55 Best Credit Cards Compared and Ranked in 2026

Chase Sapphire Reserve is Chase's flagship premium travel card with a $795 annual fee. It earns 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases and 4x on direct airline and hotel bookings, plus a $300 annual travel credit that auto-applies to eligible travel spending. A September 2025 refresh raised the fee from $550 to $795 while adding a $359 Whoop fitness band rebate, a $500 credit for The Edit luxury hotel bookings, and access to Chase Sapphire Lounges. The card includes Priority Pass membership and transfers 1:1 to 14 airline and hotel partners including Hyatt, United, and British Airways.

Chase Sapphire Preferred has been NerdWallet's Best All-Purpose Travel Card from 2023 to 2026. At $95 per year, it earns 5x on Chase Travel bookings, 3x on dining, select streaming, and online groceries, and 2x on all other travel. A $50 annual hotel credit for Chase Travel stays and a 10% anniversary points boost partially offset the fee. New cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus points after $5,000 in spend within the first 3 months. It transfers 1:1 to the same 14 partners as the Reserve.

Chase Freedom Unlimited is Chase's flagship no-annual-fee cash back card. It earns 5% on travel through Chase Travel, 3% on dining and drugstores, and an uncapped 1.5% on all other purchases — beating the flat-1% baseline of most reward cards. A limited-time bonus of $250 after $500 in spend within 3 months sweetens the opening offer. When paired with a Chase Sapphire card, the 1.5% cash back converts to 1.5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar, dramatically increasing its value for travel redemptions.

The Amex Platinum underwent a major refresh in September 2025, raising the annual fee to $895 (from $695) while adding expanded credits including a new $400 Resy dining credit, up to $600 in hotel credits, and a $300 digital entertainment credit. The card now claims over $3,500 in annual value and accesses more than 1,550 airport lounges worldwide — more than any other card — including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Club (10 complimentary visits), and Priority Pass. It earns 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, up to $500,000 per calendar year.

The Amex Gold Card at $325 per year earns 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1x) and at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per year), plus 3x on flights booked directly with airlines. A $120 annual dining credit ($10/month) applies at Grubhub and Goldbelly, a $7 monthly Dunkin' credit, and a $100 Resy semi-annual dining credit add up to $300 in offsetting value. Membership Rewards points transfer at the same 1:1 rates as the Platinum to the same airline and hotel partners.

Capital One Venture X at $395 per year is positioned as a lower-cost alternative to the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum. It includes a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit, 10,000 bonus miles on each account anniversary (worth $100 toward travel), unlimited Priority Pass access plus Capital One Lounge access, and 2x miles on all purchases. The card earns 10x on hotels and rental cars and 5x on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Miles transfer to 15+ airline and hotel partners at 1:1 ratios including Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, and Turkish Miles&Smiles.

Capital One Venture at $95 per year earns a flat 2x miles on every purchase and 5x on hotels and car rentals through Capital One Travel. Miles transfer 1:1 to 15+ travel partners and can also be redeemed as a statement credit against any travel purchase at 1 cent per mile. A $250 Capital One Travel credit in the first cardholder year is included for new cardholders in 2026, alongside a 75,000-mile sign-up bonus after $4,000 in spend within 3 months.

Capital One Quicksilver is a no-annual-fee cash back card earning unlimited 1.5% on all purchases and 5% on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel. The card has no foreign transaction fee, an introductory 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and a $200 cash bonus after $500 in spend within the first 3 months. It requires good to excellent credit and is one of Capital One's most widely held consumer cards.

Capital One Savor (rebranded in October 2024 from SavorOne) is a no-annual-fee card earning 3% on dining, grocery stores (excluding superstores like Target and Walmart), entertainment, and popular streaming services. It also earns 8% on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 5% on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel. The $200 welcome bonus after $500 in spend within 3 months is among the best no-fee bonuses available in 2026.

Citi Double Cash earns 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when you buy and 1% as you pay — with no category caps, no enrollment, and no annual fee. In 2026 it also earns 5% on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel. When paired with the Citi Strata Premier, Double Cash rewards can be converted into transferable ThankYou Points at a 1:1 ratio, unlocking transfer partners including American Airlines AAdvantage and Avianca LifeMiles. An 18-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers makes it one of the better debt consolidation cards available.

