Best Credit Cards for September 2024 Money, be proud of yourself. We’ve compiled a list of some of the top credit cards available right now, with a focus on cash back and travel rewards cards:
Best Cash Back Credit Cards
American Express Blue Cash Everyday® Card – Why We Like It: With no annual fee and a unique 3% return for general internet purchases, this is possibly the finest rewards credit card for supermarket shopping. EARN: 3% cash back on groceries at US supermarkets on purchases up to $6,000 per year (then 1%), 3% cash back on US online retail purchases on purchases up to $6,000 per year (then 1%), 3% cash back on gas at US gas stations on purchases up to $6,000 per year (then 1%), 1% cash back on all other purchases. Reward Dollars, which may be redeemed as a statement credit, are used to obtain some money back. CARDHOLDER NEW WELCOME BONUS POSSIBILITY: Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 on your new Card in the first 6 months. Terms apply; see Rates and Fees. American Express is a sponsor.
Best Credit Cards for Cash Back American Express Blue Cash Everyday® Card – Why We Like It: With no annual fee and a unique 3% return for general internet purchases, this is possibly the finest rewards credit card for supermarket shoppers. EARN: 3% cash back on groceries at US supermarkets on purchases up to $6,000 per year (then 1%), 3% cash back on US online retail purchases on purchases up to $6,000 per year (then 1%), 3% cash back on gas at US gas stations on purchases up to $6,000 per year (then 1%), 1% cash back on all other purchases. Reward Dollars, which may be redeemed as a statement credit, are used to obtain some money back. CARDHOLDER NEW WELCOME BONUS POSSIBILITY: Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 on your new Card in the first 6 months. Terms apply; see Rates and Fees. American Express is a sponsor.
Why We Like the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: With no annual charge, it provides significant cash back in everyday areas where you are likely to spend real money! Earn 3% cash back on restaurants, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery shops (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) and 1% cash back on all other transactions. EARLY SPEND BONUS: $200 Cash Back after spending $500 on purchases within three months of starting your account.
Credit Cards for Travel
Trip credit cards are tough to rate because travellers’ demands vary in budget, frequency of trips, desired bonuses, etc. As you study these cards, evaluate your needs and desires:
Why We Like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: HUGE new cardholder bonus, excellent everyday benefits, annual 10% points boost, and a pillar of the “Chase Trifecta.”
EARN: 5 points per dollar on Chase Ultimate Rewards travel purchases (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the Card’s $50 Annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit), 2 points per dollar on other travel purchases, 3 points per dollar on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out, 3 points per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), 3 points per dollar on select streaming services, 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
Chase Trifecta: Use the Chase Sapphire Preferred as the foundation of a larger strategy to obtain multiple Chase cards and combine points to redeem at a 25% premium through Chase’s travel booking site or to gain access to Chase travel transfer partners such as United, Southwest, Hyatt, and Marriott.
NEW CARDHOLDER BONUS: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases during the first three months of account creation. When you redeem with Chase Ultimate Rewards®, you’ll receive $750.
(Also, for each account anniversary, you’ll receive extra points equivalent to 10% of your previous year’s purchases. For example, if you spend $20,000, you’ll receive 2,000 different issues.) The annual fee is $95.
Why We Like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: It provides the functional features of more costly travel cards while removing the fluff to keep the yearly charge fair. The annual cost is $395. if you book with Capital One Travel, you can gain up to $300 in travel credits, plus there is an Early Spend Bonus: Earn 75,000 extra miles after spending $4,000 on purchases during the first three months after account opening. The Anniversary Miles Bonus begins on your first anniversary, with 10,000 bonus miles (equivalent to $100 in travel).
Earn unlimited 10 miles per dollar on purchases of hotels and rental vehicles booked via Capital One Travel, 5X points on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X miles on all other transactions. Not to mention airport lounge access via the Priority Pass network and the new Capital One Lounge, among other benefits.
American Express® Gold Card – This is a hybrid card whose daily benefits are not particularly travel-focused. Still, it does provide points in the Membership benefits® program, which most customers use for travel incentives. There are several possibilities to earn points and receive perks/credits. You’ll have to perform the math to determine if it corresponds to your spending habits. The yearly charge is $250. Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $4,000 on qualifying purchases with your new Card within the first six months of Card Membership. Terms apply; see Rates and Fees. American Express is a sponsor.
The Platinum Card® from American Express – There are numerous rewards and benefits, including 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), 5X points on prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com, likely the best and most extensive airport lounge network of any luxury travel card, substantial travel insurances/protections, and numerous potential credits on specific airline and hotel purchases, as well as certain assets from Uber, Clear, and Lyft. The annual fee is $695. Terms and conditions apply; see Rates and Fees. American Express is a sponsor on.
Best Commercial Credit Cards
Why We Appreciate the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: There is no annual fee, a substantial new cardholder incentive, and considerable reward opportunities (as high as 5%) on popular small business categories.
You spend 5% cash back on the first $25,000 on office supply retailers, internet, cable, and phone services combined each account anniversary year. Every year, on your account’s anniversary, you may receive 2% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend in gas stations and restaurants combined. Get 1% back on all other purchases.
A new cardholder incentive offer allows you to earn $750 in extra cash after spending $6,000 on purchases during the first three months of creating your account.
Why We Like the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card: CASH BACK rewards structure that is generous and easy, with no annual charge. Choose this if you want tremendous rewards without worrying about them too much while running your business.
Your company receives 2% Cash Back on qualified business purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, immediately added to your statement. (Eligible purchases are those for products and services that do not include returns or other refunds.) Following the first $50,000 spent on your Card, your company receives 1% cash back on all additional eligible purchases, which is instantly applied to your statement.
Welcome Bonus for New Cardholders: N/A Terms apply; see Rates and Fees. American Express is a sponsor.
Why We Like the American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card: Generous, straightforward incentives with no yearly charge. This is an excellent choice if you currently have other American Express credit cards that earn Membership Rewards® points.
Your company gets 2X Points on qualified business purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year. (Eligible purchases are those for products and services that do not include returns or other refunds.) After spending the first $50,000 using the Card, your company receives 1X Points on all additional qualified purchases. Within the renowned Membership prizes program, points may be exchanged for various travel prizes and other possibilities.