I first received began within the factors and miles recreation once I realized I used to be leaving cash on the desk with each buy.
Whereas I used to be as soon as hesitant to open a bank card, I’ve since discovered simply how priceless the best rewards card could be, and now I am constructing my pockets right into a rewards powerhouse that helps me journey extra, earn quicker and get extra out of each greenback I spend.
One among my playing cards (trace: it is on this listing) even helped me spend three unforgettable weeks touring by Europe this previous summer time — a bucket-list journey I by no means would’ve been capable of swing in any other case.
For those who’re in search of the very best rewards bank cards so as to add to your pockets in 2025, listed below are those I personally use, in addition to those I plan to open subsequent.
Evaluating my high picks for the very best rewards bank cards
This is a fast overview of what every of my favourite rewards playing cards has to supply.
| Card | Welcome provide | Incomes charges | Annual charge |
|---|---|---|---|
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For a restricted time, the Prime Visa gives a $250 Amazon reward card immediately upon approval, solely for Prime members. |
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Earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
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$95 |
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Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases within the first six months from account opening. |
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$395 |
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Discover out your provide and see if you happen to’re eligible for as excessive as 175,000 bonus factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome gives range, and also you might not be eligible for a proposal. |
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Prime Visa
Standout advantages: A simple, no-annual-fee card that earns 5% again on amazon.com and Entire Meals purchases, making it a best choice for frequent Amazon customers.
If there may be one card I want I received earlier than my latest transfer (and lots of subsequent Amazon orders), it is the Prime Visa. Whereas unassuming with its $0 annual charge, this card is a straightforward but efficient choice that helps flip on a regular basis spending into significant rewards.
Providing 5% again at amazon.com, Entire Meals Market and Amazon Recent, this card is likely one of the finest rewards bank cards for furnishing a brand new house, vacation purchasing, buying weekly groceries and past.
Plus, it additionally gives 2% again at eating places and gasoline stations and on native transit, which (mixed with its lack of overseas transaction charges), makes for a surprisingly travel-friendly cash-back card. By utilizing your card purchases in these classes, you’ll be able to maximize your rewards on each on a regular basis and specialty spending.
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The Prime Visa additionally gives a bunch of protections, together with buy safety and prolonged guarantee safety — one thing you do not typically see with a no-annual-fee card.
I am desirous about including this card to my pockets quickly, as it’s at the moment providing a $250 Amazon reward card immediately upon approval (solely for Prime members), making it a straightforward option to put some a reimbursement in my pocket forward of the vacation season.
To study extra, try our full assessment of the Prime Visa.
Apply right here: Prime Visa
Chase Sapphire Most popular Card
Standout advantages: Versatile journey redemptions, priceless switch companions and a modest annual charge make this among the finest rewards bank cards for anybody beginning out with factors and miles.
The Chase Sapphire Most popular was the primary rewards card I ever opened, and it fully modified how I take into consideration spending. As a substitute of incomes money again, I started incomes Chase Final Rewards factors that may very well be transferred to associate loyalty packages like World of Hyatt, United Airways MileagePlus and Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
That flexibility is what makes this card a favourite amongst vacationers. Whether or not you need to e book flights by the Chase Journey portal or switch factors to journey companions to maximise worth, the Sapphire Most popular retains your choices open.
By making the most of a 25% Chase-Flying Blue switch bonus this previous summer time, I used to be capable of switch simply 15,000 factors for a nonstop flight from Washington, D.C., to Paris — a flight that might have in any other case price me greater than $600. The Sapphire Most popular is easy sufficient to make the most of that I would say it’s certainly one of, if not the, finest journey card for novices (I is perhaps biased, however do not simply take my phrase for it).
Even with its approachable $95 annual charge, the perks simply justify the fee. You get a $50 annual lodge credit score for bookings by Chase Journey, a ten% anniversary factors enhance annually and helpful protections like journey cancellation and buy protection.
