What are the best rewards credit cards in February 2026?

Annual fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Welcome offer

Earn as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 within the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at amazon.com checkout)
Introductory Purchases APR

0% on purchases for 12 months
Ongoing Purchases APR

19.49%-28.49% Variable
Introductory Balance Transfer APR

0% on balance transfers for 12 months
Ongoing Balance Transfer APR

19.49%-28.49% Variable

Rewards rate
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in eligible purchases annually, then earn 1%)
- 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% cash back on at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit, including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- *Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout

Why we like it: The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is a fantastic choice for everyday cash back and offers some of the top rewards from any card today on grocery spending. You can earn 6% cash back on up to $6,000 spent each year at U.S. supermarkets — that’s up to $360 cash back on your grocery bill alone. Other bonus categories can be lucrative too, with rewards for select U.S. streaming services, U.S. gas stations, and public transit.

This card also has some great first-year benefits for new cardholders. You can earn one of the best welcome offers among cash-back cards right now, take advantage of a generous APR introductory period on new purchases and balance transfers, and get a $0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 after that; see rates and fees). Combined with cash-back rewards, you’ll find no shortage of first-year and long-term value from this card.

Read our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

Annual fee

$0
Welcome offer

Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Introductory APR

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, then variable 18.49% – 28.49% APR
Purchase APR

18.49% – 28.49% variable

Rewards rate
- 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases

Why we like it: The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards card’s multiple bonus categories can go a long way toward saving on regular purchases. It earns 3% cash back at grocery stores, on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services. But those categories cover a broad range of purchases, from your weekly supermarket trip to a weekend dinner out or even a visit to the movie theater or amusement park near home.

These broad categories also make the Capital One Savor a solid choice for travel, despite it being a cash-back credit card. The 3% entertainment category can go a long way toward bringing down the price of travel activities; eligible purchases include museums, professional sporting events, theater events, amusement parks, zoos, and other tourist attractions. Plus, you’ll pay no foreign transaction fees on purchases you make abroad and can earn 5% cash back when you book eligible travel (hotels, vacation rentals, or rental cars) through Capital One Travel.

Read our full Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card review

Welcome offer

Limited-time offer: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months — that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
Purchase APR

19.49% – 28.49% variable

Rewards rate
- 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on all other purchases

Why we like it: It’s easy to earn rewards to use on your next trip when you make your regular purchases with a Capital One Venture card. You’ll get 2x miles on everything — whether you’re booking your next trip or paying monthly bills at home. Then, you can use those miles in a few different ways: book travel through Capital One Travel, transfer to airline and hotel partners, or get statement credits toward any travel purchase you make with your card.

Compared to other great travel rewards cards, the Capital One Venture has a relatively low annual fee. Plus, you’ll get a valuable welcome bonus as a new cardholder and credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, as well as experience credits on eligible hotel stays booked with the Lifestyle Collection.

Read our full Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review

Annual fee

$0
Welcome offer

Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
Introductory APR

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then variable 18.49% – 28.49% APR
Purchase APR

18.49% – 28.49% variable

Rewards rate
- 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 1.25x miles on all other purchases

Why we like it: Like the regular Capital One Venture card, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card earns flat miles rewards on every purchase you make. But you’ll pay no annual fee for its slightly lower 1.25x miles per dollar.

Despite its lower rewards rate, the Capital One VentureOne card also has the benefit of a solid intro offer. You can use the card’s introductory 0% APR to help finance an upcoming vacation or start paying down existing card debt while you bank miles toward a future trip with your regular spending.

Read our full Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card review

Rewards rate
- 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
- 2x points on all other travel purchases
- 1x points on all other purchases
- $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit

Why we like it: Though it does charge $95 annually (unlike some other cards on our list), the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great example of a rewards credit card that can have value far beyond its annual fee. You can easily make up the cost whether you travel often or only a few times per year.

Rewards categories cover both travel and everyday spending, you’ll get up to $50 in annual credits for Chase Travel℠ hotel bookings, and each year you’ll enjoy a 10% points bonus. But what really sets the Chase Sapphire Preferred apart is redemption value. After earning your points in bonus categories, you can redeem them in the Chase Travel portal at a boosted rate of 1.25 cents per point.

