Best for saving money wherever you buy groceries: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Here’s why: The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers an outstanding 6% cash back on up to $6,000 you spend each year on purchases at U.S. supermarkets, then 1%.

You’ll also get 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

The card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Best for Whole Foods and Amazon shoppers: Amazon Prime Visa

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Amazon Prime Visa

Amazon Prime Visa

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Here’s why: The Amazon Prime Visa offers an unlimited 5% cash back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market for Amazon Prime members.

The card, which has a $0 annual fee, also offers 5% back on purchases made through Chase Travel, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and on local transit and commuting, and 1% back on everything else.

Best for no annual fee: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Here’s why: The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express can help you save money on groceries without paying an annual fee.  

You’ll earn 3% cash back on up to $6,000 each year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets, then 1%. 

The card also offers 3% back at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 a year (then 1%), 3% back at U.S. online retailers on up to $6,000 a year (then 1%) and 1% cash back on everything else.

Best for students: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students

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Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students

3.0 out of 5

10 reviews

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Here’s why: The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students offers an automatic 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs.

You’ll also earn 3% cash back in a category that you choose each month. You’ll get the 2% and 3% bonus rates on your first $2,500 in combined quarterly spending, then 1%. You’ll get an unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

The available 3% categories include gas, online shopping, dining, travel and drug stores.

This card comes with a $0 annual fee.

Best for using grocery rewards on travel: American Express® Gold Card

Here’s why: The American Express® Gold Card can help you maximize your rewards on food-related purchases, including groceries.  

You’ll earn four Membership Rewards® points per $1 spent at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per year (then one point) and four points per $1 at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., on up to $50,000 per year (then one point).

You’ll also get three points for every $1 spent on flights booked directly with the airline or through amextravel.com and two points for every $1 on prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com. All other purchases earn one point for every $1 spent. 

The card has an annual fee of $325, so make sure you’ll get enough value from everything this card has to offer before applying.

Best for Target groceries: Target Circle™️ Card

Here’s why: The Target Circle™ Card offers a 5% discount on most in-store purchases, including groceries. This hefty discount also applies to online orders, deliveries and pickups.

You can combine the card’s 5% discount with rewards offered by Target Circle, the retailer’s free loyalty program that offers access to deals that will be automatically applied at checkout.

The Target Circle™ Card has no annual fee.

Best for Costco members: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

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Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

3.0 out of 5

300 reviews

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Here’s why: You can save money on bulk grocery purchases with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi.

The $0-annual-fee card offers 2% cash back on Costco purchases, including groceries. 

You’ll also get 5% cash back on gas at Costco gas stations and 4% back on gas and EV charging at other gas stations on up to $7,000 in combined spending a year, then 1% back. Additionally, the card offers 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases.

Best for simple cash back: Citi Double Cash® Card — $500 minimum limit

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Citi Double Cash® Card

Citi Double Cash® Card

2.8 out of 5

1452 reviews

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Here’s why:  The Citi Double Cash® Card has a minimum credit limit of $500, but you may be able to get a significantly higher limit based on factors like your income and payment history.

Regardless of your approved limit, the $0-annual-fee card offers straightforward and valuable rewards: 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when you use the card and another 1% when you pay your bill.

Best for bonus cash back: Chase Freedom Unlimited® — $500 minimum limit

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

3.6 out of 5

2017 reviews

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Here’s why: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has a $500 minimum credit limit, but the limit is at least $5,000 if you’re approved for the Visa Signature® version of the card.

The card offers 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 3% back on dining at restaurants and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% on all other purchases.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has a $0 annual fee. 

Best for premium travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve® — $10,000 minimum limit

Here’s why: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a high minimum credit limit of $10,000, plus tons of valuable perks.  

With a large sign-up bonus and elevated rewards on travel and dining, this card is ideal for frequent travelers. Benefits include a $300 annual travel credit and airport lounge access.

With an annual fee of $550, you’ll want to make sure you can take advantage of this card’s suite of perks before you apply.

Best for entry-level travel: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — $5,000 minimum limit

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

4.2 out of 5

1008 reviews

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Here’s why:  Along with impressive rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a $5,000 minimum credit line. 

This card comes with a big welcome bonus, a generous rewards program, annual credits and anniversary bonus points.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has an annual fee of $95.

Best for rebuilding credit: U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card — $300 to $5,000 limit

Here’s why: With the U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card, you can earn up to 5% cash back on purchases while building or rebuilding your credit.

To open the card, you’ll need to make a refundable deposit between $300 and $5,000 to a U.S. Bank secured savings account. You’ll then get a credit line equal to your deposit.

