13 Best Rewards Credit Cards of May 2025
Updated: May 9, 2025
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Rewards credit cards come in two main varieties. Cash-back cards pay you back a percentage of each transaction. Travel rewards cards give you points or miles that you can redeem for free flights, hotel stays and more. The right rewards credit card for you is all about how you spend money and what kind of rewards you value.
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NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards.
Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today,
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and many other national, regional and local media outlets.
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Rewards credit cards come in two main varieties. Cash-back cards pay you back a percentage of each transaction. Travel rewards cards give you points or miles that you can redeem for free flights, hotel stays and more. The right rewards credit card for you is all about how you spend money and what kind of rewards you value.
Why trust NerdWallet
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Rewards credit cards come in two main varieties. Cash-back cards pay you back a percentage of each transaction. Travel rewards cards give you points or miles that you can redeem for free flights, hotel stays and more. The right rewards credit card for you is all about how you spend money and what kind of rewards you value.
Why trust NerdWallet
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Rewards credit cards come in two main varieties. Cash-back cards pay you back a percentage of each transaction. Travel rewards cards give you points or miles that you can redeem for free flights, hotel stays and more. The right rewards credit card for you is all about how you spend money and what kind of rewards you value.
Why trust NerdWallet
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Why trust NerdWallet
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
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NerdWallet's Best Rewards Credit Cards of May 2025
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for Flat-rate cash back
Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for Simplicity + high rate
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for Families & households
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for All-around cash back
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Going out & staying in
Chase Freedom Flex®: Best for Quarterly categories + cash bonus
Discover it® Cash Back: Best for Quarterly categories + matching bonus
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for Simple travel rewards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for Bonus travel rewards
Discover it® Student Chrome: Best for College students
Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card: Best for Rewards on rent payments
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Best for Hotel credit card
The New United℠ Explorer Card: Best for Airline card
Best Rewards Credit Cards From Our Partners
| Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
*For the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
• • •
QUICK GUIDE: CHOOSING A REWARDS CREDIT CARD
Choosing the best rewards credit card for you boils down to three basic questions:
Do you want cash back, or are you looking for points and miles you can redeem for travel?
How much complexity are you willing to deal with in a credit card?
Are you open to paying an annual fee?
Whether you're looking for your first rewards credit card ever or you're already playing the rewards game and just want a new card to slot into your rotation, answering these questions will get you most of the way there.
1. Cash back or points/miles?
Cash back is the most flexible kind of credit card reward. With a cash back card, you earn rewards equal to a percentage of the amount you spend. Cash-back rates range from 1% to 6% — that is, 1 cent to 6 cents per dollar spent — depending on the card you use and where you use it. Your monthly statement will show you the rewards you've earned to date; you can also track your rewards online. This page features an assortment of top-rated cash back cards. For additional options, see our roundup of the best cash back credit cards.
» LEARN MORE: Cash back vs. travel rewards — how to choose
Points and miles earned on travel rewards cards can be redeemed for free travel — primarily flights and hotel stays. With a travel card, you earn a certain number of points for each dollar you spend — and that number can vary dramatically based on the card you use and what you're spending money on. Unlike with cash back cards, where 1 cent has the same value no matter which card you earn it on, the value of a point or mile depends on the loyalty program it's tied to and how you choose to redeem it. This page features a number of popular travel rewards cards. For additional options, see our roundup of the best travel credit cards.
» LEARN MORE: How much are points and miles worth?
2. Flat rate or bonus categories?
Once you settle on the type of credit card rewards you're after, you'll want to think about how you spend money. Credit cards generally dole out rewards in one of two ways:
Flat-rate cards pay the same rewards rate no matter what you're spending money on. The flat-rate model is especially popular among cash back cards, where a variety of options pay 1.5% or more on everything. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, for example, pays an unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases. Flat-rate rewards are a little less common in travel cards but not unheard-of. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, for example, pays 2 miles per dollar on nearly all purchases (see rates and fees). Even on flat-rate travel cards, you'll usually earn extra rewards on travel bookings through the card issuer.
