Rewards credit cards are worth it when the value you get from the card — through cash back, points, welcome bonuses, spending credits, travel and other perks — outweighs the annual fee and any interest you pay.

The fastest way to tell: If you pay your statement balance in full each month and the card’s reward categories match your everyday spending, a rewards card is almost certainly worth it. If you regularly carry a balance, interest charges will reliably cancel out the rewards. To understand if a rewards card is worth it for you, you’ll need to calculate your personal card value.

• How do I know if credit card rewards and benefits are worth it?
• What are the different types of rewards credit cards?
• Pros of rewards credit cards
• Cons of rewards credit cards
• How do I know if the annual fee is worth it?
• Frequently asked questions about rewards cards

How do I know if credit card rewards and benefits are worth it?

Credit card rewards and benefits are worth it when their total value for you — rewards earned on your everyday spending, perks you’ll use and any welcome bonus — outweighs what it costs to keep the card, including the annual fee, any interest charges, and any extra spending you do to earn credits or bonuses.

To decide if the rewards and benefits are worth it at a glance, ask yourself these questions first:

• Do you pay your statement balance in full each month? If not, a rewards card probably isn’t worth it for you — interest charges will outweigh the card’s value in most cases.
• Do the card’s rewards categories line up with your existing spending? If not, the rewards rate won’t be as valuable to you.
• Does the card offer new, instead of duplicate, rewards and benefits compared to the other credit cards in your wallet? The same rewards and perks on multiple cards will decrease the value of one of them because you won’t be maximizing your spending on one.
• Does the card’s estimated annual value — the overall value you expect to get from all the relevant rewards and benefits — exceed the annual fee? If not, look for a card with a better fee-to-value ratio for your needs.

If you answered yes to all four, a rewards card is likely worth it for you. To help calculate your specific estimated annual value, work through these steps.

Determine whether you’ll carry a balance

In many cases, carrying a balance and paying interest charges will outweigh the value you get from the rewards and benefits on a credit card. For that reason, a card’s rewards and benefits usually aren’t worth it if you think you might pay interest.

For instance, let’s say you spend $1,000 in a month on a rewards card that earns 2% cash back on all purchases and carries a 25.99% variable purchase APR with a $40 late payment fee. You’d earn $20 in cash back for that billing period. But if you paid your bill even one day late, you’d owe the $40 fee and more than $20 in interest charges, for a total three times greater than the rewards you earned.

If you think you might carry a balance, a low-interest card will typically serve you better than a rewards card.

Decide which rewards and benefits you’re likely to use

Figuring out when a card’s rewards and benefits are worth it requires more consideration than just adding up the total value of everything offered. What matters is how the card fits your real spending habits and lifestyle.

To determine which cards and benefits you’ll use, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do the rewards match your spending patterns? High rewards rates only mean something if the categories match your spending patterns. For example, if you spend a lot at grocery stores, then you’ll know a card that offers 6% back on grocery purchases will give you a lot of value. But if you prefer to eat out or order in, a card with a high rewards rate on restaurant purchases will probably suit you better.
• Does the benefit match your habits? A benefit is only worth something if you use it, and some savings are only visible in specific situations. For example, if you always check bags when you fly, a free checked bag benefit can save you $35 or more per flight. On the other hand, if you always carry on your luggage, that benefit won’t be worth much to you.
• Does the benefit cover the full cost? Many cards come with spending credits, but they’re not guaranteed to cover the full cost of the service. A $10 monthly streaming credit sounds useful, but if the service costs $15 every month and you don’t currently subscribe, you’re paying $5 each month to sign up.
• Do you travel often enough to justify a travel card? Travel credit cards typically offer more perks and benefits than cash back credit cards, but they’re also more likely to charge annual fees. When considering the overall value of a travel card, think about whether you’ll use the benefits often enough to justify the card’s costs (which include interest on any balance you’ll carry over). Your rewards only provide value when you redeem, and you might not do that especially often if you’re not a frequent traveler.

Value the rewards and benefits you’re likely to use

Once you’ve determined which rewards and benefits you’ll actually use, calculate the overall value you’ll get from the card. This is a straightforward process.

Determining the value of a card’s rewards

Multiply your monthly spending in each category by the card’s rewards-earning rates for that category. For example, $200 on groceries every month x 3% cash back at grocery stores = $6 every month (or $72 per year). Run this calculation across all your major spending categories and add up the total.

Determining the value of a card’s benefits and perks

Check if the card issuer lists an estimated value for each benefit, then adjust the listed value to your habits. A monthly $10 rideshare credit is worth $120 annually, but only tallies up to $60 if you use it for just six months out of the year.

If the card offers a sign-up bonus, consider whether you’ll meet the requirements to earn it and list out the value. Some bonuses are cash bonuses with a clear dollar value, but others may come in the form of points or miles. If you’re having trouble valuing these points, consult Credit Karma’s points and miles values.

Once you’ve added up all the rewards and benefits, you’ll have a sense of how much you can expect to earn in value from the card every year.

Account for benefits without a clear value

Sometimes, a credit card won’t list an estimated value for all of its benefits — but these perks can still tip the decision. Travel insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage and airport lounge access are meaningful perks that card issuers may not quantify. In these cases, if it’s a perk you think you’ll use, you’ll need to make a decision on how much that perk means to you.

Here’s an example: Let’s say you’re loyal to a particular hotel chain, and you like that the hotel’s co-branded credit card offers complimentary Silver elite status to all cardholders. It might be worth getting the card even if the value of the card’s other rewards and benefits doesn’t wow you. Status can unlock perks (like late checkout, bonus points and special rates) that add real value for you even without a dollar amount attached.

Compare the card with cards you already have

If you already have other rewards credit cards, then you’ll need to assess the rewards and benefits alongside those you already have. If the card you’re interested in offers 4% back on gas, but you already have a card that offers 3% back, then the added value is really the 1% difference in rates, not the full 4%. Factor in any annual fee you’d pay for that small difference before deciding whether getting the new card makes sense.

