Credit Cards With Rewards
The best rewards cards allow you to earn points now, choose your rewards later.
All credit cards were not created equal. General rewards credit cards mean as you earn points you get your choice of rewards: free flights, hotel stays, merchandise, entertainment or plain, hard cash. After all, we all like (love) free stuff - especially money! Since you’re already paying for gas, groceries and everyday expenses, you may as well be rewarded for being a consumer.
General rewards credit cards help you earn all kinds of freebies simply for swiping your card and paying off your balance each month. You can earn bonus points with many of the rewards credit cards listen below. Don't forget that some rewards cards also offer discounts and/or double points on some of the things you enjoy doing most, like dining out and watching movies. Explore your options today, and reap credit card rewards tomorrow.
While a lot of credit cards offer rewards, only a handful are really worth carrying. Creditnet lists only the top credit card rewards offers to ensure that you're getting the best deal possible with your new card. Scroll below for our expert recommendations on the best rewards credit cards on the market today.
Find the best credit card for you.
Discover it®
| Year One | Year Two | Year Three | Total | |
Interest Savings on Balance Transfers  |
$900.00 | $489.52 | $405.45 | $1,794.97 |
| * For Interest Savings on Balance Transfers calculations, we use the amount you input in your "My Credit Card Profile". For calculation purposes, please note that as of February 2010, the CARD Act requires credit card companies to use customer credit card payments to pay off the highest APR portion of their balance first, which is more favorable for the customer. | ||||
| Interest Savings on Balance for New Purchases |
$1,200.00 | $650.50 | $540.60 | $2,391.10 |
| * For Interest Savings on Balance Carried on New Purchases calculations, we use the amount you input in your "My Credit Card Profile". Please note that as of February 2010, the CARD Act requires credit card companies to use customer credit card payments to pay off the highest APR portion of their balance first, which is more favorable for the customer. | ||||
| Reward Points |
$86.40 | $86.40 | $86.40 | $259.20 |
| This card offers 5% cash back ($.05) on up to $1,500 spent in rotating categories that change each quarter. Creditnet assumes cardholders spend 35% of their total purchase balance on these 5% cash back options. Creditnet then assumes that consumers earn 1% cash back on the remaining 65% of their monthly purchase balance. | ||||
| Balance Transfer Cost |
-$135.00 | -$0.00 | -$0.00 | -$135.00 |
| * For Balance Transfer Cost calculations, we take the specific balance transfer fee associated with a card to determine the cost. Once this balance transfer cost is calculated, we deduct this value from the total savings amount. Please note that we only factor in this cost if a user intends to transfer a balance, as determined by selecting "Yes" under "I want to carry a balance" in your "My Credit Card Profile". | ||||
| Annual Fee |
-$0.00 | -$0.00 | -$0.00 | -$0.00 |
| * Annual fee costs are only deducted from your total savings when a card includes an annual fee. Credit cards that waive the annual fee for the first year have also been accounted for in our calculations. | ||||
| Totals | $2,051.40 | $1,226.42 | $1,032.45 | $4,310.27 |
Chase United MileagePlus® Explorer Card
0 months
| Year One | Year Two | Year Three | Total | |
| Interest Savings on Balance Transfers |
$214.20 | $214.20 | $214.20 | $642.60 |
| * For Interest Savings on Balance Transfers calculations, we use the amount you input in your "My Credit Card Profile". For calculation purposes, please note that as of February 2010, the CARD Act requires credit card companies to use customer credit card payments to pay off the highest APR portion of their balance first, which is more favorable for the customer. | ||||
| Interest Savings on Balance for New Purchases |
$285.60 | $285.60 | $285.60 | $856.80 |
| * For Interest Savings on Balance Carried on New Purchases calculations, we use the amount you input in your "My Credit Card Profile". Please note that as of February 2010, the CARD Act requires credit card companies to use customer credit card payments to pay off the highest APR portion of their balance first, which is more favorable for the customer. | ||||
| Reward Points |
$48.60 | $48.60 | $48.60 | $145.80 |
| Creditnet assumes that 35% of purchases made with this card are on United ticket purchases. These premium purchases are worth double miles (estimated at $.02). Creditnet then assumes that the remaining 65% of purchases qualify for the standard one mile per $1 spent ($.01). | ||||