With enrollment each quarter, you’ll get up to 5% cash back on purchases in eligible categories that you choose.

This card has a $0 annual fee.

Best for students: Discover it® Student Cash Back — $500 minimum limit

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Discover it® Student Cash Back

Discover it® Student Cash Back

5.0 out of 5

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Here’s why: Students who qualify for the Discover it® Student Cash Back can get a minimum credit limit of $500 — more than enough to start building a positive credit history. 

The card offers 5% back on up to $1,500 spent on purchases (then 1%) in quarterly rotating categories that must be activated. All other purchases earn 1% back.

The card charges a $0 annual fee.

A balance transfer card can consolidate multiple debts into one payment, potentially accelerating your debt payoff and reducing the amount of interest you pay. Our guide to the best balance transfer cards can help you find one that matches your financial goals.

Best for people who might forget to pay back in time: Citi Simplicity® Card

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Citi Simplicity® Card

Citi Simplicity® Card

2.1 out of 5

517 reviews

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Here’s why: The Citi Simplicity® Card has an 0% introductory APR for 21 months on balance transfers and for the first 12 months on purchases from date of account opening (you may see different offers on Credit Karma), plus no late fees or penalty APR for late payments.

To get the promotional rate, you’ll need to complete any balance transfers within four months of opening your account. The card has a balance transfer fee: Intro fee 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum).

After the intro periods, you’ll be charged a variable APR of 18.24% - 28.99% for purchases and balance transfers.

Best for a long 0% intro APR: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Here’s why: The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers a lengthy intro APR period — 21 months from account opening — for balance transfers and purchases.

The 0% intro APR applies to purchases as well as balance transfers made within 120 days from the day you open your account. Once the intro period ends, the card’s ongoing APR for both balance transfers and purchases jumps to a variable 17.24%, 23.74%, 28.99%.

The balance transfer fee is 5% (minimum $5) of the total balance transferred.

Best for a long 0% intro APR: BankAmericard® credit card

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BankAmericard® credit card

BankAmericard® credit card

2.4 out of 5

235 reviews

From cardholders in the last year

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Here’s why: The BankAmericard® credit card gives you a 0% introductory APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases as well as for balance transfers made in the first 60 days after opening your account.

Both APRs then rise to a variable 15.49% to 25.49%. The card charges a balance transfer fee: 3% of the amount of each transaction during the first 60 days. After that, the fee is 4%.

Best for time to transfer your balances: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

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Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

1.9 out of 5

406 reviews

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Here’s why: With the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card, you’ll have four months from account opening to complete any balance transfers to get the 0% intro APR for 21 months.

The card has a balance transfer fee of 5% (minimum $5) of each transfer. After the intro period, the variable APR will be 17.24% - 27.99%.  

You’ll also get a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months from account opening. After that, the variable APR is 17.24% - 27.99%.

Best for simple cash back: Citi Double Cash® Card

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Citi Double Cash® Card

Citi Double Cash® Card

2.8 out of 5

1452 reviews

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Here’s why: For straightforward cash back along with a solid intro APR offer on balance transfers, the Citi Double Cash® Card is worth considering.

You’ll get a 0% intro APR for 18 months from the date of account opening on balance transfers completed within four months of opening your account. After the intro period, the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.24%. The card has a balance transfer fee: Intro fee 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum).

The Citi Double Cash® Card also offers a flat 2% cash back on every purchase you make — 1% back when you make the purchase and then another 1% back when you pay it off. 

If you have an American Express cash back credit card, you need to understand Reward Dollars to get the most out of your card.

Below, learn how to access and redeem your American Express Reward Dollars for statement credits and eligible Amazon.com purchases.

Redeem for statement credit

If you want to maximize the flexibility of your Reward Dollars, you can apply your accumulated rewards toward your current statement balance to reduce the amount you owe. 

Follow these steps to apply your statement credit:

• Log into your American Express account.
• Click on “Use Reward Dollars.”
• Enter the amount of Reward Dollars you’d like to apply against your next statement balance.

American Express says the statement credit will usually appear within three days. It’s also important to note that the statement credit will not apply to the “minimum payment due” portion of your balance — you’re responsible for paying that amount even if you have enough rewards to cover it. 

Redeem for Amazon.com purchases

You can also apply your American Express Reward Dollars to eligible purchases at Amazon.com. 

To use your rewards at Amazon, you’ll first need to link your eligible American Express card to your Amazon.com account. 

