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There are several credit cards that offer flashy benefits that are valuable yet may not be used often. Depending on your redemption preferences and desired perks, a credit card that’s best for regular use can help you hone in on maximizing your purchases at home or when you travel. The best credit card for regular use is going to be one that not only earns but rewards your lifestyle.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has valuable travel redemption bonuses, and there are multiple ways to earn bonus points:
- 5x on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards® (excluding the annual $50 hotel statement credit)
- 2x on all other travel purchases
- 3x on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out
- 3x on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- and 3x on select streaming services
All remaining purchases earn 1 point per $1. At the end of each card membership year, you receive the equivalent of 10% of your annual purchases as points. This is one of the best credit cards for getting travel points thanks to the ability to earn rewards.
Additional card benefits include up to $50 in hotel statement credits, a 25% award travel redemption bonus, and 1:1 point transfers. You can read more about why this card is often a top recommendation in our Chase Sapphire Preferred review.
The annual fee is $95, and there is no foreign transaction fee.
Related: Is There a Better Credit Card Than the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
If you’re in the market for a premium credit card, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns at least 2 miles per $1 on everything:
- 10x on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- 5x on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- 2x on all remaining purchases
Each point is worth 1 cent as a travel statement credit or when booking upcoming trips through the credit card travel portal. You may also like the Capital One transfer partners.
Other featured travel benefits include:
- Annual $300 Capital One Travel credit
- Complimentary airport lounge access
- 10,000 bonus miles on each card anniversary
- $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
The annual fee is $395, and you can request up to 4 free authorized users. But since you get the $300 annual travel credit, your annual fee is offset to $95. Also, the Capital One cards all have a $0 foreign transaction fee.
These complimentary additional authorized user cards can visit participating airport lounges, which is beneficial for frequent flyers. In most situations, the Venture X is the best Capital One credit card for travel.
New Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cardholders can earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months. Here’s how much 75,000 Capital One miles are worth.
Bilt World Elite Mastercard
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® can be your best option if you pay rent as this significant monthly expense can earn 1x Bilt Points (up to 100,000 points in rent rewards per year). Additionally, it doesn’t have an annual fee or foreign transaction fee, which makes it a budget-friendly option for earning rewards and building credit.
You will also earn Bilt Points on these purchases, in addition to rent:
- 3x on dining
- 2x on travel
- 1x on all remaining purchases
However, cardholders will need to make five or more purchases per statement cycle to earn points for the month.
In addition to earning points on rent and up to 3x rewards on regular use, your non-rent purchases can earn double rewards on the first day of each month. The loyalty program also offers other “Rent Day” perks such as BOGO SoulCycle classes and the chance to win free rent. You can check out the August 2023 Rent Day promotions to get an idea of what is offered.
The Bilt Card is one of the best travel credit cards as your points are worth 1.25 cents when booking award travel through the Bilt App. You can also transfer points to the Bilt airline partners at a 1:1 ratio including American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Flying Blue.
Read more about this unique card in our Bilt Credit Card review.
Citi Double Cash Card
The information for the Citi® Double Cash Card has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Citi® Double Cash Card is one of the best flat-rate cash back credit cards as you can earn a total of 2% back (1% back on purchases and 1% on balance payments). Being able to earn 2% back is competitive as most flat rate rewards tend to earn closer to 1.5% back.
You can redeem your rewards as cash back via statement credit, direct deposit, or check with no redemption minimum. As you earn ThankYou® Points, you can also use them for award travel or combine balances with a Citi Premier® Card which offers 1:1 point transfers.
There is no annual fee but a 3% foreign transaction fee applies.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
You can find it easy to maximize grocery shopping and gas purchases using the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is highly competitive.
- 6% back at U.S. supermarkets (on the first $6,000 per year)
- 6% back with select U.S. streaming services
- 3% back on transit
- 3% back at U.S. gas stations
- 1% back on all remaining purchases
You can redeem your rewards as a cash statement credit, as you can learn more about in our Blue Cash Preferred Card review.
Cardholders also enjoy these retail benefits:
- Up to $84 Disney Bundle Credit: $7 monthly statement credit
- Up to $120 Equinox+ Credit: $10 monthly statement credit
- Return Protection: Return purchases for up to 90 days ($300 per item/$1,000 per year)
The annual fee is $0 for the first year and then renews at $95 (See Rates & Fees).
Related: Why You Want To Get an American Express Credit Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited
The information for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has flexible rewards categories to earn at least 1.5% back:
- 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3% on dining purchases, including eligible delivery services and takeout
- 3% on drugstore purchases
- 1.5% on all remaining purchases
Your purchases earn Chase Ultimate Rewards Points worth 1 cent when redeemed for travel, cash back, or gift cards. They can be worth up to 50% more when you transfer them to a Chase Sapphire credit card thanks to the travel redemption bonus and point transfers.
There is no annual fee but a 3% foreign transaction fee applies. This is one of the best credit cards for buying a car
Related: The Best Chase Credit Cards
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card
The information for the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card lets you earn up to 5% back on daily purchases, and you can choose which categories to earn bonus rewards on.
- 5% back on your first $2,000 in combined spending each quarter on two categories of choice
- 5% back on prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations booked in the Rewards Travel Center
- 2% back on one everyday category of choice
- 1% back on all remaining purchases
It’s possible to redeem your cash rewards as a statement credit, rewards, card, or direct deposit into an eligible U.S. Bank checking or savings account.
The annual fee is $0 (see Rates & Fees), and a 3% foreign transaction fee applies. This is one of the best U.S. Bank credit cards.
Summary
The best rewards credit card lets you earn a generous amount of points on daily purchases along with travel purchases. You may also enjoy special benefits to defray your travel and shopping expenses. Whether you want to accumulate travel points or cash rewards, it’s easy to maximize your spending habits.
Related Articles:
- Is Chase or Capital One Better? Pros and Cons of Both
- What Is The Point Of Having A Travel Credit Card?
- Does Capital One Have Good Credit Cards For Travel?
For rates and fees of The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