Factor in the annual fee and other costs

Once you’ve determined the value of a card’s rewards and benefits, you can factor in the costs of maintaining the card and subtract from the value to see if it’s worth it. In most cases, the largest cost will be the annual fee, if the card has one. But you may want to factor in other costs, like any interest, or even an unexpected late payment fee.

And there are other costs to consider, too: foreign transaction fees if you travel internationally, extra purchases you expect to make to earn benefits and even unexpected late payment fees.

What are the different types of rewards credit cards?

There are three primary types of rewards cards: cash back, travel and general rewards. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so the right one for you will depend on how you spend and what you want out of the card.

• Cash back: Cash back credit cards offer rewards on your purchases — usually as a percentage of the total purchase — at a flat rate on all spending or at higher rates in certain categories. Cash back is easy to understand and to redeem, often showing up as a statement credit or cash payment. Cash back cards are usually best if you want clear short-term value for your spending.
• Travel: Travel rewards cards offer points or miles on your purchases that can be redeemed for travel-related expenses like flights, hotel stays, rental cars and more. They’re also more likely to feature extra perks and benefits than other types of rewards cards. Travel cards are usually best if you want to maximize overall value on your spending, even if it takes more time and effort to get that value. The true value of the points you earn can vary by redemption method — issuer portals typically offer fixed rates, while transfer partners can often unlock higher value.
• General rewards: General rewards credit cards offer points on your purchases just like with travel cards, but with added flexibility and the chance to redeem your points for an equal rate on both cash back and travel redemptions. At the same time, the overall value they offer typically matches that of cash back cards.

Pros of rewards credit cards

• Rewards on everyday spending: You can earn back value for a wide variety of purchases you’re already making at a flat rate on all purchases or at higher rates in specific categories. With cash back cards, you’ll earn a percentage back on all purchases. With travel cards, you’ll earn points or miles that you can then redeem for a variety of travel purchases, like flights and hotel stays.
• Sign-up or welcome bonuses: Manyrewards credit cards offer potentially lucrative sign-up bonuses (also known as welcome bonuses) when you spend a set amount in the first few months of card membership, usually three or six months. Bonuses for cash back cards might sit around $200. The best travel card bonuses can be worth more than $1,000, depending on how you redeem the points.
• Valuable perks and benefits: Rewards credit cards tend to include the most valuable card perks — these benefits can include spending credits for travel or dining (or at certain retailers), complimentary subscriptions with streaming services or food delivery apps, and even airport lounge access and automatic hotel status. Sometimes, these perks can be more valuable than the cards’ rewards on their own.
• Travel rewards programs: Travel rewards credit cards can offer access to flexible travel rewards programs that add to the value of your points and miles. While travel programs frequently offer a fixed redemption rate for your points through their own travel booking portal, they can also partner with airlines and hotels to offer a 1-to-1 transfer rate between programs. If you know where to find the right deals, transferring points can be a great way to add value.

Cons of rewards credit cards

• Temptation to overspend: If you don’t approach a rewards card with a clear sense of your budget, it can be tempting to spend more than normal just to earn back rewards. Similarly, not all spending credits cover the full cost of an associated purchase. It’s often best to approach the rewards and benefits of these cards as bonuses for purchases you already make.
• Interest charges can outweigh rewards: Rewards cards rarely make sense if you think you’ll carry a balance. While the rewards and perks carry real value, credit cards can come with APRs high enough for the interest to cancel out whatever benefit you earn.
• Annual fees: Not all rewards cards come with annual fees, but they’re common enough to be a major consideration when choosing a card. The annual fees on cash back cards don’t typically exceed $95, but the most valuable travel cards can come with annual fees over $500. Not everyone wants to pay that cost, or to put in the effort required to cover it with the card’s benefits.
• Spending category caps: Higher rewards rates in specific categories often come with caps that limit the card’s value after you surpass them. A card may offer 6% cash back on groceries — but only up to $6,000 in grocery purchases per year, after which you may only earn 1% on grocery purchases. If you spend above the cap, your overall annual value on those purchases is lower than it appears.
• Higher credit requirements: Rewards cards usually come with higher credit requirements than other kinds of credit cards. Depending on your situation, you might not be able to qualify for the rewards card you want even with good credit. In most cases, the best rewards cards require excellent credit.
• Effort to maximize value: Some rewards credit cards offer straightforward value for your spending, but others may require you to track spending categories, spending credits and expiration dates to maximize value. Tools like Credit Karma’s Cards Optimizer can help with the process, but not everyone wants to put that level of effort into their credit cards.

How do I know if the annual fee is worth it?

Paying a credit card’s annual fee is worth it when the card’s rewards and benefits outweigh the fee, plus any additional costs of maintaining the card. The math is straightforward: Add up the estimated value you’ll get from the card and subtract the annual fee from that total to see what’s left.

Here’s an example: If you estimate $600 in annual value from a card with a $550 annual fee, you’re coming out on top by $50 — but barely. Compare that to a card with a $95 fee delivering $350 in annual value: The lower-fee card ends up being worth $255. The expensive card isn’t automatically the better deal.

Keep in mind that some cards charge an annual fee without offering rewards. For these cards, it might still be worth paying an annual fee to build credit, but you’ll want to look for the lowest fee for your situation.

When is a credit card annual fee not worth it?

A credit card’s annual fee isn’t worth it when the card’s rewards and benefits are less than the overall cost of maintaining the card, including the annual fee. If you think you’ll get $90 in rewards value from a card over a full year, but the card charges a $95 annual fee, then it’s not worth it if you have better options available.

This offer is no longer available on our site: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card offers great value, but you’ll need a plan to reap all the benefits.

With a $0 annual fee, you can start earning extra value for your spending right away. But it still pays off to know all the card’s features, even with no annual fee to earn back.

• Earn the sign-up bonus
• Decide how to divide your spending
• Choose how to redeem your rewards
• Consider the 0% intro offer for big purchases

1. Earn the sign-up bonus

The best way to maximize the value of the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is by qualifying for the sign-up bonus.

The current offer is a $200 bonus when you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months of the date your account opens, but your offer might have been different depending on when you applied.