Once your card is linked, you’ll see your available rewards balance during checkout and have the option to apply your Reward Dollars to your purchase. There is no minimum redemption amount, and your rewards are worth the same as when you redeem them for a statement credit. 

Next steps

Whether you’re redeeming for statement credits or Amazon.com purchases, using your Reward Dollars from American Express is a fairly straightforward process. Plus, as long as your account remains open and in good standing, your Reward Dollars won’t expire.

While cash back cards from American Express offer plenty of value, you may find they have some gaps you’d like to fill. For instance, if you like to travel, you may want to add another American Express card to earn Membership Rewards® for redemptions on flights, hotels and vacation packages.

Your Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers plenty of value. But to unlock the full potential of this card, be sure you’re taking advantage of all its benefits.

With three distinct 3% cash back categories and potentially valuable credits, this card can help you earn meaningful value at a $0 annual fee. Read on to explore the best benefits.

• Earn the welcome bonus
• Learn the spending categories … and their limits
• Use the monthly Disney Bundle credit
• Consider the monthly Home Chef credit
• Take advantage of the 0% intro APR for big purchases

Earn the welcome bonus

The best way to start maximizing your earnings within your first few months of card ownership is to qualify for the welcome bonus.

Currently, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers a $200 statement credit when you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 6 months after your account opens. But you might have been offered a different bonus, depending on when and how you applied.

Regardless of the bonus offer you received, this statement credit can help you get great value for your spending.

Learn the spending categories … and their limits

Spending on the card’s bonus categories is the quickest way to rack up rewards dollars. 

The card currently offers:

• 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) 
• 3% cash back on up to $6,000 each year in purchases at U.S. gas stations (after that, 1% back)
• 3% cash back on up to on up to $6,000 each year in U.S. online retail purchases (after that, 1% back)
• 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases

These rewards rates can help you earn real value from your spending, but keep in mind that they come with some limitations. 

In addition to the annual spending caps in certain categories (applied per calendar year), you’ll want to watch out for which purchases are included in each category. 

For instance, “U.S. supermarkets” does not include warehouse clubs and superstores like Target and Walmart, and “U.S. online retail purchases” won’t include everything you buy online. 

Use the monthly Disney Bundle credit

If you’re looking to save on the costs of streaming, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express can help you cover it. 

The card offers a $7 monthly statement credit (up to $84 annually) for Disney Bundle subscriptions, which include Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. To qualify, you need to enroll and spend at least $9.99 each month on an auto-renewing subscription using the card. 

If you already have a Disney Bundle subscription, this benefit provides clear value. And if you don’t, this credit might be a reason to take another look at this subscription package.

Consider the monthly Home Chef credit

If you’re interested in meal kits, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers a $15 monthly statement credit on subscription purchases from Home Chef (up to $180 per year). Enrollment is required to qualify and is subject to auto-renewal. 

Just keep in mind that this monthly credit will likely only cover some of the cost of your Home Chef order.

Take advantage of the 0% intro APR for big purchases

The card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months after account opening. But make sure to try to pay off your purchases and transfers before the intro APR expires, or you’ll be charged a variable regular APR of 20.24% - 29.24% on both.

Balance transfers must be requested within 60 days of account opening to qualify for the intro rate, and there’s also balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

While the balance transfer offer could be helpful for those carrying debt on other cards, we recommend that cardholders using the card for other benefits try to stick to the 0% intro purchase APR offer. In general, it’s a good idea not to use the same card for both new purchases and managing existing debt — juggling both balances can get complicated, and you could end up in more debt than when you started.

Next steps

Your Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express comes with other benefits, including purchase protection and secondary car rental loss and damage insurance. But the perks we’ve called out above are most likely to help you maximize the card’s value in your first few months of card ownership. Eventually, as you use the card more, you might find it has some gaps you’d like to fill. For example, if you like to travel, you may want to add another American Express card to gain the ability to redeem rewards for airfare, hotel stays and more.

If you’re dealing with debt after your 0% balance transfer APR offer ends, it might feel like an overwhelming problem. But there are options that can help.

While transferring your high-interest debt to another credit card with lower rates can be a smart tactic, there are other debt consolidation strategies you might want to consider. Here are some options.

• Transfer your balance to a new 0% APR card
• Apply for a personal loan
• Find a credit counselor
• Reach out to friends or family

Transfer your balance to a new 0% APR card

When one 0% balance transfer APR ends, you might be able to find a new card with a similar offer to manage leftover debt.

