A good card for earning airline miles, with a 75K miles early spend bonus and 2x miles on all purchases, but also a $95 annual fee.
$673/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Capital One
Capital One
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 75,000 bonus miles: One-time bonus of 75,000 miles if you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months.
- 2x miles on all on purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- $95 annual fee.
Rewards & Perks
- 75,000 bonus miles: One-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months.
- 2 miles per dollar for all purchases.
Rates & Fees
- Annual fee: $95.
- APR for purchases and balance transfers: 17.24-24.49%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $3,363
A decent card for frequent United flyers, with 2x miles on United purchases, restaurants, and hotels, as well as a 60K miles signup bonus (after spending $3K in the first 3 months), but also a $95 annual fee.
$607/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Chase
Chase
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
- Plus another 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 total in the first 6 months.
- 2x miles on United purchases, restaurants, and hotels (when purchased directly with the hotel). (Restaurant purchases include eligible delivery services such as GrubHub, Seamless, DoorDash, and Caviar.)
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection benefits: Provides the following benefits at over 1,000 luxury hotels, resorts, lodges, and spas: Daily breakfast for two, a room upgrade (if available), early check-in and late check-out (if available), complimentary wi-fi, and a special benefit unique to each property (e.g., lunch or dinner for two, a spa treatment, waivers of golf greens fees, welcome gift, or airport transfers).
- 2 United Club one-time passes each year for your travel.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- $95 annual fee. ($0 in the first year.)
- If you're willing to pay an even higher annual fee, the Chase United Club Infinite card offers even better rewards. (Or, if you don't want to pay any annual fee at all, and you're fine with earning lower rewards, then you might want to go with the Chase United Gateway card instead.)
Rewards & Perks
- 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
- Plus another 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 total in the first 6 months.
- x miles on United purchases, restaurants, and hotels (when purchased directly with the hotel). (Restaurant purchases include eligible delivery services such as GrubHub, Seamless, DoorDash, and Caviar.)
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- 25% cash back on United in-flight purchases.
- Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection benefits: Provides the following benefits at over 1,000 luxury hotels, resorts, lodges, and spas: Daily breakfast for two, a room upgrade (if available), early check-in and late check-out (if available), complimentary wi-fi, and a special benefit unique to each property (e.g., lunch or dinner for two, a spa treatment, waivers of golf greens fees, welcome gift, or airport transfers).
- 2 United Club one-time passes each year for your travel.
- Priority boarding: The primary Cardmember and companions on the same reservation will be invited to board United-operated flights prior to general boarding.
- Free first checked bag for you plus one travelling companion.
- Premier upgrades on award tickets: The primary card member who is also a MileagePlus Premier member and traveling on an award ticket can take advantage of Complimentary Premier Upgrades on United-operated flights (when available).
- Personal concierge service (via Visa Signature Concierge): Visa Signature concierge service gives you access to concierges who can help with travel planning, restaurant recommendations, and event reservations.
- Access to United card events from Chase and United MileagePlus events.
Rates & Fees
- Annual fee: $95. ($0 in the first year.)
- APR on purchases and balance transfers: 16.49-23.49%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $3,033
A good card for Delta frequent flyers, with a welcome bonus of 40K miles (after spending $1K within 3 months), but with a $99 annual fee.
$531/yr
total value to you
Issuer
American Express
American Express
Network
American Express
American Express
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 40K miles welcome bonus (after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months).
- $100 Delta flight credit (in each year you spend at least $10,000 with the card).
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- $99 annual fee (after the first year).
- If you're willing to pay an even higher annual fee, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card offers even better rewards.
Rewards & Perks
- 40K miles welcome bonus (after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months).
- Earn 2x miles on restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and Delta purchases. Earn 1x miles on all other purchases.
- Priority boarding: Priority boarding allows you to board the plane sooner, stow your bag and settle in your seat before takeoff.
- Free checked bag: First checked bag is free.
- $100 Delta credit each year: Receive a $100 Delta flight credit each year that you spend $10,000 or more with the card.
