cruises, car rentals, gift cards, and more.
No expiration: ThankYou Points do not expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.
No foreign transaction fees: The Citi Premier Card does not charge any fees on purchases made outside the United States, making it a good option for international travel.
Travel benefits: The Citi Premier Card includes travel benefits such as car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption coverage, and travel accident insurance.
Purchase protection: The card provides purchase protection on eligible items, which means that if an item is damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase, Citi may reimburse the cardholder for the cost of the item.

It is important to mention that this card also comes with an annual fee, and other terms and conditions may apply. As with any credit card, it’s important to review the terms and conditions carefully before applying, and make sure you understand the fees and rewards structure, to see if the card is a good fit for your spending habits and lifestyle.

How to apply for Citi Premier Card

To apply for the Citi Premier Card, you can follow these steps:

Go to the Citi website: You can find the application for the Citi Premier Card on the Citi website.
Click on the “Apply Now” button: You’ll find the button on the card’s page, it will lead you to the application form.
Fill out the application form: You’ll need to provide personal information such as your name, address, date of birth, and income. You will also need to provide information about your employment and financial situation.
Submit the application: After you’ve filled out the application form, you’ll need to submit it to Citi for review.
Wait for a decision: Citi will review your application and determine whether or not you qualify for the card. This process can take a few weeks.
Activate the card: After you have been approved, you will receive your card in the mail and you should activate it to use it.

It’s worth noting that the eligibility for Citi Premier Card may be based on factors like your credit score, income and credit history, so it is always good to check your credit report and score before applying to have an idea of what to expect.

Also, you should be prepared to pay an annual fee for the card, which may vary, and that the terms and conditions of the card may be subject to change in the future.

Citi offers various resources and tools that you can use to manage your account and make the most of your rewards, so you should be sure to take advantage of these resources once you become a cardholder.

Pro and Cons Citi Premier Card

The Citi Premier Card offers a rewards program and several benefits to cardholders, but it also has some drawbacks that you should consider before applying. Here are some of the pros and cons of this card.

Pros:

ThankYou Points: Cardholders can earn ThankYou points on every purchase with this card, which can be redeemed for a wide range of travel, shopping, and dining experiences.
Bonus categories: Cardholders can earn extra ThankYou points in several spending categories, such as dining, entertainment, and travel.
Flexible rewards: ThankYou points can be redeemed for things like airfare, hotels, cruises, car rentals, gift cards, and more.
No expiration: ThankYou Points do not expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.
No foreign transaction fees: The Citi Premier Card does not charge any fees on purchases made outside the United States, making it a good option for international travel.
Travel benefits: The Citi Premier Card includes travel benefits such as car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption coverage, and travel accident insurance.
Purchase protection: The card provides purchase protection on eligible items, which means that if an item is damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase, Citi may reimburse the cardholder for the cost of the item.

Cons:

Annual fee: The Citi Premier Card has an annual fee which can be significant.
Bonus categories may be limited: The bonus categories might not align with your spending habits and if that’s the case, you’ll earn less rewards.
Limited acceptance: Citi card may not be accepted as widely as Visa and Mastercard, so cardholders may find it more difficult to use their card at certain merchants.

As with any credit card, it’s important to review the terms and conditions carefully before applying, and make sure you understand the fees and rewards structure, to see if the card is a good fit for your spending habits and lifestyle.

You should compare it with other rewards credit card options to ensure that you get the best value for your spending. Remember to always pay attention to the terms, fees and perks of the card, and use it responsibly to maximize the benefits while avoiding interest and fees.

4- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a rewards credit card that allows you to earn miles on every purchase you make. These miles can then be redeemed for travel expenses such as flights, hotels, and rental cars. Some key features of the card include:

Unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
A sign-up bonus of 100,000 miles if you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months from account opening, or still earn 50,000 miles if you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
No foreign transaction fees
The ability to transfer your miles to over 12 travel loyalty programs
The option to redeem your miles for statement credits towards travel expenses, or use them to book travel through Capital One’s travel portal.
$95 annual fee

It’s also an good alternative option for traveler who don’t have any preferences of specific airline or hotel brand and wants to have more flexible options. It is a good option for someone who travels frequently and wants to earn rewards on their everyday spending. Additionally, the lack of foreign transaction fees can make it a good choice for people who travel internationally.