If you found your 0% APR offer useful and want to do another balance transfer, there might be options available. Here’s what to do:

• Make sure you’re eligible: Many 0% APR offers don’t apply if you’re transferring your balance from another account with that issuer. Check the fine print to see if your new card allows you to transfer at that desired rate.
• Check the fees: Depending on the amount you want to transfer, the cost of your balance transfer fee might be greater than the amount you’d save in interest payments.
• Make a plan for repayment: Balance transfers are easier to manage when you have a clear plan to pay off your debt. Consider how much you’ll need to pay, and create a budget to help.

Apply for a personal loan

A personal loan can consolidate your debts into a single payment, often with a lower interest rate than your credit cards. Here’s what to do:

• Compare interest rates: Shopping around with multiple lenders can help you save money on your loan. 
• Evaluate loan terms: Look for loans with term lengths that match your ability to repay.
• Understand fees: Even if your interest rate is lower than what you’ll find from a credit card, additional fees can cost you. Look out for origination fees and other add-ons that might apply.

Find a credit counselor

Working with a reputable credit counseling agency can help you manage your debt more effectively. Take these steps:

• Research agencies: Ensure the organization is reputable and certified. A good option will send you free information before you explain anything about your situation, and they won’t promise you too much.
• Understand the plan: Before choosing an option, get a clear picture of how the agency will help manage your debts. A legitimate agency will tailor your plan to your unique situation.
• Review potential fees: Be aware of any charges for the services provided. A good credit counselor will make all the costs clear upfront.

Reach out to friends or family

Borrowing money from someone you know can provide a low-interest solution to your debt. But think through all the possible consequences for your relationship. 

• Agree on terms: Clearly document all loan terms to avoid future misunderstandings. You’re still making a financial agreement, even if it’s not with a formal lender.
• Discuss repayment plans: Develop a solid plan for repayment that both parties agree on. That way, you’ll all know what’s expected of each other.

Consider the relationship: Money can complicate a relationship even when everything proceeds as planned. Before coming to an agreement, consider if the benefits of the loan are worth that potential impact.

Whether you’re looking to save on baggage fees, access premium lounges or earn free flights, our guide to the best travel cards on the market can help you find one that matches your lifestyle and financial goals.

Best for simple rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

4.3 out of 5

73 reviews

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Here’s why: With its straightforward rewards program and annual fee of $95, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card helps travelers get great value without a lot of extra effort.

You’ll earn two miles for every $1 you spend on purchases, plus five miles per $1 spent on hotels, vacation rentals and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel.

Best for premium rewards: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Here’s why: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the most valuable rewards cards out there, offering extensive perks like a generous travel credit and access to airport lounges around the world.

This card’s annual travel credit of up to $300 can be used for a wide range of travel expenses, including taxi fares, campground fees and bridge tolls. The credit is automatically applied when you make eligible travel-related purchases.

The card has a $550 annual fee, so make sure you’ll get enough value from the perks and rewards before applying.

Best for luxury perks: Platinum Card® from American Express

Here’s why: The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a wealth of travel and lifestyle benefits that make it a great choice for travelers seeking extra comfort.

The $695 annual fee is hefty, but will get you access to some of the best airport lounges around the world, including The Centurion® Lounge network. You’ll also be pampered at certain hotels with room upgrades, noon check-in, late check-out, and credits for spa treatments, resort activities and dining (when available).

Best for entry-level travel: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

4.2 out of 5

1008 reviews

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Here’s why: If you’re looking to boost your travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card delivers excellent benefits for a modest annual fee of $95.

You’ll earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases during the first 3 months after you open your account. When you redeem through Chase Travel℠, that welcome bonus is worth $750.

But what really sets the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card apart is the ability to transfer your points to a handful of Chase’s hotel and airline partners, where that bonus could be worth more. 

Best for budget travel: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

3.5 out of 5

14 reviews

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Here’s why: The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is a good option for frequent travelers looking to get their money’s worth out of a travel card.

You’ll earn two points for every $1 you spend on travel and dining and 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.

If you’re on a budget, keep in mind that the card comes with a $95 annual fee — but it’s offset each year by the $100 airline incidental statement credit that you can use to pay for things like seat upgrades, lounge access, baggage fees and in-flight purchases.

Best for hotels: Hilton Honors American Express Card

Here’s why: The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a great way to earn Hilton rewards with a $0 annual fee.

The card offers a sizable welcome bonus: 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points and a $100 statement credit after spending $2,000 on purchases during the first 6 months from account opening.

You’ll also earn seven points for every $1 you spend on eligible purchases at Hilton, five points for every $1 spent at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets and three points per $1 on all other purchases.

