We took a look at the top rewards credit cards on the market, controlling intro bonus values and what kind of credit is required. To learn which cards are most for your money, see list below, which breaks the cards between those for the average credit (a credit score above 600), good credit (a credit score above 670) and an excellent credit (a credit score of 750+).
Best for people with excellent credit (750 + credit score)
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card - $ 1.195 *
Chase Sapphire Preferred is our # 1 ranked travel rewards card because of its great value award winning, and his reward flexibility. The intro pretty amazing bonus too - 50,000 bonus points after spending $ 4,000 within the first 3 months. In addition, you get 5,000 points after adding your first authorized user and making a purchase in the first 3 months. Put these two together and you have bonus 55,000 bonus points, worth $ 1,195 bonus * by our analysis of credit card travel rewards if you forward the points on the frequent travel program Hyatt Gold Passport, $ 500 in cash, or $ 687 when you redeem points for travel through Chase ultimate rewards. You will also gain 2 points per $ 1 spent on travel and dining and 1 point per $ 1 on all other purchases. When it comes time to redeem your points earned, there are several options. If you use online travel portal Chase, you get a 20% discount on reservations. You can also exchange them against reporting credit or electronic deposit into a savings account / checking account. Or, you can transfer your points for free at a 1: 1 value to other travel reward programs as Marriott, Hyatt, United Airlines or Southwest Airlines. The card has an annual fee of $ 95, but he waived the first year.
Best for people with good credit (670 + credit score)
Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express - $ 748 *
Already great card for anyone flying Delta Airlines, the actual intro makes bonus worth considering switching loyalties air. You will earn 30,000 bonus points (equal to $ 698 *), after spending $ 1,000 within the first 3 months. In addition, you get a $ 50 statement credit after making a purchase with your Delta card. Put these two together and you have bonus worth a total of $ 748 in bonus intro . The SkyMiles credit card American Express Gold Delta (a NextAdvisor advertiser) also wins 2 miles per $ 1 spent on purchases directly with Delta and 1 mile per $ 1 on all other purchases. Also, you can check your first bag free (a roughly $ 50 savings!) And you will enjoy priority boarding. And this card is available to those with excellent or good credit (usually a 670+ credit score), which means that you may be eligible if you do not have perfect credit. There is an annual fee of $ 95, but he gave up the first year of ownership of the card.
Barclaycard Arrival World Elite MasterCard more - $ 440
This card is perfect for someone who is not only interested in booking their travel but they want but also like flying an airplane or stay at any hotel they like. With an introductory bonus 40,000 miles after spending $ 3,000 within the first 3 months, it is a serious candidate introductory bonus. Awards are nice too, offering simple 2 miles per $ 1 spent on all purchases . Also, whenever you redeem your miles, you will get a 5% bonus. This is a very sweet deal and increases the value of the premium intro 40,000 mile $ 440 travel . Rewards redemption is easy - simply book your travel with the Barclaycard Arrival World MasterCard Elite more then redeem your miles earned as a statement credit against the cost of travel. Have less-than-perfect credit? You can still qualify for this card because it requires an excellent or good credit for approval. The annual fee of $ 89 is waived the first year.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card - $ 400
With great redemption reward flexibility and high reward value, Capital One Venture Rewards credit card would be a good fit in your pocket. And you only need good credit to qualify for the card - generally considered an above credit score 670. It has a generous intro 40,000 mile bonus after you spend $ 3,000 in the first 3 months equal to $ 400 travel . In addition, you gain unlimited 2 miles for every $ 1 spent. Redeem your reward is, simply to pay for your travel arrangements with your Capital One Venture Rewards credit card and then use your miles earned as a statement credit against the travel you booked. There is an annual fee of $ 59, but he waived the first year of ownership of the card.
Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express - $ 404 *
If you want to stay at the Sheraton Hotels, Westin, W Hotels, Le Meridien or the St. Regis, this card is for you, it gets you an introductory bonus 25,000 (value $ 404 *) after spending $ 3,000 within the first 3 months. In addition, the guest credit card from American Express Starwood Preferred earns up to 5 points per $ 1 at participating hotels (2 points as the cardholder and 2-3 point as an SPG member), and 1 point per $ 1 on everything else. The card is available for those with good rather than excellent credit, which means that you can earn great travel rewards even if your credit report has taken a hit or two. The annual fee is $ 0 for the first year of ownership of the card, thereafter, it is $ 95 annually.
Chase Freedom - $ 150
With a big bonus intro $ 150 , Chase Freedom is another win cash back card. You will get the introductory bonus after spending only $ 500 over the first 3 months, which is equivalent to obtaining a crazy 30% cash back on the first $ 500 you spend! In addition, you win 5% cash back on categories that rotate quarterly (a maximum of $ 1,500 shopping handsets every quarter, 1%) and an unlimited number of 1% on all other purchases. If you like to shop at Costco and wholesale clubs, you're in luck because you will earn 5% back from now until the end of 2016. Even better, it is no annual fee and Chase Freedom is available to those who have a good (rather than excellent) credit.
Chase Freedom Unlimited - $ 150
If you want a cash back card that gives you a solid unlimited 1.5% on all purchases , look no far because Chase Freedom Unlimited does exactly that. You will also have a bonus $ 150 intro after spending only $ 500 in the first 3 months - equal to 30% back on your first $ 500 in purchases! This card is the best for those who do not want to worry about registering for classes or quarterly keep track of what they spend category. Instead, you can use this card for all your purchases, knowing that you will have unlimited 1.5% cash back. And if you have a hiccup or two on your credit report, you may still qualify for Chase Freedom Unlimited is available to those with just good credit. All this and there is no annual fee .
Best for those with average loans (600 + credit score)
discover - Cashback Match - unlimited, based on your expenses
Name this card says it all when it comes to bonuses, the more he no annual fee and available to those who have just average credit , generally considered a score more than 600 credit to discover - Cashback game is literally match all the money you earn back awards in the first year ownership of the card. So if you earn $ 250 in the first 12 months, they will double it to $ 500! It is easy to accumulate cash back too - you get 5% back on categories that rotate every quarter (of a maximum of $ 1,500 of purchases every quarter, 1%), and 1% back on everything the rest. These categories of 5% return worth 10% return in the first year you have the card, as Discover will double the 5% return you earn, thus totaling 10% return. From now through December 31, 2016 Amazon.com is a 5% return category, so if you get the card now, you can earn 10% return on Amazon to the end of the year! Just be aware that you must register each quarter to receive 5% back rewards.
* Trip dollar reward values are based on our independent travel rewards Credit Card Analysis.
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