What is the best rewards credit card for you?

If you’re looking for a rewards credit card, first consider how you plan to use the card and its rewards. There are travel cards, cash back cards and more. Cards within those categories may offer different ways to earn and redeem rewards. 

So which rewards credit card is right for you? The answer depends on your lifestyle and spending habits. 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:

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

• Capital One has rewards credit cards to suit different lifestyles and credit levels.

• When choosing the best rewards card, consider what you regularly spend money on.

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

Rewards credit cards typically fall into three categories: travel and miles rewards cards, cash back rewards cards and points rewards cards.

A travel rewards credit card could be a great choice if you travel regularly. You earn miles for eligible purchases made 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, Venture cardholders have options to cover travel purchases, transfer miles to partner loyalty programs and book trips through Capital One Travel, including Lifestyle Collection stays and more.

Some miles rewards cards also come with benefits to help make travel smoother and more enjoyable. For example, Venture cardholders are covered by travel accident insurance when they use their cards to pay for fares. And they can earn a statement credit to cover their Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee.

Cash back rewards cards let you earn rewards as you spend. For each qualifying purchase, you earn a percentage of what you spend.

With some cash back cards, the percentage you earn on purchases is the same on every transaction. That’s the case for Quicksilver cards, which offer a flat rate of 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. Other cards offer larger percentages for certain spending categories. That’s like Savor cards, which offer 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.

Some credit card issuers offer rewards points. With this type of rewards card, you earn points on qualifying purchases instead of miles or cash back. The value per point might vary depending on how you redeem them.

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

Earn cash back on every purchase with the Capital One Quicksilver card—designed for those with excellent credit. View important rates and disclosures.

QuicksilverOne also offers straightforward cash back rewards, but it’s designed for those with fair credit. View important rates and disclosures.

Quicksilver for Good Credit offers cash back with no annual fee and requires a good credit score to qualify. View important rates and disclosures.

If you’re building your credit, the Quicksilver Secured card may be the right rewards card for you. View important rates and disclosures.

The Savor card from Capital One offers cash back on food, fun and more. View important rates and disclosures.

With a fair credit score, you can get cash back on food, fun and more with SavorOne. View important rates and disclosures.

Savor for Good Credit comes with cash back rewards on food, fun and more for those with good credit. View important rates and disclosures.

The Capital One Venture X credit card offers elevated rewards and premium travel benefits, making it ideal for frequent travelers. View important rates and disclosures.

Make travel more rewarding with the Capital One Venture card—you’ll earn unlimited miles on every purchase and even more rewards on eligible purchases through Capital One Travel and Capital One Entertainment. View important rates and disclosures.

With VentureOne, you’ll enjoy unlimited miles on everyday and travel purchases, with flexible redemption options and additional benefits that frequent travelers may appreciate. View important rates and disclosures.

The rewards credit cards help you earn rewards for spending you already do. So are you dining out or ordering takeout regularly? Do you travel or go to concerts or sporting events frequently? Do you love to cook? Look for credit card rewards that you can easily maximize.

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.

Once you decide which rewards card you want, comparing these features can help you choose.

• 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 potential rewards and benefits 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. Keep in mind that when the promotional period ends, interest will start accruing on any unpaid balance.

• Bonuses: Many credit card issuers offer bonuses to new cardholders. Make sure to check whether there’s a minimum spending requirement to earn the bonus. And note that 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: Cardholders may get other benefits, such as airport lounge access or TSA PreCheck® reimbursement.

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 on every purchase, every day, with a cash rewards credit card.

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