Best Rewards Credit Cards in 2025

From Two Percent Cashback to Travel Miles—Real Cards You Should Know

A photo of a hand with seven fingers might look strange. I chose it because one card on the U.S. market feels just as surprising:

you earn twice each time you use it—once when you buy and again when you pay off the bill.

Best Rewards cards are evolving fast. Banks compete fiercely for your business, offering flat 2 % cashback on everything, rotating 5 % bonus categories, generous sign‑up bonuses and perks like airport lounge access.

Many people grab the wrong card, missing their biggest spending categories or paying fees that wipe out the rewards.

Match your spending pattern to the right card and you give yourself an immediate raise.

The table below shows which major cards fit different lifestyles. Always check the latest terms on the issuer’s site because offers change.

Card	Ideal for	Key rewards & benefits	Annual fee
Citi Double Cash® Card	Simple rewards seekers	Earn 2 % cash back on every purchase—1 % when you buy and another 1 % when you pay. 0 % intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months	$0
American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card	Families & commuters	6 % cash back at U.S. supermarkets up to $6k per year and on select streaming services; 3 % on gas and transit. $250 statement credit after you spend $3k in six months.	$0 first year; $95 after
Capital One Venture Rewards Card	Frequent travelers	Unlimited 2× miles on all purchases and 5× miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel. 75k‑mile bonus after $4k spend.	$95
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card	Foodies & flexible travelers	5× points on travel booked through Chase Travel and 3× on dining, select streaming and online groceries. 75k‑point bonus after $5k spend.	$95
Discover it® Student Cash Back	Students building credit	5 % cash back on rotating categories up to a quarterly cap; 1 % on other purchases. Cashback matched at end of first year.	$0
Capital One Quicksilver Student	Students preferring simplicity	1.5 % cash back on all purchases plus a small sign‑up bonus.	$0
Discover it® Secured	Rebuilding credit	Refundable deposit; 2 % cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1k per quarter) and 1 % on other purchases.	$0 (deposit required)
Capital One Platinum Secured Card	Thin credit histories	No annual fee; credit line tied to refundable deposit; few rewards.	$0 (deposit required)

The card that pays you twice — Citi Double Cash® Card

Citi Double Cash offers a simple formula: you earn 1 % when you make a purchase and another 1 % when you pay your statement. There is no annual fee.

If you need to move a balance, you also get a 0 % introductory APR on balance transfers for 18 months.

This card is like having seven fingers—it’s almost unbelievable how it rewards you twice. It’s best for daily spending and bills. The only downside is a 3 % foreign transaction fee, which makes it less appealing for international travel.

Use this card for routine purchases and watch every swipe earn twice.

Grocery and streaming champion — American Express Blue Cash Preferred®

Families and commuters benefit from high rewards on essentials. Blue Cash Preferred earns 6 % back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year) and on select streaming subscriptions, plus 3 % on gas and transit.

A $250 statement credit sweetens the deal if you spend $3,000 within six months.

The annual fee is waived in year one, then $95 thereafter. To make this card worthwhile, your grocery and streaming bills should be large enough to offset the fee.

Travel made easy — Capital One Venture Rewards

If you travel regularly and prefer simplicity, Capital One Venture Rewards delivers 2× miles on every purchase and 5× miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Spend $4,000 in three months and earn 75,000 bonus miles.

There is a $95 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee You also get a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, making it a solid one‑card solution for frequent flyers.

Flexible points for foodies & travelers — Chase Sapphire Preferred®

Chase Sapphire Preferred is designed for diners and travelers. You earn 5× points on travel booked through Chase Travel and 3× points on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.

A 75,000‑point bonus kicks in after you spend $5,000 in the first three months.

The annual fee is $95. This card also provides strong travel insurance coverage and no foreign transaction fee.

Pair this card with a flat‑rate cashback card to maximize rewards across categories.

Options for students and credit builders

Students often get overlooked in the rewards space, but there are good options. Discover it Student Cash Back offers 5 % cash back on rotating categories up to a quarterly cap, 1 % on other purchases and a cashback match at the end of the first year.

Capital One Quicksilver Student delivers a steady 1.5 % cash back and a modest sign‑up bonus, with no annual fee.

For those rebuilding credit, Discover it Secured and Capital One Platinum Secured require a refundable deposit to open. Discover’s secured card even pays 2 % cash back at gas stations and restaurants up to $1,000 per quarter, 1 % on other purchases and matches your cashback after 12 months.

Responsible use of a secured card paves the way to an unsecured card and better rewards.

Closing thoughts

Whether you are a student, a parent or a frequent traveler, there is a rewards card tailored to your life. Some cards pay you twice on every purchase; others shower you with bonus miles or boost your grocery budget.

By choosing a card that matches your spending habits, you turn everyday expenses into real value. Keep an eye on fees and sign‑up bonuses, and enjoy the perks that come with a well‑chosen card.

“Want to expand your reading?”
→ Career & Success Masterplan: Unlock the 3 Pillars of Professional Excellence