One of the questions I frequently get asked is what is the best card for earning rewards if you only want a single card in your wallet. Many people don’t want to have to worry about having separate cards for gas, groceries, restaurants, travel, and rent.
Below are my recommendations for the best cards to earn rewards on everyday spending. You will notice that Capital One dominates everyday spending because they have three Venture cards that offer 2x miles on everyday spending, but there are several other good options from Chase and American Express.
Best Premium Travel Card: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review).
Best No Annual Fee Card: Chase Freedom Unlimited® (review).
Best Business Card: Capital One Venture X Business (review).
1. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
2x Miles on Everyday Spending
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review) delivers both everyday value with unlimited 2x miles on purchases and premium comfort through comprehensive airport lounge access for you upon enrollment. You’ll also receive $300 in annual travel credits plus 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, creating substantial ongoing value. Welcome Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months. Earning Rewards: 10x miles on hotels and rental cars and 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel; 2x miles on all other purchases. Card Benefits: $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, airport lounge access (Capital One and Priority Pass) upon enrollment, Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit, Hertz President’s Circle elite status, primary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance, trip cancellation insurance, and cell phone protection. Transfer Partners: Accor (2 to 1), Aeromexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, I Prefer Hotels (1 to 2), Japan Airlines(2 to 1.5), JetBlue (5 to 3), Qantas, Qatar, Singapore KrisFlyer, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards.
2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
2x Miles on Everyday Spending
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (review) offers 2x miles on every purchase and flexible redemption options through transfer partners or travel statement credits. This card shines with its straightforward rewards structure and useful travel benefits, making it a solid choice for both beginners and experienced travelers. Welcome Bonus: LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s equal to $1,000 in travel. Earning Rewards: 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 2x miles on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit, no foreign transaction fees, secondary rental car insurance, extended warranty, and lost luggage reimbursement. Transfer Partners: Accor (2 to 1), Aeromexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, I Prefer Hotels (1 to 2), Japan Airlines(2 to 1.5), JetBlue (5 to 3), Qantas, Qatar, Singapore KrisFlyer, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards.
4. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
2x Points on Everyday Spending (up to limit below)
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (review) offers a strong 2x Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 in purchases annually, making it an excellent no-annual-fee (rates & fees) option for small business owners. This card provides good value for everyday spending and access to Amex’s 20+ transfer partners, though it does have foreign transaction fees. Welcome Bonus: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Earning Points: 2 American Express Membership Rewards points per dollar on the first $50,000 spent on the card annually (then 1 point per dollar). Card Benefits: Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Expanded Buying Power, and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, after that a reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR applies. Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Air France – KLM Flying Blue, Hawaiian Airlines, Hilton, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic.
3. Capital One Venture X Business
2x Miles on Everyday Spending
The Capital One Venture X Business (review) offers premium travel benefits including unlimited lounge access and a $300 travel credit. This premium business card stands out with its simple rewards structure of at least 2x miles on all purchases, making it perfect for businesses looking to maximize travel rewards without complexity. Welcome Bonus: Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. Earning Miles: 10x miles on hotels and rental cars and 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals through Capital One Business Travel; 2x miles on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: $300 annual travel credit for Capital One Business Travel, 10,000 miles each account anniversary, airport lounge access upon enrollment (Priority Pass and Capital One Lounges), Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit, no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance (trip cancellation, baggage delay, lost luggage, and primary rental car), purchase protection, and extended warranty. Transfer Partners: Accor (2 to 1), Aeromexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, I Prefer Hotels (1 to 2), Japan Airlines(2 to 1.5), JetBlue (5 to 3), Qantas, Qatar, Singapore KrisFlyer, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards.
5. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
1.5x Points on Everyday Spending
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (review) sets itself apart with 1.5% back on non-bonus purchases, plus higher rewards in select categories including dining and travel. This flexible rewards card becomes even more valuable when paired with a premium Chase card, allowing you to transfer your rewards to travel partners.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning Cash Back: 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3% back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services; 3% back on drugstore purchases; 1.5% back on all other purchases
CaBenefits: Purchase protection, extended warranty, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, secondary rental car insurance, and 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, after that reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR applies;
6. SoFi Credit Card
2% Cash Back on Everyday Spending
The SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card offers a straightforward rewards structure that gives you 2% back on purchases, plus an extra boost to 3% when booking through SoFi Travel. You’ll get the most value by staying within the SoFi ecosystem, as rewards can be redeemed into SoFi accounts or used to pay down SoFi loans. Welcome Bonus: No welcome bonus is currently offered. Earn Rewards: 3% back on travel via SoFi Travel and 2% back on all other purchases. Card Benefits: Cell phone insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and Mastercard World Elite benefits.
7. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
1.25x Miles on Everyday Spending
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (review) has no annual fee and provides a straightforward 1.25 miles on every purchase plus elevated rewards on travel portal bookings. While the earning rate isn’t spectacular, you’ll still get valuable redemption options through airline and hotel transfers or travel statement credits. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earn Rewards: 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 1.25x miles on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: No foreign transaction fees, secondary rental car insurance, extended warranty, and 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, after that, a reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR. Transfer Partners: Accor (2 to 1), Aeromexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, I Prefer Hotels (1 to 2), Japan Airlines(2 to 1.5), JetBlue (5 to 3), Qantas, Qatar, Singapore KrisFlyer, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards.
8. American Express® Gold Card
Best for Dining and U.S. Supermarkets
The American Express® Gold Card (review) is a great card for earning points at restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and flights booked directly with airlines. Cardholders can also enjoy up to $424 in annual credits and nice travel and purchase protections. Earning Points: 4x points at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1x points); 4x points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1x points); 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com; 2x points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com; 1x points on all other eligible purchases. Benefits: Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Air France – KLM Flying Blue, Hawaiian Airlines, Hilton, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic.
9. Bilt Mastercard®
Best for Rent
The Bilt Mastercard® (review) lets you earn valuable travel rewards on rent payments without fees while offering bonus points on dining and travel purchases. This no-annual-fee card stands out for its unique rent payment feature and strong travel benefits like rental car coverage and trip protection. Earning Rewards: 5x points on Lyft; 3x points on dining; 2x points on travel purchases; 1x points on rent payments without any transaction fees up to 100,000 points per year, and 1x points on everything else. (Five transactions are required per billing cycle to earn points.) Card Benefits: No transaction fees to pay rent and earn 1x points, primary rental car insurance, cell phone protection, trip delay and trip cancellation insurance, purchase protection, and no foreign transaction fees.
10. Citi® Double Cash Card
2% Cash Back on Everyday Spending
The Citi® Double Cash Card stands out with its straightforward approach to rewards, offering up to 2% back on every purchase – 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. This no-nonsense card becomes even more powerful when paired with a premium Citi card, allowing you to transform your cash back into valuable transferable ThankYou points. Welcome Bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. Earning Rewards: 2% cash back on all eligible purchases (1% cash back when you buy and 1% when you pay for your purchases).
Our Methodology
When curating our list of the best credit cards, we employ a comprehensive review process that reviews over 150 cards to ensure we provide recommendations that suit a wide array of financial needs and preferences. Our methodology is data-driven and consumer-focused, taking into account the following key factors:
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Welcome Bonuses: We assess the value of the welcome bonuses offered by credit cards, understanding that a substantial initial bonus can significantly enhance the cardholder’s value proposition.
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Fees: It’s essential to consider the cost of owning a credit card. We evaluate annual fees, balance transfer fees, and foreign transaction fees, among others, to determine how they might offset the card’s benefits.
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Rewards: We analyze the rewards structure of each card, looking at the earning rate on purchases, the variety of categories that earn rewards, the overall value of the rewards points or miles, and redeeming points, miles, or cash back.
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Travel Benefits: For cards tailored towards travelers, we review all of the cards’ travel benefits including, airport lounge access, travel insurance, and no foreign transaction fees, to judge the card’s utility for frequent travelers.
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Purchase Benefits: We also consider purchase benefits such as extended warranty, purchase protection, cell phone insurance, and return protection, which can provide additional value and peace of mind for cardholders.
Our selections are regularly updated to reflect the most current offers and card features, ensuring our readers have access to the most relevant and beneficial credit card options on the market.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business Plus® Credit Card from American Express, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
