The best 6 credit cards of January 2024
- Best for travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best for everyday purchases: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best for online shoppers: Prime Visa
- Best for jetsetters: Capital One Venture X Credit Card
- Best for cash back: Citi Double Cash® Card
- Best for business expenses: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Whether you’re looking to earn travel rewards or get cash back on your everyday purchases, there are plenty of credit cards to choose from. The best credit cards come with generous rewards, solid sign-up bonuses, and flexible redemption options. In most cases, your spending habits and financial situation will dictate what type of card is best for you. Here are some of our top options.
Best for travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular choice for those who want to earn travel rewards without paying a high annual fee. One of the key highlights of this card is its generous rewards program. Cardholders can earn 5X points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards and 5X on Lyft rides (through March 2025). You’ll earn 3X points on dining (including eligible delivery services), select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding wholesale clubs). You’ll earn 2X points on other travel and 1X on other purchases. Additionally, the card offers a solid sign-up bonus, allowing new users to earn substantial points after spending a certain amount within the first few months.
Pros
- Stellar rewards program
- Valuable sign-up bonus for new cardholders.
- Points can be easily transferred to various airline and hotel partners, offering flexibility
- Rewards worth 25% more when booking through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- No foreign transaction fees
- Travel insurance benefits
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Limited travel benefits compared to premium travel cards
- Points transferred to partner programs may not always have a 1:1 ratio
- No introductory 0% APR offer
- Other cards offer higher reward rates in everyday categories, like groceries
Best for everyday purchases: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card is a great choice to maximize cash back rewards on everyday spending. With this card, you can earn generous rewards in various categories, from gas to groceries. You can earn an impressive 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 annually (then 1%). This card also offers 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions and 3% back on transit expenses and U.S. gas stations. You’ll earn 1% back on all other purchases. This card provides an excellent opportunity to earn cash back, whether you’re stocking up on groceries or streaming your favorite shows. This card has an introductory annual fee of $0 in the first year and costs $95 annually afterward.
Pros
- Elevated cash back on popular spending categories like supermarkets, streaming subscriptions, and gas
- The annual fee can be easily offset by the cash back if you spend a significant amount on groceries
- Introductory 0% APR offer
- Entertainment statement credits
- Access to Amex Offers, which provides discounts on various products and services
Cons
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets has an annual limit and then drops to 1%
- Supermarket rewards category excludes superstores, wholesale clubs, and online grocery retailers
- Foreign transaction fee
- Limited redemption options
- $95 annual fee after the first year