Citi Strata Premier at $95 per year earns 3x ThankYou Points on air travel, hotels, dining, supermarkets, and gas/EV charging stations — covering more everyday categories than nearly any card at this price. It earns 10x on hotels, car rentals, and attractions through Citi Travel, and includes a once-per-year $100 discount on a $500+ hotel booking through Citi Travel. Points transfer to 18 airlines and hotels at 1:1, including American Airlines, Avianca, Air France/KLM, and Eva Air. Citi surveyed cardholders in early 2026 about increasing the fee to $195 with enhanced benefits, but no change was confirmed as of April 2026.

Discover it Cash Back earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter in rotating categories (after activation), then 1% on all other purchases. Q1 2026 categories were grocery stores, warehouse clubs, and select streaming. Q2 2026 categories are restaurants and home improvement stores. Discover's signature Cashback Match doubles all first-year earnings automatically — no cap, no action required — making first-year value uniquely high. The card has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, and a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases.

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards earns 3% on a user-selected category (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement), 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% on everything else — with the 3% and 2% rates capped at combined $2,500 in spend per quarter. For the first year from account opening, the 3% is boosted to 6%. Preferred Rewards members (those with $20,000+ in combined BofA/Merrill accounts) receive a 25–75% bonus on all earnings, making this one of the most rewarding no-fee cards for existing BofA customers. A $200 online bonus is offered after $1,000 in purchases within 90 days.

Bank of America Travel Rewards earns 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. It earns 3x on travel purchases through the BofA Travel Center. Points redeem as statement credits toward any travel or dining purchase at 1 cent each. A 25,000-point bonus after $1,000 in purchases within 90 days equals a $250 statement credit against travel. Preferred Rewards members earn 25–75% more, boosting the effective rate to 1.875%–2.625% on all purchases for qualifying cardholders.

Wells Fargo Active Cash earns unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases with no annual fee and no category enrollment required. It also earns a $200 cash rewards bonus after $500 in purchases within the first 3 months. A 12-month 0% intro APR applies to purchases and qualifying balance transfers. The card provides up to $600 in cell phone protection against damage or theft when the monthly phone bill is paid with the card. As a standalone cash back card it has been NerdWallet's Best Simple Cash Back Card from 2022 through 2026.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey launched in 2024 at a $95 annual fee with one of the best earning structures in the travel card space: 5x on hotels, 4x on airlines, 3x on dining and other travel, and 1x on everything else. It earns 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in spend within the first 3 months, worth $600 toward travel. A $50 annual airline credit offsets most of the fee. Points transfer at 1:1 to airline and hotel partners including Air France/KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Avios, and Virgin Red, plus hotel partners like Choice Hotels. Cell phone protection up to $1,000 per claim is included.

The US Bank Altitude Reserve is a premium travel card at $400 per year, noteworthy for its 3x earning on all mobile wallet purchases (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) and direct travel purchases — effectively delivering up to 4.5% back in travel value on any merchant that accepts contactless payments. A $325 annual travel and dining credit auto-applies to eligible purchases, reducing the net fee to $75. The card was closed to new applicants in November 2024 but remains open for product changes from existing US Bank cardholders. It includes 8 Priority Pass lounge visits and a $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.

PNC Cash Rewards Visa earns 4% cash back at gas stations and EV charging, 3% at restaurants, 2% at grocery stores, and 1% on all other purchases — all without an annual fee. The card is available to those with good credit and requires a PNC checking or savings account for direct deposit redemptions. New cardholders can earn a $100 bonus after $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 billing cycles. PNC's banking integration allows automatic cash back deposits directly into PNC accounts.

TD Bank Cash Credit Card earns 3% cash back on dining and grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases. The card has no annual fee and a relatively accessible approval threshold for those with good credit. New cardholders earn a $150 cash back bonus after $500 in spend within 90 days. TD Bank cards include free FICO credit score access and fraud alerts. The card is issued as a Visa and accepted where Visa is accepted.

