If you're going to spend money anyway, then why not get paid for it?
Whether you're looking for credit cards with up to 6% cash back, double flight miles, or even a free hotel stay each year, you'll want to check out our list of The Top 5 Rewards Credit Cards for 2018.
Our research staff at InvestingAnswers has spent countless hours analyzing hundreds of this year's most generous reward credit cards. After doing so, we've identified five cards with the highest cash back rates on the most popular spending categories, the lowest annual fees, and the most generous (and unique!) cardholder perks on the market.
Assuming you don't plan to carry a balance and have excellent credit (with a credit score north of 720), here is our list of The Top 5 Rewards Credit Cards for 2017:
Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature Card
Want to fund your retirement account every time you spend money? Now you can. The Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature Card deposits 2% of every dollar you spend into a Fidelity investment account, IRA, your kids' 529 college plan, or even a fund for charity. If you spent $4,000 per month on the card, then you'd earn $960 in rewards in a single year. Hypothetically, assuming you earn a 7% annual return on those funds in your Fidelity account, those rewards could grow to more than $41,000 in 20 years. [Hint: Use our Savings Calculator to see how much your rewards, when saved, could grow over time.]
Highlights:
- 2% of purchases go to fund your Fidelity account
- No limits on rewards
- $0 annual fee
Who This Card is Best for: Everyday spenders and savers who want to earn an impressive 2% reward on every dollar spent, and who want to save and invest those rewards in a brokerage account. Apply Now.
[Copy/paste table code here]
American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card
[150x95 image]
One of the best reward cards for everyday spending, AMEX's Blue Cash Preferred Card pays a stellar 6% cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases up to a $360 cash reward limit per year. The card comes with a $95 annual fee, but its $150 sign-up bonus combined with an unlimited 3% cash back rate at U.S. gas stations/department stores and 1% cash back everywhere else help make up for its moderate price tag.
Highlights:
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in spending annually)
- 3% cash back at gas stations and department stores
- 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
Who This Card is Best for: Car commuters and frequent supermarket/department store shoppers. Apply Now.
[Copy/paste table code here]
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
[150x95 image]
Love to travel? Capital One's Venture Rewards Credit Card could help you go on a lot more vacations. The card's $59 annual fee (waived the first year) is easy to recoup when you consider the $400 sign-on bonus (if you spend $3,000 in the first three months), waived foreign transaction fees, travel discounts and upgrades, and a generous $250,000 travel accident insurance benefit.
Highlights:
- Earn two air miles per $1 spent (equal to 2% cash back)
- Get 40,000 bonus miles (~$400) if you spend $3,000 in the first three months
- No foreign transaction fees or blackout dates on flights
Who This Card is Best for: High income individuals who spend heavily on their credit cards and travel frequently throughout the year. Apply Now.
[Copy/paste table code here]
IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card
[150x95 image]
Want a free night's stay every year at an IHG hotel (InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, and Holiday Inn) just for being a cardholder? With its $49 annual fee (waived the first year), Chase's IHG Rewards Club Select Card gives you that. It also offers 60,000 bonus points (~$600) after sign-on (just spend $1,000 in the first three months) to help you pay for reward nights, merchandise, airfare, and other inviting rewards.
Highlights:
- 5% rewards for IHG hotel stays, and 2% rewards for gas, grocery, and restaurants
- Get an Anniversary Free Night each year of card membership at over 5,000 hotels worldwide
- Earn 60,000 bonus points (~$600) if you spend $1,000 in the first three months
Who This Card is Best for: International hotel travelers and everyday spenders. Apply Now.
[Copy/paste table code here]
Costco Citi Card
[150x95 image]
A personal favorite and a beloved secret among Costco members, the Costco Citi Card may offer the most lucrative cash back rate for gas and restaurant spending on the market. Though it's only available with a $59 Costco Membership and the cash rewards are only redeemable once annually, this high-value card comes with damage/theft purchase protection and even extends the length of manufacturer's warranties on your purchases.
Highlights:
- 4% cash back on gas (up to $7,000 spent per year, then 1% cash back thereafter)
- 3% cash back at restaurants and on select travel purchases
- 2% cash back on Costco purchases
- 1% cash back everywhere else
Who This Card is Best for: Frequent Costco shoppers, car commuters, restaurant connoisseurs, and overseas vacationers. Apply Now.
[Copy/paste table code here]
Action to Take:
Pick the card that best fits your lifestyle and enjoy your hard-earned rewards as you spend! Just remember to keep your credit score high and pay off your card balances to minimize your interest charges while maximizing your cash-back rewards.
Read on: 7 Steps to Perfect Credit