Bonus category cards pay higher rewards rates in specific categories and then a lower base rate (usually 1% cash back or 1 point per dollar spent) on everything else. Most popular travel rewards cards operate under the bonus category model. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, for example, earns 2 to 5 points per dollar on travel, dining and some other categories and then 1 point per dollar outside those categories. Bonus categories are big among cash back cards, too. Some even have bonus categories that change periodically, that you can choose or that automatically adjust based on your spending. One caution: Many cash back cards (but certainly not all) limit how much spending is eligible for bonus category cash back.
If your spending is concentrated in a few key areas, you may be better off with a bonus rewards card that pays a high rate in those specific categories. If your spending is all over the map, a flat-rate card may be your best option. And if you don't mind putting in a little work, consider carrying multiple cards — one or more with bonus categories that align with your major spending areas, and a flat-rate card for everything else.
» LEARN MORE: Click below to see roundups of cards with bonus rewards in popular categories
3. Annual fee or no?
Some people are dead-set against paying an annual fee on a credit card for any reason. Others are willing to pay a fee if the value they get back from the card exceeds the annual fee. Our advice is not to dismiss a card out of hand because it charges a fee. Do the math to see what you're getting for your money.
Most cash back cards do not charge an annual fee, but there are exceptions — particularly cards that deliver outsize value. Meanwhile, the most popular travel rewards credit cards do charge a fee. These cards tend to provide not only rewards (which is what you get for spending money with the card) but also perks (benefits you get for simply carrying the card). For example, most airline credit cards charge an annual fee — but if a card also gives you free checked bags, gets you into airport lounges and/or reimburses your application fee for TSA PreCheck, that fee might be a bargain.
» LEARN MORE: See the best cards with no annual fee, as well as the best travel cards with no annual fee
To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, see this page.
Last updated on May 9, 2025
Methodology
NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best rewards credit cards based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of consumers, including both those seeking cash-back rewards and those interested in travel rewards. Factors in our evaluation include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as airline or hotel perks or the ability to transfer points. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.
Frequently asked questions
How do rewards credit cards work?
How do rewards credit cards work?
There are two main types of rewards credit cards: cash-back cards and points/miles cards:
• With a cash-back credit card, the card issuer "pays you back" a certain percentage of every purchase. For example, if your card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases and you buy something for $100, you would earn $1.50 in cash back.
• With a points or miles card, the issuer gives you a certain number of rewards points (often called “miles” on airline and travel credit cards) for each dollar you spend. How you use the points or miles depends on the card. Common redemption options include travel, gift cards and merchandise.
With most rewards cards, you can see your accumulated earnings on your monthly statement or through your online account portal, and you can decide when and how to redeem them.
What can I do with credit card rewards?
What can I do with credit card rewards?
What you can do with your credit card rewards depends on the type of rewards you’ve earned and the card’s rules:
• Cash-back rewards are typically redeemable for a credit on your statement, which reduces your outstanding balance. You may also be able to have your rewards deposited into a bank account or sent as a check.
• Points or miles are most commonly redeemed for travel, but you may also be able to redeem them for gift cards, merchandise or cash back. For cards that carry the name of an airline or hotel brand, you typically use your rewards for free travel or upgrades. Some bank-branded credit cards let you transfer their points into airline or hotel programs.
How many credit card rewards points can I earn?
How many credit card rewards points can I earn?
In most cases, there is no limit to how many points or miles or how much cash back you can earn with a credit card. Some cards do limit how much spending is eligible for bonus rewards — that is, higher rewards offered in specific categories — but after you hit that limit, you still earn rewards at the base rate. For example, a card might offer 3% rewards on up to $6,000 a year in spending and then 1% after that.
How much are credit card rewards points worth?
How much are credit card rewards points worth?
