The Best Rewards Credit Cards of 2019

A limited-time offer best for Hawaii residents or frequent visitors

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®

Frequent visitors or residents of the Aloha State can find value and delight with the Hawaiian Airlines card, especially if you already have a top-of-wallet credit card for non-airline purchases. Even better, Barclays is running a limited-time offer of a higher intro bonus and a waived annual fee for your first year as a cardholder.

What we love

This card has enough unique perks and rewards to entice and satisfy Hawaiian Airlines flyers for the long haul.

• Limited-time intro bonus of 60,000 miles after you spend $2,000 within 90 days of opening the account
• 50% discount on a companion ticket within 13 months of opening the account, and an annual $100 off a companion ticket thereafter
• 3x miles on all Hawaiian Airlines purchases

What we don’t love

Despite easing your trip to paradise, the card lacks some benefits that rival cards offer.

• The rewards on non–Hawaiian Airlines spending—2x miles on eligible gas, dining, and grocery purchases and 1x mile on all else—aren’t particularly strong
• Only cardholders get their first checked bag for free; every other member of the party has to pay

Apply Now

Apply now for this Partner Offer on Barclays’s secure website.

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee first year, then $99

Regular APR

18.24%- 27.24% variable

Intro Bonus

60,000 miles

Recommended Credit

Good to excellent

Read our full review of the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard.

Best overall travel rewards credit card

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

This inimitable travel card offers diners, flyers, and commuters the best mix of rewards, perks and insurance despite a dumbfounding annual fee.

What we love

No other card offers as wide an array of rewards and perks—from points to travel credits to lounge access—you can easily use.

• 3x points on travel and dining purchases
• $300 annual travel credit
• Flexibility in how you earn rewards and how you redeem them

What we don’t love

You have to pay $450 every year to earn these benefits, and another premium card offers a better lounge experience.

• That eye-popping $450 annual fee
• Diminishing value of the Priority Pass

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

Learn More

We don't earn a commission on this offer.

Product details have been collected independently by Wirecutter and are accurate as of 6/24/2019. Learn More.

Annual Fee

$450

Regular APR

19.24% - 26.24% variable

Intro Bonus

50,000 points

Recommended Credit

Excellent

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is beloved among travelers not just for its high rewards rate on travel and dining but also for its bevy of perks, including a generous $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge access, and reimbursement for the TSA Pre✓ or Global Entry application fee every four years.

You earn three points for every dollar you spend on travel expenses. And it gets even better: We consider the Reserve® to be the best, most flexible travel rewards card given the range of purchases that count as travel, including subway tickets, Lyft and Uber rides, parking fees, and bridge and highway tolls.

Although you can redeem your points for cash back, we don’t recommend doing that: Your points are worth 50% more if you redeem them through the Chase travel portal.

Best travel rewards card with no annual fee

PenFed Pathfinder Rewards American Express® Card

Ideal for cardholders who want good travel rewards without having to fork over half a monthly mortgage payment to get ’em. No other no-annual-fee card offers an equally good package of a spending bonus, ongoing earnings, and credits.

What we love

With the Pathfinder, you get credits and a rewards rate you'd definitely pay an annual fee for with most other travel cards.

• $0 annual fee—rare among travel cards
• Up to 4x points on travel purchases
• 1.5x points on all other purchases
• $100 annual air travel credit

What we don’t love

Unless you’re in the military or a veteran, you need a PenFed checking account to earn the highest reward rate on your travel spending.

• Point redemption can be tricky
• The best reward rates are reserved for military members, veterans, or people with a PenFed checking account

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

Learn More

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Product details have been collected independently by Wirecutter and are accurate as of 8/6/2019. Learn More.

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

12.99% - 17.99% variable

Intro Bonus

25,000 points

Recommended Credit

Good to excellent

If paying money for a credit card is a turnoff for you, the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards American Express Card allows you to earn travel rewards and charges a $0 annual fee.

And you get some solid perks, including a $100 annual air travel credit (good for checked bags, lounge access, and in-flight food), a $100 Global Entry/TSA Pre✓ credit, and a 25,000-point bonus (worth $250) if you spend $2,500 within three months of opening the account.

You also earn three points per dollar spent on travel purchases (four points if you’re a PenFed Honors Advantage Member, which includes having an open PenFed checking account or military service) and 1.5 points on all other purchases.

Best travel rewards card for average credit

Discover it® Miles

Though it lacks true bells and whistles to tout, cardholders can embrace a no-annual-fee card with solid reward earnings that doesn’t require a degree in calculus to understand.

What we love

You know where you stand: Each dollar spent—whether on airfare or donuts— earns the same rewards (1.5 miles is worth 1.5¢ when redeemed).

• No annual or foreign-transaction fees
• First-year spending rewards doubled

What we don’t love

Although the rewards are dependable, they’re not as generous as our top pick’s.