Best for no annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

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Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

3.1 out of 5

133 reviews

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Here’s why: Few flexible travel cards offer as much value for a $0 annual fee as the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card.

The card offers 25,000 online bonus points (worth $250 in statement credit toward travel or dining purchases) after spending $1,000 on purchases during the first 90 days after account opening.

You’ll also earn 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases. You can redeem points for a range of travel-related purchases or for a statement credit to cover the cost of those purchases.

Best for airlines: The New United℠ Explorer Card

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The New United℠ Explorer Card

The New United℠ Explorer Card

3.7 out of 5

114 reviews

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Here’s why: The New United℠ Explorer Card offers useful perks like free checked bags, priority boarding and two United Club℠ lounge passes per year. 

You can also earn two miles for every $1 spent on purchases with United Airlines and on hotels and dining as well as one mile for $1 spent on all other purchases.

The card has an annual fee of $0 intro, then $150 after first year.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a lot of potential value to new cardholders, but you’ll need to know how to make the most of its perks and rewards.

To start earning back your annual fee of $95, you’ll want to take advantage of this card’s generous sign-up bonus and travel benefits. But you need to be aware of how to qualify for and activate your perks to fully benefit.

• Earn the sign-up bonus
• Start booking travel through Capital One
• Apply for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry
• Use the $50 hotel experience credit

1. Earn the sign-up bonus

The best way to maximize the value of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card in your first few months of card ownership is to earn the sign-up bonus.

Currently, you earn a bonus of 75,000 miles after spending at least $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months after opening the account. But you might have qualified for a different bonus depending on how and when you applied.

Those current bonus miles are worth $750 on airfare or hotels when redeemed through Capital One Travel, but you might get even more value from your bonus if you transfer to one of Capital One’s partner programs. 

Make sure to check available redemptions and to research Credit Karma’s estimated point values before deciding how to use your rewards.

2. Start booking travel through Capital One

Capital One rewards you for booking your trips and accommodations through its dedicated travel portal. 

When you book through Capital One Travel, you’ll earn 5 miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars.

Plus, you’ll earn 2 miles for $1 from all other purchases made with the card. 

When it’s time to redeem your points for travel, you might be able to maximize your value by transferring your points to one of Capital One’s transfer partners. For purchases, though, Capital One Travel is likely the best option.

3. Apply for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card provides a statement credit of up to $120 every four years to cover the application fee for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry. These programs are designed to get you through airport security more quickly. 

Choosing the right program for your needs is straightforward. TSA PreCheck speeds up the security checks at U.S. airports. Global Entry provides the same benefit while also helping you to get faster U.S. Customs clearance when entering the country.

If you haven’t signed up for one of these programs, be aware that you must complete the necessary application process to use these benefits. While your credit card covers the cost of the application with a statement credit, it doesn’t speed the processing time of your application.

4. Use the $50 hotel experience credit

The $50 hotel experience credit included with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card effectively offsets over half of the card’s $95 annual fee.

When you book a hotel stay through Capital One’s Lifestyle Collection, you can redeem the credit at checkout for such things as dining, drinks at the bar or other activities. Keep in mind that amenities vary by each property and are subject to availability.

While this benefit comes with meaningful value, keep in mind that it’s limited only to Lifestyle Collection properties. Depending on available rates, it might save you more money in the long run to book at another hotel not included in the collection.

Next steps

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card comes with additional benefits, like complimentary Hertz Five Star rental car status, but the perks highlighted above are most likely to deliver value during the early stages of your card membership.
Once you start using your card, you might find it has a few gaps. For example, if you’re looking to maximize your rewards balance for redemptions, you may want to add another Capital One card to improve on any non-travel rewards rates you get from the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. If you combine your rewards right, you might end up with more miles to redeem for your next travel booking.

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers plenty of value for your spending, but you’ll have to know its details to reap all the benefits.

You can start earning extra value for your spending right away thanks to the $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. But after that first year, you might want to know all the ways to start earning rewards that can cover that cost.

• Earn the welcome bonus
• Learn the spending categories … and their limits
• Get the $84 Disney Bundle credit
• Consider the 0% intro APR for big purchases

Earn the welcome bonus

You can jump-start your cash back earnings in the first months of card ownership by making sure you qualify for the welcome bonus. 

Currently, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express comes with a statement credit worth $250 if you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases during the first 6 months from your account opening. But you might have been offered a different bonus, depending on when and how you applied.

Regardless of what you were offered, that bonus could be worth more than a year of the card’s annual fee by itself.