2. Decide how to divide your spending

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a straightforward 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases (plus 5% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel).

It’s possible that you’ve already decided to simplify your spending and use this card for all purchases. But if you have other rewards cards, it’s worth considering when to use the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card and when to use another card that earns a higher rate in certain categories.

For instance, if you have another card that earns 3% back on dining purchases, it’s likely not worth using the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card in those situations.

3. Choose how to redeem your rewards

You’ll earn cash back from the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, but you have several options on how to receive those rewards.

Capital One can issue your cash back as either a statement credit to your account or as a check. You can also choose to receive your rewards automatically, either at a set time each calendar year or when your balance has reached a certain threshold.

Capital One offers other options for redeeming rewards, including gift cards and toward PayPal or Amazon.com purchases, but these options might provide less value than you’d get from cash back.

4. Consider the 0% intro offer for big purchases

If you’re planning to make a big purchase and need time to pay it off, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card could help you save money on potential interest charges.

The card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months after your account opens. After the intro period ends, you’ll pay a variable APR for both purchases and balance transfers of 18.49% - 28.49%. 

You’ll also pay a balance transfer fee of 3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time.

While the balance transfer offer could be helpful if you’re carrying debt on other cards, we recommend that cardholders looking to maximize rewards stick to the 0% intro APR offer for new purchases. 

In general, it’s a good idea to avoid using 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 Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card comes with other benefits, like extended warranty protection on card purchases and Hertz Five Star® Status, but the perks we’ve outlined are the most likely to help you find value early in your card membership.

Once you start using your card more often, you might find gaps you’d like to fill with another card. For example, if you’re looking for a higher rewards rate on gas or groceries, it may be worth seeking out another card with strong rewards in those categories.

The Discover it® Cash Back offers great value, but you’ll need a plan to reap all the benefits.

With a $0 annual fee, you can start earning extra value for your spending right away. But it still pays off to know all the card’s features, even with no annual fee to earn back.

• Activate your bonus categories
• Check the category restrictions
• Choose how to redeem your rewards
• Keep an eye on your Cashback Match
• Consider the 0% intro offer for big purchases

1. Activate your bonus categories

To take full advantage of Discover it® Cash Back, you’ll need to activate your rotating bonus categories as early as possible every quarter.

The card offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases (then 1%) in rotating categories that change every quarter (activation required). You’ll also earn 1% on all other purchases.

While that 5% rate is impressive, you won’t get it automatically. Discover requires you to activate your categories every quarter, and you won’t earn that elevated rate on any purchases made before you activate. Unlike some similar cards, the bonus rate doesn’t apply retroactively.

With categories changing every three months, it might be helpful to set a calendar reminder for the first days of January, April, July and October so you never forget to activate.

2. Check the category restrictions

When bonus categories change often, it can be difficult to keep track of which purchases are included and which aren’t. To maximize your value with the Discover it® Cash Back, check the restrictions on your quarterly categories whenever they’re announced.

For instance, “grocery stores” usually doesn’t include superstores like Walmart and Target, and “select streaming services” might not include your preferred option.

To help, Credit Karma sends an update to Discover it® Cash Back cardholders every quarter that details the new categories and their restrictions.

3. Choose how to redeem your rewards

You’ll earn your rewards as cash back, but you have some options for how you redeem.

In most cases, we recommend redeeming your rewards as a statement credit to your Discover account or as an electronic deposit into an eligible bank account. Discover allows cardholders to redeem for any amount, so you can redeem as soon as you earn your first rewards.

Discover offers a few other redemption options, like gift cards and purchases with online merchants, too.

4. Keep an eye on your Cashback Match

Unlike other rewards cards, Discover it® Cash Back doesn’t come with a traditional sign-up bonus (you may see other offers on Credit Karma). Instead, Discover offers Cashback Match, which matches all the rewards you earn in your first year of card membership.

You don’t need to qualify for the offer — you’ll receive your Cashback Match total within two billing periods of your first account anniversary.

Discover matches all the rewards you earn, not just what you haven’t redeemed, so there’s not much to track with Cashback Match. Still, it might be useful to keep an eye on your balance, so you know how much you stand to earn.

5. Consider the 0% intro offer for big purchases

If you’re planning to make a big purchase and need time to pay it off, Discover it® Cash Back could help you save money on potential interest charges.

The card offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, and for 15 months after the date of your first transfer on balance transfers. After the intro periods end, you’ll see a variable APR of 17.49% - 26.49% on both purchases and balance transfers (you may see different terms on Credit Karma).

Balance transfers carry a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms).

While the balance transfer offer could be helpful if you’re carrying debt on other cards, we recommend that cardholders looking to maximize rewards stick to the 0% intro APR offer for new purchases. 

In general, it’s a good idea to avoid using 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 Discover it® Cash Back comes with other benefits, like free alerts when your Social Security number is found on the dark web, but the perks we’ve outlined are the most likely to help you find value early in your card membership.

Once you start using your card more often, you might find gaps you’d like to fill with another card. For example, if you’re looking for steady bonus rewards rates in any favorite categories, it may be worth seeking out another card.

This offer is no longer available on our site: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers great value, but you’ll need a plan to reap all the benefits.

With a $0 annual fee, you can start earning extra value for your spending right away. But it still pays off to know all the card’s features, even with no annual fee to earn back.

• Earn the sign-up bonus
• Learn the bonus categories
• Choose how to redeem your rewards
• Consider the 0% intro offer for big purchases

1. Earn the sign-up bonus

The best way to maximize the value of the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is by qualifying for the sign-up bonus.

The current offer is a $200 bonus when you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months of the date your account opened, but your offer might have been different depending on when you applied.

2. Learn the bonus categories

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card features many bonus rewards rates. To start maximizing your rewards, keep these categories in mind and spend accordingly.

You’ll earn …

• 3% back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) and on dining (including most takeout and delivery), entertainment and popular streaming services (like Netflix and Disney+)
• 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• 5% back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 1% back on all other eligible purchases

3. Choose how to redeem your rewards

You have several options on how to receive the rewards you earn from the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.

