What is the best rewards credit card for you?

If you’re looking for a rewards credit card, you’ll find a lot of options. There are travel cards, cash back cards and more. Within those categories, each card may offer unique ways to earn and redeem rewards. 

So which one is right for you? The answer depends on how you plan to use the card and its rewards. Find out more about how different rewards cards work and how to choose a credit card with the best rewards for you.

What you’ll learn:

• Capital One has rewards credit cards to suit different lifestyles, spending habits and needs.

• When choosing the best rewards card, you can consider the kinds of things you spend money on.

• Travel cards and cash back cards are two common types of rewards credit cards.

• Before applying for a new card, it might help to compare terms, including fees, annual percentage rates (APRs), introductory offers and other benefits.

If you already know about the benefits of being a Capital One cardholder, you might want to skip straight to Capital One cards. So here’s a look at the key features of some of Capital One’s rewards credit cards.

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Learn more about the Quicksilver card.

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Learn more about the Savor card.

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Learn more about the Venture X card.

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Learn more about the Venture card.

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If you want to consider all your options before you narrow them down, it might help to know more about the types of rewards cards.

A travel rewards credit card could be a great choice for someone who travels regularly. You earn miles for purchases you make with your card. And depending on the card, those miles can be used to cover travel-related expenses.

When comparing miles-earning cards, consider how flexible they are about where and how you can redeem your rewards.

For example, the Venture card’s flexible redemption options include using your rewards to cover travel purchases, transferring miles to partner loyalty programs and booking trips through Capital One Travel, including Lifestyle Collection stays.³

Some miles rewards cards also come with benefits to help make travel smoother and more enjoyable. For example, Venture reimburses cardholders for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.⁴ And it includes travel accident insurance when you use your card to pay for your fare.

Cash back rewards cards let you earn rewards as you spend. You earn a cash back equivalent to a percentage of each qualifying purchase.

With some cards, the percentage you earn on purchases is generally the same on every transaction. That’s the case for Quicksilver cards, which offers a flat rate of 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. Other cards offer larger percentages for certain categories. That’s like Savor, which offers 3% cash back at grocery stores and on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases.

Cash back credit cards often offer flexible redemption options. For example, you can redeem Capital One cash back rewards by applying them toward a recent purchase, crediting your account to lower your balance, getting a check or gift card delivered to your home and more.⁵

By now you might have an idea about the type of rewards credit card you’re interested in. These considerations might help you streamline your choices.

The best rewards credit cards help you earn rewards for things you already do. So are you dining out or ordering takeout regularly? Do you travel often or go to concerts or sporting events frequently? Do you love to cook?

You can also consider how you want to redeem your rewards. If you think you’d put them toward trips, a travel rewards card might be the best choice. If you’d rather have the flexibility of cash back rewards, consider a cash back card.

Comparing these credit card features might also help you make a decision:

• Annual fee: Some credit cards charge an annual fee. Others don’t. Annual fees aren’t necessarily a deal breaker. But you can consider whether the rewards you may earn with the card are worth the fee. 

• 0% APR period: Some cards come with a temporary 0% promotional APR on balance transfers, purchases or both. That can help you save on interest if you’re carrying a balance from month to month. When the promotional period ends, “You can avoid paying interest on purchases if you pay your balance in full each month by the due date,” the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says. 

• Bonuses: Many credit card issuers offer bonuses to new cardholders. You’ll want to find out what’s available so you can maximize your rewards. But Bankrate warns about overspending and going into debt just to earn a reward.

• Foreign transaction fees: Certain credit cards may charge a foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the U.S. If you travel frequently or often make online purchases from stores outside the U.S., you may want to avoid credit cards with foreign transaction fees. 

• Additional benefits: As a cardholder you may get other benefits, such as airport lounge access or TSA PreCheck® reimbursement.

Learn more about choosing the best rewards credit card.

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 if 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 unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day, with a cash rewards credit card.

Earn unlimited cash back, whether you’re going out or staying in, with a dining and entertainment credit card.