Best credit cards of September 2024

Beginner travelers, experienced travelers and everyone in between can get incredible value from the Sapphire Preferred. Whether you want to book travel directly with Chase or transfer points to one of the issuer’s valuable partners, it’s easy to get a ton of value with Ultimate Rewards. 

“The Chase Sapphire Preferred has remained a top card in my wallet for years. Between the consistently strong sign-up bonus, low annual fee and continual improvements that have been made over the years, it's hard for any other mid-tier rewards card to compare.” — Madison Blancaflor, senior editor

To add more luxury to your travel experience, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve?. Though it comes with a higher annual fee, you’ll also enjoy Priority Pass lounge access plus a $300 annual travel credit to help offset the fee.

This card is a great fit for someone who wants to dip their toes into the world of premium credit cards without paying over $400 a year in annual fees. It provides a healthy collection of perks and rewarding everyday earning rates.

“The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the card that rewards me for every purchase I make with 2 miles per dollar spent that I can then use toward my travel goals. I also love how easy it is to earn and redeem my miles either through transferring to partners or covering travel purchases, big or small.” — Ashley Onadele, writer

Those turned off by the Venture X’s annual fee could opt for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, which has a $95 annual fee (see rates and fees) and similar earning rates and redemption options.

Anyone with frequent restaurant and grocery purchases can get a ton of value from the Amex Gold, especially if you utilize the issuer’s array of lucrative transfer partners.

“Groceries and dining at restaurants are two of my top spending categories, and I love that the Amex Gold rewards those purchases with 4 points per dollar.” — Senitra Horbrook, former credit cards editor

If you still want extra rewards at restaurants along with additional bonus categories and other valuable perks at a lower fee, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card.

This card has long been a favorite of luxury travelers, but you don’t have to be a high spender to get value from it. Its assortment of travel and shopping credits plus automatic elite status with Hilton and Marriott makes it a great option for even leisure travelers looking to maximize their rewards.

“The Amex Platinum includes a lucrative combination of luxury travel benefits along with non-travel perks that save me hundreds of dollars every single year. I love earning 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with an airline or via Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year), and the airport lounge access is unparalleled in the world of premium cards.” — Nick Ewen, director of content

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) can be a great alternative to the Amex Platinum, with a notably lower annual fee, similar perks and a more rewarding earning rate on everyday purchases.

Freelancers, as well as established and small businesses that are just getting started, should consider the Ink Business Unlimited. The flat rate cash back is a solid perk that rewards businesses on all purchases while not having to worry about tracking bonus earning categories.

"I have the Chase Ink Business trilogy — the Ink Business Cash, Ink Preferred and Ink Unlimited cards. The first two cards maximize my points-earning on things like office supply, internet and phone purchases, whilst the Ink Unlimited covers everything else, with a flat 1.5% earn rate. The fact that I have the Ink Preferred means I can convert my cash-back from the Ink Unlimited into more valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. This no-annual-fee card will stay in my wallet for years to come." — Matt Moffitt, managing editor

For businesses looking to earn more on their everyday purchases, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business may be a better option. This is especially true if you prefer earning miles over cash back or points since the Spark Miles for Business card earns 2 miles per dollar on all purchases.

Any small business that wants a low-annual-fee card with a lucrative welcome offer and rewarding spending bonuses is a great fit for this card.

“I originally signed up for the Ink Business Preferred primarily for its sign-up bonus. But, over the last year, I've found myself making it my go-to card when booking travel. After all, the Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel and provides excellent travel protections, including trip delay protection and rental car insurance.” — Katie Genter, senior writer

If you don’t want to worry about maximizing specific purchases and are looking for a lower spending requirement to earn a sign-up bonus, consider the Ink Business Unlimited? Credit Card, which offers a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases and carries no annual fee.

New business owners who are looking to separate their business and personal expenses while earning rewards on a card with no annual fee should consider the Ink Business Cash card. 

The Ink Business Cash card offers elevated cash-back rates on regular business categories and a solid sign-up offer, all with no annual fee. When combined with a higher-end Ultimate Rewards card, the Ink Business Cash is a no-brainer for any small-business owner looking to maximize their rewards earning.

If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee business card but have varied spending habits, consider the Ink Business Unlimited? Credit Card. That card earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all spending and features a similar introductory bonus.

Business owners who spend in the card’s bonus categories will love its up-to-8% return (based on TPG’s valuations). Bonus categories where you can earn up to 4 points per dollar each billing cycle (on up to $150,000 in purchases annually, then 1 point per dollar) include transit purchases; U.S. purchases for online, TV and radio advertising; monthly wireless phone service charges made directly from U.S. service providers; U.S. purchases at gas stations; U.S. purchases at restaurants; and U.S. purchases from electronic goods retailers and cloud system providers. You’ll also enjoy perks like Amex Offers.