• No annual travel credits
• Discover isn’t as widely accepted abroad as Visa or Mastercard

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

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Product details have been collected independently by Wirecutter and are accurate as of 6/24/2019. Learn More.

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

14.24% - 25.24% variable

Intro Bonus

Cashback Match™

Recommended Credit

Good to excellent

If you’re working to improve your credit and you want a card with no foreign-transaction fees, the Discover it® Miles could be for you. For every dollar you spend, whether it’s a travel expense or not, you earn 1.5 miles (worth 1¢), redeemable for cash in the form of a direct deposit.

If you want to book a costly vacation or have some other big expense, there’s another reason to love this card: Rather than receiving a spending bonus, you get double rewards the first year, essentially earning 3% on your first year of purchases.

Best airline card

The Platinum Card from American Express®

The Platinum can earn you a ton of points when you buy flights—and its flexibility for how you can use those rewards is practically unrivaled, especially if you’re not loyal to one airline. But be prepared to shell out a costly $550 annual fee.

What we love

If you lean towards the more luxurious things in life, the Platinum rewards you with the best airport lounge access of any travel card we analyzed, plus that famed American Express customer service.

• 5x points on eligible flights and hotels
• Best airport lounge access (includes Priority Pass and Centurion Lounges)
• Up to $200 in Uber credits annually
• $200 annual airline-fee credit on one qualifying airline

What we don’t love

The high annual fee can hurt (although you get credits worth up to $500 to help ameliorate it).

• You have to spend a very high $5,000 in three months to earn the 60,000 Membership Rewards points intro bonus
• Travel credits require time, effort, and thought to use
• The Platinum is the best travel card for earning rewards on airline spending—but it won’t get you airline-specific perks like priority boarding

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

Apply Now

Apply now for this Partner Offer on American Express’s secure website.

Annual Fee

$550

Regular APR

N/A

Intro Bonus

60,000 points

Recommended Credit

Excellent

Bearing a $550 annual fee, the Platinum Card® from American Express is our most expensive travel card pick. But if you fly at least five times a year, love extra perks that elevate the flying experience (such as Amex Centurion Lounge access), and can put this card’s travel credits (worth an estimated $500) to use, the annual fee nearly pays for itself.

Those annual credits include a $200 airline-fee statement credit for incidental fees (such as for checked bags) on one qualifying airline of your choice and $200 in Uber credits for US rides (broken down as $15 per month, plus a bonus $20 in December).

Plus, you receive five points for every dollar you spend on a flight you purchase directly from the airline or through American Express Travel. According to The Points Guy’s calculations, that can translate to a whopping 10¢ in value per dollar spent.

Runner-up for best overall travel card

American Express® Gold Card

A recent face-lift has transformed a once staid product into potentially the most valuable travel card, if you’re willing to play the miles game.

What we love

The Gold is one of the most valuable travel cards out there.

• A high rate of return (4x) on US supermarket spending (up to $25,000 a year) and on restaurant spending
• Solid rewards (3x) on flights booked directly with an eligible airline or through American Express Travel
• An unusually wide variety of credits to use for dining and travel

What we don’t love

The Gold has plenty of credits and perks but they come at a pretty steep cost.

• Although the credits are generous, there are a lot of restrictions on how you redeem them
• A pretty steep $250 annual fee
• American Express isn't as widely accepted abroad and in the US as Visa and Mastercard

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

Apply Now

Apply now for this Partner Offer on American Express’s secure website.

Annual Fee

$250

Regular APR

See Rates & Fees

Intro Bonus

35,000 Points

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

The American Express Gold® Card, which comes with a $250 annual fee, is a midrange travel card that offers some of the same perks you can get from its flashy cousin, the Platinum Card® from American Express. Flights booked directly with an eligible airline or through American Express Travel score three points per dollar spent. That’s two fewer points than what the $550 Platinum offers, but with this card you’re also paying $300 less in annual fees.

You also get a $100 annual airline-fee credit to apply to incidentals, such as baggage fees, on one eligible airline of your choice.

Our travel rewards credit card picks, side by side

Our pick for 2% cash back

Citi® Double Cash Card

The Double Cash is a convenient day-to-day companion you’ll reach for regularly: It has a high cash-back rate, earning and redeeming your cash is easy, and you get big-bank conveniences. Plus, you enjoy a long 0% APR period on balance transfers.

What we love

No other card offers the combination of excellent cash-back rewards and 18 months of 0% APR (then 15.99% - 25.99%, variable) on balance transfers made within four months of opening your account.

• High 2% cash-back rate (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay it off)
• Quickly deposit your cash back directly into your bank account
• $0 annual fee

What we don’t love

While 2% cash back on everything you buy is one of the best ongoing rates available, other cards deliver better rewards on specific categories, such as groceries and dining.