Capital One can issue your cash back as either a statement credit to your account or as a check. You can also choose to receive your rewards automatically, either at a set time each calendar year or when your balance has reached a certain threshold.

Capital One offers other options for redeeming rewards, including gift cards and toward PayPal or Amazon.com purchases, but these options might provide less value than you’d get from cash back.

4. Consider the 0% intro offer for big purchases

If you’re planning to make a big purchase and need time to pay it off, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card could help you save money on potential interest charges.

The card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months after your account opens. After the intro period ends, you’ll pay a variable APR for both purchases and balance transfers of 18.49% - 28.49%. 

You’ll also pay a balance transfer fee of 3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time. (You may have a different 0% offer, depending on how you applied for the card.)

While the balance transfer offer could be helpful if you’re carrying debt on other cards, we recommend that cardholders looking to maximize rewards stick to the 0% intro APR offer for new purchases. 

In general, it’s a good idea to avoid using 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 Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card comes with other benefits, like extended warranty protection on card purchases and Hertz Five Star^(R) Status, but the perks we’ve outlined are the most likely to help you find value early in your card membership.

Once you start using your card more often, you might find gaps you’d like to fill with another card. For example, if you’re looking for a higher rewards rate at gas stations, it may be worth seeking out another card with strong rewards in that category.

The Amazon Prime Visa offers great value, but you’ll need a plan to reap all the benefits.

With a $0 annual fee, you can start earning extra value for your spending right away. But it still pays off to know all the card’s features, even with no annual fee to earn back.

• Check for your Amazon Gift Card
• Learn the bonus categories
• Choose how to redeem your rewards

1. Check for your Amazon Gift Card

Depending on how and when you applied for the Amazon Prime Visa, you may have received an Amazon Gift Card up on approval. 

According to Amazon, that gift card value should have been loaded instantly to your Amazon.com account. If you missed it, it’s probably a good idea to ensure it was added correctly.

The current limited-time offer for the gift card is $150 upon approval, but your offer might have been different depending on when you applied.

2. Learn the bonus categories

The Amazon Prime Visa features many bonus rewards rates. To start building up your rewards balance, you’ll want to remember the categories and start using the card intentionally to maximize your earnings.

With your eligible Amazon Prime membership, you’ll earn …

• 5% back on Amazon.com purchases, Whole Foods Market purchases (online or in-store) and Chase Travel℠ purchases with an eligible Amazon Prime membership
• 2% back at gas stations, restaurants (dining in or taking out), and local transit and commuting (including rideshares)
• 1% back on all other eligible purchases

Amazon promises additional offers with your card, including bonuses for choosing certain shipping options on Amazon.com purchases (with an eligible Prime membership) and 10% on a set of rotating items and categories. But these offers vary by their nature, and it’s probably best to consider them a nice bonus rather than something to seek out actively.

3. Choose how to redeem your rewards

The rewards you earn with your Amazon Prime Visa can be used for all or part of your purchase at Amazon.com, with rewards available for redemption as soon as the day after you’ve earned them. 

You’ll see your rewards balance during checkout at Amazon.com, and you can choose to redeem any available amount towards your purchase, even if it doesn’t cover the whole cost.

Plus, you have more options for redemption through Chase, such as cash back, gift cards and travel bookings through Chase Travel. Better yet, these options give the same 1-cent value as for Amazon.com redemptions.

Next steps

Your Amazon Prime Visa comes with other benefits, like purchase protection and baggage delay insurance, but the perks we’ve outlined are the 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 with another card. For example, if you’re looking for a higher rewards rate on gas or groceries not purchased at Whole Foods, it might be worth seeking out another card with strong rewards in those categories.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers great value, but you’ll need a plan to reap all the benefits.

With a $0 annual fee, you can start earning extra value for your spending right away. But it still pays off to know all of the card’s features, even with no upfront cost to earn back.

• Earn the sign-up bonus
• Learn the bonus categories
• Choose how to redeem your rewards
• Activate the DoorDash benefits
• Consider the 0% intro APR for big purchases

1. Earn the sign-up bonus

The best way to maximize the value of Chase Freedom Unlimited® is to make sure to qualify for the welcome bonus.

You can earn a $200 bonus when you spend just $500 on purchases in the first 3 months after your account opens. That’s a bonus that would take far longer to earn via the card’s ongoing rewards rates alone.

2. Learn the bonus categories

Once you earn the sign-up bonus, the quickest way to start racking up rewards is by spending in the card’s bonus categories. With Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you’ll earn …

• 3% back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) 
• 3% back on drugstore purchases
• 5% back on travel purchased through the Chase Travel℠ portal
• 1.5% back on all other eligible purchases

We like Chase Freedom Unlimited® for how it pairs strong bonus categories and a quality rate on all other purchases, but not everyone will find the same value in these categories.

For instance, if you already have a travel rewards card that earns points or miles, it might still be a good idea to keep using that card instead of shifting your travel spending. It all depends on how you intend to use your rewards, and the value you get from those redemptions.

3. Choose how to redeem your rewards

Chase Freedom Unlimited® is known as a cash back rewards card, but it offers several ways to redeem your rewards.

If you opt for cash back, you’ll be able to apply your rewards as a statement credit to your card balance or as an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase checking or savings account.

You can also redeem rewards for gift cards, travel booked through Chase Travel (including a portion of the booking cost) and for eligible Amazon.com orders at checkout. But while gift cards and travel redemptions offer the same 1-cent value as cash back redemptions, Chase says that other methods may offer a lower value.

4. Activate the DoorDash benefits

Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers several DoorDash perks to help cardholders save when using the app.

First, you’ll get 6 months of complimentary access to DashPass, a subscription that features $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. 

You’ll have the chance to activate DashPass access when you add the card as a primary payment option on DoorDash, and the activation must be done by the end of 2027. Keep in mind that you’ll be automatically enrolled in DashPass at the end of the complimentary access period at the current monthly cost.

DashPass members also get up to $10 in credits every quarter on non-restaurant DoorDash orders through the end of 2027. That’s a solid value for the complimentary access period, and a nice ongoing perk if you choose to continue your DashPass membership.