- 20% back on in-flight purchases: 20% discount on eligible in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets.
Rates & Fees
- $99 annual fee ($0 first year).
- APR on purchases: 15.74-24.74%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $2,653
A no annual fee card with 5% cash back on categories that change every 3 months, 5% on travel (when purchased through Chase's points website), 3% on restaurants and drugstores, and 1% on everything else, as well as a $200 signup bonus.
$516/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Chase
Chase
Network
Mastercard
Mastercard
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- $200 cash bonus for spending $500 within the first 3 months.
- Through March 2022: 5x points on Lyft rides.
- 5% cash back (on up to $1,500 spent per quarter) in categories that rotate each quarter (e.g., gas, restaurants, groceries, and Amazon).
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase.
- 3% cash back on restaurants and drugstores.
- 1% cash back on all other spending.
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- You'll need to remember which categories are the current 5% categories in any given quarter. (If you'd prefer to just earn the same cash back rate across all categories, you might want to consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited card instead.)
Rewards & Perks
- $200 cash bonus after spending $500 within the first 3 months.
- Through March 2022: 5x points on Lyft rides.
- 5% cash back (on up to $1,500 spent per quarter) in categories that rotate each quarter (e.g., gas, restaurants, groceries, and Amazon).
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase.
- 3% cash back on restaurants and drugstores.
- 1% cash back on all other spending.
- Receive a $10 Lyft credit once per month for every 5 rides you take in a month.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 14.99-23.74%. (0% for the first 15 months.)
- APR on balance transfers: 14.99-23.74%.
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
Total savings over 5 years: $2,579
An excellent all-around (general spending) cash back card for most people, due to its 1.5% cash back rate, $200 signup bonus, and no annual fee.
$444/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Chase
Chase
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Through March 2022: 5% cash back on Lyft rides.
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase.
- 3% cash back on restaurants and drugstores.
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- For the first year: Earn an extra 1.5% cash back on all categories of spending (for up to $20,000 spent). (In other words: 6.5% instead of 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 4.5% instead of 3% cash back on restaurants and drugstores, and 3% instead of 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.)
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- There are some other no-annual-fee cash back cards that offer higher cash back rates on specific spending categories.
- And if you're willing to pay an annual fee, there are even better rewards rates out there for spending categories such as travel (e.g., Chase Sapphire Reserve).
Rewards & Perks
- $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Through March 2022: 5% cash back on Lyft rides.
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase.
- 3% cash back on restaurants and drugstores.
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- For the first year: Earn an extra 1.5% cash back on all categories of spending (for up to $20,000 spent). (In other words: 6.5% instead of 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 4.5% instead of 3% cash back on restaurants and drugstores, and 3% instead of 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.)
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 14.99-23.74% (0% for the first 15 months).
- APR on balance transfers: 14.99-23.74%.
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
Total savings over 5 years: $2,221
A great 2% cash back card, with a $200 signup bonus and no annual fee.
$436/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- $200 cash bonus after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.
- 2% cash back on all purchases.
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR.
Rewards & Perks
- $200 cash bonus after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.
- 2% cash back on all purchases.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 14.99-24.99%. (0% for first 15 months.)
- APR on balance transfers: 14.99-24.99%. (0% for first 15 months on balance transfers posted to your account within the first 120 days.)
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
Total savings over 5 years: $2,180
An excellent card for cash back on groceries (6%) and gas (3%), with a $200 welcome bonus (plus 20% cash back on Amazon.com purchases for the first 6 months, for up to $200 back), which outweigh the $95 annual fee for most people.
$434/yr
total value to you
Issuer
American Express
American Express
Network
American Express
American Express
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- Very high cash back rate (6%) on groceries, as well as U.S. streaming services (e.g., Netflix).
- Good cash back rate (3%) on gas and transit (e.g., taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, and buses).
- $200 welcome bonus (after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months).
- Plus, 20% cash back on Amazon.com purchases on the Card within the first 6 months, for up to $200 back.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- $95 annual fee. (But $0 for the first year.)