However, this card also comes with an annual fee, so it’s important to make sure that the value of the rewards you earn will outweigh the cost of the fee. Additionally, if you’re someone who wants to earn rewards that can be used with a specific airline or hotel chain, you may be better off with a card that is linked to that loyalty program.

It’s always good to compare and contrast with other similar cards before making a decision and check if the rewards and perks match your spending and travel habits.

How to apply Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

To apply for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you can follow these steps:

Go to the Capital One website and navigate to the page for the Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Click on the “Apply Now” button to start the application process.
Fill out the required personal information, such as your name, address, and income. You will also need to provide your social security number and date of birth.
Review and accept the terms and conditions.
Submit your application.

It’s important to note that Capital One may review your credit report and credit score as part of the application process. You should also make sure that you meet the credit and income requirements for the card before applying.

Additionally, you should also have ready your personal information and documentation before applying. The personal information is your name, address, phone number, email, and so on. It is also advisable to check your credit score, which is a measure of your creditworthiness and is used by lenders to determine your risk as a borrower, as well as documentations like your ID, SSN, and proof of income.

It usually takes only a few minutes to complete the online application process. After you submit your application, Capital One will review it and get back to you with a decision. It could take a couple of days to receive an answer, if everything goes smoothly.

It’s also recommended to read the terms and conditions carefully before applying and make sure you understand the benefits and fees associated with the card.

Discover it Cash Back credit card

The Discover it Cash Back credit card is a rewards card offered by Discover Financial Services. Some of the key features of this card include cash back rewards on purchases, no annual fee, and a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 14 months (then the standard variable APR applies, currently 11.99% — 22.99% Variable).

With the Discover it Cash Back card, cardholders can earn cash back on everyday purchases. You can earn 5% cash back on rotating categories that change each quarter (up to the quarterly maximum each time you activate), and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Additionally, at the end of your first year as a cardholder, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned during that year, effectively doubling your rewards.

The card also comes with several other benefits, such as no late fee on your first late payment, a free FICO credit score each month, and access to your free Credit Scorecard. There is no foreign transaction fee, so it could be a good option if you plan to travel abroad.

It’s important to note that this card has no rewards tiers, no limits on the amount of rewards you can earn, and no expiration date for rewards.

Overall, the Discover it Cash Back credit card is a great option for people who are looking for a cash back rewards card with a simple and flexible structure and no annual fee.

It’s also good to review your credit score and make sure you are pre-qualified for the card before applying, as that will give you an idea of your chances of approval and the terms you may qualify for.

Let me know if you have any other questions, or need more information on this topic.

How to apply Discover it Cash Back credit card

It’s easy to apply

Apply in minutes with our easy application process.

You can apply for the Discover it Cash Back credit card by visiting the Discover website and clicking on the “Apply Now” button for the card. You will then be directed to a page where you can fill out an application form with your personal and financial information.

Typically the application will ask for information such as your name, address, date of birth, income, and employment status. You will also be asked to provide your Social Security number, as well as your email address and phone number.

In addition, It is suggested to review your credit score and make sure you are pre-qualified for the card before applying, as that will give you an idea of your chances of approval and the terms you may qualify for.

It’s important to make sure that all the information you provide on the application is accurate and up-to-date, as any inaccuracies could delay the approval process or even result in your application being denied.

You can apply online and the process should take just a few minutes. After submitting your application, Discover will perform a credit check and review your application. They will then notify you of their decision, which is usually given within a few days. If your application is approved, you will typically receive your card within 7–10 business days.

Please note that terms and conditions are subject to change and it’s always a good idea to verify the most up-to-date information with Discover before apply.