| One Time Bonus |
$0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Cardholders that make $1,000 or more in purchases within the first three months will earn the advertised bonus miles. Creditnet estimates that one bonus mile is earned for every $1 spent with this card, making the estimated value of this the one time bonus worth $300. | ||||
| Free bags |
$200.00 | $200.00 | $200.00 | $600.00 |
| Creditnet assumes cardholders make four roundtrip flights per year using this card. Cardholders with this card are each eligible to check their first bag free each way. One free checked bag on United Airlines flights is worth $25, with up to $50 in savings each trip for an assumed total of $200 each year. | ||||
| Balance Transfer Cost |
-$135.00 | -$0.00 | -$0.00 | -$135.00 |
| * For Balance Transfer Cost calculations, we take the specific balance transfer fee associated with a card to determine the cost. Once this balance transfer cost is calculated, we deduct this value from the total savings amount. Please note that we only factor in this cost if a user intends to transfer a balance, as determined by selecting "Yes" under "I want to carry a balance" in your "My Credit Card Profile". | ||||
| Annual Fee |
-$0.00 | -$95.00 | -$95.00 | -$190.00 |
| * Annual fee costs are only deducted from your total savings when a card includes an annual fee. Credit cards that waive the annual fee for the first year have also been accounted for in our calculations. | ||||
| Totals | $613.40 | $653.40 | $653.40 | $1,920.20 |
Capital One® Cash Rewards - $100 Cash Back Bonus
| Year One | Year Two | Year Three | Total | |
| Interest Savings on Balance Transfers |
$900.00 | $319.50 | $319.50 | $1,539.00 |
| * For Interest Savings on Balance Transfers calculations, we use the amount you input in your "My Credit Card Profile". For calculation purposes, please note that as of February 2010, the CARD Act requires credit card companies to use customer credit card payments to pay off the highest APR portion of their balance first, which is more favorable for the customer. | ||||
| Interest Savings on Balance for New Purchases |
$1,200.00 | $426.00 | $426.00 | $2,052.00 |
| * For Interest Savings on Balance Carried on New Purchases calculations, we use the amount you input in your "My Credit Card Profile". Please note that as of February 2010, the CARD Act requires credit card companies to use customer credit card payments to pay off the highest APR portion of their balance first, which is more favorable for the customer. | ||||
| Reward Points |
$35.10 | $35.10 | $35.10 | $105.30 |
| This card offers 1% cash back on all purchases, plus a 50% cash back bonus on the cash back you earn every year, equating a total of 1.5% cash back on all purchases made throughout the year ($.015). | ||||
| One Time Bonus |
$100.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $100.00 |
| Cardholders whose monthly purchases within the first three months of account opening total $500 or more will receive a $100 cash back bonus. This one-time bonus will only display in your savings calculations if the monthly purchases entered into your "My Credit Card Profile" meet this qualification. | ||||
| Balance Transfer Cost |
-$135.00 | -$0.00 | -$0.00 | -$135.00 |
| * For Balance Transfer Cost calculations, we take the specific balance transfer fee associated with a card to determine the cost. Once this balance transfer cost is calculated, we deduct this value from the total savings amount. Please note that we only factor in this cost if a user intends to transfer a balance, as determined by selecting "Yes" under "I want to carry a balance" in your "My Credit Card Profile". | ||||
| Annual Fee |
-$0.00 | -$0.00 | -$0.00 | -$0.00 |
| * Annual fee costs are only deducted from your total savings when a card includes an annual fee. Credit cards that waive the annual fee for the first year have also been accounted for in our calculations. | ||||
| Totals | $2,100.10 | $780.60 | $780.60 | $3,661.30 |
Capital One® VentureOne℠ Rewards Credit Card
| Year One | Year Two | Year Three | Total | |
| Interest Savings on Balance Transfers |
$364.50 | $364.50 | $364.50 | $1,093.50 |
| * For Interest Savings on Balance Transfers calculations, we use the amount you input in your "My Credit Card Profile". For calculation purposes, please note that as of February 2010, the CARD Act requires credit card companies to use customer credit card payments to pay off the highest APR portion of their balance first, which is more favorable for the customer. | ||||
