2024’s Best Credit Cards
It’s time to periodically update my list of the Best Credit cards currently on the market. Note that this list does not take into account any bonus opportunities, so when thinking about adding any of these cards, you’ll want to make sure you maximize any available sign-up bonus.
Top cards
1) Capital One Venture X (review)
With a negative net fee, double points (minimum) on all spending, excellent protections, concierge service, and priority pass lounge access for you and up to five authorized users, the Capital One Venture X is probably the single best card on the market.
2) Bilt Mastercard (review)
Offering the best points on the market, the opportunity to earn those points on rent, high earning rates on dining and travel, and a lot more, all for no annual fee, the Bilt card is indispensible for renters and a great addition to the wallet for anyone.
3) IHG Premier (review)
The free night each year easily pays for the annual fee, and this card offers tons of value, including Platinum status at IHG, great earning rates on gas, $25 credits toward airfare on United, and Chase Offers.
4) Delta Amex Platinum (review)
If you fly Delta even occasionally, this card might be worth it’s sub-$100 net annual fee, offering a premium travel experience (including possible seat upgrades!), excellent earning rates for an airline card, and high upside benefits like a companion pass on renewal.
Best credit cards by category
Best for everyday spending:
Capital One Venture X (2x points)
Citi Double Cash (2x points)
Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5x)
Bank of America Travel Rewards (1.5%)
Capital One Venture (2x)
Best for dining:
Amex Gold (4x points)
Bilt (3x points, 6x on the 1st of the month)
Any Chase Sapphire or Freedom card (3x points)
Capital One Savor (4x)
Best for flights:
Amex Platinum (5x)
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey (4x)
Amex Gold (3x)
Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x)
Amex Green (3x)
Capital One Venture X (5x through portal)
Chase Sapphire (5x through portal)
Best for hotels:
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey (5x)
Citi Premier (3x)
Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x)
Bilt (2x)
Hotel Cards
Chase Sapphire PReferred (2x)
Amex Green (3x)
Best for groceries:
Amex Blue Cash Everyday (6%, up to $6,000 in spend per year)
Amex Gold (4x)
Capital One Savor One (3%)
Citi Premier (3x)
Hilton Surpass (6x)
Capital One Savor (3%)
Best for Gas:
Citi Custom Cash (5%, if top spending category, up to $500 in spending)
Costco Anywhere (4%)
Citi Premier (3x)
IHG Premier (5x)
Bank of America Alaska Airlines Visa (2x)
Citi AA Platinum Select (2x)
Best for luxury perks:
Amex Platinum
Access Centurion, Escape, Delta, and Priority Pass lounges. Gold status with Marriott and Hilton and elite status with Avis, National, and Hertz. Cut the line at the airport with Clear. $200 in airline incidental credits. Concierge service.
($695 annual fee. $200 Uber cash and $240 digital entertainment credit.)
Amex Hilton Aspire
Free night available for use at ultra-high-end Hilton properties, top-of-the-line Hilton Diamond Status, two $200 resort credits annually, elite status with National.
($550 annual fee. $200 flight credit.)
Delta Amex Platinum
Upgrade eligibility, free checked bag, priority boarding, 15% discount on mileage redemptions, plus status boosts with Delta. Companion certificate each year on renewal. Hertz Five Star status.
($350 annual fee. $150 hotel credit, $120 in rideshare credits.)
Citi AA Executive
Admirals Club access (including access to oneworld partner lounges). VIP check-in and airport screening. Free checked bag and priority boarding.
($595 annual fee. $120 Avis/Budget credit, $120 in Grubhub credits.)
Capital One Venture X
Capital One and Priority Pass Lounge Access (including for up to five free authorized users), Hertz status, Concierge service.
($395 annual fee. $300 travel credit, 10k points ($100+) on renewal.)
Best for points nerds 🤓:
Bilt Mastercard
A points nerd’s dream, you can maximize your Bilt points by taking advantage of double points on the first of the month (“Rent Day”), playing Rent Day trivia games, linking your account to other credit cards and loyalty programs, using Bilt’s integrated point.me award booking search engine, increased benefits for higher Bilt loyalty tiers (including earning interest on points), taking advantage of targeted bonus point offers, utilizing high-value transfer partners like Alaska Airlines and Hyatt, or booking travel through Bilt for a guaranteed 1.25¢ value per point.
Chase Freedom Flex
5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter offers increased earning power and the chance to time purchases for maximum value. Combine with a Chase Sapphire card to turn the 5% cash back into 5x ultra-valuable Ultimate Rewards points instead.
Discover It
Rotating categories like the Freedom Flex, but with cash back only.
Capital One Venture X
With 2x on all purchases, it sometimes makes sense to use the Venture X to buy gift cards at a discount or through United, for example as an Airbnb hack. The ability to earn 10x on hotels and rental cars also offers a handy way to maximize rewards when traveling.