• 3% balance-transfer fee
• No 0% APR period on purchases
• 3% foreign-transaction fee

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

Learn More

We don't earn a commission on this offer.

Product details have been collected independently by Wirecutter and are accurate as of 8/8/2019. Learn More.

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

15.99% - 25.99% variable

Intro Bonus

N/A

Recommended Credit

Good to excellent

The Citi Double Cash is a workhorse in your wallet, netting 2% back on everything you buy (1% when you make the purchase and 1% when you pay it off). There are no rotating spending-rewards categories to keep track of, and when it’s time to claim, you get cash back. That means you don’t need to worry about converting points or redeeming gift cards through a rewards portal.

The best way to redeem your rewards is as a direct deposit into a linked checking or savings account or as a check, so you receive the full 2% cash back. You can also opt to redeem your cash back as a statement credit, but if you do so you earn slightly less than the full 2% (around 1.98%) because that statement credit doesn’t count as paying off your purchases and doesn’t qualify for the full 1%.

The best cash-back rate we found

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

The card offers 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining and 1.5 points on all other spending—but the real value comes for Bank of America savings and investment clients. A $20,000 deposit in a BofA savings or investment account earns you a 25% rewards bonus on all spending. $100,000 gives you a 75% bonus, the highest of any cash-back card we found.

What we love

This card has a particularly generous cash-back rate and also offers satisfactory travel rewards.

• 2.625% cash back (the highest rate we found) if you have $100,000 or more invested with Bank of America or Merrill Lynch
• No foreign-transaction fees
• $100 airline credit you can use for incidentals like baggage fees and in-flight drinks.

What we don’t love

You need to have a lot invested with Bank of America ($100,000) to qualify for the highest cash-back rate.

• $95 annual fee
• Reward rates are distinctly average if they're not supercharged by enrollment in the Preferred Rewards program

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

Apply Now

Apply now for this Partner Offer on Bank of America’s secure website.

Annual Fee

$95

Regular APR

18.24% - 25.24% Variable APR on purchases

Intro Bonus

50,000 points

Recommended Credit

Excellent/Good

If you can maintain a three-month average combined balance in your qualifying Bank of America and/or Merrill Lynch and Merrill Edge accounts of $100,000, the Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card could earn you the highest cash-back rate we found: 2.63%.

Even if your account balance isn’t that high, you may still benefit from this card if you have an eligible Bank of America/Merrill Lynch/Merrill Edge account. You can enroll in Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program, which essentially acts as a booster for any rewards you earn in return for being a Bank of America account holder.

It’s a tiered program, so if you have at least $20,000 in a qualifying account, that boosts your reward rate by 25%; if you earn 1.5% cash back on your purchases, for example, a 25% boost means you earn 1.875% cash back on those purchases instead. These bonus boosts can increase as your account increases, up to a maximum 75% boost.

The card offers some travel perks too, including a $100 statement credit to reimburse your TSA Pre✓ or Global Entry application fee every four years, a 50,000-point intro bonus (worth $500) if you make $3,000 in purchases within your first 90 days as a cardholder, and a $100 annual travel credit for travel incidentals (such as baggage fees or lounge fees).

Our pick for building credit

QuicksilverOne® from Capital One®

The QuicksilverOne is one of the few cards around that give you an opportunity to earn decent cash-back rewards if you have average credit.

What we love

You can get a decent rewards card with fair credit (on the FICO scale, this is a score of 580 to 669).

• Decent cash back for average credit
• No foreign-transaction fee

What we don’t love

It can be easy to get into trouble if you’re not diligent with your debt.

• $39 annual fee
• The minimum credit limit you could be assigned is a meager $300
• Very high APR on purchases

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

Learn More

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Product details have been collected independently by Wirecutter and are accurate as of 6/24/2019. Learn More.

Annual Fee

$39

Regular APR

26.99% variable

Intro Bonus

N/A

Recommended Credit

Fair

Most cash-back cards require that customers have a credit score of at least 700. If you’re not there yet but you still want to earn rewards, you may be able to qualify for the QuicksilverOne. With this card you earn 1.5% back on all your purchases.

It charges a $39 annual fee, so you need to spend $2,600 annually just to break even. If you don’t spend that much, sacrifice the rewards and stick with a card that has no annual fee.

Our cash-back credit card picks, side by side

Our pick for 2% cash back

Citi® Double Cash Card

The Double Cash is a convenient day-to-day companion you’ll reach for regularly: It has a high cash-back rate, earning and redeeming your cash is easy, and you get big-bank conveniences. Plus, you enjoy a long 0% APR period on balance transfers.

What we love

No other card offers the combination of excellent cash-back rewards and 18 months of 0% APR (then 15.99% - 25.99%, variable) on balance transfers made within four months of opening your account.