| Interest Savings on Balance for New Purchases |
$1,081.00 | $486.00 | $486.00 | $2,053.00 |
| * For Interest Savings on Balance Carried on New Purchases calculations, we use the amount you input in your "My Credit Card Profile". Please note that as of February 2010, the CARD Act requires credit card companies to use customer credit card payments to pay off the highest APR portion of their balance first, which is more favorable for the customer. | ||||
| Reward Points |
$29.25 | $29.25 | $29.25 | $87.75 |
| This card offers 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, which Creditnet estimates at $.0125 per dollar spent. | ||||
| One Time Bonus |
$0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Cardholders that spend $1,000 within the first three months will receive 10,000 bonus miles, which according to Capital One is the equivalent of $100 in travel. This one-time bonus will only display in your savings calculations if the monthly purchases entered into your "My Credit Card Profile" meet this qualification. | ||||
| Balance Transfer Cost |
-$0.00 | -$0.00 | -$0.00 | -$0.00 |
| * For Balance Transfer Cost calculations, we take the specific balance transfer fee associated with a card to determine the cost. Once this balance transfer cost is calculated, we deduct this value from the total savings amount. Please note that we only factor in this cost if a user intends to transfer a balance, as determined by selecting "Yes" under "I want to carry a balance" in your "My Credit Card Profile". | ||||
| Annual Fee |
-$0.00 | -$0.00 | -$0.00 | -$0.00 |
| * Annual fee costs are only deducted from your total savings when a card includes an annual fee. Credit cards that waive the annual fee for the first year have also been accounted for in our calculations. | ||||
| Totals | $1,474.75 | $879.75 | $879.75 | $3,234.25 |
Citi ThankYou® Preferred Rewards Card - 15,000 points - $150 gift cards
| Year One | Year Two | Year Three | Total | |
| Interest Savings on Balance Transfers |
$900.00 | $315.45 | $315.45 | $1,530.90 |
| * For Interest Savings on Balance Transfers calculations, we use the amount you input in your "My Credit Card Profile". For calculation purposes, please note that as of February 2010, the CARD Act requires credit card companies to use customer credit card payments to pay off the highest APR portion of their balance first, which is more favorable for the customer. | ||||
| Interest Savings on Balance for New Purchases |
$1,200.00 | $420.60 | $420.60 | $2,041.20 |
| * For Interest Savings on Balance Carried on New Purchases calculations, we use the amount you input in your "My Credit Card Profile". Please note that as of February 2010, the CARD Act requires credit card companies to use customer credit card payments to pay off the highest APR portion of their balance first, which is more favorable for the customer. | ||||
| Reward Points |
$23.40 | $23.40 | $23.40 | $70.20 |
| This card offers 1 ThankYou point (estimated at $.01) for every dollar spent. This conversion has been applied to your rewards points savings. | ||||
| One Time Bonus |
$0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Cardholders that make $1,000 in purchases within 3 months of account opening earn 15,000 bonus miles, which can be redeemed for a $150 gift card. This one-time bonus will only display in your savings calculations if the monthly purchases entered into your "My Credit Card Profile" meet this qualification. | ||||
| Balance Transfer Cost |
-$135.00 | -$0.00 | -$0.00 | -$135.00 |
| * For Balance Transfer Cost calculations, we take the specific balance transfer fee associated with a card to determine the cost. Once this balance transfer cost is calculated, we deduct this value from the total savings amount. Please note that we only factor in this cost if a user intends to transfer a balance, as determined by selecting "Yes" under "I want to carry a balance" in your "My Credit Card Profile". | ||||
| Annual Fee |
-$0.00 | -$0.00 | -$0.00 | -$0.00 |
| * Annual fee costs are only deducted from your total savings when a card includes an annual fee. Credit cards that waive the annual fee for the first year have also been accounted for in our calculations. | ||||
| Totals | $1,988.40 | $759.45 | $759.45 | $3,507.30 |
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Rewards Credit Cards - Choosing the best one for you
These days, it’s all about the credit card rewards. Rewards cards can come in various types; there are travel rewards cards, cash back rewards credit cards and gas rebate credit cards to name just a few.
