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The holiday season is in full swing, and we’re thinking about gifts — mostly for loved ones, but what about ourselves?
Could you use some extra cash back next year? Are you ready to start thinking about traveling in a post-COVID world?
Now is an excellent time to stuff your stocking with some new plastic.
Here’s a look at the top cards available right now.
Best cash-back cards
Blue Cash Preferred from American Express
Why we like it: For a low annual fee, the Blue Cash from American Express Card offers an easily attainable introductory offer worth $350, plus as much as $360 back on groceries each year. And that’s before you start racking up rewards from your travel, entertainment and every thing else.
What to know:
- Earn a $350 statement credit when you make $3,000 in purchases during your first six months.
- Earn 6% back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year.
- Earn 6% back on select streaming subscriptions.
- Earn 3% back on transit purchases and gas.
- Earn 1% back on other purchases.
- $95 annual fee. (See rates and fees)
Note: This card has a 2.7% foreign transaction fee (after converting to U.S. dollars).
Citi Double Cash
Why we like it: We’ve called this “The Best Cash-Back Credit Card for Everyday Use” since it earns 1% cash back on every purchase, then earns another 1% cash back when you pay for those purchases. If you want the peace of mind that you’re earning good cash-back rewards on everything, with no gimmicks or expiration dates, this is your card.
Plus, for a limited time, you can earn points worth $200 in cash back when you make $1,500 in purchases in your first six months as a cardmember.
What to know:
- $200 cash back when you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
- Get a total of 2% cash back on every purchase.
- No limits or caps on cash back.
- No confusing categories; everything earns cash back.
- No annual fee.
Note: This card offers 18 months of 0% introductory APR on balance transfers.
Best overall card bonuses
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Why we like it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers a sign-up bonus of 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 with the card within the first three months. Redeeming those points for travel through the Chase website adds 50% to their value, for a bonus worth $750.
What to know:
- Get 50,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Lyft rides through March 2022.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel and dining.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on up to $1,000 in grocery store purchases per month through April 2021.
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on everything else.
- $300 annual travel credit.
- A free year of Lyft Pink membership.
- Complimentary DashPass delivery subscription.
- Global Entry or TSA Pre-check application reimbursement up to $100.
- $550 annual fee.
Note: The annual fee looks high, but is offset by the $300 annual travel credit and other card benefits, including food delivery and rideshare services and airport lounge access.
The Platinum Card from American Express
Why we like it: The Platinum Card from American Express will rack up enormous rewards while providing stellar ongoing benefits, including 100,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $6,000 in the first six months.
What to know:
- Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards Points when you spend $6,000 in your first six months.
- $200 in statement credits each year on select prepaid hotel bookings through American Express.
- Up to $100 in fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- Up to $200 for Uber rides or Uber Eats orders annually plus Uber VIP status.
- Includes Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Hilton Honors Gold Status
- 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 in purchases starting Jan. 1, 2022).
- 5X points on prepaid hotels booked at amextravel.com.
- 1X points on other eligible purchases.
- $695 annual fee. (See rates and fees)
Note: Other current card benefits include up to $200 in statement credits each year for airline charges such as baggage fees and in-flight purchases and up to $240 in credits each year on certain digital entertainment subscriptions.
Best travel card
Capital One Venture
Why we like it: An early spending bonus offer of 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 within the first three months is worth $750 in travel.
What to know:
- Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- Earn 2 miles per dollar on every other purchase with no annual cap or expiration.
- Get up to a $100 credit on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- No foreign transaction fee.
- $95 annual fee.
Note: This card has a $95 annual fee. The Capital One VentureOne card does not, but doesn’t have the same early spending bonus offer and offers a lower rate of return.
Best no-interest card offer
Citi Diamond Preferred
Why we like it: The Citi Diamond Preferred card is a good choice for people transferring a balance, thanks to the introductory 0% APR on balance transfers for the first 21 months. You’ll also get a full 12 months of 0% APR on new purchases.
What to know:
- 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 21 months, with a balance transfer fee of $5 or 5%, whichever is higher.
- 0% introductory APR on new purchases for 12 months.
- Free access to your FICO Score.
- No annual fee.
Note: This card has a 3% foreign transaction fee, so plan accordingly for international travel.
See rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred from American Express and The Platinum Card from American Express.
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