• High 2% cash-back rate (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay it off)
• Quickly deposit your cash back directly into your bank account
• $0 annual fee

What we don’t love

While 2% cash back on everything you buy is one of the best ongoing rates available, other cards deliver better rewards on specific categories, such as groceries and dining.

• 3% balance-transfer fee
• No 0% APR period on purchases
• 3% foreign-transaction fee

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

Learn More

We don't earn a commission on this offer.

Product details have been collected independently by Wirecutter and are accurate as of 8/8/2019. Learn More.

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

15.99% - 25.99% variable

Intro Bonus

N/A

Recommended Credit

Good to excellent

The Citi Double Cash card is a jack-of-all-trades card. It isn’t the best for groceries, but it is the best for all your purchases overall, offering 2% back (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay it off) on everything you buy.

If you had the American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card instead, you’d have to worry about whether your grocery store qualified as a US supermarket and was eligible for the 6% rate, or if you’d have to settle for a paltry 1% back.

Our favorite card for US supermarkets

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

6% is the highest cash-back rate on any grocery card we reviewed.

What we love

If you spend $100 or more at US supermarkets each week, you’ll easily earn cash-back rewards from purchases you would have probably made anyway.

• $250 bonus after you spend $1,000 in purchases in your first three months
• 3% cash back at US gas stations makes it useful at the pump
• User-friendly mobile app rated number one in J.D. Power’s 2018 U.S. Credit Card App Satisfaction Study

What we don’t love

There are some limitations to how many rewards you can earn.

• Once you hit $6,000 in US supermarket purchases in a calendar year, you’ll earn only 1% on grocery shopping after that
• 6% rate applies only to US supermarkets, not at Costco, your local cheese shop, or the corner store
• The Blue Cash Preferred charges a 2.7% foreign-transaction fee so don't bring it overseas or use it to purchase things in a foreign currency

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

Apply Now

Apply now for this Partner Offer on American Express’s secure website.

Annual Fee

$95

Regular APR

14.99% - 25.99% variable

Intro Bonus

$250

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Despite its annual fee, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is attractive because it offers an eye-popping 6% on the first $6,000 in purchases per calendar year made at US supermarkets (and 1% back on purchases after you reach that limit). If you spend about $100 a week on groceries, you break even on the annual fee and earn an additional $270 in cash back.

You also get a $250 welcome bonus after you spend $1,000 on your new card in your first three months, which is a relatively easy-to-reach spending requirement.

Watch where you buy your groceries with this card, though. Amex gives you 6% back only on purchases at US supermarkets like Albertsons, Publix, or Safeway. You don’t earn the bonus rate at specialty retailers like fish markets or cheese shops, superstores like Target, or warehouse clubs like Costco.

This card is also a great pick if you drive because you earn 3% back at US gas stations, no caps. If you don’t drive and rely more on Uber and Lyft to get around, you earn 3% back on those purchases, as well as a generous 6% back on eligible US streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix, and Spotify.

Our pick if you shop at Whole Foods or Amazon

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card

Earn cash back on groceries from Amazon and Whole Foods, and on almost everything you buy on Amazon.

What we love

With no spending caps and a tremendous array of items for purchase beyond groceries, you have the potential to rack up tons of cash back.

• No spending cap means huge potential to rack up cash-back rewards if you mostly shop at Amazon
• Receive a $80 Amazon.com gift card instantly upon approval

What we don’t love

You have to be a Prime member and primarily shop at Whole Foods or Amazon to make this card worth it.

• 5% cash-back rate applies only to Amazon and Whole Foods, so don’t expect to use this at other supermarkets
• 5% rate also excludes purchases made through international Amazon sites like Amazon.co.uk and some Amazon-owned sites such as Audible
• You need Amazon Prime membership to apply (which can cost $119 annually)

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

Learn More

We don't earn a commission on this offer.

Product details have been collected independently by Wirecutter and are accurate as of 6/24/2019. Learn More.

Annual Fee

$0 with Prime Membership

Regular APR

16.49% - 24.49% variable

Intro Bonus

$80

Recommended Credit

Good to excellent

Whole Foods might be saddled with the derisory nickname “Whole Paycheck,” but checking out with your Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card can lessen the blow.

You get 5% back on all eligible purchases at both Whole Foods and Amazon.com. Even if you don’t frequent Whole Foods, you could still benefit tremendously from this card if you buy big-ticket items from Amazon. Although you don’t have to pay an annual fee on this card, you do need to have an Amazon Prime account, which typically costs $119 a year.

Our pick if you shop at Target

Target REDcard™ Credit Card

Earn cash back on groceries from Target (and nearly everything else you buy there).

What we love

Instant 5% off at the cash register makes it easy to earn discounts on not just groceries but also anything else you buy at Target.

• There's no spending cap on how much rewards you can earn
• Cardholders get free shipping and an extra 30 days to make returns

What we don’t love

You can’t use this card anywhere beyond Target. Plus, the high interest rate on purchases means any interest charged on an unpaid balance could quickly negate the value of rewards.

