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Credit Cards

12 Best Rewards Credit Cards of October 2026

UpdatedOctober 1, 2026

At The Points Guy, our goal is to help you maximize your travel experiences while minimizing spending. While we do receive compensation through our credit card application links, ads and clearly indicated sponsored content, our editorial content, points valuations and card analyses are entirely our own. Learn more about our advertising policy and product review methodology.

Limited Time: Earn 75k bonus miles + $300 stays credit

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

  • Intro offerEarn more than $1,000 in Travel Bonuses
  • Annual fee$95
  • You'll earn2-5 miles
  • Regular APR19.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
at Capital One's secure site.
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

If you’re looking to optimize your spending and make the most of every purchase, we recommend these top picks for the best rewards credit cards. Each card on this list was carefully selected by our team of experts to help our readers get the most out of their spending. Whether you’re looking to earn the most cash back or to pay for your next vacation with points and miles, we’ve got you covered.

At The Points Guy, we aim to provide comprehensive insights and expert analysis on the best rewards credit cards to help our readers make the right choice for their wallets. Check out our curated selection and comprehensive guide below to find the best rewards card for you from our partners.

Comparing the best rewards credit cards

Which rewards credit card is right for you?

  • Best rewards credit card for small business owners: Venture X Business

    Who this is for

    The Capital One Venture X Business is a strong option for small business owners who want to earn valuable travel rewards on everyday business spending without having to manage complicated bonus categories.

    Why the Venture X Business is a good fit

    The Venture X Business combines straightforward earning with premium travel benefits, making it useful for small business owners who travel or want to turn regular business expenses into future trips. Cardholders can earn rewards across purchases, access airport lounges and use annual travel credits that help offset the annual fee.

    Key benefits for small business owners

    • Earn rewards on everyday business expenses without tracking bonus categories
    • Receive an annual travel credit that helps offset the annual fee
    • Enjoy airport lounge access through Capital One Lounges and participating Priority Pass℠ lounges (enrollment required)
    • Redeem miles for travel or transfer them to airline and hotel partners
    • Get premium travel protections and business-friendly card benefits

    Quick summary

    The Venture X Business is one of the best rewards cards for small business owners because it offers simple earning, flexible redemption options and premium travel perks. For business owners who want strong rewards without tracking multiple bonus categories, it provides a convenient way to earn value from everyday business spending.

    Best rewards card for foodies: Amex Gold

    Who this is for

    The American Express® Gold Card is a great option for people who regularly spend on dining and groceries and want to earn rewards on everyday purchases. It's designed for food lovers who want to maximize rewards at restaurants, whether dining out, ordering takeout or buying groceries for meals at home.

    Why the Amex Gold is a good fit

    The Amex Gold stands out for its strong rewards on food-related spending. Cardholders can earn elevated rewards at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, making it easier to accumulate points through everyday purchases rather than relying solely on travel spending. The card also includes dining-related benefits and flexible Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel or transferred to participating travel partners. This card has an annual fee of $325 (see rates and fees).

    Key benefits for foodies:

    • 4 points per dollar spent on up to $25,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar)
    • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
    • Redeem Membership Rewards points for travel, gift cards and other options
    • Transfer points to participating airline and hotel loyalty programs
    • Access dining and lifestyle benefits that can add value throughout the year

    Quick summary

    The Amex Gold is one of the best rewards cards for foodies because it helps cardholders earn valuable rewards on two of the most common spending categories: dining and groceries. For people who spend heavily on food, the card offers an easy way to earn more rewards through everyday purchases.

    Best rewards credit card for the strategic spender: Citi Strata Premier

    Who this is for

    The Citi Strata Premier® Card is a strong choice for people who carefully plan their spending and want to maximize rewards across multiple everyday categories. It's designed for cardholders who are willing to pay attention to where they spend in order to earn elevated rewards on a broad range of purchases, including travel, dining, gas and groceries.

    Why the Citi Strata Premier is a good fit

    The Citi Strata Premier stands out by rewarding a wide range of everyday purchases, making it easy to earn elevated rewards without relying on a single spending category. This makes it a great fit for strategic spenders who want to earn more points from their regular purchases without carrying multiple rewards cards. The card also provides flexible ThankYou Points that can be redeemed for travel or transferred to participating airline and hotel partners, giving cardholders multiple ways to get more value from everyday spending.