Chase also has a huge list of airline and hotel transfer partners you can transfer points to at a 1 to 1 ratio. These include domestic airlines like JetBlue and Southwest, international programs like Emirates and Flying Blue Air France KLM, and hotel brands like Marriott and Hilton.

This card can also make a great pair with a Chase cash-back card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom Flex®. You can combine the points you earn across each card’s rewards categories and make the most of your boosted redemptions or transfer to your preferred partners to save even more on your next trip.

Read our full Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review

Annual fee

$95
Welcome offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months (redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com)
Purchase APR

See issuer site for current APR

Rewards rate
- 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions (booked through CitiTravel.com)
- 3x points on air travel and other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
- 1x points on all other purchases

Why we like it: Like many of our top cards, the Citi Strata Premier is a great option for saving money on the things you buy regularly at home to put toward a future trip. It offers unlimited 3x rewards across four common rewards categories. Even among the best rewards credit cards, many only offer that much in two or three categories, while others with higher earning rates typically cap the amount of rewards you can earn annually. But the sky is the limit on how many points you can earn in 3x categories with this card.

Citi Strata Premier is also great for hotel rewards, especially if you’re not committed to a single hotel loyalty program and can use the issuer’s booking portal. Not only will you get 10x points on hotels (plus rental cars and attractions) booked through CitiTravel.com, but you’ll get up to $100 back once per calendar year on hotel bookings over $500 (not including taxes and fees) that you make through the site. Plus, other hotel spending is included among the 3x categories to help you earn rewards on rooms you book directly with hotels.

Rewards credit cards work by helping you earn rewards on your regular spending to save on future purchases. For example, you might earn cash-back rewards when you fill up at the gas station that you can redeem for statement credits toward your balance later in the month. Or you can earn travel points when you dine out at restaurants that you can use to book part of an upcoming vacation.

The best rewards credit card for you should work with your current spending. Seek out rewards that work with your current budget so you don’t have to spend more money to try and maximize rewards. After all, rewards cards are still high-interest credit cards. Earning great rewards only works if you’re not carrying a balance, which can quickly lead to expensive credit card debt.

Consider these factors when you’re comparing different rewards credit cards:

Some rewards credit cards charge no annual fee, while others may have costly annual fees of $500 or more. In some cases, the credit card issuer may waive the annual fee for first-year cardholders.

The point isn’t the fee itself. The one question you need to ask is: “Will the benefits I get offset the cost?” An annual fee is only worth it if you can get enough value to outweigh the cost over time.

In addition to the annual fee, stay on top of any other fees you could take on with your new rewards credit card.

For example, if you plan to use your card to earn rewards on vacation abroad, make sure there are no foreign transaction fees. These fees could add between 1% and 3% to each international purchase and lower the value of any rewards you’ll earn.

Other fees to consider include balance transfer fees, late fees and penalties, cash advance fees, and more. Be aware of when you may be charged these fees so you can avoid additional charges over time.

Read more: Credit card fees explained — 8 types you should know

Before applying for a new card, figure out its value by calculating how much you can expect to earn. You can do this by comparing your regular spending to the rewards offered.

For example, say you open a flat-rate 1.5% unlimited cash-back card and you spend roughly $500 on purchases each week, here’s what your approximate annual return will be:

$500 per week x 52 weeks = $26,000 in annual spending
$26,000 x .015 (1.5% cash back) = $390 cash rewards

While some rewards credit cards offer blanket points, miles, and cash back for every purchase, not all of them do. Some have tiered programs where you earn more in one category and less in another. For example, say you’re considering a card with the following bonus categories:

If you often cook at home and commute to work by car, this could be a great way to make the most of your frequent grocery trips and gas station fill-ups. On the other hand, if you buy your groceries at a big box store like Target or Walmart (usually excluded from grocery categories) and you take public transportation to work, there’s likely a different rewards card that’s a better fit for your spending.

Credit card welcome bonuses can help you earn hundreds of dollars or more in rewards value as a new cardholder. This can be a great rewards boost and offer big savings on your next trip or when you pay off your next credit card bill.