While each rewards card offers its own variation of rewards programs, the same general idea is consistent: the more you spend, the more rewards you earn. Credit card companies use rewards as an incentive for consumers to swipe using their card. We recommend using your rewards credit card to earn points, but don’t over-reach on your monthly budget; swipe your card on the stuff you’re buying anyway and know you can pay back to stay out of credit card debt. (Or, to keep it simple - pay back your balance each month!)
This is especially important for college students or young adults new to credit. Many credit cards for students or credit cards for limited credit do their best to teach responsible spending early by rewarding customers with cash back opportunities for on-time payments and paying your balance back in full.
Once you’ve got the responsible spending part down, here are some ways in which rewards credit cards allow you to earn freebies:
- Cash Back Rewards Cards
In general, these are the most popular types of rewards. (C’mon. It’s free money.) Depending on the rewards credit card, there are a number of ways to earn cash back. Since each card is different, we’ll give you the just; you can earn (usually) 1-2% on everyday purchases. If your credit card has a quarterly rewards program (like the Discover it Card), then you can enroll into a program every three months or so in which you’ll receive as much as 5% cash back on specific categories. (Gas and groceries, for example.)
Some credit cards offer a cash back bonus at the end of every year as another reward for being a customer. The Capital One® Cash Rewards - $100 Cash Back Bonus is one such card that offers 50% cash back at the end of the year. Thus, if you have $50 in cash back on December 31st, they’ll reward with you another $25 in bonus cash back. Combined with the fact there’s no annual fee, all of a sudden you’ve got some free money to take advantage of. (Hellllloooo New Year’s Eve!)
Get the full list of cash back credit cards on Credinet.com.
- Travel Rewards Cards
Another big reason people sign up for rewards cards are the travel perks, specifically airline miles, free or discounted hotel stays and gas rebate rewards. These types of cards are excellent for business travelers or people that just like to travel since you can acquire (in many cases) double points on travel purchases that you’d be making anyway.
Some rewards cards are co-branded by hotels or airlines, while others are broader and more flexible. Basically, when choosing a travel rewards card, simply consider what type of traveler you are; a loyal company man or woman, or a bargain hunter willing to try any company if the price is right.
For specific details on travel rewards cards, check out our guide to airline miles credit cards and begin saving up for your dream getaway today.
- Business Rewards Cards
Last (but certainly not least) are business rewards cards. Depending on the size and scope of your business, there are a number of things to consider before applying. That being said, one of the factors you’re sure to consider are business rewards.
Business rewards cards are similar to general rewards credit cards; you can redeem on airline miles, travel discounts or cash back.
In our opinion, it’s the miles that can really make a difference for your business. (And add up in a hurry if you’re on the road.) However, depending on the needs of your business, it could be the gas rebates that put a (albeit small) dent in your overhead. Plus, there are occupation-specific business rewards cards that are unique to small businesses and help you save on the everyday purchases you’re used to making.
Like your approach to any credit card, it’s all about finding the rewards card that matches best with your businesses’ needs. Compare our favorite rewards credit cards above!
