The best 6 credit cards of January 2024

August 15, 2024

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Whether you’re looking to earn travel rewards or get cash back on your everyday purchases, there are plenty of credit cards to choose from.

The best credit cards come with generous rewards, solid sign-up bonuses, and flexible redemption options.

In most cases, your spending habits and financial situation will dictate what type of card is best for you. Here are some of our top options.

Best credit cards for 2024

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular choice for those who want to earn travel rewards without paying a high annual fee.

One of the key highlights of this card is its generous rewards program. Cardholders can earn 5X points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards and 5X on Lyft rides (through March 2025). You’ll earn 3X points on dining (including eligible delivery services), select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding wholesale clubs). You’ll earn 2X points on other travel and 1X on other purchases.

Additionally, the card offers a solid sign-up bonus, allowing new users to earn substantial points after spending a certain amount within the first few months.

Pros	Cons
Stellar rewards program Valuable sign-up bonus for new cardholders. Points can be easily transferred to various airline and hotel partners, offering flexibility Rewards worth 25% more when booking through Chase Ultimate Rewards No foreign transaction fees Travel insurance benefits	$95 annual fee Limited travel benefits compared to premium travel cards Points transferred to partner programs may not always have a 1:1 ratio No introductory 0% APR offer Other cards offer higher reward rates in everyday categories, like groceries

The Blue Cash Preferred Card is a great choice to maximize cash back rewards on everyday spending. With this card, you can earn generous rewards in various categories, from gas to groceries.

You can earn an impressive 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 annually (then 1%). This card also offers 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions and 3% back on transit expenses and U.S. gas stations. You’ll earn 1% back on all other purchases.

This card provides an excellent opportunity to earn cash back, whether you’re stocking up on groceries or streaming your favorite shows. This card has an introductory annual fee of $0 in the first year and costs $95 annually afterward. See rates and fees.

Pros	Cons
Elevated cash back on popular spending categories like supermarkets, streaming subscriptions, and gas The annual fee can be easily offset by the cash back if you spend a significant amount on groceries Introductory 0% APR offer Entertainment statement credits Access to Amex Offers, which provides discounts on various products and services	6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets has an annual limit and then drops to 1% Supermarket rewards category excludes superstores, wholesale clubs, and online grocery retailers Foreign transaction fee Limited redemption options$95 annual fee after first year. See rates and fees.

Best for online shoppers: Prime Visa

If you’re a Prime loyalist, consider the Prime Visa card. With this card, you can earn 5% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 5% on Chase Travel purchases, and 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and local transit and commuting. You’ll earn 1% back on all other purchases.

There’s no annual fee, but you’ll need an Amazon Prime membership ($139 annually) to qualify. This card also offers an Amazon Gift Card as a welcome bonus when approved.

Pros	Cons
Elevated cash back rewards on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases Bonus cash back on travel booked through Chase Get an Amazon gift card welcome bonus instantly upon approval Introductory 0% APR offer No annual fee No foreign transaction fee	Prime membership required Restricted rewards redemptions Limited benefits outside of Amazon and Amazon-owned companies

The Capital One Venture X Credit Card is a top-notch choice for frequent travelers looking to maximize their rewards.

With this card, you’ll earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. You’ll also earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases, making it easy to accumulate miles.

You’ll also get bonus miles on your account anniversary and an annual travel credit that can easily offset the $395 annual fee.

Pros	Cons
Impressive travel rewards Ability to earn at least 2X miles on all purchases Flexible redemption options No foreign transaction fees Airport lounge access Added travel perks like travel upgrades and concierge services	$395 annual fee No introductory 0% APR offer Miles are not always as flexible as points

Best for cash back: Citi Double Cash® Card

If you want a straightforward way to earn rewards, the Citi Double Cash® Card is a good option.

With this card, you can earn cash back not once but twice on every purchase you make. Here’s how it works: You’ll earn 1% cash back when you make a purchase and an additional 1% cash back when you pay it off. This means you have the opportunity to earn up to 2% cash back on all your spending.

You can also earn 5% back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via Citi Travel through December 2024.

Pros	Cons
High flat cash back rate on all purchases No annual fee Flexible redemption options Stellar introductory 0% APR on balance transfers	Foreign transaction fees No introductory 0% APR on new purchases

If you’re a business owner looking to get something back on your spending, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a great way to go. With this card, you can earn a generous sign-up bonus, enjoy a variety of ongoing rewards, and benefit from travel and purchase protection.

You’ll earn 3X points on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories (then 1X). You’ll also earn 1X on all other purchases. Business categories include shipping purchases, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media and search engines.

This card has a $95 annual fee.

Pros	Cons
Lucrative sign-up bonus after spending a certain amount in the first few months of opening a card Earn more on business expenses and travel Redeem points on 25% more when booking travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards No foreign transaction fees Free employee cards	$95 annual fee High spending requirement to reach bonus Bonus rewards category is capped at $150,000 per year, which can be restrictive if you spend over the limit Limited additional bonus categories

The bottom line

Getting a new credit card can maximize the rewards you earn on your spending.

Take the time to research new cards based on rewards, bonus offers, fees, and interest rates. But before applying, ensure the card’s benefits align with your spending habits. You can also determine your eligibility by getting prequalified. The more you know about your card before applying, the easier time you’ll have once you have it.

*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

Opinions expressed are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.

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