• Card works only at Target
• High APR on purchases

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

Apply Now

Apply now for this Partner Offer on Target’s secure website.

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

25.15% variable

Intro Bonus

N/A

Recommended Credit

Good to excellent

The Target REDcard Credit Card has one of the best, simplest redemption structures you can find: an instant 5% off at checkout when you shop at Target. No annual fee, no membership requirement, no caps.

Plus, cardholders can take advantage of a few other perks including free two-day shipping on most items sold at Target, as well as an extra 30 days to make returns beyond Target’s standard 90-day return policy.

This card works only at Target, so it isn’t likely to be the only credit card you keep in your wallet.

Our grocery rewards credit card picks, side by side

Our cash-back calculations factor in all annual fees; on the Blue Cash Preferred, we also assume $6,000 annual spending at a 6% rate plus $500 at a 1% rate.

Best airline card

The Platinum Card from American Express®

The Platinum can earn you a ton of points when you buy flights—and its flexibility for how you can use those rewards is practically unrivaled, especially if you’re not loyal to one airline. But be prepared to shell out a costly $550 annual fee.

What we love

If you lean towards the more luxurious things in life, the Platinum rewards you with the best airport lounge access of any travel card we analyzed, plus that famed American Express customer service.

• 5x points on eligible flights and hotels
• Best airport lounge access (includes Priority Pass and Centurion Lounges)
• Up to $200 in Uber credits annually
• $200 annual airline-fee credit on one qualifying airline

What we don’t love

The high annual fee can hurt (although you get credits worth up to $500 to help ameliorate it).

• You have to spend a very high $5,000 in three months to earn the 60,000 Membership Rewards points intro bonus
• Travel credits require time, effort, and thought to use
• The Platinum is the best travel card for earning rewards on airline spending—but it won’t get you airline-specific perks like priority boarding

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

Apply Now

Apply now for this Partner Offer on American Express’s secure website.

Annual Fee

$550

Regular APR

N/A

Intro Bonus

60,000 points

Recommended Credit

Excellent

If you frequently fly American, Delta, or United, we recommend the Platinum Card from American Express over those airlines’ branded cards. Points you earn on the Platinum card are worth a good deal more than a mile you earn on any of the legacy carriers’ cards: You receive five points for every dollar you spend on a flight purchased directly from the airline or through American Express Travel, worth 10¢ according to The Points Guy’s calculations.

You also earn tons of credits, including a $200 airline-fee credit to use on incidentals such as bag fees on one qualifying airline of your choice and up to $200 in annual Uber credits. In addition, you get access to a swath of luxury airline lounges, so you can live a first-class lifestyle before takeoff even if you’re not flying first class.

Best if you fly Southwest Airlines

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Dedicated Southwest flyers looking to keep life simple by booking their flights with a Southwest credit card should strongly consider this one, even if it’s pricier than the alternatives. It can make traveling with a partner, and even your experience on the plane, less expensive and more joyful.

What we love

The heralded Southwest Companion Pass, which lets a pal fly for free (minus taxes and fees) for a year, is within your grasp thanks to a bountiful intro offer.

• A $75 annual credit plus 7,500-point anniversary bonus (worth about $110) make it easy to justify the annual fee
• Extra goodies include upgraded boardings so you can be one of the first to pick your seat, even if you forgot to check-in early

What we don’t love

You may be able to earn more points from your Southwest flights with non-Southwest cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

• The annual fee is lower than many other airline credit cards, but it still stings
• The rewards miles you earn on all purchases, including those on Southwest, aren’t spectacular

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

Learn More

We don't earn a commission on this offer.

Product details have been collected independently by Wirecutter and are accurate as of 6/24/2019. Learn More.

Annual Fee

$149

Regular APR

18.24 - 25.24 variable

Intro Bonus

40,000 points

Recommended Credit

Good to excellent

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card gets you lots of goodies, well beyond the two miles you earn per dollar spent on Southwest. You receive a 7,500-point bonus on your card anniversary (worth an estimated $113 in value) as well as a $75 annual travel credit that you can use on most Southwest purchases including tickets (though it does not apply to upgraded boardings or in-flight purchases), more than enough to offset the card’s $149 annual fee.

If you love being the first person on the plane so you can pick the best seat, you’re also in luck: With this card you’re entitled to reimbursement for four upgrades (when available) each year, which moves you into the first boarding group.

And then there’s the highly coveted Southwest Companion Pass, which lets a buddy fly with you for free (aside from taxes and fees). You can earn the pass either by amassing 110,000 qualifying points or by flying 100 qualifying, one-way flights. Unless you take a flight nearly once every three days, you’ll need help to earn the pass. Although this card doesn’t give you the pass outright, it does put you well on your way by awarding you a 40,000-point one-time intro bonus after you spend $1,000 in the first three months.

