They say to take what you love and turn it into a job. I get to talk about credit cards, points and miles every day and get paid for it, so I say I’ve succeeded at that. Anyone who knows me personally knows that I enjoy singing the praises of rewards credit cards whenever I’m given the chance.
The credit card industry offers so many cards that it’s hard for even an expert like me to keep track. That’s why I love helping my friends and family sift through all of the options available to them to find the right fit for their lifestyle and travel needs.
Usually, there’s a handful of rewards cards that come up whenever I’m giving my Ted Talk on credit cards, points and miles. There’s a good reason for that: These cards are flexible, easy to use and brimming with enough perks to justify whatever annual fee they may have.
Here they are.
Comparing my top picks for the best rewards credit cards
Here’s a quick overview of what each of my favorite rewards cards has to offer.
| Card | Welcome offer | Earning rates |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) (No annual fee) |
Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first three months from account opening. |
|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)
($95 annual fee) |
Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months from account opening. |
|
| Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees)
($95 annual fee) |
Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. |
|
| American Express Platinum Card®
($895 annual fee; see rates and fees) |
New Amex Platinum cardmembers can find out their offer and see if they’re eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. |
|
Chase Freedom Flex
Standout benefits: This card’s best benefit is its rotating quarterly bonus categories. You’ll earn 5% back on up to $1,500 of spending each quarter in these categories (then 1% back; activation required). Plus, cardholders can enjoy a complimentary six-month DoorDash DashPass membership (activate by Dec. 31, 2027).
The Freedom Flex is, in my opinion, one of Chase’s most underrated cards. It often gets overshadowed by its big siblings, the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees).
This card is best for beginners and those looking for an affordable, flexible product. It was my first proper rewards card, and it was the one that truly got me hooked on this hobby.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Freedom Flex.
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Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Standout benefits: This card offers access to Chase’s transfer partners, a critical component of maximizing your rewards. If you have an eligible no-annual-fee Chase card, like the Freedom Flex, you can turn that card’s rewards into transferable Ultimate Rewards points with the Sapphire Preferred.
The Sapphire Preferred gets put on a pedestal here at TPG, and for good reason. It’s an affordable card that earns valuable, transferable Ultimate Rewards points. Plus, it’s easy to get your money back (and then some) with the Sapphire Preferred’s annual fee, thanks to its DoorDash DashPass membership (activate by Dec. 31, 2027).
Cardholders also get a $50 credit for an eligible hotel booking through Chase Travel each year, in addition to a 10% anniversary points boost. These approachable perks make this card a great introduction to the world of points and miles — it was even my very first transferable rewards card.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Citi Strata Premier
Standout benefits: This card covers a wide variety of everyday spending categories, making it a great fit for a one-card wallet. If you like using issuer travel portals for your bookings, you’ll appreciate this card’s annual $100 discount on a single hotel booking of $500 or more (excluding taxes) made through Citi Travel.
Ask around enough at TPG, and you’ll soon find a few people who’d agree with me that the Strata Premier is a dark horse in the mid-tier credit card space. With this card, you’ll be able to earn bonus rewards on the majority of your everyday spending, including groceries, gas, EV charging and dining. You’ll also gain access to Citi’s 22 transfer partners, including award enthusiast favorites like American Airlines and Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
I don’t have the Strata Premier myself, but I’d absolutely choose it if I had the desire (and willpower) to hold myself to just one card.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Strata Premier.
Apply here: Citi Strata Premier Card
American Express Platinum
Standout benefits: Trying to condense this card’s standout benefits into a few sentences is nearly impossible. It boasts a long list of statement credits, elite statuses and lounges you can access, among other benefits. It may feature the highest annual fee of any card on the market, but it’s well worth it for the right cardmember.
The Amex Platinum is my most expensive card, but I’m able to justify it thanks to its various benefits. I just used my statement credits of up to $100 each quarter for Resy* and up to $75 each quarter for Lululemon**, which means I’m already roughly $175 toward breaking even on this card’s annual fee.
I also value this card’s lounge access, which is the furthest-reaching of any card currently available. If you can afford to pay $895 in one billing cycle for a credit card, the Amex Platinum is definitely worth considering.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum.
*U.S. restaurants only; enrollment required
**U.S. stores and online only; outlets excluded; enrollment required
Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
How I chose my top rewards cards
The best rewards cards offer flexibility and a lot of value. They may come with an annual fee or not, but all of them have at least a couple of tried-and-true ways to justify their place in your wallet. They all offer bonus categories tied to common spending, solid lifestyle credits, brand benefits or some combination of those.
I recommend these cards time and again because I believe they’re the best fit for most travelers. You don’t need all four of these cards to have a well-rounded wallet, but your travels can certainly be elevated if you do.
Bottom line
If you were to ask me what my recommendations for the best rewards cards are, those are the cards you’d hear about. I have three out of four of them in my wallet, and I don’t regret opening any of them. The Strata Premier, while not a good fit for my personal card strategy, is still on the same playing field as its companions on this list.
Be intrigued, not intimidated, by rewards credit cards. These options can all unlock travel opportunities you never thought you’d be able to afford.
Related: Best credit cards: These 4 keep me on the go about 180 days a year
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
