Choosing the best credit card for travel and cashback depends on your spending habits, preferences, and financial goals. Whether you’re looking for rewards on everyday purchases or a card that offers excellent travel perks, the following list covers the top 10 credit cards that provide generous rewards in both categories.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best for Travel Rewards
- Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Earning rates:
- 2x points on travel and dining
- 1x point on all other purchases
- Annual fee: $95
- Perks:
- 25% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- Travel insurance and trip cancellation coverage.
- No foreign transaction fees.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is perfect for travelers who want to maximize their points for flights, hotels, and other travel-related expenses.
2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Best for Flat-Rate Travel Rewards
- Sign-up bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Earning rates:
- 2x miles on every purchase
- Annual fee: $95
- Perks:
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Miles can be used for travel purchases, including flights, hotels, and car rentals.
For those who prefer a straightforward approach to earning travel rewards, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers easy-to-earn, versatile miles.
3. American Express® Gold Card
Best for Dining Rewards
- Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months.
- Earning rates:
- 4x points on dining (including takeout and delivery).
- 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- 1x point on all other purchases
- Annual fee: $250
- Perks:
- $120 dining credit at select restaurants (up to $10/month).
- No foreign transaction fees.
The American Express® Gold Card is ideal for foodies and frequent travelers who want to earn high rewards on dining and flight purchases.
4. Discover it® Cash Back
Best for Cashback on Rotating Categories
- Sign-up bonus: Discover will match all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year.
- Earning rates:
- 5% cashback on rotating categories each quarter (up to $1,500, activation required).
- 1% cashback on all other purchases.
- Annual fee: $0
- Perks:
- No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
- Cashback match at the end of the first year.
Discover it® Cash Back is a great card for those who can take advantage of rotating cashback categories, especially with no annual fee.
5. Citi® Double Cash Card
Best for Simple Cashback
- Sign-up bonus: None.
- Earning rates:
- 2% cashback on all purchases (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay).
- Annual fee: $0
- Perks:
- No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
For individuals who want a simple cashback strategy, the Citi® Double Cash Card offers an easy-to-earn 2% on every purchase with no rotating categories.
6. Chase Freedom Flex℠
Best for Rotating 5% Cashback Categories
- Sign-up bonus: $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
- Earning rates:
- 5% cashback on rotating categories (up to $1,500 each quarter, activation required).
- 3% on dining and drugstore purchases.
- 1% on all other purchases.
- Annual fee: $0
- Perks:
- No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
- Includes travel and purchase protections.
Chase Freedom Flex℠ is perfect for those who want to earn 5% cashback in specific categories and take advantage of other benefits.
7. The Platinum Card® from American Express
Best for Luxury Travel Perks
- Sign-up bonus: 100,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.
- Earning rates:
- 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- 1x point on all other purchases.
- Annual fee: $695
- Perks:
- Access to 1,200+ airport lounges worldwide.
- $200 annual airline fee credit.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
The Platinum Card® is best for frequent travelers who want to take advantage of luxury perks, such as airport lounge access and travel credits.
8. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
Best for No Annual Fee Travel Rewards
- Sign-up bonus: 25,000 online bonus points (equal to $250 in travel) after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days.
- Earning rates:
- 1.5x points on all purchases.
- Annual fee: $0
- Perks:
- No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
- Points can be used for travel purchases.
For those who want to earn travel rewards without paying an annual fee, this card offers a simple and straightforward way to accumulate points.
9. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Best for Cashback on U.S. Supermarkets
- Sign-up bonus: $250 after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
- Earning rates:
- 6% cashback at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year).
- 3% on transit and U.S. gas stations.
- 1% on all other purchases.
- Annual fee: $95
- Perks:
- $100 statement credit for spending at U.S. supermarkets.
- No foreign transaction fees.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card is great for individuals who want to earn high cashback rates on groceries and essential purchases.
10. Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card
Best for Earning Rewards on a Variety of Categories
- Sign-up bonus: 30,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
- Earning rates:
- 3x points on dining, travel, and streaming services.
- 1x point on all other purchases.
- Annual fee: $0
- Perks:
- No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
- 0% APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for the first 12 months.
The Wells Fargo Propel card offers robust rewards on a variety of categories, making it a great all-around option for everyday purchases.
Conclusion
These top 10 credit cards provide excellent options for both travel rewards and cashback. Whether you want a card that focuses on dining, travel perks, or straightforward cashback, there’s a card that fits your needs. Always consider factors such as annual fees, earning rates, and your spending habits to choose the best card for you.
