Top 15 Rewards Credit Cards for January 2025

Best Rewards Credit Cards of January 2025

Picking the best rewards credit card can be overwhelming, but with the right card and good financial habits, you can earn hundreds of dollars in rewards each year. CNBC Select reviewed each card’s rewards structure and additional benefits to help you make an informed decision.

Best for Welcome Bonus: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase
• Welcome bonus: Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Annual fee: $95
• Pros: 5 miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• Cons: No introductory APR, $95 annual fee

Best for Dining: American Express Gold Card

• Earn 4X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year
• Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
• Annual fee: $325
• Pros: Exceptionally rewarding for eligible restaurant and US supermarket purchases, no foreign transaction fees
• Cons: Larger annual fee, credits are more complicated

Best for No Annual Fee: Citi Double Cash Card

• Earn 2% cash back on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases
• Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening
• Annual fee: $0
• Pros: 2% cash back on all eligible purchases, simple cash-back program with no spending caps
• Cons: 3% fee charged on purchases made outside the US

Statement Credits

• Your rewards credit card may offer statement credits for specific purchases or a category of purchases
• For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve has an annual travel credit of up to $300 that applies to everything from flights to toll bridges and highways

Insurance Perks

• Many rewards credit cards offer insurance coverage, including cell phone protection, trip delay reimbursement, rental car insurance, extended warranty protection, and purchase protection

Brand-Specific Perks

• Co-branded credit cards may offer automatic elite status, bonus rewards, brand-specific credits, and fee credits
• For example, airline credit cards may offer a free checked bag benefit, and hotel credit cards may grant free elite status to cardholders

Pros and Cons of Rewards Credit Cards

• Pros: Additional savings, built-in protections
• Cons: High APR, hard to get

FAQs

• What is a rewards credit card?
• Are rewards credit cards worth it?
• Who should apply for a rewards card?

Methodology

• CNBC Select analyzed over 250 major credit cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions that are widely available in the US
• We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards, annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR, balance transfer fees, and foreign transaction fees
• We also considered additional perks, cardholder protections, and how easy it is to redeem points