    Key benefits for strategic spenders:

    • Earn elevated rewards across several common spending categories, including dining, groceries, gas and travel
    • Maximize rewards by strategically directing spending to bonus categories
    • Earn flexible ThankYou Points that can be redeemed in multiple ways
    • Transfer points to participating airline and hotel loyalty programs for potentially greater value
    • Access travel benefits and protections that enhance the overall cardholder experience
    • Take advantage of a rewards structure that supports both everyday spending and travel purchases

    Quick summary

    The Citi Strata Premier is one of the best rewards credit cards for strategic spenders because it offers strong earning potential across multiple everyday spending categories. For cardholders who are intentional about where they use their card, it offers an opportunity to quickly accumulate valuable rewards while maintaining flexibility in how those rewards are redeemed.

How we rate cards

Our best rewards credit cards were handpicked by our editorial team and their wide breadth of knowledge. We placed heavy emphasis on earning rates and redemption options to ensure the picks were reflective of optimized reward earnings. Other factors such as welcome bonus and annual fees were also taken into consideration. We chose cards that would be a great addition to any person’s reward-earning strategy — whether it's points and miles or cash back. To learn more about how TPG evaluates and chooses cards for our roundups, check out our methodology here.
  • Welcome bonus

    Our best rewards cards offer some of the highest welcome bonuses available.

  • Annual fee

    Many rewards cards feature an annual fee and accompanying perks and benefits that justify it.

  • Earning rates

    We chose cards with elevated rewards earnings.

  • Redemption options

    Our best rewards card offers various redemption options, primarily transferable rewards.

  • Added benefits

    Our best rewards cards offer solid earning potential and vast redemption options.

Frequently asked questions

  • What can I do with credit card rewards?

    Reward redemption options vary based on the type of rewards credit card you have. Cash-back rewards can be redeemed via options such as a statement credit, direct deposit to your account, check, etc.

    Points and miles rewards are typically redeemed for flights or hotels. Other redemption options, such as gift cards and merchandise, also exist but redeeming for travel is often the way to get maximum value out of travel-focused rewards cards.

  • What is the best credit card for rewards?

    The best credit card for rewards will depend on you, your spending habits and rewards strategy. Some cards offer great cash back on grocery store purchases, while others offer bonuses for travel. There is no rewards credit card that will be the best fit for everything. The one that will result in the best value for your goals and your spending patterns is the best rewards credit card for your wallet.

  • Are credit card rewards taxable?

    Typically, the answer is no. You should consult an accountant for more information, but if you are using your purchases to earn a welcome bonus and/or rewards, it is generally considered a rebate on spending and not taxable income. However, bonuses you may earn outside of your own spending (such as referring friends to the card) may be considered taxable.

  • Are credit card rewards worth it?

    Yes, for most people. If you have a good credit score and pay off your balance every month, a rewards credit card is a great addition to your wallet. You can earn points and miles or cash back on everyday purchases you were going to make anyway.

  • Do credit card rewards expire?

    Generally, credit card rewards do not expire as long as your card is open and in good standing. It is still good practice to check the terms and conditions of your specific rewards credit card to see if your rewards can expire. And if you ever plan to close an account, make sure to utilize all of your rewards before closing the card.

  • What are fixed-rate rewards credit cards?

    The rewards credit card world can be confusing with rotating rewards, bonus categories and points and miles transfers. Which is what makes fixed-rate rewards credit cards so valuable. 

    With a fixed-rate rewards credit card, you can earn flat rewards rates on all purchases without the need to track rotating categories or activate certain offers on a monthly or quarterly basis. With this streamlined method, you can earn rewards on every purchase while maintaining an easy and straightforward reward-earning process. 

  • What is a bonus category for credit cards?

    Many credit cards offer a  bonus category, which is a spending category that earns elevated reward rates. For example, the Amex Platinum has airfare as a bonus category and earns 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with an airline or via Amex Travel. All other purchases, like dining or online shopping, earn just 1 point per dollar.