Review of Credit Cards Rewards Programs: Points, Air, Hotel, Travel

If you have excellent credit, you’re eligible for a number of very generous credit card rewards programs, including bonus points, cash-back incentives, hotel and travel accommodations and frequent flier miles. These rewards programs are the best deals for people who frequently use their cards and pay their balances in full each month.

Capital One Venture

This card offers a wide selection of rewards for customers with excellent credit. The rewards focus on frequent flier miles, and each customer is rewarded 40,000 miles just for signing up. There are double miles on every purchase, with no limit to the total number of miles, and travelers can fly with any airline and stay in any hotel. There is no blackout period in which travelers are declined accommodations. The program doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and offers a free credit tracker to keep track of your balance and credit score.

Amex Everyday

This rewards program focuses on bonus points, distributing them evenly in varfious places. Customers who buy groceries will be pleased by the double rewards points for shopping in any U.S. supermarket; the limit for these points is $6,000 per year. After the first $6,000 in double points, customers receive single bonus points on any purchases. If you use your card at least 20 times in a month, you receive 20 percent more points on those purchases. There is no annual fee for this card or for additional cards.

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards

The Quicksilver Cash Rewards program is a good one to enter if you use your card frequently for small purchases. However, if you use it on a purchase of $500 or more within the first three months, you receive $100 cash back on that purchase. Otherwise, the program offers basic rewards, such as unlimited 1.5-percent bonus points on all purchases, and the rewards you earn never expire. It’s a good all-around card for people without special travel requirements because it doesn’t offer miles on any purchases.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred rewards program is perfect for travelers who use their cards often for small purchases and pay their balance in full each month. If you spend $4,000 within 3 months of receiving the card, you get 40,000 bonus points. If you add an authorized user to the card and that user makes a purchase within the first three months, you get an additional 5,000 points. Additionally, if you book your travel accommodations through Chase, each point is worth 1.25 cents. Otherwise, they’re worth 1 cent.

Citi ThankYou Preferred Card

The Citi ThankYou Preferred Card is another all-around card for spenders who don’t necessarily do a lot of traveling. You can earn rewards on offers such as rock climbing lessons, electronics, books, music and other gifts. You get 100 bonus points for signing up, and if you don’t see any rewards that you like, Citi offers support in finding gifts that fit your preferences.

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