5. Consider the 0% intro APR for big purchases

If you’re planning to make a big purchase and need time to pay it off, Chase Freedom Unlimited® could also help you save money on interest charges.

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 18.24% - 27.74% on any remaining purchase or transfer balances.

There’s also balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days. 5% (minimum $5) thereafter.

While the balance transfer offer could be helpful for those carrying debt on other cards, we recommend that cardholders wanting to use 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.

What’s next?

Your Chase Freedom Unlimited® comes with other benefits, like purchase protection and trip cancellation insurance. 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 the card more often, you might find it has some gaps you’d like to fill. For instance, if you want more travel perks, you may want to add another Chase card to maximize your rewards.

The Citi Double Cash® Card offers great value with its $0 annual fee, but you’ll need a plan to reap all the benefits.

• Earn the sign-up bonus
• Decide how to divide your spending
• Choose how to redeem your rewards
• Consider the 0% intro APR for managing existing debt

1. Earn the sign-up bonus

The simplest way to ensure you maximize value from the Citi Double Cash® Card is by making sure you earn the sign-up bonus.

Currently, the card offers the chance to earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months after your account opens. (You might have been offered a different bonus, depending on when and how you applied.)

To qualify, you’ll need to average $250 in spending each month before the bonus spending period expires.

2. Decide how to divide your spending

The Citi Double Cash® Card offers a straightforward 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when you use the card, and another 1% when you pay your bill. (You’ll also earn 5% back when you book hotel stays, car rentals and attractions through the Citi Travel® portal.)

It’s possible you’ve already decided to simplify your spending and use your card for all purchases. But if you have other rewards cards, it’s worth considering when to use the Citi Double Cash® Card and when to use another option that earns a higher rate in certain categories.

For instance, if you have a card that earns 3% back at grocery stores, it’s likely not worth using Citi Double Cash® Card in those situations.

3. Choose how to redeem your rewards

Citi Double Cash® Card earns cash back, but your rewards are technically earned as Citi ThankYou® Points that can be redeemed in several ways.

If you want to stick with cash back, you can choose to redeem your points as a statement credit to your bill, a direct deposit into an eligible bank account, or as a check.

But you’re not limited to cash back — you can also redeem your points for gift cards, via the Shop with Points at Amazon program, or for travel. Just keep in mind that these options may offer a redemption rate below 1 cent per point.

4. Consider the 0% intro APR for managing existing debt

If you have existing debt, the Citi Double Cash® Card offers flexibility with a strong 0% intro APR on balance transfers.

You can receive a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months after the date your account opened — after that, the variable balance transfer APR rises to 17.49% - 27.49%. To receive the intro APR, you must transfer your balance within four months of opening your account. There’s an intro balance transfer fee of 3% ($5 minimum) of each transfer completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, it goes up to 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum).

While an intro balance transfer offer can be a great tool for managing debt, we recommend that cardholders don’t mix these debt repayments with new purchases. Juggling these different balances can be complicated, and you could end up in more debt than when you started. All your payments over the minimum will go towards paying off new purchases first, and you can even lose the intro APR offer if you make a late payment.

Next steps

Your Citi Double Cash® Card comes with other benefits, including access to Citi Entertainment offers and more, but these are the perks 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 with another option. For example, if you’re looking for more travel perks, you may want to add another Citi card with more robust rewards rates and credits.

The American Express Platinum Card® stands out for both its high annual fee and the bevy of benefits it offers to help you justify the cost. Now, thanks to several card changes that went into effect on Sept. 18, it’s both more expensive and more loaded with credits to consider.

Read on for a guide to the new offerings and our tips on how to make them work for you.

Key takeaway: Despite the higher $895 annual fee, we think the updated American Express Platinum Card® offers enough extra value to maintain its appeal for anyone who liked the card prior to these changes. While not all of the boosted credits will appeal to all cardholders, the valuable new restaurant credits are more flexible than they appear at first glance. Plus, no key benefits were removed or made less valuable.

New annual fee takes effect in 2026

It’s understandable if the new $895 fee on the American Express Platinum Card® gives you pause. The good news is you’ll have time to assess how to maximize the value of your card’s new benefits before you start paying the higher fee.

While all of the new benefits of the card are now active, anyone who had the card before the Sept. 18 updates won’t pay the new annual fee until their next renewal date after Jan. 2, 2026. Depending on your anniversary date, that could give you several months to consider all the new benefits.

No cuts to key benefits

The best news about the new American Express Platinum Card® might not be what’s been added, but what’s not changing. If you’ve come to love many of the benefits on your card, you can rest easy that none of the card’s top benefits have been taken away. In fact, you might find that many of your favorite benefits are even better.

That includes the card-defining Global Lounge Collection, which now boasts more than 1,500 airport lounges worldwide.

Boosted hotel credits: Up to $600 annually

Your card offers up to $600 annually (or up to $300 every six months) in statement credits for Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings made via American Express Travel®. That’s three times the previous annual total for credits for these bookings. The boost to these credits carries the most potential value of any of the card’s new benefits, so it’s worth considering how you might make use of them.

Keep in mind that these credits come with some restrictions. Not all hotel bookings available via American Express Travel are part of these hotel collections, and those that are might not be the best choice for your travel plans. Also, as with many of the card’s statement credits, you can’t carry over any value you don’t use within the six months the credit is available.

A final note — the $300 credit for the second half of 2025 started on Sept. 18, so you’ll still get the full value even if you used the card’s previously available credit earlier in the year.

New restaurant credits: Up to $400 annually

The American Express Platinum Card® now offers a total of up to $400 in statement credits (distributed as up to $100 every quarter) on purchases at U.S. restaurants available for reservation through Resy. You don’t have to book a reservation through Resy for your purchase to qualify, or even have a reservation at all — you just have to use your card at an eligible restaurant.

Enrollment is required to activate your credit, and the credits don’t carry over from quarter to quarter.