The Sapphire Most popular has been the inspiration of my rewards technique, and I’m all the time recommending it to individuals who need to flip on a regular basis spending into their subsequent journey.
To study extra, try our full assessment of the Sapphire Most popular.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most popular
Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
Standout advantages: Premium journey perks, versatile redemptions and easy incomes make this among the finest rewards bank cards for vacationers who need robust worth with out pointless complexity.
The Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card has been on my want listing for months, and with its present provide of 100,000 miles after spending $10,000 in six months — the strongest we have seen for the reason that card debuted in 2021 — I knew it was lastly the best time to use.
After watching mates, relations and associates use their Enterprise X to e book flights, loosen up in airport lounges and rack up rewards with ease, I spotted this card deserved to be my first premium journey card.
The cardboard’s easy incomes construction is a part of its magic. Cardholders earn:
- 2 miles per greenback spent on each buy
- 5 miles per greenback spent on flights and trip leases booked by Capital One Journey
- 10 miles per greenback spent on resorts and rental vehicles booked by Capital One Journey
Moreover, Enterprise X gives cardholders $300 in annual assertion credit for bookings made by Capital One Journey, which may help cowl a last-minute vacation journey or a much-needed getaway.
And if that wasn’t candy sufficient, cardholders additionally earn 10,000 bonus miles after every account anniversary. This perk alone is price $185 in worth (in accordance with TPG’s November 2025 valuations), and additional chips away on the modest annual charge.
To not point out, the cardboard’s beneficiant, best-since-2021 welcome provide of 100,000 miles after you spend $10,000 in six months is price $1,850, in accordance with our November 2025 valuations, due to the outsize worth you may get from transferring Capital One miles to this system’s 15-plus airline and lodge companions.
The six-month spend window additionally makes this much more attainable than most premium playing cards, breaking down to simply beneath $1,700 per thirty days.
With its easy rewards, lounge entry and versatile redemptions, the Enterprise X proves yr over yr why it is among the finest rewards bank cards at the moment available on the market, and I am unable to wait to place it to good use.
To study extra, try our full assessment of the Capital One Enterprise X.
Study extra: Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
American Categorical Platinum Card
Standout advantages: Premium journey perks, in depth lounge entry and beneficiant assertion credit make this among the finest rewards playing cards for frequent vacationers who worth consolation and comfort.
The Amex Platinum has lengthy been thought-about the gold commonplace of premium journey rewards, and for good motive. Whereas the Amex Platinum is not in my pockets but, it is firmly on my listing.
Providing a priceless mixture of journey and life-style credit that simply justify the cardboard’s sky-high annual charge when used strategically, it is a card constructed for individuals who worth each comfort and elevated experiences.
Add in complimentary entry for eligible cardmembers to the American Categorical International Lounge Assortment — together with Centurion Lounges — and it is simple to see why this card persistently ranks among the many finest rewards playing cards obtainable.
To study extra, try our full assessment of the Amex Platinum.
Apply right here: Amex Platinum
How I selected my high rewards playing cards
When narrowing down the very best rewards bank cards, I prioritized versatility, long-term worth and the flexibility to earn significant rewards on on a regular basis spending.
Every of those playing cards gives robust incomes potential throughout widespread classes like eating, journey and on-line purchasing — however extra importantly, they make redemptions easy, whether or not you are reserving flights, transferring factors to companions or protecting on a regular basis purchases.
Backside line
Discovering the very best rewards bank card is about selecting the one that matches your life-style and targets.
For me, that meant beginning with a versatile card I might use day-after-day, whereas constructing towards extra premium choices as my journey habits evolve. If you take the time to find out how every profit works, even only one nice rewards card can flip on a regular basis spending into one thing greater — whether or not that is a free flight, a five-star keep or just extra freedom in the way you spend.
Associated: choose the best journey bank card for you
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum, click on right here.