Learn the spending categories … and their limits

If you want to maximize the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, your first few months with the card are a great time to start building up your rewards balance.

Besides the welcome bonus, spending on the card’s bonus categories is the quickest way to rack up rewards dollars. The card currently offers:

• 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Keep in mind that warehouse clubs and superstores like Target and Walmart are excluded.

• 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, including popular services like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Apple Music, ESPN+ and Kindle Unlimited.

• 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations

• 3% cash back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more)

• 1% cash back on other purchases

These rewards rates make the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express one of our favorite cash back cards, but the categories come with limitations. 

If you want to maximize rewards value, keep in mind that you’ll earn just 1% on U.S. grocery purchases after you hit the $6,000 annual spending cap. And while the rewards rate on streaming subscriptions covers many of the most popular apps, it might not cover everything you use. If you want to make sure your service is covered, check with American Express.

Get the $84 Disney Bundle credit

If you’re looking to save on the costs of streaming, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express can help you cover it. 

The card offers a $7 monthly statement credit (up to $84 annually) for Disney Bundle subscriptions, which include Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. To qualify, you need to enroll and spend at least $9.99 each month on an auto-renewing subscription using the card. 

While the monthly credit doesn’t cover the full cost of subscription, it’s a strong value for existing subscribers, and a possible reason for people who’ve been considering the Disney Bundle to start subscribing. 

Consider the 0% intro APR for big purchases

If you’re planning to make a big purchase and need time to pay it off, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express could also help you save money on interest charges.

The card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months after account opening. But make sure to try to pay off your purchases and transfers before the intro APR expires, or you’ll be charged a variable regular APR of 20.24% - 29.24% on both.

Balance transfers must be requested within 60 days of account opening to qualify for the intro rate, and there’s also balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

While the balance transfer offer could be helpful for those carrying debt on other cards, we recommend that cardholders using the card for other benefits try to stick to the 0% intro purchase APR offer. In general, it’s a good idea not to use the same card for both new purchases and managing existing debt — juggling both balances can get complicated, and you could end up in more debt than when you started.

Next steps

Your Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express comes with other benefits, like purchase protection and return protection. But the perks we’ve called out above are most likely to help you find value early in your card membership.

Once you start using your card more often, you might find it has some gaps you’d like to fill. For example, if you’re looking to maximize your rewards balance for redemptions, you may want to add another American Express card to improve on any rewards rates you get from this card.

This offer is no longer available on our site: Citi Custom Cash® Card

While no single credit card is perfect for everyone, certain cards offer standout benefits that might better suit your needs. Whether you’re aiming to earn travel rewards, get cash back on everyday spending or decrease your debt, our list of the best credit cards for travel rewards, cash back and balance transfers can help you find one that fits your lifestyle and financial goals.

Best for premium travel perks: Platinum Card® from American Express

Here’s why: In addition to exclusive airport lounge access, the Platinum Card® from American Express offers a wealth of travel and lifestyle benefits that make it a great choice for frequent travelers. You’ll earn …

• 5 points per $1 on flights booked directly through airlines or the American Express travel portal (on up to $500,000 spent per calendar year, then 1 point per $1)
• 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
• 1 point per $1 on all other eligible purchases

The card comes with a hefty $695 annual fee, so consider whether you’ll get enough value from the benefits and potential rewards before applying.

Best for budget-conscious travelers: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

From our partner

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

4.2 out of 5

1008 reviews

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Here’s why: If you’re looking to boost your travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card delivers excellent benefits for a modest annual fee of $95.

You’ll earn five points per $1 spent on travel booked through Chase Travel and two points per $1 on all other travel purchases with the card.

You’ll also earn three points per $1 on dining purchases, three points per $1 on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), three points per $1 on select streaming services and one point per $1 for all other purchases.

Best for simple travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

From our partner

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

4.3 out of 5

73 reviews

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Here’s why: With its straightforward rewards program and annual fee of $95, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card helps travelers to get great value from their purchases without a lot of extra effort.

You’ll earn two miles for every $1 you spend on purchases, plus five miles per $1 spent on hotels, vacation rentals and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel.

Best for simple cash back: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Here’s why: The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a good option for people who appreciate the simplicity of using a single card to earn rewards on every purchase.

Every purchase you make with the card earns a flat 2% cash back, regardless of the spending category. With an annual fee of $0, this card is a solid choice for everyday spending.

Best for cash back on dining and entertainment: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

From our partner

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

4.1 out of 5

101 reviews

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Here’s why: The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent option if you regularly spend on dining, entertainment and groceries and want rewards without a $0 annual fee.

Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and groceries. You’ll also get 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 5% back when booking hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel. For all other purchases, you’ll get 1% cash back.

Best for flexible cash back: Citi Custom Cash® Card

From our partner

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Citi Custom Cash® Card

2.4 out of 5

290 reviews

From cardholders in the last year

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Here’s why: Without much effort, you can earn robust rewards on your top eligible spending category each month with the Citi Custom Cash® Card, which comes with an annual fee of $0.

You’ll earn 5% cash back on whichever eligible spending category was your highest during your monthly billing period — on up to the first $500 spent. Eligible categories for the 5% bonus include restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, drugstores, home improvement stores, selected travel and transit, gyms and entertainment. After you’ve hit the spending cap, you’ll earn unlimited 1% cash back on purchases in your bonus category and all other purchases.

Best for paying down debt: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Here’s why: With a long introductory 0% APR offer on balance transfers, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card could be a great way to save money on interest as you pay off card debt.

This card comes with 0% intro APR for 21 months months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers made within 120 days from account opening.  Keep in mind that the fee for a balance transfer is 5% (minimum $5) of the total balance transferred. Plus, after the intro period ends, the card’s APR for both balance transfers and purchases rises to a variable 17.24%, 23.74%, 28.99%.

This card has an annual fee of $0.

The American Express® Gold Card offers plenty of value in your first few months of card membership — but it will take some work to access all of it.

From the welcome bonus to the restaurant credits, this card features several ways to start earning back your $325 annual fee. But knowing how to access all the credits and perks is crucial to maximizing your value.

1. Earn the welcome bonus
2. Enroll to access the monthly dining credits
3. Activate your monthly Uber Cash
4. Sign up for Resy credits
5. Enroll to access the monthly Dunkin’ credits
6. Learn your bonus spending categories

1. Earn the welcome bonus

The best way to maximize the value of the American Express® Gold Card in your first few months of card ownership is to make sure you earn its welcome bonus.

Currently, the card offers a bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points when you spend at least $6,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months after opening the account.

Those points are worth $600 when redeemed through AmexTravel.com, and possibly more if transferred to one of American Express’s partner programs. Your bonus points may even be enough to get you to your first travel redemption.

2. Enroll to access the monthly dining credits

One of the American Express® Gold Card’s best perks might require some extra consideration to earn full value.

You can earn up to $10 a month — $120 a year — in statement credits when you use your card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com and Five Guys.

To receive this credit, you must enroll online or call the number on the back of your card. And the credits don’t carry over, so you’ll need to make a qualifying purchase every month to get the full $120 annual value.

Depending on your current habits, this credit might not immediately seem useful to you. But if you place a delivery order through Grubhub once per month, you should be able to take full advantage.

3. Activate your monthly Uber Cash

You can get $10 in Uber Cash each month with your American Express® Gold Card, saving you up to $120 a year on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S.

This perk is a little easier to use — all you have to do is add your American Express® Gold Card as your payment method on your Uber or Uber Eats app. But like with the dining credit, unused value won’t carry over from month to month.

If you’re not in the habit of using Uber, this perk might not seem valuable. But you should be able to get the full value every month if you make one Uber Eats order or take one Uber ride.

4. Sign up for Resy credits

The American Express® Gold Card offers yet more value with restaurants with this benefit.

Make a dinner reservation through Resy and unlock up to $100 in statement credits each year (up to $50 from January through June and up to $50 from July through December) when you use your American Express® Gold Card. You’ll need to visit your card account online or call the number on the back of your card in order to enroll and receive this benefit.

There’s no guarantee that your favorite restaurant will be available on Resy — or that it’s used by many restaurants where you live — but this credit could be a nice way to try a new spot at a discount.

5. Enroll to access the monthly Dunkin’ credits

Dunkin’ devotees will appreciate this monthly credit (that also doesn’t roll over), which allows you to earn up to $7 in statement credits monthly for purchases made in the U.S. using your card. To get the benefit — up to $84 a year — enroll by calling the number on the back of your credit card.

Even if you don’t frequent Dunkin’, this credit could come in handy every so often if you’re in need of a drink or quick snack, even if only at an airport.

6. Learn your bonus spending categories

While activating and enrolling in the American Express® Gold Card’s perks and credits are great ways to maximize value right after getting the card, your first few months of card membership are also a great time to start building your rewards balance.