If you have Resy-affiliated restaurants in your area, you might be able to use the credit just by eating at some of your favorite spots. Even if you don’t frequent eligible restaurants, you can keep the credit in mind when looking for restaurants while traveling in the U.S.

Boosted digital entertainment credit: Up to $300 annually

One of the most useful credits on the American Express Platinum Card® just got better. You’ll now get up to $25 in statement credits every month (or up to $300 annually) on eligible digital entertainment purchases. That’s an extra $5 per month on what was previously offered.

Participating digital entertainment subscriptions include Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times and YouTube TV and more. You’ll need to enroll for this benefit via your Amex account to receive the credit.

New Uber One membership credit: $120 annually

If you regularly take advantage of the Uber Cash credits on your card, you’ll probably find value in the new Uber One membership statement credits. When you use your card to purchase an auto-renewing membership (annual or monthly), you’ll get up to $120 in statement credits annually.

Uber One offers $0 delivery fees on qualifying Uber Eats orders, credits on rides and orders, and various other offers and savings opportunities. The monthly cost is $9.99, so your credit will cover the full amount.

New credits: Lululemon and Oura Ring

You’ll also get statement credits for purchases with Lululemon and Oura Ring.

For Lululemon, you’ll get up to $75 in quarterly statement credits for eligible purchases at Lululemon retail stores (not including outlets) and lululemon.com when you enroll to receive the benefit. If you’re a fan of the brand, or have even just been curious to try it, these credits could come in handy.

For Oura Ring, you’ll get up to $200 in statement credits annually when you enroll to receive this benefit through Amex and purchase an Oura Ring — which tracks dozens of health and wellness metrics while you wear it — at ouraring.com.

While we see straightforward potential value in the Lululemon credit, you might want to do some more homework before taking advantage of the Oura Ring credit. The currently available Oura Ring 4 starts at $349, and Oura also requires a monthly membership for the full suite of metrics. Plus, even if you decide the Oura Ring is right for you, it might be a one-time purchase, unless you lose yours or decide to buy one as a gift.

New mirror design available to all

No matter your thoughts on these new and improved benefits, you’ll still be able to upgrade the look of your American Express Platinum Card®. If you want to change your card to the new mirror-design version, you can order a replacement via your account.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® is undergoing major changes starting on Oct. 26, 2025, and you’ll need to know all the details to decide if it’s still the right card for your wallet.

We’ve looked at the fine print and provided key tips and insights to help you assess the new features and how they fit together.

1. It’s more work to figure out how you’ll cover the annual fee.

For years, Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been a stand-out credit card thanks to its excellent combination of valuable benefits and clear value for your money. Chase’s revamp of this top-tier travel card has changed that profile in a major way.

Simply put, it’s now more difficult to understand how to get full value for the $795 annual fee, up from the previous $550. While Chase has added several new valuable card features, they require more consideration to use effectively.

At the same time, not everyone will have to put in that extra work just yet. If your 2025 cardholder anniversary occurred before October 26, you won’t be charged the new annual fee until your anniversary comes up again in 2026. If you’re part of this group, you’ll have a bit more time to consider how you plan to use the updated Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

2. The $300 travel credit is still the best way to find value.

Thankfully, the card’s signature perk hasn’t changed. Chase Sapphire Reserve® still offers the annual $300 travel credit that applies to a wide variety of travel purchases, so you’ll continue to receive this clear value without having to think too hard about how you’re using your card.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® also continues to offer varied airport lounge access via a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership (and the growing list of Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations). And you’ll still get an application fee credit of up to $120 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS.

3. New credits offer lots of potential, but you’ll need to know how they work to benefit fully.

Chase values the card’s “lifestyle” benefits at more than $1,500. And there’s no denying the Chase Sapphire Reserve® now offers considerably more potential from spending credits — unfortunately, most of these perks are tied to purchases with specific brands and businesses, and they might not all carry equal appeal for you.

Cardholders who don’t plan to use these credits might be leaving value on the table though. This guide can help you take advantage.

Exclusive Tables dining credit: Up to $300 annual value

Chase Sapphire Reserve® now boasts a combined $300 in statement credits for dining at restaurants included in the Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables program. You’ll get up to $150 in statement credits to cover eligible purchases from January through June, and another chance at up to $150 to cover July through December, with no carryover between the two periods.

Chase has partnered with OpenTable for this benefit, but, confusingly, you don’t need to book a reservation through OpenTable to take advantage. The credit applies on eligible purchases at participating restaurants, regardless of how you got your table.

If you live in one of the cities with eligible restaurants, the dining credit is attractive. But for cardholders living outside one of the program cities, you can still take advantage by searching out one of these restaurants when traveling. (Available restaurants are listed on OpenTable’s website.)

Apple TV and Apple Music subscriptions: $288 annual value

Cardholders receive complimentary subscriptions to both Apple TV and Apple Music for a minimum of one year when activated by June 22, 2027. Activate via Chase’s website or mobile app. These subscriptions are valued at a combined $288 annually.

If you already pay for these two subscriptions, that’s a meaningful cost now covered by your card. If you don’t currently subscribe, it won’t cost you anything to add them, and it might even allow you to save by canceling another streaming service.

DoorDash credits and benefits: Up to $420 annual value

DoorDash users will still benefit considerably from the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. When you use your card as default payment for a DashPass membership, you’ll get …

• A complimentary DashPass membership for a minimum of 12 months (when activated prior to the end of 2027). That membership is valued at $120 for 12 months.
• $5 per month in credits on DoorDash restaurant orders, for as long as you have your DashPass membership through your card. Credits don’t carry over from month to month, but that’s still a $60 annual value if you always use the credit.
• $10 in credits on two DoorDash non-restaurant orders per month, for as long as you have your DashPass membership through your card. This credit can be applied to orders from convenience stores and grocery stores and adds up to $240 in value annually if you always use the credit.

Keep in mind that these credits are likely to be most valuable if you already use DoorDash regularly.

Lyft credits: Up to $120 annual value

You’ll get up to $10 a month toward in-app credits for Lyft rides when you use your card as your payment method (available through September 2027). That’s an annual value of $120 for everyone who uses this benefit every month. And you’ll also get five points per $1 on qualifying Lyft rides (through September 2027) for extra value.