Here are the potential downsides:

You usually have to spend a certain amount within a given time frame to receive the bonus (example: spend $500 in the first 3 months and receive $200 cash back).
If you fail to make your payments on time or don’t spend the required amount during the introductory window, you forfeit the bonus.

The value of your credit card rewards depends a lot on how you can redeem them. Compare your card’s redemption options alongside its rewards categories. A good rule of thumb is to look for a redemption value of at least 1 cent per point or mile. This is equivalent to the value of cash-back rewards.

But you can get much more than that with many rewards cards. For example, some offer a boosted value for your points or miles when you use them to book travel via the issuer’s credit card rewards program. Top credit card rewards programs today include American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Capital One Travel.

Compare: Amex vs. Chase points — Who has the best rewards program?

Another way to get the best value is by transferring your rewards to partners. You can transfer the points you earn from your rewards card to airline and hotel partners, then redeem through those loyalty programs. Depending on your travel plans, this is a great way to get the maximum value toward a future trip.

Introductory 0% APR offers can give you a free pass from interest charges on your card balances throughout the intro period. The 0% APR applies to new purchases or balance transfers (or both). But once the intro period expires, you’ll start to accrue interest on any outstanding balances at your card’s ongoing APR.

The average credit card APR today is over 22% (on cards with revolving balances), according to the Federal Reserve. Make sure you have a plan to pay down your balances before the intro period ends so you can avoid taking on high-interest debt.

For the best chances of getting approved for a rewards credit card, you’ll need to meet the credit card issuer’s credit standards. This often means having a credit history and a higher-than-average credit score, proving that you can use credit responsibly. If you’re a beginner with no established credit, you’ll have a much better chance of getting a student credit card or a secured credit card than a premium travel card.

Some credit card companies offer preapprovals for select cards, which will let you know if you have a good chance of getting approved before you risk a (temporary) hit to your credit from a hard credit inquiry.

It’s important to choose the type of credit card rewards you want to earn before you open a new rewards credit card. If you’re looking for simplicity, for example, you may prefer cash-back rewards. But if you don’t mind strategizing for a bit of extra value, points and miles could be a better option.

Here’s what to know about each of the three most common types of rewards to help you decide:

Credit cards that earn points work within a specific rewards program, like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards. You can earn at least one point per dollar on every purchase with your card, then get extra points in specific bonus categories (travel, dining out, streaming services, etc.).

Points are a flexible rewards currency. You may redeem them for statement credits, booking travel, making online purchases, gift cards, and more. Some rewards programs even allow you to transfer your points to airline or hotel partner loyalty programs. Many points-earning cards are travel rewards credit cards, so travel redemptions are often most valuable.

Best for: Credit card points are great if you want multiple options for redeeming your rewards. Cards with points rewards are also good for travelers, since they tend to offer great earning rates and redemptions on travel.

Sign-up bonuses: Many credit cards offer lucrative bonuses for new cardholders after spending a certain amount within the first few months.
Regular purchases: Cardholders typically earn points for every dollar they spend on eligible purchases.
Bonus categories: Many cards offer bonus points in specific categories, like travel, dining, streaming subscriptions, or gas stations.
Shopping portals: Many credit card issuers have online shopping portals where users can earn extra points by shopping with partner retailers.
Dining programs: Some card issuers have dining reward programs that give extra miles when you dine at partner restaurants.
Special promotions: Occasionally, issuers might run promotions or partnerships with additional points on select purchases for a limited time.

General travel cards with flexible rewards or co-branded cards for specific airline loyalty programs may earn miles rewards. They often earn the best rewards rates on travel spending, and you can typically redeem miles for travel, including airfare.

If your miles-earning card is an airline card, you may have the option to use your rewards for upgrades, checked bags, lounge access, and other benefits.

Best for: Credit card miles are ideal for frequent travelers. Miles can help you offset travel expenses and enjoy travel perks like elite airline status, airport lounge access, priority boarding, and free checked bags. Because many cards that earn miles are co-branded airline cards, they’re a good choice for travelers who prefer flying with a specific brand each time.