Best if you fly Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card

Think of this as the tasting menu of airline cards — and everything is toothsome. You receive an annual companion ticket, excellent earnings rate on airline spending, and the ability to book flights on partner airlines (including American Airlines) with your miles. Yum.

What we love

The Alaska Airlines card delivers pretty much everything you could hope for from an airline card: the famed companion ticket, great rewards on your Alaska Airlines spending, and plenty of partner airlines for your points.

• Annual Companion Fare ticket, costing as little as $121, is a huge perk
• Good earnings on airline miles and a reasonable annual fee

What we don’t love

The delightful perks come at a price—a $75 annual fee. Also, Alaska Airlines has a strong presence on the West Coast, but if you live on the East Coast or in the Midwest, it might not be one of your airport's top airlines.

• Limited utility for flyers on the East Coast and Midwest
• The annual fee—it's not the highest out there, but paying one is still a pain

Apply Now

Apply now for this Partner Offer on Bank of America’s secure website.

Annual Fee

$75

Regular APR

18.24%-26.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Intro Bonus

40,000 miles + Companion fare

Recommended Credit

Excellent/Good

For an annual fee of $75, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card offers you three miles per dollar spent on all Alaska purchases. Those three miles are worth about 5.4¢ on every airline dollar you spend, according to The Points Guy’s valuations.

We love the card’s 40,000-mile welcome bonus, which you get if you spend $2,000 within 90 days of opening the account.

Another attractive benefit is the Companion Fare offer (not to be confused with a Companion Pass): If you meet the $2,000 spending requirement, you receive a code from Alaska Airlines for a companion-ticket voucher that allows you to purchase one coach companion fare on the Alaska Airlines website from $121 ($99 base fare plus applicable taxes and fees from $22 depending on your flight itinerary) if you book it on the same itinerary as another guest on a paid coach airfare.

Each year after, you receive another voucher for a coach companion ticket on the anniversary of your account opening. You have to buy both tickets at the same time and use the voucher code within 12 months. The value of that ticket varies on how you use it, but it could prove especially lucrative if you book a more expensive flight, such as across the country or to Hawaii.

Best if you fly JetBlue Airlines

JetBlue Plus Card

Although there’s no buddy ticket comparable to that of Alaska or Southwest, the two-decade-old carrier offers cardholders a sizable chunk of points per dollar spent on JetBlue purchases, half off in-flight purchases, and a hearty anniversary bonus. Loyal JetBlue flyers would do well to resist the Platinum’s glitz and choose this workhorse.

What we love

• Lots of rewards on JetBlue purchases
• Decent anniversary bonus

What we don’t love

• Lackluster travel credits
• No companion ticket

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

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Annual Fee

$99

Regular APR

18.24% - 27.24% variable

Intro Bonus

40,000 points

Recommended Credit

Good to excellent

The JetBlue Plus Card delivers value not just on airline purchases (as is the case with most airline-branded credit cards) but also on everyday spending. You earn six points for every dollar you spend on JetBlue (worth about 7.8¢, according to The Points Guy’s valuations) as well as two points at grocery stores and restaurants.

It’s also a great pick if you spend money on airline incidentals such as in-flight snacks or baggage fees. All cardholders get their first checked bag free. If you spend $50,000 on the card in one year, you earn two free checked bags, complimentary booze, and higher earnings on JetBlue flights.

Our airline rewards credit card picks, side by side

Rewards rate valuations are based on The Points Guy calculations and are current as of April 2019.

The best overall dining credit card

Uber Visa Card

4% is the highest dining rewards rate on any $0-annual-fee dining card we found.

What we love

This card offers generous rewards not just on dining but also on other categories like travel.

• A relatively easy-to-attain $100 bonus after you spend $500 in purchases in your first three months
• 3% back on travel and no foreign-transaction fees make this a decent $0-annual-fee travel card
• If you spend $5,000 annually on the card, you get a $50 credit toward some online subscriptions, a rare perk especially given the $0 annual fee

What we don’t love

You need to apply for the card through the Uber app, yet you don’t actually earn significant rewards on Uber rides.

• With just 2% back on Uber rides, don’t expect to generate significant rewards there, despite the Uber branding
• You must apply through the Uber app—a rather unconventional sign-up process
• Uber’s tarnished reputation has earned it a spot on 24/7 Wall Street’s “20 Most Hated Companies” list

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

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Product details have been collected independently by Wirecutter and are accurate as of 8/8/2019. Learn More.

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

17.99% - 28.74% variable

Intro Bonus

$100

Recommended Credit

Good to excellent

Whether your preference is takeout, a drive-through, or a fancy restaurant, you earn 4% back if you charge your dining purchases to your Uber Visa Card. That’s not only the highest rate on any $0-annual-fee card we found but also a highly competitive rate among other top-tier dining rewards credit cards.

