Vote for your favorite rewards credit card!
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
A good rewards credit card offers users greater flexibility on how they earn and redeem points, with no need to fly the same airline, stay in the same hotel chain, or rent from the same car company on every trip.
We asked a panel of miles-and-points experts to tell us their favorite general rewards credit cards, and we need you to help us pick a winner. Vote for your favorite card once per day until voting ends on Monday, July 29 at noon ET. We'll announce the 10 winning credit cards on Wednesday, August 7.
Read the official Readers' Choice rules.
A good rewards credit card offers users greater flexibility on how they earn and redeem points, with no need to fly the same airline, stay in the same hotel chain, or rent from the same car company on every trip.
We asked a panel of miles-and-points experts to tell us their favorite general rewards credit cards, and we need you to help us pick a winner. Vote for your favorite card once per day until voting ends on Monday, July 29 at noon ET. We'll announce the 10 winning credit cards on Wednesday, August 7.
Read the official Readers' Choice rules.
A good rewards credit card offers users greater flexibility on how they earn and redeem points, with no need to fly the same airline, stay in the same hotel chain, or rent from the same car company on every trip.
We... Read More
Best Rewards Credit Card Nominees
American Express Business Gold Card
The American Express Business Gold Card features a 70,000-point sign-up bonus with qualifying purchases. Cardholders also have the chance to earn four points per dollar on the two categories (out of six possible categories) where your business spends the most each billing cycle.
American Express Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card offers cardholders with excellent credit several perks and benefits, including the chance to earn three points per dollar spent booking flights directly from airlines and four points per dollar spent at grocery stores and restaurants (including takeout and delivery). The card also comes with a $120 annual dining credit and $120 in Uber Cash.
American Express Green Card
The American Express Green Card comes with a 40,000-point sign-up bonus after qualifying purchases and no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders earn three points per dollar spent on dining (including takeout and delivery), transit, airfare, hotels, and car rentals. Other perks include a $189 CLEAR Plus credit and $100 LoungeBuddy credit.
American Express Platinum Card
While the Platinum Card from American Express has a higher-than-average annual fee, it can be well worth it, thanks to perks like a 125,000-point sign-up bonus (after qualifying purchases), $200 airline fee credit, $15 worth of Uber rides or Eats orders each month, $189 CLEAR Plus credit, and the chance to earn five points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines and on prepaid hotels.
Bank of America Premium Rewards Visa
With the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card, cardholders earn 60,000 bonus points with qualifying purchases, 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining and 1.5 points per dollar on everything else. Other perks include up to $200 in travel statement credits, travel insurance protections, and no foreign transaction fees.
Photo courtesy of FluxFactory // Getty Images
Bilt Mastercard issued by Wells Fargo
Designed for convenience and flexibility, Bilt cardholders enjoy rewards without any annual fee and earn points for everyday purchases, including rent. Those points can be redeemed for flights, hotels, car rentals, and experiences, or you can transfer them to a number of loyalty partners like IHG One Rewards and United MileagePlus.
Blue Business Plus from American Express
New cardholders with Blue Business Plus from American Express can earn 50,000 rewards points with qualifying purchases in the first three months. And the card nets users 2 points per dollar spent on business purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year.
Capital One Savor
Capital One Savor offers unlimited 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, as well as popular streaming services, and 3% cash back at grocery stores. New cardmembers enjoy a $300 bonus with qualifying purchases. The card also comes with nice benefits, such as no foreign transaction fees and 24/7 complimentary concierge service.
Capital One Venture Rewards
Venture Rewards cardholders earn 2 miles per dollar on all purchases. When paired with an attractive 75,000-mile sign-up bonus (after $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months), a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and flexible redemption options, it becomes a great all-around card for frequent travelers who want a simple and effective way to earn miles.
Photo courtesy of Capital One
Capital One Venture X Rewards
With the Capital One Venture X Rewards card, your travel will earn you big benefits. Within the first three months of membership, a bonus of 75,000 free miles is rewarded to members that spend $4,000. Earn two times the miles for all purchases, five times the miles on every flight booked with Capital One Travel, and 10 times the miles on hotels and rental cars booked with Capital One Travel.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards
With the Capital One VentureOne Rewards card, cardholders earn unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases, as well as 20,000 bonus miles with qualifying purchases — all with no annual fee. Plus, you can earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Photo courtesy of Hispanolistic // Getty Images
Chase Freedom Flex Mastercard
Generous cash-back rewards are available if you carry a Chase Freedom Flex Mastercard, including rotating bonus categories that offer higher cash-back rates. Another great perk is the lengthy introductory 0% APR period for balance transfers and purchases, helping you save on interest charges. This card also provides valuable purchase protection benefits, such as extended warranty coverage and purchase protection against damage or theft.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Visa
Chase Freedom Unlimited cardholders earn 5% cash back on travel through Chase Travel, 3% on restaurants, and 1.5% on all purchases. There's no annual fee, and the card comes with a $200 cash-back bonus offer on $500 of purchases in the first three months. Even better, the cash-back rewards don't expire.
