Title: The Best Rewards Credit Cards — May 2021
Headings: The best rewards credit cards of 2021
The best rewards credit cards of 2021
Sarah Silbert, CEPF
At a glance
Citi® Double Cash Card
Annual Fee
Regular APR
Credit Score
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
A tooltip
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Editor's Rating
Our editor's ratings are primarily based on 3 things: simplicity, affordability, and value. Our credit card editor takes those factors into account, and comes up with a rating to best reflect how the card performs in that criteria - relative to other products we've reviewed.
A tooltip
Our editor's ratings are primarily based on 3 things: simplicity, affordability, and value. Our credit card editor takes those factors into account, and comes up with a rating to best reflect how the card performs in that criteria - relative to other products we've reviewed.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Annual Fee
Regular APR
Credit Score
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
A tooltip
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Editor's Rating
Our editor's ratings are primarily based on 3 things: simplicity, affordability, and value. Our credit card editor takes those factors into account, and comes up with a rating to best reflect how the card performs in that criteria - relative to other products we've reviewed.
A tooltip
Our editor's ratings are primarily based on 3 things: simplicity, affordability, and value. Our credit card editor takes those factors into account, and comes up with a rating to best reflect how the card performs in that criteria - relative to other products we've reviewed.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Annual Fee
Regular APR
Credit Score
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
A tooltip
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Editor's Rating
Our editor's ratings are primarily based on 3 things: simplicity, affordability, and value. Our credit card editor takes those factors into account, and comes up with a rating to best reflect how the card performs in that criteria - relative to other products we've reviewed.
A tooltip
Our editor's ratings are primarily based on 3 things: simplicity, affordability, and value. Our credit card editor takes those factors into account, and comes up with a rating to best reflect how the card performs in that criteria - relative to other products we've reviewed.
The best credit cards for rewards in 2021:
Best cash-back card: Citi® Double Cash Card
Citi® Double Cash Card
Annual Fee
Regular APR
Credit Score
Pros
Cons
Read more about the Citi Double Cash card:
Best travel card with an annual fee under $100: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Annual Fee
Regular APR
Credit Score
Pros
Cons
Read more about the Chase Sapphire Preferred:
Best for earning maximum travel points: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Annual Fee
Regular APR
Credit Score
Pros
Cons
Read more about the Chase Sapphire Reserve:
The most travel benefits: The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Annual Fee
Regular APR
Credit Score
Pros
Cons
Read more about the Amex Platinum:
Best Citi travel card: Citi Premier® Card
Citi Premier® Card
Annual Fee
Regular APR
Credit Score
Pros
Cons
Read more about the Citi Premier card:
Best no-annual-fee Chase card: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Annual Fee
Regular APR
Credit Score
Pros
Cons
Read more about the Chase Freedom Unlimited:
Capital One's best travel card: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee
Regular APR
Credit Score
Pros
Cons
Read more about the Capital One Venture:
Best for rewards on dining out and groceries: American Express® Gold Card
American Express® Gold Card
Annual Fee
Regular APR
Credit Score
Pros
Cons
Read more about the Amex Gold card:
Best cash-back bonus categories: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Annual Fee
Regular APR
Credit Score
Pros
Cons
Read more about the Blue Cash Preferred card:
Other top credit cards that just missed the cut
Comparing the top rewards credit cards
Our expert panel for this guide
How our list compares to other publications
Frequently asked questions
How did we choose the best rewards credit cards?
What credit card offers the best rewards?
What are the different types of rewards credit cards?
Should I earn cash back or points?
What is a credit card point or mile worth?
The experts' advice on choosing the best rewards card for you
Generally, what features make a rewards credit card good?
Sara Rathner, travel and credit cards expert at NerdWallet:
Luis Rosa, certified financial planner :
Summer Hull, travel director at The Points Guy:
Sarah Silbert, senior reviews editor at Personal Finance Insider:
How can someone identify whether a rewards credit card is good for them?
Sara Rathner, NerdWallet:
Luis Rosa, CFP:
Summer Hull, The Points Guy:
Sarah Silbert, Personal Finance Insider:
What should someone consider when selecting a rewards credit card?
Sara Rathner, NerdWallet:
Luis Rosa, CFP:
Summer Hull, The Points Guy:
Sarah Silbert, Personal Finance Insider:
So you know you want a rewards credit card, but not sure which one?
Dining (valuations based on Insider's point-value estimates)
Gas (valuations based on Insider's point-value estimates)
Groceries (valuations based on Insider's point-value estimates)
Flights and other travel (valuations based on Insider's point-value estimates)
All other spending (valuations based on Insider's point-value estimates)
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Content: Citi® Double Cash Card
Great cash-back bonus categories: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Best travel card with an annual fee under $100: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best travel card for earning maximum points: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Best no-annual-fee Chase card: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Best card for travel perks like lounge access and elite status: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Citi's best travel card: Citi Premier® Card
Capital One's best travel card: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Best for rewards on dining out and groceries: American Express® Gold Card
Disclaimer: This page includes information about the Discover it® Miles and Discover it® Cash Back products, which are currently not available on Business Insider and may be out of date.