First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO) Evergreen Credit Card earns an unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee and no category restrictions. New cardholders receive a $200 cash welcome bonus after $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days. The card includes no foreign transaction fees, a 12-month 0% intro APR on purchases, and Visa Signature benefits including travel accident insurance and purchase protection. FNBO is a regional bank based in Omaha, Nebraska, with nationwide card issuance.

Synchrony Premier World Mastercard earns unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with no annual fee, no categories, and no caps. As Synchrony's own-brand consumer card (as opposed to its co-branded store cards), it includes World Mastercard benefits such as roadside dispatch, cell phone protection, and Mastercard ID Theft Protection. New cardholders receive a $200 bonus after $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. The card requires good to excellent credit and is issued directly by Synchrony Bank.

Brex is a corporate charge card for incorporated businesses with no annual fee, no personal guarantee, and credit limits set by company cash balance and revenue — not the founder's personal credit score. It earns 7x on rideshare, 4x on travel through Brex Travel, 3x at restaurants, and 2x on recurring software subscriptions. In January 2026, Capital One announced its acquisition of Brex in a deal valued at approximately $5.15 billion; the transaction is expected to close by mid-2026. Until then, Brex continues operating its platform and card independently. Businesses must be incorporated LLCs, C-corps, or S-corps — sole proprietors are not eligible.

Apple Card earns 3% Daily Cash at Apple and select partners (including Nike, Exxon, T-Mobile, and Uber), 2% on all Apple Pay purchases, and 1% when using the physical titanium card. It has no annual fee, no late fee, and no foreign transaction fee. In January 2026, Goldman Sachs announced it is transferring the Apple Card program to Chase; the transition is expected to take approximately 24 months. During the transition, Goldman Sachs continues to operate the program and all existing features — including the high-yield savings account, Daily Cash, and Apple Card Family — remain unchanged. APR ranges from 17.49% to 27.74% as of January 2026.

SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card earns 2% cash back on all purchases when redeemed into eligible SoFi accounts — including checking/savings, investing accounts, and personal loan payments. The card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Starting March 31, 2026, SoFi restructured its Plus program to a $10/month subscription; new card applicants are not affected by the fee, but existing cardholders who were grandfathered in to free Plus via direct deposit lost that benefit. The card runs on the Mastercard World Elite network and includes cell phone protection.

Venmo Credit Card earns 3% on the spending category where you spend the most each billing cycle, 2% on the second-highest category, and 1% on everything else — automatically, without any activation or selection required. The eight eligible categories include grocery, dining, travel, gas, bills and utilities, health and beauty, entertainment, and transportation. The card is issued by Synchrony Bank on the Visa network, has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and rewards are deposited directly into your Venmo balance. A unique QR code on the card's front allows friends to send payments by scanning it.

PayPal Cashback Mastercard earns 3% cash back on PayPal purchases and 1.5% on all other purchases with no annual fee. Cash back is deposited directly into your PayPal balance after each billing cycle. The card is issued by Synchrony Bank on the Mastercard network and requires a PayPal account. It has no foreign transaction fee and includes standard Mastercard benefits. With PayPal accepted as a checkout method at millions of online and in-store merchants, the 3% rate is broadly applicable for anyone who routes purchases through PayPal.

Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa is a hybrid product combining a credit card with the repayment structure of a personal loan. Purchases are batched into fixed-rate installment loans with equal monthly payments over a set term (24–60 months). This approach eliminates minimum payment traps and provides a predictable payoff timeline. The card earns 1.5% cash back after each monthly payment is made. It has no annual fee, no late fee, and no prepayment penalty. The APR ranges from 14.99%–29.99% depending on creditworthiness, with the lowest rates requiring autopay enrollment.

Chime Credit Builder (now rebranded as Chime Card) is a secured credit card that does not report credit utilization, charges no interest (APR 0%), and requires no credit check. Spending is secured by your Chime Checking Account balance, which automatically transfers to your Secured Deposit Account and sets your spending limit. In early 2026, Chime rebranded the product and added 1.5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories for members who set up qualifying direct deposits. The card reports on-time payments to all three credit bureaus, and Chime's Safer Credit Building autopay feature pays your balance automatically each month using your secured funds.

