Whoever knows me knows that I enjoy singing the praises of rewards credit cards every chance I get.
But the credit card industry offers so many options that even an expert like me can have a hard time keeping track. That’s why I love helping my friends and family sift through options to find cards that fit their lifestyles and travel goals.
With that in mind, let’s go over my top picks for the best rewards credit cards.
Comparing my top picks for the best rewards credit cards
Here’s a quick overview of what each of my favorite rewards cards offers.
| Card | welcome offer | Profit rates | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) | Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. |
|
None |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) | Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. |
|
$95 |
| Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card | Earn 80,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion award after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. |
|
$395 |
| American Express Platinum® Card | New Amex Platinum cardholders can learn about their offer and see if they are eligible to receive up to 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases during the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible to receive an offer. |
|
Annual fee of $895 (see rates and fees) |
Flexible Freedom Pursuit
Featured benefits: The best benefit of this card is its rotating quarterly bonus categories. You’ll earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 of spending each quarter in these categories (then 1% cash back; activation required). Additionally, cardholders can enjoy a free six-month DoorDash DashPass membership (activated by December 31, 2027).
Freedom Flex is, in my opinion, one of Chase’s most underrated cards. He is often overshadowed by his older brothers, the Favorite Sapphire Chase and Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees).
This card is best for beginners and those looking for an affordable and flexible product. It was my first proper rewards card and it was the one that really got me hooked on this hobby.
For more information, see our full review of the freedom flex.
Apply here: Flexible Freedom Pursuit
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Favorite Sapphire Chase
Featured benefits: This card offers access to Chase transfer partners, a critical component to maximizing your rewards. If you have an eligible no-annual-fee Chase card, like the Freedom Flexcan rotate the rewards on that card in transferable Ultimate Rewards Points with the Favorite Sapphire.
The Favorite Sapphire gets put on a pedestal here at TPG, and for good reason. It’s an affordable card that earns valuable and transferable Ultimate Rewards points. Plus, it’s easy to get your money back (and then some) with Sapphire Preferred’s annual fee, thanks to its DoorDash DashPass Membership (activate before December 31, 2027).
Cardholders also get a $50 credit for one eligible hotel reservation through Chase Travel each year, plus a 10% boost in anniversary points. These affordable benefits make this card a great introduction to the world of points and miles; It was even my first transferable rewards card.
For more information, see our full review of Sapphire Preferred.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Atmos Rewards Summit
Featured benefits: If you’re an Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines (or Oneworld alliance airline) frequent flyer looking for travel-related benefits, this card deserves a place in your wallet. Atmos Summit offers eight Alaska lounge passes per year (2 passes per calendar quarter) and a fast track to elite status, thanks to 10,000 status points per year, plus earning 1 status point for every two dollars spent on purchases.
The Atmos Summit is quickly gaining a reputation as The best choice for frequent Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines travelers.. Offers great earning rates on international spend, quarterly lounge passes, free checked bags on Alaska and Hawaii flights, and fast-track elite status. Add companion rewards and share points, and the $395 annual fee starts to be worth it.
I don’t use this card, but for anyone who flies these airlines regularly or travels abroad frequently, this is definitely a card to consider.
For more information, see our full review of the Atmos Rewards Summit.
Apply here: Infinite Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Credit Card
American Express Platinum
Featured benefits: Trying to condense the most notable benefits of this card into a few sentences is almost impossible. It has a long list of statement credits, elite statuses, and lounges you can access, among other benefits. It may have the highest annual fee of any card on the market, but it’s worth it for the right cardholder.
The Amex Platinum is my most expensive card, but I can justify it thanks to its various benefits. I just used my statement credits for Resy*, which is up to $400 a year (up to $100 per quarter) and for lululemon** which is up to $300 per year (up to $75 per quarter). This means I already have about $175 to cover the annual fee for this card.
I also value the lounge access on this card, which is the most far-reaching of all the cards currently available. If you can afford pay the $895 annual fee in one billing cycle for a card, the Amex Platinum is definitely worth considering.
For more information, see our full review of the Amex Platinum.
*US restaurants only; registration required
**US stores and online only; outlets excluded; registration required
Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
How I Chose My Top Rewards Cards
The best rewards cards They offer flexibility and a lot of value. some carry annual feesSome don’t, but each has at least a few proven ways to justify its place in your wallet. All offer bonus categories tied to common spending, solid lifestyle credits, brand benefits, or some combination.
I recommend these cards over and over again because I think they are the best option for most travelers. you don’t need the four of these cards to have a complete wallet, but your travels can certainly improve if you do.
Related: The best credit cards: these 4 keep me active about 180 days a year
In a nutshell
Ask me for my best rewards card recommendations and these are the ones you’ll hear. I have three of four in my wallet and I don’t regret opening any of them. The Atmos Summit, while not a perfect fit for my current personal card strategy, is still in the same playing field as its peers on this list.
Be intrigued, not intimidated, by rewards credit cards. All of these options can unlock travel opportunities you never would have thought possible.
For Amex Platinum rates and fees, click here.
