Best Rewards Credit Cards of 2025
Last updated: July 2, 2026
Rewards credit cards let you earn points, miles, or cash back on every dollar you spend — and redeem them for travel, statement credits, gift cards, and more. The best rewards cards offer large welcome bonuses worth $500–$1,000+, strong ongoing earn rates, and useful perks that can offset the annual fee.
Our top picks
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
The best all-around travel rewards card — earn 3× on dining, 2× on travel, and get 25% more value when redeeming through Chase's travel portal.
Annual Fee
$95
APR
21.49%–28.49% variable
Welcome Offer
60,000 bonus points after $4,000 spend in first 3 months
Pros
- ✓60,000 point welcome bonus
- ✓3× on dining, 5× on travel booked via Chase
- ✓25% point value boost via Chase portal
Cons
- ✗$95 annual fee
- ✗Points worth most only through Chase portal or transfers
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Capital One Venture Rewards
Earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase — the simplest travel rewards card for people who want flexibility without tracking categories.
Annual Fee
$95
APR
19.99%–29.99% variable
Welcome Offer
75,000 miles after $4,000 spend in first 3 months
Pros
- ✓2× miles on every purchase
- ✓75,000 mile welcome bonus
- ✓Transfer to 15+ airline and hotel partners
Cons
- ✗$95 annual fee
- ✗Miles worth less than Chase points for premium travel
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Chase Freedom Flex℠
Earn 5% on rotating quarterly categories, 3% dining and drugstores, plus 0% intro APR for 15 months — a rare card that rewards spending AND helps with debt.
Annual Fee
$0
APR
20.49%–28.99% variable
Welcome Offer
$200 after $500 spend in first 3 months
Pros
- ✓5% on rotating categories (up to $1,500/quarter)
- ✓3% on dining and drugstores
- ✓0% intro APR for 15 months
Cons
- ✗Must activate 5% categories quarterly
- ✗Mastercard accepted at fewer merchants abroad than Visa
Rates & terms on partner's site. We may earn a commission. Learn more
How we chose these picks
Points vs. Miles vs. Cash Back
Points (like Chase Ultimate Rewards) and miles (like Capital One Miles) work similarly — you earn a currency that can be redeemed for travel or transferred to airline/hotel partners. Cash back is simpler but less flexible. Points and miles generally offer 2–5× more value when transferred to airline programs, but require more planning to maximize.
Is an Annual Fee Worth It?
For most active rewards card users, yes. A $95 annual fee card that earns 60,000 bonus points in year one (worth $750+ in travel) pays for itself 7× over. Even ongoing, a card that earns 3× on dining and has travel protections can easily deliver $300–$400/year in value from a $95 fee.
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