Apart from the welcome bonus, the best way to do that is by using your card whenever you spend in its bonus categories. You’ll earn:

• 4 points per $1 on restaurants worldwide plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 in spending per year, then 1 point per $1)
• 4 points per $1 on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per $1)
• 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
• 2 points per $1 on other travel booked via AmexTravel.com
• 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

It’s possible that you have another card that gets you more value in one of these categories, and it won’t be right for everyone to shift all their spending to the American Express® Gold Card. But if you’re looking to maximize this card’s value over time, you’ll need to spend enough to keep a high point balance that you can redeem for travel.

Next steps

The American Express® Gold Card has other perks that can earn value, like a $100 experience credit at The Hotel Collection properties. But the benefits we’ve called out above are most likely to help you find value early in your card membership.

Once you start using your American Express® Gold Card more often, you might find that it has some gaps you’d like to fill. For instance, if you do a lot of driving, for example, you can save big on fill-ups with a gas credit card. Or if you’re looking to relax before boarding your next flight, you might want to check out the top credit cards for airport lounge access.

Credit Karma and TurboTax — both owned by parent company Intuit — offer a variety of tools and features that can help you manage your taxes and overall financial picture.

Both companies can also help you access cash quickly during tax season. We’ll review your options and how they work.

• How TurboTax works with Credit Karma
• Early refund options
• More tax tools

How TurboTax works with Credit Karma

Simplified tax filing

If you’re filing your taxes with TurboTax, the process is easier as a Credit Karma member. That’s because information from your Credit Karma account can be used to prefill your tax documents.  

Straightforward account creation

Credit Karma members will find a straightforward authentication process that links their existing account to TurboTax. By sharing its data with TurboTax, Credit Karma gives members the benefit of creating an account quickly and easily.

Special pricing and offers

Certain Credit Karma members who file their taxes using TurboTax through the Credit Karma app have access to special offers and pricing for tax filing — including features like Audit Defense, which represents filers in case of a state or IRS audit. 

Finding TurboTax in the Credit Karma app

To access TurboTax within the Credit Karma app, navigate to “Income and Taxes” from the three-line menu icon to find “Tax tools.” Then click on “File taxes” for an embedded version of TurboTax. Signing into TurboTax through Credit Karma keeps you within the Credit Karma app the whole time.

Fast funding options

Refund Advance loan through TurboTax

If you’re already an e-filer with TurboTax for your federal return, you could be eligible for a TurboTax Refund Advance — a short-term, no-cost loan.

You’ll have to apply, as with any other loan, but if approved, you’ll receive up to $4,000 in your Credit Karma Money™ Spend account — which is free to open if you don’t already have one.

When you file electronically, it’ll typically take 24 to 48 hours for the IRS to accept your return — and most filers receive their Refund Advance within 15 minutes of IRS acceptance.

You’ll be notified when your funds are available and can use Credit Karma’s mobile app to access your funds right away. You’ll also be sent a physical Credit Karma Visa® Debit Card. Note that Refund Advance, which is issued by First Century Bank, N.A. or WebBank, may not be available for all tax filers everywhere. You’ll want to check out the full terms and conditions before you apply.

Image: txed_ckturbotax-2-wip

Early refund access with Credit Karma Money™

Credit Karma members can get access to their tax refund up to five days early when they deposit it into their Credit Karma Money™ Spend account — no matter who prepares your taxes.

But you can’t double-down: If you file with TurboTax and choose to pay your tax preparation fee using your federal tax refund or take advantage of TurboTax Refund Advance, you’re ineligible for early refund access through Credit Karma.

More tax tools

Here are some other Credit Karma tools that can help you keep track of your filing status during tax season or help work on your finances.

Refund Tracker

If you created a new Credit Karma account or linked an existing one while filing your taxes through TurboTax — and you consented to data sharing — you can monitor the status of both your federal and state tax refunds on Credit Karma. 

The Refund Tracker appears soon after you file your federal tax return with TurboTax. When you want to take a look, you can log in to your Credit Karma account.

The IRS issues most refunds within 21 days of accepting your return, though it’s possible your tax return may require additional review and take longer to process.

If you’d prefer to get your information directly from the IRS, the agency maintains a refund tracker called “Where’s My Refund.” Although you’ll need some basic information and a bit of patience, you can start checking your refund’s status as early as 24 hours after the IRS accepts your e-filed return.

Tax Refund Estimator

Credit Karma’s Tax Refund Estimator can help you estimate your federal tax refund based on the information you provide about your income, deductions and credits.

Although the tool has been created for educational purposes only to give you a ballpark figure, you might be able to get an idea about your tax situation. This tool does not prepare or file your taxes for you.

It’s always a good idea to consult a tax professional for personalized advice on your taxes.