Introduction
Imagine being able to earn free trips, cash back on every dollar spent, or access to exclusive discounts. Doesn’t that sound enticing? This isn’t a dream. It’s the magic of credit cards, when used wisely.
But with the countless options out there, how do you find the one that suits you best? Don’t sweat it.
1. American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card Imagine a credit card that hands you back a whopping 6% on your first $6,000 spent annually at most U.S. supermarkets. Sounds too good to be true?
That’s precisely what the American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card does, offering more than double what most cards do. But the generosity doesn’t stop at supermarkets. This card also gives a hearty 6% back on select U.S. streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
In simple terms, you’ll find that the $95 annual fee becomes a mere drop in the ocean within a few short months. The American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card looks after you on the road too, offering a neat 3% cash back on gas and other transit-related expenses in the U.S., including tolls, rideshare, parking, taxis, and trains.
Whatever your ride, you’re in for rewards. All other eligible purchases earn you 1% cash back. What’s more, the card a protective layer to your transactions with rental car insurance, purchase protection for those unexpected moments of theft or loss, and an extended warranty on items bought with the card.
2. Chase Ink Business Preferred.
With a modest $95 annual fee, the Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card turns your everyday operating expenses into a rewards fest. For each dollar spent on shipping services, online, internet, and phone bills, as well as travel (up to the first $150,000 spent each year), you receive triple points.
More so, if you redeem these points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, the value soars to 1.25x. That means your 100 points become $1.25, not just $1. But there’s more! Say goodbye to foreign transaction fees with this Chase card.
Plus, enjoy handy travel benefits like trip cancellation insurance and rental car collision insurance. The Chase Ink Business Preferred® might not be the most card out there, but its uncomplicated points system and low annual fee outshine many competitors, making it a savvy pick for small business owners.
But if your business spends more than $150,000 a year, you might want to glance at the Business Platinum® Card from American Express. Its buffet of annual statement credits, luxury benefits, and a generous cap on rewards ($2 million vs. Chase’s $150,000) is enticing. But remember, its annual fee is a hefty $695, so weigh your spending against the benefits to ensure it’s the right fit.
3. Alliance Stellar.
Cash-Back Card Every time you swipe your Alliant card, you’re in for a sweet 2.5% cash back, applicable for the first $10,000 spent per billing cycle. Even after that, the card keeps giving, offering a still-generous 1.5% cash back and outperforming many of its competitors.
To get the full 2.5%, you must become an Alliant Tier One customer. This status requires having an Alliant High-Rate Checking account with a minimum average daily balance of $1,000. Plus, you need to sign up for eStatements and receive at least one monthly electronic deposit.
4. Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card Previously, this secure card was a fallback option for those who couldn’t get approved for Bank of America’s unsecured version. But now, anyone can apply, place an initial security deposit, and increase their chances of getting approved.
This card serves as a practical ladder to climb out of credit pits, all while enjoying a wealth of rewards. To get started with this card, you’ll need a minimum security deposit of $300. Your credit limit then hinges on this deposit, your income, and any applicable credit score.
For those seeking a higher credit line and can afford it, this card allows deposits up to a lofty $4,900. This level of flexibility outshines many secured credit cards, where maximum deposits rarely exceed $3,000.
The real charm of this card, though, is its rewards. Cardholders can select a category every month that offers 3% back. Categories include online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, and home improvement and furnishing. You also get 2% back on groceries and wholesale club purchases and 1% on everything else.
5. Amex Gold Card.
Your Ultimate Dining Companion Unlike other cards that narrowly focus on specific dining experiences, the American Express® Gold Card broadens its rewards horizons. It caters to all your dining preferences, whether you’re a homebody or a social butterfly.
You earn 4x points when you dine at restaurants, order delivery or takeout within the U.S., and even when you shop at supermarkets, for up to $25,000 spent annually, after which it becomes 1x.
The good news for globetrotters is that the rewards for dine-in restaurants are not confined to the U.S. but extend worldwide. Moreover, this card lets you enjoy exclusive dining benefits.
You can earn an annual $120 statement credit when you dine at specific restaurants partnering with American Express, which include popular spots like Shake Shack and The Cheesecake Factory.
Additionally, by linking your Gold card to your Uber account, you can enjoy an automatic $10 in Uber Cash every month to be used on Uber Eats or Uber rides in the U.S. If you’d like to receive 90,000 points for free for opening the gold card,
Every dollar spent on regular purchases gets you 1 point, while spending on travel and hotels via the American Express® website earns you 5 points. The card, a stylish piece crafted from metal, is a standout, not just for the rewards but also for its wide range of statement credits and additional perks.
The card treats its holders to an annual statement credit worth up to $240 for subscriptions to well-known services like Peacock, Audible, The New York Times, and SiriusXM. Plus, it covers the full monthly cost of Walmart+ ($12.95) and refunds $300 per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app or eligible Equinox club memberships.
7. Chase Sapphire Preferred.
This card offers 5x points for travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, which, when redeemed through the same platform, increase by 25%. Simply put, if you’ve hoarded $1,000 worth of points, you could be looking at a $1,250 windfall when it comes to getting that dream plane ticket.
Yearly benefits include a $50 statement credit for hotel stays and an anniversary gift that sees a 10% point bonus added to your account, calculated from your spending throughout the year.
It’s in the realm of insurance, however, that the card truly shines. It covers you for flight cancellations or interruptions, delayed trips, or baggage, and even offers primary rental insurance that can cover up to the cash value of the car you’ve rented.
8. Chase Sapphire Reserve.
After your first $300 spent on travel in a year, the card starts churning out rewards at an impressive rate: 5x points on airfare and a whopping 10x points on hotels and rental cars when booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Foodies will rejoice, too, with 3x points on dining, inclusive of delivery and takeout services. Even better, the card waives foreign transaction fees, making it a delightful companion for your overseas culinary. The cherry on top is the increased redemption value of your points.
Travel purchases made through Chase Ultimate Rewards® boost your points’ worth by 50%, making those points you earned go even further. Added travel luxuries come in the form of TSA PreCheck, NEXUS, or Global Entry fee reimbursements up to $100 every four years, and a PriorityPass membership for lounge access and dining benefits at airports.
A broad array of temporary memberships and benefits are thrown into the mix. Lyft rides earn you 10x points, while DoorDash offers three months of DashPass, giving your food deliveries an edge.
So, that’s our rundown of the top credit cards on the market today. As always, remember that each card has its own unique strengths, and it’s crucial to choose one that matches your lifestyle and spending habits.