Sign-up bonuses: Many miles-based credit cards offer a sizable chunk of miles as a bonus for new users who meet a certain spending threshold after opening an account.
Everyday purchases: Typically, cardholders earn a set number of miles for every dollar they spend.
Travel-related expenses: Many travel credit cards offer additional miles for expenses related to travel, like booking flights, hotels, or car rentals. Sometimes these bonus rewards require booking through a specific platform.
Promotional campaigns: Issuers may run limited-time offers where spending in certain categories or with certain partners can yield bonus miles.

Cash back may be the most straightforward form of credit card rewards. Cash-back credit cards earn a percentage of each purchase you make back as a reward. Rewards categories generally focus on everyday spending, like grocery stores, gas stations, drugstores, or streaming services. When you’re ready to redeem your cash back, you can trade it for a statement credit or receive the cash value as a check or bank account deposit.

Best for: Cash-back credit cards are ideal for simple rewards and a tangible, immediate return on your spending. They are especially beneficial for those who don’t travel frequently and prefer a clear-cut, monetary reward over points or miles.

Sign-up bonuses: Some cash-back cards offer a bonus cash reward for new users who spend a specific amount within the first few months.
Everyday purchases: Cardholders earn a defined percentage back on all qualifying purchases.
Category-specific rewards: Many cash-back cards offer higher percentages for specific categories, such as groceries, gas, or dining.
Rotating categories: Some cards offer higher cash-back rates on categories that change periodically, requiring cardholders to activate these categories to earn the bonus.
Shopping through issuer portals: Similar to points-based cards, some cash-back cards allow users to earn additional rewards by shopping through the issuer’s online portal with partner retailers.

A rewards credit card is a great way to save money on your regular spending.

If you don’t already have great credit, you may have difficulty qualifying for the best rewards credit cards — though there are some solid rewards cards you can get approved for while building credit. Check if you’re preapproved before you apply for a new card. This can give you an idea of your likelihood of approval without impacting your credit score.

You should also practice good credit habits, like paying your balances in full and on time each month before you open a new rewards credit card. These cards carry high interest rates — you might be assigned an APR of 20% or more on any balances you carry. Always use your rewards card to make purchases within your budget so you’re not left with high debt balances that cost more than you earn in rewards.

Finally, make sure a rewards credit card can actually help you save money over the long term. A high-value welcome bonus or long introductory APR can save you a lot of money as a new cardholder, but don’t forget to compare these perks alongside long-term benefits and rewards.

Review your monthly expenses to identify where you spend the most, whether it’s at the grocery store, dining out at restaurants, filling up at gas stations, or booking travel. Then, you can choose a card that rewards those specific categories more generously.

You can earn rewards with every swipe of your credit card. Take these steps to calculate exactly how much you can earn on any transaction:

Identify the reward rate: Check your credit card’s terms and conditions. For example, maybe you earn 2% flat cash back for every purchase.
Determine the purchase amount: This would be the total amount you spent. Let’s say your bill was $100.
Multiply the purchase amount by the reward rate: $100 x 0.02 = $2.
Consider any caps or limits: Some cards have a maximum reward limit per month or year. Ensure your calculated reward doesn’t exceed this limit based on previous spending.

Keep in mind, some transactions won’t earn credit card rewards, including:

Balance transfers/balance transfer fees
Cash advances
Lottery tickets or casino gaming chips
Interest payments
Fees of any kind, including an annual fee
Unauthorized or fraudulent charges

There’s no shortage of ways to redeem your credit card points, though redemptions vary depending on the specific card and issuer. Here are some of the most common options:

Statement credit: This is a credit for the value of your rewards applied directly to your credit card balance. Some rewards cards only apply statement credits to specific types of purchases, like travel spending.
Direct deposit into your bank account: Transfer the cash value of your rewards directly into a linked bank account.
A check: Receive a check in the mail for the cash value of your rewards, which you can deposit into a bank account or cash.
Gift cards: Trade your rewards for preloaded cards that you can use for purchases at specific retailers or a group of retailers.
Tickets to events: Use your rewards for access to concerts, sporting events, and more.
Charitable donations: Put your rewards toward a monetary contribution to a nonprofit organization or cause.
Travel: Book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more using credit card points and miles through your credit card rewards program.
Travel upgrades: Use rewards to enhance your travel experiences by upgrading a flight seat or getting a room upgrade at a hotel.
Travel transfers: Transfer your points or miles to partner hotel and airline loyalty programs and book travel directly.