Best overall travel rewards credit card

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

This inimitable travel card offers diners, flyers, and commuters the best mix of rewards, perks and insurance despite a dumbfounding annual fee.

What we love

No other card offers as wide an array of rewards and perks—from points to travel credits to lounge access—you can easily use.

• 3x points on travel and dining purchases
• $300 annual travel credit
• Flexibility in how you earn rewards and how you redeem them

What we don’t love

You have to pay $450 every year to earn these benefits, and another premium card offers a better lounge experience.

• That eye-popping $450 annual fee
• Diminishing value of the Priority Pass

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Product details have been collected independently by Wirecutter and are accurate as of 6/24/2019. Learn More.

Annual Fee

$450

Regular APR

19.24% - 26.24% variable

Intro Bonus

50,000 points

Recommended Credit

Excellent

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is our top travel rewards card, and if you travel frequently it performs double duty as a great dining rewards card too. You earn three points for each dollar you spend on dining, and points are worth 50% more if you redeem them through the Chase travel portal (effectively turning three reward points into a value of 4.5¢).

A no-annual-fee alternative

SavorOne℠ Rewards

With bonus categories for entertainment and food, this card rewards you for spending on experiences rather than things.

What we love

You get 3% not just on dining but also on other entertainment expenses including bowling alleys, theme parks, movies, and concerts.

• With a $0 annual fee, there’s no pressure to justify continued spending with this card if your budget changes
• Redemption is straightforward: no minimum to redeem, and you can claim rewards as a statement credit or apply them toward purchases
• No foreign-transaction fees makes this a card you can use abroad

What we don’t love

Although 3% on restaurants is pretty good, you can do better with other cards.

• If your top priority is the highest cash-back rate on dining, other no-annual-fee cards offer higher rates than 3%
• Since this card offers just 1% back on non-bonus-category purchases, it probably won’t last as the only card in your wallet

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

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Product details have been collected independently by Wirecutter and are accurate as of 7/18/2019. Learn More.

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

16.24% - 26.24% variable

Intro Bonus

$150

Recommended Credit

Good to excellent

The $0-annual-fee SavorOne Rewards offers 3% back on dining. That’s not as great as the rate on our top pick, the Uber Visa Card (which offers 4%), but depending on your spending habits you may find more value through this card. You get 3% back on entertainment purchases, a broad category that includes tickets to movies, concerts, sporting events, theme parks, zoos, and bowling alleys.

Best if you’re a Costco member

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

3% cash back on restaurants is above-average, though not the best rate. But this card also functions as a great gas rewards card and a $0-annual-fee travel card.

What we love

This card is good for dining, but we also love it for travel and gas.

• Cardholders also get 3% back on eligible travel and 4% back on eligible gas
• No foreign-transaction fees makes this a good card to bring internationally if you don’t have a dedicated travel rewards card

What we don’t love

Rewards are easiest to redeem on Costco purchases, yet the rewards rate on Costco purchases isn’t that impressive.

• The 2% cash-back rate on Costco purchases is disappointing, considering 2% is the standard for good cash-back cards anyway
• Rewards aren’t instant; you receive them as an annual certificate redeemable only at US Costco warehouses

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Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

17.24% variable

Intro Bonus

N/A

Recommended Credit

Good to excellent

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is a workhorse in your wallet. It offers 3% back at restaurants including cafés, bars, lounges, and fast-food spots, but it shines in other categories too. It offers 3% on travel, and it’s one of our top gas rewards card picks, as it gives you 4% on gas for your first $7,000 in purchases each year (then 1% after that). You also get 2% back at Costco.

Although this card has no annual fee, you have to be a Costco member to apply, and membership typically costs $60 per year.

Our dining rewards credit card picks, side by side

Our pick for 2% cash back

Citi® Double Cash Card

The Double Cash is a convenient day-to-day companion you’ll reach for regularly: It has a high cash-back rate, earning and redeeming your cash is easy, and you get big-bank conveniences. Plus, you enjoy a long 0% APR period on balance transfers.

What we love

No other card offers the combination of excellent cash-back rewards and 18 months of 0% APR (then 15.99% - 25.99%, variable) on balance transfers made within four months of opening your account.

• High 2% cash-back rate (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay it off)
• Quickly deposit your cash back directly into your bank account
• $0 annual fee

What we don’t love

While 2% cash back on everything you buy is one of the best ongoing rates available, other cards deliver better rewards on specific categories, such as groceries and dining.

• 3% balance-transfer fee
• No 0% APR period on purchases
• 3% foreign-transaction fee

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Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

15.99% - 25.99% variable

Intro Bonus

N/A

Recommended Credit

Good to excellent

Although this card doesn’t exactly offer eye-popping rewards on gas, we love it anyway, and here’s why: It’s a no-annual-fee, flat-rate card that guarantees 2% back on all purchases (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay it off). Using it is easy and effortless, and you can enjoy a solid return on everything you buy rather than jockeying multiple cards in your wallet to find one that gets the absolute best rate.

