Best rewards credit cards of April 2024

Why this card made the list

With no credit score required, no annual fee and a generous cash-back program, the Discover it® Student Cash Back is a top-notch pick for college students who want to establish credit history. Activity is reported to the three major consumer credit bureaus, so as long as you pay on time and keep your utilization low, this card can help you build good credit. Just remember you must activate a new category each quarter or you won’t earn elevated cash-back rewards.

The card also includes some decent benefits, including free access to your FICO Score, a service that monitors the dark web for your Social Security Number (when you enroll) and the ability to freeze or unfreeze your card through your online account if you misplace it.

• Annual fee: $0.
• Rewards: 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum once activated and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.
• Foreign transaction fees: None.
• APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then a variable APR of 18.24% to 27.24% applies. There’s a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms).

Why this card made the list

With a generous cash-back program rewarding spending in common business categories, useful benefits such as primary rental car insurance (when renting for business purposes), an intro APR period on purchases and no annual fee, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers a lot to love. Plus, get employee cards at no additional cost and set individual spending limits.

Redeem your rewards for cash back, gift cards and more via Chase Ta.

• Annual fee: $0.
• Rewards: 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year, 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: $350 after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
• Foreign transaction fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
• APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a variable APR of 18.49% to 24.49% applies to purchases and balance transfers. There’s a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Why this card made the list

Paying rent by credit card typically involves a transaction fee. But what if you could pay rent by credit card without that transaction fee, earn rewards for doing so and get access to a stellar list of airline and hotel transfer partners that points transfer to at a 1:1 rate?

With the Bilt World Elite Mastercard®, you can have all of the above. You also have the option of using your Bilt points to book travel in the Bilt portal at a value of 1.25 cents each. Getting this card is ideal for anyone who rents and wants to earn points that can be redeemed for award travel.

Plus, the card comes with useful perks including an auto rental collision damage waiver, trip delay reimbursement and trip cancellation and interruption protection. However, beware that you must use the card at least five times per billing period in order to earn rewards.

• Annual fee: $0.
• Rewards: 1 point per $1 on rent payments without a transaction fee (on up to 100,000 points each year), 2 points per $1 on travel (when booked through the Bilt Travel Portal or directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company), 3 points per $1 on dining and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. At least five transactions must be made per statement period to earn these rewards.
• Welcome bonus: None.
• Foreign currency conversion fee: None.
• APR: See terms for current APR. A balance transfer fee of up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5 applies.

Why this card made the list

For a reasonable annual fee, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (terms apply, rates & fees) earns a generous cash-back rate at U.S. supermarkets (up to the annual spending cap) and on select streaming services. Plus, the cash-back rate you’ll earn at U.S. gas stations and on transit is the icing on the cake.

• Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Rewards: 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 3% cash back on transit and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Rewards Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or for eligible items at Amazon.com checkout.
• Welcome bonus: $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership.
• Foreign transaction fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
• APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers requested in the first 60 days, then a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.99%. A balance transfer fee of $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, applies.

Why this card made the list

As one might expect from a premium travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® charges a hefty annual fee, but comes bursting with benefits including an up to $300 annual travel credit, a top-notch list of travel loyalty partners you can transfer points to 1:1 like United Airlines and World of Hyatt, the ability to redeem points for 50% more value for travel bookings made via the Chase Travel portal and a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership (enrollment required).

Plus, enjoy a robust lineup of travel protections such as primary rental car insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and more.

• Annual fee: $550.
• Rewards: 5 points per $1 on flights and 10 points per $1 on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠ after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• Foreign transaction fees: $0.
• APR: 22.49% to 29.49% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.

Why this card made the list

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are a valuable rewards currency for anyone interested in award travel. However, not everyone wants to pay $550 a year to carry the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. That’s where the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card comes in. In some ways, it might seem like a slimmed-down version of the Reserve — but for a much easier-to-stomach $95 annual fee, the Preferred still packs a lot of value.

Benefits include 25% more value per point on travel bookings made through Chase Travel, access to the same transfer partners (and the same 1:1 transfer rate) as the Sapphire Reserve, a $50 annual hotel credit for bookings made through Chase Travel, plus travel protections including primary rental car insurance and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

• Annual fee: $95.
• Rewards: 5 points per $1 on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per $1 on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per $1 on all other travel purchases and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• Foreign transaction fees: $0.
• APR: 21.49% to 28.49% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers.

Why this card made the list

The Citi Custom Cash® Card comes with a unique rewards program — the card will automatically detect where you spend the most from a list of eligible categories, and will earn 5% cash back on purchases in a top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent each month and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/25, so it doesn’t make sense for the Custom Cash to be the card you put the bulk of your spending on.