Rewards & Perks
- 6% cash back on groceries and U.S. streaming services (e.g., Netflix), 3% on gas and transit (e.g., taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses), 1% everywhere else.
- $200 welcome bonus (after spending $3,000 in first 6 months).
- Plus, 20% cash back on Amazon.com purchases on the Card within the first 6 months, for up to $200 back.
Rates & Fees
- $95 annual fee. ($0 for the first year.)
- APR on purchases: 13.99-23.99% (but 0% for the first 12 months).
- Foreign transaction fee: 2.7%
Total savings over 5 years: $2,170
A mediocre travel rewards cards with a good 50K points signup bonus, and with 2x points on travel and dining and 1.5x on everything else, but a $95 annual fee.
$429/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Bank of America
Bank of America
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 50K bonus points after you spend $3K within the first 3 months.
- 2x points on travel and dining purchases.
- 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Get up to a $100 Airline Incidental Statement Credit annually for qualifying purchases such as seat upgrades, baggage fees, in-flight services, and airline lounge fees - automatically applied to your card statement.
- Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection privileges: Enjoy a premium set of benefits when you use your Premium Rewards card to book through the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection.
- Personal concierge service (via Visa Signature Concierge): Visa Signature concierge service gives you access to concierges who can help with travel planning, restaurant recommendations, and event reservations.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- $95 annual fee.
Rewards & Perks
- 50,000 bonus points after you spend $3K within the first 3 months.
- 2x points on travel and dining purchases.
- 1.5 points per dollar for all other purchases.
- Get up to a $100 Airline Incidental Statement Credit annually for qualifying purchases such as seat upgrades, baggage fees, in-flight services, and airline lounge fees - automatically applied to your card statement.
- Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection privileges: Enjoy a premium set of benefits when you use your Premium Rewards card to book through the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection.
- Personal concierge service (via Visa Signature Concierge): Visa Signature concierge service gives you access to concierges who can help with travel planning, restaurant recommendations, and event reservations.
Rates & Fees
- $95 annual fee.
- APR on purchases and balance transfers: 15.99-22.99%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $2,144
A decent points card for spending on hotels and car rentals (5x points) and restaurants (3x), with a 30K points signup bonus, but also an $85 annual fee.
$420/yr
total value to you
Issuer
US Bank
US Bank
Network
American Express
American Express
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- Earn 30,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 in the first 4 months.
- 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals (when booked directly in the FlexPerks Rewards Center).
- 3x points at restaurants.
- 2x points at airlines and gas stations.
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- $85 annual fee.
Rewards & Perks
- 30,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 in the first 4 months.
- 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals (when booked directly in the FlexPerks Rewards Center).
- 3x points at restaurants.
- 2x points at airlines and gas stations.
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Rates & Fees
- Annual fee: $85.
- APR on purchases and balance transfers: 14.49-24.49%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $2,101
A good card for people who are frequent Hilton guests (7x points on Hilton) or who spend on dining, groceries, and gas (5x), which has a welcome bonus of 80K points (after spending $1K w/in 3 months), and no annual fee.
$417/yr
total value to you
Issuer
American Express
American Express
Network
American Express
American Express
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 7x points at Hilton hotels. 5x points at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. 3x points on everything else.
- Welcome bonus of 80K points (after spending $1,000 w/in 3 months).
- Plus an additional 50K points if you spend a total of $5,000 w/in 6 months.
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver Status.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- Each point is worth just 0.5 cents on average, which is low compared to other credit cards.
Rewards & Perks
- 7x points at Hilton properties.
- 5x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
- 3x points everywhere else.
- Welcome bonus of 80K points (after spending $1,000 w/in 3 months).
- Plus an additional 50K points if you spend a total of $5,000 w/in 6 months.
- Hilton Honors Silver status: Includes 15% points bonus, fifth night free on award stays, and two complimentary bottles of water per stay.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 15.74-24.74%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $2,084