What is the best rewards credit card?

August 25, 2026|8 min read

Travel credit cards, cash back credit cards and others offer different options and rewards. But determining the best rewards credit card for yourself is a decision based on what fits your lifestyle and spending habits.

What you’ll learn:

Travel cards and cash back cards are two common types of rewards credit cards.
Comparing fees, annual percentage rates (APRs), bonuses and other benefits may help you pinpoint the best option.
Quicksilver, Savor and Venture X are three Capital One rewards credit cards.

Types of rewards credit cards

Credit cards with rewards typically fall into three categories: travel, cash back and points.

Travel rewards cards

Travel credit cards typically reward cardholders with miles, and cards may offer additional travel perks and benefits, such as access to airport lounges or a statement credit for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application fees.

Cash back rewards cards

Cash back rewards cards can take different forms:

Flat-rate cash back cards: Offer the same percentage on most purchases.
Tiered cash back cards: Offer different rewards percentages depending on the type of purchase.
Rotating cash back cards: Function a lot like tiered cards, but they offer elevated rewards that change periodically.

Points rewards cards

Points rewards cards can function like miles or cash back cards. But instead of miles or cash, rewards are given using points as currency.

How to compare the best rewards credit cards

The best rewards credit card might help you make the most of the spending you already do and give you flexible redemption options. Are you dining out or ordering takeout regularly? Are you a frequent traveler?

Once you narrow down the type of card you’re interested in, you can compare cards in more detail:

Annual percentage rates: APRs and interest rates are typically the same for credit cards. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says it’s worth shopping around to compare cards and focus on finding “the best” rate. You can usually avoid interest on new purchases by paying off your balance every month.
Bonuses: Some cards have bonus offers for new cardholders based on how much they spend after opening an account. If you’re planning a major purchase, that could help you reach the bonus requirement without unnecessary spending.
Annual fees: Fees don’t have to be a deal-breaker, but it’s worth considering whether rewards and benefits justify the fee.
Foreign transaction fees: If you travel abroad, foreign transaction fees could take a bite out of your budget. Fees can also apply to online purchases from foreign merchants.

What’s the best Capital One rewards credit card for you?

As a Capital One rewards cardholder, you can earn unlimited rewards on every purchase, every day, and have the flexibility to use rewards your way. Enjoy access to Capital One Travel and Capital One Entertainment.

Here are a few popular Capital One cash back and travel rewards credit cards:

Quicksilver

The Quicksilver card is a cash back card. Benefits include:

1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
$200 cash bonus when you spend $500 within three months of opening an account
No annual fee. View important rates and disclosures

Savor

The Savor card offers cash back on food, fun and more, including:

3% cash back at grocery stores and on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services
1% cash back on all other purchases
One-time $200 cash bonus if you spend $500 within three months of account opening
No annual fee. View important rates and disclosures

Venture X

The Venture X credit card offers elevated rewards and premium travel benefits, including:

Unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights, vacation rentals and activities booked through Capital One Travel
Unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 within three months of opening an account, plus 10,000 bonus miles every year, starting on your first anniversary
$300 annual credit for hotels, flights, vacation rentals and more through Capital One Travel
$395 annual fee. View important rates and disclosures

Key takeaways: Best rewards credit cards

The best rewards credit card for you is one that aligns with your lifestyle and spending habits. Whether you’re a globe-trotting adventurer, an avid foodie or someone looking for cash back on everyday purchases, there’s a rewards card out there for you.

See whether you’re pre-approved for rewards cards, with no harm to your credit.
Explore travel and miles rewards credit cards with unlimited miles you can actually use.
Earn cash back, whether you’re going out or staying in, with a dining and entertainment credit card.

Footnotes

Learn more about FDIC insurance coverage.

We hope you found this helpful. Our content is not intended to provide legal, investment or financial advice or to indicate that a particular Capital One product or service is available or right for you. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consider talking with a qualified professional.

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Card offers with a cash or miles rewards bonus are available by clicking the Learn more button below the card you are interested in, and may not be available if you navigate away from or close this page. Venture X cardholders: You are not eligible for this product if you have received a new cardmember bonus for the Venture X card in the past 48 months.

Venture cardholders: You are not eligible for this product if you have received a new cardmember bonus for the Venture card or the Capital One Venture X card in the past 48 months.

VentureOne cardholders: You are not eligible for this product if you have received a new cardmember bonus for the VentureOne card, the Capital One Venture card, or the Capital One Venture X card in the past 48 months.

Participating miles transfer partners and loyalty programs are subject to change. Once you have transferred Capital One miles, they become subject to the receiving loyalty program and cannot be transferred back to your Capital One rewards account. All redemptions are final. Terms and conditions for the receiving loyalty program and Capital One Rewards program apply.

You will earn 3% cash back at grocery stores and on dining, qualified entertainment purchases and popular streaming services, plus 1% cash back on all other purchases. Entertainment purchases made through a third party site or by a vendor that does not categorize themselves under one of the qualifying entertainment merchandise category codes will earn 1% cash back. Grocery purchases made at gas stations, convenience stores, warehouse clubs, discount stores, and super stores (or at grocery stores associated with discount stores or super stores) will earn 1% cash back. Earnings will apply to net purchases (purchases minus any credits or returns) only. Cash advances, balance transfers, and checks used to access your account are not considered purchases and will not earn rewards. Capital One uses merchant category codes to determine if a purchase is within one of the additional cash back categories. This means that sometimes a purchase may not earn additional cash back. For example, some food trucks or food carts may use a “merchandise” code and restaurants in department stores or hotels may use a “merchandise” or “hotel” code instead of a “dining” code. Additionally some amusement parks may code their online tickets as “merchandise” instead of “entertainment.” Capital One is not responsible for merchant category codes used by merchants.

To receive a statement credit, you must use your eligible Capital One credit card to complete the application and pay the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. One statement credit will be processed per account every 4 years, and the credit will apply to the application fee that is charged to your card first. The statement credit will be posted to your account within 2 billing cycles of the fee being charged. Your eligible card account must be open and in good standing at the time of statement credit fulfillment. Statement credits will be reversed if an eligible purchase is returned, refunded, canceled, or modified. Refer to the Application or Account Terms for additional details. Click here for more benefit and eligibility information.

What is the best rewards credit card?

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