“No other card provides the earning potential and adaptability this card has. Sure, its annual fee isn’t cheap, but I love the fact that I don’t need to think about what purchases I put on this card. It will automatically adapt and provide 4 points per dollar in my top two spending categories each billing cycle (up to $150,000 of these purchases yearly, then 1 point per dollar).” — Ryan Smith, former credit cards writer

If you’re looking for a lower annual fee or a card that earns bonus points on more purchase categories (not just your top two per month), consider the Ink Business Preferred? Credit Card. You’ll earn 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on travel, shipping, select advertising purchases and internet, cable and phone services (on up to $150,000 in annual purchases, then 1 point per dollar). Its annual fee is just $95.

If you don’t want to mess with travel redemptions and airline award charts, the Blue Cash Preferred is a fantastic option with lucrative cash-back rates and a $0 introductory annual fee in the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees). Just be sure you earn enough in rewards to justify the annual fee starting in the second year.

“The Blue Cash Preferred Card is the card I recommended to my parents when they were looking for a new cash-back rewards card for their groceries. My parents prefer the simplicity of cash-back rewards and I knew they'd benefit from earning 6% cash back on up to $6,000 per year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets. Compared to the 1.5% cash back they were earning on these purchases, the elevated earnings easily justified adding the Blue Cash Preferred to their wallet.” — Katie Genter, senior writer

If you aren’t a big spender, you may not be able to justify the annual fee on the card. In that case, opt for the Blue Cash Everyday? Card from American Express, which comes with slightly lower earning rates but also charges no annual fee (see rates and fees).

The card is best suited to casual Delta flyers who may not fly often enough to earn elite status but would enjoy elite-like perks such as priority boarding and a free checked bag.

“As someone who likes flying Delta but doesn’t fly with them often enough to earn elite status, my Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex still gives me elite-like perks to help upgrade my travel experience.” — Madison Blancaflor, senior editor

If you are a regular Delta flyer interested in earning elite status, the Delta SkyMiles? Platinum American Express Card is a strong alternative. You’ll get the same elitelike benefits as with the Gold, but you’ll also get the ability to fast track your way to Medallion status.

Anyone new to the world of travel rewards who wants a simple earning rate plus the potential for higher value could find this card to be a good fit.

“I wanted a credit card that earns Capital One miles without an annual fee, and this is a winner. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of some other cards, but I’m happy earning 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases without paying a fee to keep this card year after year. I’ll never cancel this card.” — Ryan Smith, former credit cards writer

For a small annual fee, many travelers could benefit from the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. You’ll earn at least 2 miles per dollar on all purchases and receive an up to $120 statement credit for TSA PreCheck? or Global Entry membership.

Those with variable spending habits are ideal candidates for the Custom Cash card, as you don’t have to worry about rigid bonus categories. Spend away, and you’ll be automatically rewarded based on where you spend the most — even if it changes from one month to the next.

This card helps you to maximize purchases that don’t fit into other traditional bonus categories, especially if you hold another Citi card.

If you want to maximize rewards, consider the Chase Freedom Flex? instead. You’ll earn 5% back on rotating quarterly bonus categories (on up to $1,500 in combined spending) after activation. More importantly, you can effectively convert these rewards into more valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points if you carry a higher-end Chase card as well.

If you don’t want to worry about travel rewards and want to minimize the out-of-pocket cost of your card, this card can be a perfect fit.

“This is my oldest credit card, but I’ve kept it open for more than just its history to aid my credit score. With no annual fee and a fair earning structure, it’s a good option for purchases that don’t fall into bonus categories on my other credit cards. I’m happy knowing I’ll never earn less than 1.5% back on spending.” — Ryan Smith, former credit cards writer

If you still want to avoid fees but increase your potential for cash back, consider the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees). It offers 3% back on dining, select streaming services, grocery store (excluding superstores like Walmart? and Target?) and entertainment.

Credit card beginners or people who are looking for a simple credit card strategy would benefit from the simple earning scheme on the Active Cash. 

“This card offers 2% in cash rewards. When the time came to pay my daughter’s preschool tuition, I got the card. I could charge the expense on my card and get 2% back. It was a no-brainer for me!” - Eileen Sullivan, Senior UX researcher

If you are looking for a credit card with a simple earning model, consider the Citi Double Cash? Card (see rates and fees) which also offers unlimited cash back of 2% on all purchases (1% when you buy; 1% when you pay your bill). This card is a great way to fill in the gaps in your earning strategy so you can maximize your earned rewards across the board. 

Hilton loyalists who frequently stay at the hotel chain and will make use of the credits that come with the card on top of earning a generous 14 points per dollar spent directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.

“I got the Hilton Aspire card for the automatic Diamond elite status, on-property credits — as well as the $50 quarterly flight credit — and perks like free breakfast for myself and a registered guest.” — Daisy Hernandez, Credit cards editor

Those seeking a cobranded Hilton card without a premium annual fee should consider the Hilton Honors American Express Card (see rates and fees). It features no annual fee, healthy point-earning rates across popular categories and a solid welcome bonus.