StubHub credits: Up to $300 annual value

Cardholders now receive a combined $300 in statement credits annually for purchases made with StubHub and viagogo through 2027. You’ll get up to $150 in credits to cover January through June and up to $150 for July through December. This credit requires a one-time activation via your Chase account, too.

The value of these credits depends heavily on your personal habits. If you regularly buy event tickets via StubHub, you’re likely to know how much value you’ll get from the credit every six months. If you don’t use it, you’ll need to assess several factors — your willingness to buy tickets this way every six months, the likelihood there will be an available event you want to attend, the cost of tickets relative to the amount of the credit, etc.

Peloton membership credits: $120 annual value

You card now offers a monthly $10 credit for purchases of Peloton memberships (with one-time activation via your Chase account). But that $10 won’t cover the full cost of a monthly membership in most cases.

The usefulness of this credit is easy to judge — if you already use Peloton for workouts or plan to in the future, it’ll be good value. If you weren’t interested in Peloton, you’ll need to decide if you want to use Peloton or purchase any of its equipment to do so. If you do, you can also take advantage of the new rewards rate: On a minimum purchase of $150, you’ll get 10 points per $1 (on up to $5,000 in total purchases, then 1 point after) when purchasing Peloton equipment and accessories through 2027.

4. You’ll gain more from booking travel with Chase, but you’ll give up flexibility.

The card’s refreshed rewards rates make it clear why it pays to book with Chase Travel.

• 8 points per $1 on on all Chase Travel purchases (after earning your $300 travel credit)
• 4 points per $1 on flights and hotels booked direct (after earning your $300 travel credit)
• 3 points per $1 on dining (including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out)
• 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

The standout here is that you’re getting twice as many points for booking flights and hotels with Chase Travel compared to directly with airlines and hotels.

When you book hotel stays with Chase, it might be smart to start with properties included in Chase’s The Edit collection. Chase Travel offers up to $250 in statement credits twice per year (one from January through June and again from July through December) on prepaid bookings made with The Edit hotels and resorts (for a minimum of two nights).

The Edit bookings also come with a $100 property credit that includes dining, spa treatments and other on-site activities. Not every bookable hotel is included in The Edit, but these credits could help you decide between options when you see them pop up in your search.

You’ll get additional value when you book with IHG hotels, too. Your card membership comes with complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status through 2027 (with enrollment in the IHG One program and account-linking via Chase). This status comes with numerous benefits, including complimentary room upgrades (when available) and a welcome amenity at check-in.

While these perks can be valuable, you’ll need to decide if it’s worth sacrificing flexibility to get them. If you always book with Chase, seek out The Edit locations, and stay loyal to IHG, you’re limiting your options and allowing your card perks to decide your behavior. That’s not necessarily a bad idea, but it’s a choice you’ll want to make with eyes open.

5. The 50% travel redemption bonus is gone, but you can still get extra value for your points.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® stood out from many other premium travel cards by offering a 50% boost to points redeemed through the Chase Travel portal. Unfortunately, that standard bonus rate is now gone, and any points you earn starting October 26 will now be worth 1 cent each when redeemed for travel with Chase. (Points earned before October 26 will still be redeemable at 1.5 cents each until Oct. 26, 2027.)

To compensate for this removed feature, Chase has introduced Points Boost, which allows Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders to redeem for select flights and hotel stays at a value of up to 2 cents each. At launch, those higher-value bookings are available from a selection of Chase travel partners, and the value fluctuates depending on what kind of booking you make. In other words, Points Boost is a potentially valuable but unpredictable feature.

If you’re looking for more control over the value of your points, it might be worth considering transferring your points to one of Chase’s travel partners. While the value you get with these partners won’t be consistent, you’ll gain lots of flexibility and the ability to seek out especially good value for your points. It takes a little more effort, but it can pay off in the long run.

6. Spending $75,000 in a year unlocks a new level of benefits, but it takes commitment.

Cardholders who spend at least $75,000 a year on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® stand to unlock a new level of perks for the remainder of that calendar year and the following calendar year:

• $500 credit for Southwest Airlines bookings on Chase Travel
• Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards A-List status
• IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status (one level above the Platinum Elite status available to all cardholders)
• $250 in statement credits for purchases at The Shops at Chase (an e-commerce platform)

Realistically, you might need to shift all your credit card activity to your Chase Sapphire Reserve® to hit the $75,000 requirement and see the benefits. And in that case, you’d be giving up benefits from other cards in your wallet that might not be available from this card. You’ll need to decide if that’s worth the tradeoff.

Thanks to mobile wallets and virtual account numbers, you no longer have to wait for your new credit card to arrive in the mail to start using it. While not all cards offer instant access, it’s become an increasingly popular way to start earning rewards and using benefits shortly after approval.

Here are a few of the best cards that offer instant access to cardholders.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Spend instantly for cash back

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One of our favorite cash back cards allows you to start earning rewards instantly.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers cash back in several useful categories, including 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services), 3% back at drug stores and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

Better yet, it has a $0 annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Get a head start on your sign-up bonus

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers excellent rewards-earning rates, but perhaps the best reason to use it right after approval is to start qualifying for the valuable sign-up bonus.

Not bad for the $95 annual fee.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn miles after approval

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card features straightforward, valuable travel rewards for its $95 annual fee. It offers two miles per $1 spent on all eligible purchases and several useful perks.

While Capital One doesn’t offer the ability to add your card to a mobile wallet right after approval, the issuer allows cardholders to create numerous virtual cards for online shopping via its Eno browser extension.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express from American Express: Start earning on everyday spending

This card offers some of the best rewards on groceries anywhere, and plenty more to return value for the $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

You’ll earn 6% cash back on up to $6,000 in eligible purchases at U.S. supermarkets (then 1%), 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% back on eligible transit, 3% back on gas at eligible U.S. gas stations and 1% back on all other purchases.

American Express doesn’t guarantee a card number will be given to all approved applicants instantly, but the feature is available on the majority of the issuer’s cards. If eligible, you’ll receive your card number immediately following approval or via a link in your introductory email.

