CREDIT CARDSCREDIT CARDSEXCELLENT REWARDS CREDIT CARDS OF 2023
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7 Excellent Rewards Credit Cards of 2023

NerdWallet's Excellent Rewards Credit Cards of 2023

Excellent for: Cash Back — High Flat Rate + Incentives

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

NerdWallet rating
5.0
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card card image
NerdWallet rating
Apply Now
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
Rates & Fees
Current Intro Offer

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

Rewards Rate
2%

Unlimited Cash rewards on purchases.

Rewards rate

2%

Cashback
Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

Rewards rate

2%

Cashback
Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
  • Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
  • $0 annual fee.
  • No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
  • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
  • View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
Pros
  • High rewards rate
  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
Cons
  • No bonus categories
Read full review
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card card image
NerdWallet rating
Current Intro Offer

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Rewards Rate
5X

Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

2X

Miles on every purchase, every day.

Rewards rate

2x-5x

Miles
Annual fee

$95

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Rewards rate

2x-5x

Miles
Annual fee

$95

Recommended Credit
  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Pros
  • High rewards rate
  • Flexible rewards redemption
Cons
  • Has annual fee
  • Requires good/excellent credit
Read full review
Excellent for: Dining and Groceries + No Annual Fee
NerdWallet rating
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card card image
NerdWallet rating
Current Intro Offer

For a limited time, earn a $250 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

Rewards Rate
8%

Cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.

5%

Cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

3%

Cash back on dining.

3%

Cash back on entertainment.

3%

Cash back on popular streaming services.

3%

Cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).

1%

Cash back on all other purchases.

Rewards rate

1%-8%

Cashback
Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

For a limited time, earn a $250 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

Rewards rate

1%-8%

Cashback
Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
  • For a limited time, earn a $250 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
  • Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
  • No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.74% - 29.74% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • No annual fee
  • View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Pros
  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • Bonus categories
  • No foreign transaction fees
Cons
  • Requires good/excellent credit
Read full review
Excellent for: Cash-Back Pairing with Chase Sapphire Preferred®
NerdWallet rating
Chase Freedom Unlimited® card image
NerdWallet rating
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Current Intro Offer

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Rewards Rate
5%

Cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.

3%

Cash back on drugstore purchases.

3%

Cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.

1.5%

Cash back on all other purchases.

Rewards rate

1.5%-5%

Cashback
Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Rewards rate

1.5%-5%

Cashback
Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Pros
  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • High rewards rate
  • No minimum redemption amount
Cons
  • Requires good/excellent credit
Read full review
Excellent for: Airline Miles and a Large Bonus
NerdWallet rating
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card card image
NerdWallet rating
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Current Intro Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Rewards Rate
5X

Points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.

3X

Points on dining.

3X

Points on select streaming services.

3X

Points on online groceries.

2X

Points on all other travel purchases.

1X

Point on all other purchases.

Rewards rate

1x-5x

Points
Annual fee

$95

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Rewards rate

1x-5x

Points
Annual fee

$95

Recommended Credit
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
  • Member FDIC
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Pros
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • Bonus categories
  • Primary rental car coverage
  • Flexible rewards redemption
  • Transfer partners
Cons
  • Has annual fee
  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • Complicated rewards
Read full review
Excellent for: Big Rewards on Everyday Spending
NerdWallet rating
American Express® Gold Card card image
NerdWallet rating
Current Intro Offer

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Rewards Rate
4X

Points when you dine at restaurants worldwide.

4X

Points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X).

3X

Points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

1X

Point on all other eligible purchases.

Rewards rate

1x-4x

Points
Annual fee

$325

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Rewards rate

1x-4x

Points
Annual fee

$325

Recommended Credit
  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • Terms Apply.
  • View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
Pros
  • Bonus categories
  • Transfer partners
  • Flexible rewards redemption
Cons
  • Has annual fee
  • Complicated rewards
  • Requires good/excellent credit
Read full review
Excellent for: Bonus Rewards + No Annual Fee
NerdWallet rating
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card card image
NerdWallet rating
Current Intro Offer

Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.

Rewards Rate
3X

Unlimited Points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans.

1X

Unlimited Points on other purchases.

Rewards rate

1x-3x

Points
Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.

Rewards rate

1x-3x

Points
Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
  • Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
  • Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
  • $0 annual fee.
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable APR thereafter.
  • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
  • Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
  • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
  • View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
Pros
  • No annual fee
  • Bonus categories
  • No reward caps
  • Cell phone insurance
  • New cardholder bonus offer
Cons
  • No free checked bags
  • No free anniversary night
  • No luxury perks
  • Requires good/excellent credit
Read full review
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