Your Ultimate Guide To The Best Credit Cards (And Their Perks)
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If you’ve been thinking about getting a credit card, there’s obviously a lot to consider — like what happens to your credit and how your spending will change. You should also think about what perks your chosen credit card will give you. Some cards give you tons of points while other cards are killer on cash back rewards. Here are the best cards with insane rewards that you should consider applying for.
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve
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The biggest perks: Premium rewards and a robust sign-up bonus
When you sign up for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you have access to 50,000 points (equal to $500 in travel) if you spend $4,000 in the first three months. You also get three Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on dining and any travel, and one point per dollar on everything else. Regarding travel, points are worth 1.5 cents each and can be transferred to frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs. You’ll have access to airport lounges, trip delay coverage, purchase protection, TSA PreCheck credit, Global Entry credit and car rental coverage. Though the annual fee to have the card is $450, you’ll get a $300 travel credit each year, which you can use on things like subway fares, parking, flights and taxis.
2. Capital One® Venture® Rewards
The biggest perks: Flat-rate travel rewards
The Capital One® Venture® Rewards credit card offers you the most in travel. You’ll get a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles (equal to $500 in travel) if you spend $3,000 in the first three months. Though the initial spending may seem like a lot more than the points you’re getting in that bonus, you’ll also get two additional miles per dollar on every purchase you make on any given day. You can use miles from the card on any airline or hotel without blackout dates, which is unlike a lot of other cards out there. You also won’t be hit with foreign transaction fees ever and your miles won’t expire unless you close your account.
3. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The biggest perks: Cash back on everyday spending
The American Express Blue Cash Preferred card is the perfect card for those who just plan to spend money on everyday stuff like groceries and the occasional shopping spree. You’ll get 6 percent cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases, 3 percent cash back on U.S. gas station and department store purchases, and a $95 annual fee that can be easily paid for by the cash back on your other purchases (if you use the card frequently enough). The best part: your cash back can take the form of Reward Dollars, which you can redeem for statement credits, gift cards and merchandise.
4. Chase Sapphire Preferred®
The biggest perks: Killer bonus and airline miles
If you want some serious perks on miles and a great sign-up bonus, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is your best bet. Aside from receiving 50,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months (that’s equal to $625 for travel), you can earn 5,000 bonus points after you add the first authorized user and make a purchase in the first three months from account opening. You can also receive double points on travel and dining expenses worldwide and one point per dollar spent on any other purchases. Bonus: you’ll bypass any foreign transaction fees and you get 25 percent more value on the points you’ve earned when you use your card on airfare, hotels, car rentals and even cruises. Oh yeah, and you have no blackout dates or travel restrictions when using your card for travel.
5. Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card
The biggest perks: Cash rewards
If you’re looking for the biggest cash rewards card, apply for a Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Card. Just for spending $1,000 in the first three months (which, TBH, seems doable), you’ll earn $200 cash rewards. Across the board on any purchase, you’ll receive 1.5 percent cash rewards, and you get 1.8 percent cash rewards on select qualified mobile wallet purchases and $600 worth of protection on your phone plan. You’ll also pay $0 in annual fees, which is pretty sweet, and your rewards don’t expire as long as you keep the card open.
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