See your American Express credit card offers on Credit Karma.

Apple Card: Maximize your value with Apple Pay

If you like the idea of using Apple Pay, you could maximize your value with Apple Card.

The card offers 2% Daily Cash back on all purchases made with the card via Apple Pay, plus 3% back on Apple Pay purchases with Apple and other select merchants. All other non-Apple Pay purchases earn 1% back (you may see different offers on Credit Karma). There’s also a $0 annual fee.

Using Apple Card instantly requires little work from you. The card exists primarily in the Wallet app on iPhone, so you can use it as soon as your approval is processed.

See if you have an offer for Apple Card on the Credit Karma app on iOS.

More cards with instant-use features

While all the cards on our list offer a mix of strong rewards and the potential for instant use, there are other options available if you’re looking for a card you can use right after approval.

Instant-use cards are available from several notable issuers we haven’t mentioned, like Citi and Bank of America, but they typically make the availability of this feature less clear to applicants or available only via select methods of application.

If you prefer cards from these issuers, not knowing if you’ll be able to use them instantly doesn’t have to stop you from applying. Even if you can’t use your card right away, it’ll likely be worth the wait to get the card that best fits your needs.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers several opportunities to earn value in your first few months of card membership, but it takes a little work to maximize all of them.

From the sign-up bonus to some useful credits, this card offers a few ways to start earning back the $95 annual fee (and then some). But you’ll need to know how to qualify for and activate all the benefits to take full advantage.

1. Earn the sign-up bonus
2. Use the $100 hotel credit
3. Add your card to a DoorDash account
4. Learn the bonus spending categories

1. Earn the sign-up bonus

The best way to maximize the value of your new Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is to earn the sign-up bonus. Currently, the bonus offer includes 100,000 points when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months of card ownership.

Your bonus could be worth even more if you transfer your points to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners — just make sure to research your points’ value and find a valuable redemption before transferring.

2. Use the $100 hotel credit

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card’s annual $100 hotel credit offers enough value to offset more than the card’s $95 annual fee.

To earn the credit, book a qualifying hotel stay through the Chase Travel portal. Given that many hotel stays cost more than $100 per night, you shouldn’t have much trouble earning the full credit with a one-night stay.

Just keep in mind that you won’t earn rewards points on this purchase — qualifying hotel bookings don’t earn the card’s typical 5 points per $1 on Chase Travel purchases until after you earn the full $100 credit.

3. Add your card to a DoorDash account

If you order delivery often, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provides the potential for considerable value with a complimentary membership to DoorDash’s DashPass service.

DashPass provides $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders with DoorDash and Caviar, and you’ll get it for a minimum of one year when you activate by Dec. 31, 2027. Chase lists the value of this perk as worth $120 over 12 months. Plus, you’ll also receive a credit up to $10 once a month that can be used for non-restaurant DoorDash orders.

To earn these perks, you’ll need to add your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card as your default payment method on both DoorDash and Caviar, and then click the activation button. You’ll also need to continue to use the card as your payment method on DashPass-eligible orders.

Even if you don’t use delivery services regularly, these DoorDash benefits could prove useful enough to save you a bit of money here and there.

4. Learn the bonus spending categories

While taking advantage of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® 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 sign-up bonus, the best way to earn points is to spend in the card’s bonus categories. You’ll earn:

• 5 points per $1 on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• 3 points per $1 on restaurants (including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out), online grocery purchases, vacation homes, gas and EV charging, and select streaming services
• 2 points per $1 on other travel purchases
• 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

But if you’re looking to maximize this card’s value over time, you’ll need to spend enough to keep a high rewards balance that you regularly redeem for travel.

Next steps

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has other perks that can earn value, like bonus points on eligible Peloton purchases.

But the benefits we’ve called out above are most likely to help you find value early in your card membership. As you continue to use your card and build a rewards balance, you’ll likely want to consider other great ways to redeem your points with Chase.

Once you start using your Chase Sapphire Preferred® 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, 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.

BankAmericard® credit card: Best for a long intro period

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Here’s why: You’ll get ample time to pay down debt and avoid interest on both new purchases and balance transfers. The card gives you a 0% introductory APR for 21 billing cycles for both purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days after your account opens. Both APRs then rise to a variable 14.99% - 25.99%.

Heads up: There’s a balance transfer fee of 5% of the amount of each transaction.

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: Best for a long intro period

Here’s why: You’ll get a long intro period on both purchases and balance transfers to help you avoid or pay down interest. This card offers a 0% introductory APR for 21 months on purchases and balance transfers made in the first 120 days after your account opens. After the 0% APR periods are up, you’ll see a variable APR for both purchases and balance transfers of 17.49%, 23.99%, 28.24%. This card has a balance transfer fee of 5% (minimum $5).

Citi Simplicity® Card: Best for paying off debt

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Here’s why: You’ll get a lot of time to pay off your balance transfer debt at the introductory rate. For balance transfers completed within the first four months after your account opens, you’ll get a 0% introductory APR for 18 months. You’ll also get a 0% introductory APR for 18 months on purchases from the date of account opening (you may see different offers on Credit Karma). After the introductory periods end for both purchases and balance transfers, you’ll see a variable APR of 17.49% - 28.24%.

The card also 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).

Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for ongoing cash back

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Here’s why: This card offers an intro APR as well as cash back rewards. You’ll get a 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months your account is open. After that, the APR for both rises to a variable 18.24% - 27.74% for each. There’s also a balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days. 5% (minimum $5) thereafter.

For cash back, you’ll earn 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel^℠, 3% at restaurants (including takeout and delivery), 3% back on drugstore purchases and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for simple cash back

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Here’s why: If you want straightforward cash back with solid intro APR offers, this card has what you’re looking for. You’ll get a 0% APR for 18 months after the date of your first transfer on balance transfers made in the first four months your account is open. After the intro APR period ends, you’ll have a variable APR of 17.49% - 27.49%. There’s also 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).

And you’ll earn 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy, and 1% when you pay your bill).