Photo courtesy of Chase Ink
Chase Ink Business Premier
The Chase Ink Business Premier credit card provides valuable travel and purchase protections, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, rental car insurance, cell phone protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection. Cardholders also earn 2% to 5% cash back on every purchase, and points that are redeemed through Chase Travel have a boosted rate of 25% more value.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred offers perks like a 60,000-point sign-up bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and the chance to earn 5 points per dollar spent on travel through Chase Travel. Cardholders enjoy 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases. Points can be converted one-to-one with several loyalty programs, including United and Southwest.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a 60,000-point sign-up bonus, plus a $300 annual travel credit, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, no foreign transaction fees, and 3 points per dollar spent on travel and restaurants worldwide. Cardholders get 50% more value when they redeem points through Chase Travel.
Photo courtesy of Maca and Naca / E+
Citi Strata Premier Card
The Citi Strata Premier card earns cardholders an annual $100 hotel credit, plus 3 points per dollar spent on travel, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations. That's in addition to 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals, and experiences booked through CitiTravel.com. Points can be transferred to partners like TrueBlue and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
Photo courtesy of Discover
Discover it Cash Back
Discover it cardholders earn 5% cash back on rotating categories like gas stations, Amazon.com, restaurants, and grocery stores, plus 1% back on all other purchases. Discover matches the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, and cash-back rewards never expire.
Quicksilver from Capital One
Quicksilver from Capital One offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, a $200 sign-up bonus, no annual fees, and no foreign transaction fees. With rewards that don't expire, it's a great low-fee, low-maintenance option for cardholders who value simplicity.
Photo courtesy of pixelfit // Getty Images
Wells Fargo Autograph Card
The Wells Fargo Autograph Card offers several standout perks to keep their customers in motion. Cardholders enjoy three times the points in many purchasing categories including gas, travel, restaurants, and transit. That's in addition to access to 24/7 concierge services, assisting you with various requests such as event tickets, reservations, and special experiences.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Cheryl Maguire
Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling... Read More
Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and the mother of twins and a daughter. She writes about travel, mental health, science, and parenting. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, AARP, NatGeo, The Washington Post, Success Magazine, Parents Magazine, and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA and an active member of SATW. You can find her on X at @CherylMaguire05.
Cheryl Maguire
Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and the mother of twins and a daughter. She writes about travel, mental health, science, and parenting. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, AARP, NatGeo, The Washington Post, Success Magazine, Parents Magazine, and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA and an active member of SATW. You can find her on X at @CherylMaguire05.
Cindy Greenstein
Cindy Greenstein is a mother of three young adults... Read More
Cindy Greenstein is a mother of three young adults and a credit-card points expert who loves to travel for free. During her more than 20 years of marriage, she has used credit card points to travel the world while rarely paying for airline flights and hotel rooms. Some of her five-figure travel savings include trips to Aspen ($26,000); Greece ($23,000) and London ($15,000). Her favorite credit cards for point accumulation include the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Venture X and American Express Gold. Cindy—an attorney and former certified public accountant—founded The Points Mom to share her credit card rewards-program expertise with family friends and small business owners who don’t have the time to learn how to maximize their points. Her services include one-on-one consultations, group consultations, speaking engagements, and reward-program tutorials. She provides the latest offers as well as tons of tips and tricks on Instagram at thepointsmom_ . When Cindy pays for travel or hotels, she is strategic about the credit cards that she uses. For example, on her trips she pays with the card that will earn her the most rewards, gets her the closest to elite status and offers her the most lucrative benefits.
Cindy Greenstein
Cindy Greenstein is a mother of three young adults and a credit-card points expert who loves to travel for free. During her more than 20 years of marriage, she has used credit card points to travel the world while rarely paying for airline flights and hotel rooms. Some of her five-figure travel savings include trips to Aspen ($26,000); Greece ($23,000) and London ($15,000). Her favorite credit cards for point accumulation include the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Venture X and American Express Gold. Cindy—an attorney and former certified public accountant—founded The Points Mom to share her credit card rewards-program expertise with family friends and small business owners who don’t have the time to learn how to maximize their points. Her services include one-on-one consultations, group consultations, speaking engagements, and reward-program tutorials. She provides the latest offers as well as tons of tips and tricks on Instagram at thepointsmom_ . When Cindy pays for travel or hotels, she is strategic about the credit cards that she uses. For example, on her trips she pays with the card that will earn her the most rewards, gets her the closest to elite status and offers her the most lucrative benefits.
Travel Mom Squad
Alex, Pam, and Jess are the women behind Travel... Read More
Alex, Pam, and Jess are the women behind Travel Mom Squad. They are a trio of moms (and one is grandma) who love to travel the world for nearly free, thanks to credit card points and miles. Learning how to leverage credit card points and miles has allowed them to have incredible travel experiences they never imagined were possible. They've traveled to places like Hawaii, Greece, Africa, Italy, Mexico, Bora Bora, and more all for nearly free Using their knowledge of credit card points and miles, they teach others how to do the same so they can see the world for nearly free as well! Find them at travelmomsquad.com, Instagram, or their podcast.
Travel Mom Squad
Alex, Pam, and Jess are the women behind Travel Mom Squad. They are a trio of moms (and one is grandma) who love to travel the world for nearly free, thanks to credit card points and miles. Learning how to leverage credit card points and miles has allowed them to have incredible travel experiences they never imagined were possible. They've traveled to places like Hawaii, Greece, Africa, Italy, Mexico, Bora Bora, and more all for nearly free Using their knowledge of credit card points and miles, they teach others how to do the same so they can see the world for nearly free as well! Find them at travelmomsquad.com, Instagram, or their podcast.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.