OpenSky Secured Visa is issued by Capital Bank N.A. and does not require a credit check — no hard inquiry, no soft pull, no minimum credit score. The card requires a refundable security deposit of $200–$3,000, which becomes your credit limit. It charges a $35 annual fee and a 23.89% variable APR. OpenSky reports to all three major credit bureaus monthly. The issuer also offers the OpenSky Plus Secured Visa with no annual fee for qualifying applicants. On average, OpenSky users improve their credit scores by 47 points in 6 months according to issuer data.

Petal 2 Visa is an unsecured credit card with no annual fee, no late fee, and no foreign transaction fee, issued by WebBank. It earns 1% cash back immediately upon approval, rising to 1.25% after 6 consecutive on-time payments and 1.5% after 12 on-time payments. It also earns 2%–10% at select partner merchants through Petal's app. Petal evaluates applicants using a proprietary 'Cash Score' based on banking data in addition to credit history, enabling approvals for some applicants with thin files who would be rejected by traditional criteria. As of January 2026, variable APR ranges from 28.24%–33.24%.

TomoCard is a no-fee charge card that requires no credit check, no security deposit, and earns 1% cash back on all purchases. Credit limits ($100–$10,000) are determined by analyzing the applicant's linked bank account balance and cash flow rather than credit scores. The card operates on weekly auto-pay — balances are automatically debited from the linked bank account each Monday — which keeps utilization low and payment history consistent. TomoCard reports to all three credit bureaus monthly. After 3 months of responsible use, cardholders may qualify to switch to monthly payments.

Bilt completely relaunched its credit card portfolio on February 7, 2026, replacing its Wells Fargo-issued Mastercard with three new cards (Blue, Obsidian, Palladium) issued by Column N.A. via Cardless. All three cards earn Bilt Points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee — a unique capability in the credit card market. The no-fee Blue Card earns 1x on everyday purchases; the $95 Obsidian earns 3x on a choice of dining or groceries plus a $100 hotel credit; the $495 Palladium earns 2x flat with Priority Pass and $400 in hotel credits. Bilt Points transfer to 23 airline and hotel partners at 1:1.

Rakuten American Express Card launched in 2025 and earns 4% cash back on Rakuten purchases (on top of cash back earned via Rakuten's platform) on up to $7,000 per calendar year, then 1%. It earns 10% at Rakuten Dining (5% from the card + 5% from Rakuten), and 1% on all other purchases. The card has no annual fee, requires a free Rakuten membership, and is issued by First Electronic Bank on the American Express network. Rewards pay out quarterly on February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15. If you hold another Amex Membership Rewards card, you can convert your Rakuten cash back into Membership Rewards points at $1 = 100 points.

Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi earns 5% cash back on Costco gas and 4% on other eligible gas and EV charging (combined first $7,000/year, then 1%), 3% on restaurants and eligible travel, 2% on all Costco and Costco.com purchases, and 1% elsewhere. The card has no annual fee with a paid Costco membership (starting at $65/year for Gold Star) and doubles as your membership card. Cash back is paid once per year as a reward certificate in your February statement, redeemable at Costco warehouses for cash or merchandise — it expires December 31 of the same year.

Sam's Club Mastercard earns 5% cash back in Sam's Cash on gas anywhere Mastercard is accepted (on the first $6,000/year, then 1%), 3% on Sam's Club purchases for Plus members (1% for basic Club members), 3% on dining and takeout, and 1% on other purchases. Sam's Cash is deposited monthly and usable at Sam's Club and Walmart nationwide. The card has no annual fee (Sam's Club membership required at $50/year for Club or $110/year for Plus) and is issued by Synchrony Bank. Total annual Sam's Cash is capped at $5,000.

Amazon Prime Visa (issued by Chase) earns 5% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 5% on Chase Travel bookings, 2% at restaurants, gas stations, and local transit, and 1% everywhere else. A Prime membership (currently $139/year) is required to maintain the 5% earning rates. The card has no annual fee beyond the Prime membership cost. New cardholders receive an instant $100 Amazon gift card upon approval. Cash back is unlimited and redeemable at Amazon.com checkout or as a statement credit.