But if you use another card as your daily driver and keep the Custom Cash on hand for one of the categories eligible for the elevated cash back, that’s where this no-annual-fee rewards card will truly shine. Plus, if you use both the Citi Custom Cash and the Citi Double Cash® Card, you can combine the rewards earned with both cards into one pool for easier redemptions.

Categories eligible for the elevated earnings on the Custom Cash (up to the monthly spending cap) include restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment.

• Annual fee: $0.
• Rewards: 5% cash back on purchases in a top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent each month and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/25.
• Welcome bonus: $200 cash back, in the form of 20,000 ThankYou® points, after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
• Foreign transaction fees: 3%.
• APR: 0% intro APR for the first 15 months on purchases and from the date of the first transfer for balance transfers within the first four months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% to 29.24%. There is a balance transfer fee of 5% of each balance transfer with a $5 minimum.

Why this card made the list

Many travel rewards credit cards charge annual fees of $95 or more. By contrast, the Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature® Flagship Rewards Credit Card is much more accessible for just $49 a year. If you’re eligible to join Navy Federal Credit Union (you must have a military connection to do so) and you travel even occasionally, this card is worth considering.

Cardholders can also get a credit of up to $100 to reimburse the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.

• Annual fee: $49.
• Rewards: 3 points per $1 on travel and 2 points per $1 on everything else.
• Welcome bonus: 35,000 points (a $350 value) after spending $3,500 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. Plus, get a complimentary year of Amazon Prime (a $139 value). Offer ends April 30, 2024.
• Foreign transaction fees: None.
• APR: 15.24% to 18.00% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers.

Why this card made the list

The American Express® Gold Card (terms apply, rates & fees) may charge a high annual fee compared to some other cards on this list, but foodies will salivate over the generous rates at which you can earn American Express Membership Rewards® points for eligible dining and grocery purchases at U.S. supermarkets.

Plus, if you take full advantage of the up to $120 annual dining statement credit (enrollment required, valid at partners such as The Cheesecake Factory, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations) and the up to $120 yearly in Uber Cash (for purchases in the U.S.; card must be added in Uber account to receive benefit), you’ve already almost offset the amount of the annual fee anyway.

• Annual fee: $250.
• Rewards: 4 Membership Rewards points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point), 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel and 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.
• Welcome bonus: 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.
• Foreign transaction fees: None.
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR.

Why this card made the list

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ * The information for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers powerful rewards-earning potential for anyone willing to make the effort of activating a new rotating category every quarter. Plus, while this is marketed as a cash-back card, rewards are earned as points with each point worth 1 cent. If you pair the Flex with a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards® card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can redeem points for travel in the issuer’s portal for more value or transfer them to travel partners.

Cardholders also enjoy useful benefits including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, cell phone protection, purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.

• Annual fee: $0.
• Rewards: 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in categories that rotate quarterly (requires activation), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• Foreign transaction fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
• APR: 0% intro APR for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% to 29.24%. There is an intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days. Then the fee is the greater of $5 or 5% of each transfer.

Why this card made the list

If you’re just looking to earn the most cash back possible on your spending, without having to track categories, the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card * The information for the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is an excellent choice for those who don’t mind jumping through a few hoops. To qualify for the highest rewards rate — Tier one — you must be a member of Alliant Credit Union and have an Alliant High-Rate Checking account, opt in to receive eStatements, receive at least one electronic deposit to the checking account per month and maintain an average daily balance of $1,000 or more. Those who can tick all those boxes will be richly rewarded with simple and generous cash-back rewards.

The card also comes with some useful benefits such as personal identity theft protection with reimbursement up to $5,000, purchase security, extended warranty protection and more.

• Annual fee: $0.
• Rewards: 2.5% cash back on up to $10,000 spent each billing cycle with qualifying accounts and all other purchases earn 1.5%.
• Welcome bonus: None.
• Foreign transaction fees: None.
• APR: 17.49% to 27.49% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer applies.

Why this card made the list

The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card * The information for the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. does something almost unheard of — it offers the opportunity to earn cash back at various popular merchants at a higher rate than you’d earn when using the merchant’s store card. For someone looking to maximize their cash-back rewards, that’s a pretty powerful value proposition. It’s true the card charges an annual fee after the first year, but you can recoup that by spending at least $1,585 on purchases in the 6% category.

Eligible retailers for the highest earning rate include Amazon.com, Best Buy, Chewy.com, Home Depot, Ikea, Lowe’s, Target and Walmart. Just be aware you must make three enrollments per quarter — two for your 6% retailers and one for your 3% category to qualify for the highest rates.

• Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Rewards: 6% cash back each quarter on combined purchases from two retailers of choice ($1,500 limit), 5.5% cash back on prepaid car and hotel reservations booked through the Rewards Center, 3% cash back each quarter in one everyday category of choice ($1,500 limit) and 1.5% cash back on everything else.
• Welcome bonus: $250 bonus after spending $2,000 in eligible purchases in the first 120 days of account opening.
• Foreign transaction fees: 3% of each foreign transaction.
• APR: 19.74% to 29.74% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either 3% of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater, applies.

Why this card made the list

If you’re a devoted Amazon Prime member who uses the online giant for everything from streaming to groceries to books (yes, they still sell those), why not earn rewards at a generous rate. Getting the Prime Visa * The information for the Prime Visa has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is a no-brainer for those who “Amazon it” on the regular, especially with no annual fee other than the required Prime membership.

You also get a very robust list of benefits for a no-annual-fee credit card, including baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, extended warranty, purchase protection and more. If you don’t want to pay the fee for a Prime membership but still want to earn rewards (at a lower rate) on your Amazon shopping, Chase also issues the non-Prime Amazon Visa * The information for the Amazon Visa has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. which you might consider as an alternative.

• Annual fee: $0 with Prime membership.
• Rewards: 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership, 5% back on travel booked through Chase, 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and 1% back on all other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: $100 Amazon gift card for Prime members upon approval.
• Foreign transaction fees: None.
• APR: This card does not offer traditional 0% intro APR periods. However, cardholders may be eligible to choose a 0% APR period where they make equal monthly payments ranging from six to 18 months on qualifying purchases of $50 or more. After that a variable APR of 19.49% to 27.49% applies. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 4% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.

Why this card made the list

Is your perfect shopping trip making a Costco run for bulk groceries and toiletries, picking up one of the famous Costco rotisserie chickens for dinner and hitting the gas station on your way home to fill up the tank? If so, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi * The information for the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. just might be the rewards credit card you need. You’ll earn generous rewards, and there’s no annual fee other than the required Costco membership.

But be aware cash back is only disbursed once per year — after your February billing statement closes — in the form of a reward certificate that you can redeem for cash or merchandise at Costco warehouses in the United States.

• Annual fee: $0.
• Rewards: 4% cash back on gas and EV charging for the first $7,000 per year then 1%, 3% cash back on restaurants and travel purchases, 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com and 1% cash back on all other purchases. A Costco membership is required to apply.
• Welcome bonus: None.
• Foreign transaction fees: None.
• APR: 20.49% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. Balance transfers must be completed within two months from account opening and a fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.

Why this card made the list

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card * The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply) comes loaded with perks that can make any frequent traveler’s life on the road more comfortable. It offers an annual Hilton Resort statement credit of up to $400 (up to $200 semi-annually each calendar year) for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts, an up to $100 Hilton on-property credit for stays of two nights or more at participating properties, complimentary Hilton Diamond top-tier elite status and a free night reward annually upon card renewal. You can earn a second free night reward after spending $30,000 on eligible purchases and another night after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year. 

And, if you fly regularly, you’ll appreciate that the Aspire also comes with an up to $200 airfare statement credit (up to $50 per quarter) each calendar year on flights booked directly with an airline or via amextravel.com. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

It’s true this card comes with a hefty annual fee. But for those seeking generous rewards on Hilton hotel stays (as well as on travel and dining), plus stellar benefits, the Aspire delivers.

• Annual fee: $550.
• Rewards: 14 Hilton Honors points per $1 at hotels or resorts in the Hilton Portfolio, 7 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and U.S. restaurants and 3 points per $1 on other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: 175,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $6,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends 4/17/2024.
• Foreign transaction fees: None.
• APR: 20.99% to 29.99% variable APR on purchases.

Why this card made the list

With a generous welcome bonus, automatic Aeroplan 25K elite status, your first checked bag free and the ability to pay yourself back with your points for eligible travel purchases at a 25% increase in points value, the Aeroplan® Credit Card * The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. fits a lot of power into a small package. There is an annual fee, but it’s reasonable.

Cardholders also enjoy a credit of up to $100 every four years to reimburse Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS, as well as protections including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement and purchase protection.

Rewards can be redeemed with Air Canada and more than 45 partner airlines. Or, redeem points for a statement credit to cover eligible travel purchases at a rate of 1.25 cents per point.

• Annual fee: $95.
• Rewards: 3 points per $1 spent on dining, takeout and eligible delivery services, grocery stores and directly with Air Canada and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. Earn 500 points for every $2,000 spent in a month (maximum 1,500 points per month).
• Welcome bonus: 60,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• Foreign transaction fees: $0.
• APR: 21.74% to 28.74% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.