How much each point or mile is worth depends on the card that issued it and how you redeem it. As a very general rule of thumb, it’s helpful to think of points and miles as worth an average of 1 cent apiece, although you can certainly get a higher (or lower) value.
In some programs, points are worth 1 cent apiece regardless of how you redeem. In others, you might get 1 cent per point when redeeming for travel and 0.5 cents when redeeming for gift cards or cash back. Airline miles could be worth anywhere from less than 1 cent to more than 5 cents apiece depending on how many miles you need to earn a free flight and how much that flight would have cost if you were paying cash. Hotel points are similarly variable in value. See our points and miles valuation page for NerdWallet’s current values for airline miles and hotel points.
What credit score do I need to get a rewards credit card?
What credit score do I need to get a rewards credit card?
The best rewards credit cards typically require good to excellent credit for approval. Good credit is generally defined as a credit score of 690 or better. However, there are some decent rewards-bearing cards for people with fair credit and even bad credit. Keep in mind that credit scores are only one factor in your application. Every issuer has its own criteria for approval.
Are credit card rewards taxable?
Are credit card rewards taxable?
Typically, credit card rewards are not taxable. That's because the IRS generally considers credit card rewards to be discounts or rebates on purchases made with the card, not income.
Do credit card rewards expire?
Do credit card rewards expire?
Whether your credit card rewards expire depends on the card and the rewards program. In most cases, rewards do not expire as long as your account is active — meaning, you are using the card for purchases at least occasionally. Some programs require you to redeem your rewards within a certain time frame, but that's becoming more and more rare.
Is there a limit to the amount of rewards you can earn with a rewards credit card?
Is there a limit to the amount of rewards you can earn with a rewards credit card?
There is usually no limit to the rewards you can earn with a credit card. Some cards do limit how much spending is eligible for "bonus" rewards — that is, higher rewards for certain purchases — but after you hit that limit, you still earn rewards at the base rate. For example, a card might offer 2 points per dollar on up to $10,000 a year in spending and then 1 point per dollar after that. Or a card will offer 3% on groceries on up to $6,000 a year in spending, then 1% after that.
How do you redeem credit card rewards?
How do you redeem credit card rewards?
You can usually redeem rewards through your card issuer's website or app. In some cases, you may need to make a phone call, but that's rare.
Cash back can almost always be redeemed for a credit on your statement. So, for example, if your account has a balance of $200 and you redeem $30 in cash back, your balance would drop to $170. You may also be able to redeem cash back as a deposit into a bank account or even as a check mailed to you, but these options aren't always available. Some cards have a minimum redemption amount, like $20 or $25.
Airline miles and hotel points can be redeemed directly with the airline or hotel chain. Use these rewards to book flights or stays, or to pay for upgrades.
General-purpose credit card points — such as Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, Bilt Points and so on — are typically the most flexible reward, although they can also be the most confusing. Depending on the program, you can redeem points to purchase travel through the card issuer's booking portal, redeem them for credit against travel spending or other purchases, transfer them to partner airline and hotel programs, redeem them as cash back, use them to pay for purchases at Amazon or other retailers, or something else.
Is it better to get cash back or travel rewards?
Is it better to get cash back or travel rewards?
Whether cash back rewards or travel rewards are better for you depends entirely on your spending habits and your appetite for complexity. Cash back is the easiest kind of reward to manage — $1 is worth $1 no matter how you use it. So if you want the flexibility to use your rewards for anything without worrying about whether you're getting the "best deal," opt for cash back. With travel rewards, points sometimes have a fixed value (1 cent per point is common), but often the value you get from each point or mile often depends entirely on how you redeem it. You might get 1 cent worth of value per point, you might get a fraction of a cent, you might get multiple cents. Some people love the challenge of squeezing maximum value out of their rewards. See our points and miles valuation page for NerdWallet’s current assessment of how much these rewards should be worth. Learn more here: How to choose between cash back and travel rewards.
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