Want to know more about choosing the best credit card with rewards that fit your spending? The answers to these frequently asked questions may help:

A rewards credit card is a type of card that earns cash back, points, or miles on purchases. Rewards categories can vary, but often cover a range of everyday spending (groceries, dining, gas, streaming services) or travel (airfare, hotel stays, rideshares, car rentals).

To find out which credit card has the best rewards, look at your own spending and preferences.

For example, a cash-back rewards credit card like the Blue Cash Preferred from American Express may be best for someone who spends a lot of their budget at U.S. supermarkets, while the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card may work better for someone with varied spending who likes to travel.

A co-branded travel rewards card may be ideal for someone who has one preferred airline or hotel, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card could be a better option for someone who wants different travel booking options through a flexible rewards program.

Before you decide on a new rewards card, think about your spending habits and how you want to redeem rewards to find the option that will have the maximum value for you over time.

Rewards credit cards typically require good-to-excellent credit (or a FICO score of at least 670) for the best chances of approval. This is true for top cash-back credit cards, travel credit cards, and other popular rewards credit cards. If you don’t already have a great credit score, some cards designed for building credit also offer rewards on spending.

With today’s best credit card sign-up bonuses, you can earn hundreds of dollars in rewards value. Some premium cards even have welcome bonuses worth up to $1,000 or more. In addition to ongoing sign-up bonuses, you can occasionally find boosted, limited-time credit card welcome offers too.

Rewards credit cards are worth it if you can get more value from the card than you pay for its annual fee.

If you choose a card with rewards and benefits for purchases you already make, you can often far outpace any annual fee cost in rewards value. For some people, a rewards card with no annual fee at all may be even more worth it.

However, rewards cards are not worth it if you carry a balance. Even the best credit card rewards can’t compete with interest charges well over 20% APR. Focus on paying down existing credit card debt before you open a new rewards credit card.

The value of your points can vary depending on your card’s rewards program and the redemption option you choose.

For example, cash-back credit cards typically earn a percentage of your purchase back, which you can redeem for the cash value in the form of statement credits, gift cards, or a check. Credit cards that earn points or miles often have more flexible redemption options. Under the issuer’s rewards program, your points might be worth more toward travel than if you use them for statement credits. If there’s an option to transfer your rewards to travel partners, that could boost your value even more.

In general, aim for at least 1 cent per point to make sure you’re getting a solid redemption value.

Credit card rewards are generally considered rebates on your spending, so you don’t need to pay taxes on your points, miles, or cash back. However, there are a few exceptions, including referral bonuses and other rewards that don’t require you to spend anything to earn them.

If you’re not sure whether you owe taxes on the rewards you earn, make sure you speak with a tax professional before you file your return.

To determine the best rewards credit cards, we begin with a list of cards from major issuers that earn either cash-back, points, or miles rewards. Overall, there are around 40 rewards credit cards available for new cardholders today.

Our list is made up of general rewards cards and does not include cards for small business owners, co-branded airline or hotel credit cards, secured credit cards, or student credit cards. While each of these card types can offer rewards (see our top picks using the links above), this list is focused on the most valuable rewards options for the broadest range of cardholders.

From there, we use a weighted rubric to rate these cards based on both how you earn rewards and how you redeem them. Our rubric prioritizes flexible cards with high-earning bonus categories, multiple redemption options, annual credits, and welcome bonuses. We also consider the annual fee, but rate it in relation to the bonus value — this helps ensure cards with great rewards can still rate high, even if they charge a fee. We give a lesser weight (but still factor for) a few additional details, including foreign transaction fees, 0% APR offers for new purchases, and our experts’ editorial discretion.

The final picks on the list above are the general rewards cards that receive the overall top ratings from this weighted rubric.

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn’t include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.