The best rewards credit card no matter what type of annual fee you're willing to pay - from $0 to $450
The best rewards credit cards at every level of annual fee:
- Best no-annual-fee card: Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card
- Best with an annual fee under $100: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- Best card with an annual fee between $101 and $250: American Express® Gold Card
- Best with an annual fee of $450 or more: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Credit cards get a bad rap due to all the debt people rack up, but they can actually be valuable tools if you use them responsibly. By paying your balance in full each month, you can access a broad range of benefits ranging from rewards to consumer protections without having to pay exorbitant interest rates for everything you buy.
Some credit cards do charge annual fees, but they usually offer additional benefits in return that can make the fees well worth it. For example, you might pay a fee on a credit card but score an outstanding sign-up bonus or travel-related perks like airport lounge access or annual travel credits.
For the most part, you'll pay a higher annual fee for cards that offer the most benefits. However, there are great rewards credit cards that come with no annual fees at all - or annual fees that are waived the first year. Here are some of the absolute best credit cards for every level of annual fee.
Keep in mind that we're focusing on the rewards and perks that make these credit cards great options, not things like interest rates and late fees, which will far outweigh the value of any points or miles. It's important to practice financial discipline when using credit cards by paying your balances in full each month, making payments on time, and only spending what you can afford to pay back.
Best card with no annual fee: Wells Fargo Propel
The Wells Fargo Propel is easily the most lucrative rewards credit card with no annual fee available today. Not only can you score several important cardholder perks, but this card also has some of the broadest bonus categories of any rewards credit card.
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: As a cardholder, you'll earn 3x points on dining, gas stations, rideshares, transit, flights, hotels, homestays, car rentals, and popular streaming services plus 1x points on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Get 30,000 points (worth $300) when you spend $3,000 on your card within three months of account opening
Cardholder perks: Receive cell phone protection when you pay your cell phone bill with your credit card as well as extended warranties on qualifying products, purchase protection, lost luggage reimbursement, car rental insurance, roadside assistance, and 24/7 travel and emergency assistance, among other perks.
Why you should apply: This card offers exceptional rewards, a big sign-up bonus, and plenty of cardholder perks without an annual fee.
Best card with an annual fee under $100: Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is easily one of the top travel credit cards available today, which is pretty amazing when you consider this card has had a similar bonus and the same earning structure for years. But it's not too surprising since this card lets you earn points in the popular Chase Ultimate Rewards program, which lets you redeem for statement credits, gift cards, travel through the Chase portal, and even 1:1 transfers to popular airline and hotel partners.
Annual fee: $95
Rewards: You'll earn 2x points on dining and travel and 1x points on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on your card within three months of account opening
Cardholder perks: This card comes with primary auto rental coverage, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, purchase protection, extended warranties, and travel and emergency assistance services.
Why you should apply: The Sapphire Preferred gives you a lot of important perks and a big sign-up bonus for a very reasonable annual fee. You'll be able to redeem your rewards in a ton of different ways as well, which is always a plus.
Click here to learn more about the Chase Sapphire Preferred card »
Best card with an annual fee between $101 and $250: Amex Gold Card
The American Express Gold card has a higher annual fee than some rewards credit cards on the market, but you do get plenty in return. This card lets you earn points in the American Express Membership Rewards program, which allows transfers to airline and hotel partners or direct redemptions for travel, gift cards, merchandise, and more. The bonus categories on this card are exceptional as well, so you can rack up points fast.
Annual fee: $250
Rewards: You'll earn 4x Membership Rewards points on dining worldwide and on up to $25,000 spent at US supermarkets each year (then 1x), plus 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com, and 1x points on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: 35,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening
Cardholder perks: This card gives you up to $120 in dining credits at select establishments each year (divided into up to $10 in credits per month), along with up to $100 in annual airline incidental fee credits. You'll also receive access to a global assistance hotline, baggage insurance, and auto rental coverage.
Why you should apply: This is a great card if you spend a lot on dining and groceries each year and want the option to transfer your rewards to airline and hotel partners.
Click here to learn more about the Amex Gold card »
Best card with an annual fee of $450+: Chase Sapphire Reserve
If you're willing to pay a high annual fee on a credit card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the top card to consider this year. Not only will you receive exceptional benefits that make travel more convenient and comfortable, but you'll also be able to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points that are incredibly valuable and versatile.
Annual fee: $450
Rewards: You'll earn 3x points on travel and dining and 1x points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 points (worth $750 in travel booked through Chase) after you spend $4,000 on your card within three months of account opening
Cardholder perks: This card comes with a $300 annual travel credit that effectively brings the annual fee down to $150 each year, plus a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership and up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. You'll also receive a broad range of travel insurance products including primary auto rental coverage, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, lost luggage insurance, trip delay coverage, purchase protection, return protection, and more.
Why you should apply: This card is well worth the annual fee thanks to the robust benefits you'll receive as a cardholder. Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in a plethora of ways, and you'll get 50% more travel for free with this card when you use points to book in the Chase travel portal.
Click here to learn more about the Chase Sapphire Reserve »
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Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.