Our favorite card for US supermarkets

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

6% is the highest cash-back rate on any grocery card we reviewed.

What we love

If you spend $100 or more at US supermarkets each week, you’ll easily earn cash-back rewards from purchases you would have probably made anyway.

• $250 bonus after you spend $1,000 in purchases in your first three months
• 3% cash back at US gas stations makes it useful at the pump
• User-friendly mobile app rated number one in J.D. Power’s 2018 U.S. Credit Card App Satisfaction Study

What we don’t love

There are some limitations to how many rewards you can earn.

• Once you hit $6,000 in US supermarket purchases in a calendar year, you’ll earn only 1% on grocery shopping after that
• 6% rate applies only to US supermarkets, not at Costco, your local cheese shop, or the corner store
• The Blue Cash Preferred charges a 2.7% foreign-transaction fee so don't bring it overseas or use it to purchase things in a foreign currency

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

Apply Now

Apply now for this Partner Offer on American Express’s secure website.

Annual Fee

$95

Regular APR

14.99% - 25.99% variable

Intro Bonus

$250

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

If you frequently spend money not just on gas but on groceries too, you could benefit from the American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card. You earn 3% back at US gas stations, but where this card really shines is at the supermarket: On your first $6,000 in US supermarket purchases per year, you earn 6% back (you earn 1% after that).

The card does have a $95 annual fee, however, so we recommend getting this card only if your weekly supermarket bill averages at least $85 per week and your gas spending aligns with that of the average American household (just under $40 per week).

If you already (or want to) invest with Bank of America

Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card

This card has the potential to be the highest-earning gas rewards credit card we reviewed (and you can earn high cash back in some other worthy categories too). But it’s best for existing Bank of America customers with some serious savings.

What we love

There just aren’t many credit cards that offer respectable goodies at the pump.

• BofA’s Preferred Rewards program can accelerate your cash-back earnings (the highest you can earn is 5.25%) if you have sufficient savings in an eligible account; tiers range from $20,000 to $100,000
• Pick the category you want to earn 3% back (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, home improvement/furnishings)
• $200 bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases in your first 90 days

What we don’t love

The 5.25% rate is great—but it’s exclusive. You need to park a whopping $100,000, which most people don’t have, with Bank of America.

• You earn just 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and only 1% on all else
• You receive 3% and 2% bonus rewards only on the first $2,500 in combined purchases every quarter, then earn 1%

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

Apply Now

Apply now for this Partner Offer on Bank of America’s secure website.

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Intro Bonus

$200

Recommended Credit

Excellent/Good

If you already bank (or are thinking about banking) with Bank of America, the Bank of America Cash Rewards Credit Card may offer you the highest gas rewards rate of any card we found.

If your three-month average combined Bank of America/Merrill Lynch/Merrill Edge account balance is at least $20,000, you earn 3.75% cash back on gas. If it’s at least $100,000, you can qualify for the maximum rate of 5.25%.

Best if you’re a Costco member

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

3% cash back on restaurants is above-average, though not the best rate. But this card also functions as a great gas rewards card and a $0-annual-fee travel card.

What we love

This card is good for dining, but we also love it for travel and gas.

• Cardholders also get 3% back on eligible travel and 4% back on eligible gas
• No foreign-transaction fees makes this a good card to bring internationally if you don’t have a dedicated travel rewards card

What we don’t love

Rewards are easiest to redeem on Costco purchases, yet the rewards rate on Costco purchases isn’t that impressive.

• The 2% cash-back rate on Costco purchases is disappointing, considering 2% is the standard for good cash-back cards anyway
• Rewards aren’t instant; you receive them as an annual certificate redeemable only at US Costco warehouses

See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.

Learn More

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Product details have been collected independently by Wirecutter and are accurate as of 8/8/2019. Learn More.

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

17.24% variable

Intro Bonus

N/A

Recommended Credit

Good to excellent

Whether you buy gas at Costco or any other gas station (except at other warehouse clubs, namely Costco’s competitors), you earn 4% on gas for your first $7,000 per year in purchases with this card. And if you do buy your gas at Costco, you’re not only getting 4% back on gas but also paying for some of the cheapest gas you can buy, according to a March 2017 survey from oil-price tracker OPIS.

Our gas rewards credit card picks, side by side

Bank of America Cash Rewards Credit cardholders must have a three-month average combined balance of $20,000 or more in qualifying Bank of America and/or Merrill Lynch accounts to attain Gold status.

The Platinum Card from American Express® rates and fees
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express rates and fees
American Express® Gold Card rates and fees

Editorial note: Opinions expressed here are Wirecutter’s alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any third party.