Target RedCard is a store credit card that earns 5% off all Target purchases (in-store and Target.com), including Shipt grocery delivery, and provides free 2-day shipping on Target.com orders. The card has no annual fee and is issued by TD Bank. It also offers an additional 30-day return window on top of Target's standard return policy. A debit version of the RedCard links directly to your bank account. The credit version reports to credit bureaus and can help build credit history. Discount applies automatically at checkout — no coupons or activation required.

Home Depot Consumer Credit Card offers special financing on purchases of $299+ at Home Depot — typically 24 months at 0% deferred interest (interest accrues and is charged retroactively if the full balance isn't paid in 24 months). The card earns no rewards on everyday purchases but provides a $25 discount on your first purchase of $25+. Issued by Citibank, it has no annual fee. The card is primarily a financing tool for large home improvement purchases — appliances, flooring, HVAC, and installation services.

Lowe's Advantage Card offers either 5% off every eligible Lowe's purchase at the point of sale or 6/12/18/24-month special financing on purchases of $299+. The 5% discount is applied automatically at checkout with no points tracking or redemption process. The card is issued by Synchrony Bank and has no annual fee. Unlike the Home Depot card, Lowe's offers a straightforward discount rather than a pure financing-only card, making it more useful for ongoing purchases. New cardholders receive a 20% off discount on their first Lowe's purchase (up to a specified maximum) during the first 30 days.

Best Buy Credit Card (Citi issued) earns 5% back in Best Buy reward certificates on all Best Buy purchases, 3% on gas and grocery stores, 2% on dining and takeout, and 1% everywhere else. Special financing promotions of 6–24 months are available on purchases of $299+ at Best Buy. New cardholders receive a 10% bonus on their first day of purchases in the form of reward certificates. The card has no annual fee. My Best Buy Elite and Elite Plus members earn bonus points that stack with the card's base rate.

Macy's American Express Card earns 5% in Star Rewards on Macy's purchases for Star Status members, 3% on purchases outside Macy's (via American Express network), 2% at restaurants and drug stores, and 1% on other Macy's purchases. The card is issued by Citibank on the American Express network and has no annual fee. Star Rewards points accumulate toward Macy's reward certificates. Special financing promotions are available at Macy's for qualifying purchases. Macy's Star Reward program tiers — Silver, Gold, and Platinum — unlock additional benefits like birthday bonuses and free shipping thresholds.

Nordstrom Visa earns 2 Nordy Club points per dollar at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Nordstrom.com, and HauteLook, plus 1 point per dollar everywhere else Visa is accepted. Every 2,000 points earns a $20 Nordstrom Note redeemable at Nordstrom family stores. For Nordy Club Elite status ($500+ annual spend), the earn rate increases to 3 points per dollar at Nordstrom. The card has no annual fee, is issued by TD Bank, and Nordy Club members receive bonus points events, free alterations, and early access to sales.

Gap Good Rewards Mastercard earns 5 points per dollar at Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta (which convert to $5 rewards at 500 points), and 1 point per dollar elsewhere. The card is issued by Synchrony Bank on the Mastercard network with no annual fee. Card holders receive birthday bonus points, free standard shipping on Gap brand online orders, and access to cardholder-only sale events. Points expire after 12 months from the date earned.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless (issued by Chase) earns up to 17x total points per dollar at Marriott hotels (6x from the card + 10x base Bonvoy rate + 1x Silver status bonus), 3x on dining, gas, and grocery purchases, and 2x on all other spending. The $95 annual fee is offset by a Free Night Award (up to 35,000 points) earned each account anniversary — worth $150–$350+ at eligible properties. New cardholders can earn 3 Free Night Awards (up to 50,000 points each) after $3,000 in spend within 3 months, plus an additional Free Night after $4,000 total within 4 months. Automatic Silver Elite status is included.

Hilton Honors Amex Surpass earns 12x Hilton Honors points at Hilton hotels and resorts, 6x at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations, and 3x on all other purchases. The $150 annual fee includes complimentary Gold Elite status (which provides room upgrades, continental breakfast at some properties, and bonus points), a Free Night Award each year after spending $15,000 on the card, and up to $50 in statement credits for Hilton purchases per quarter ($200/year). A priority pass membership with 10 complimentary lounge visits per year is included.

IHG One Rewards Premier (issued by Chase) earns up to 26x total IHG One Rewards points per dollar at IHG hotels (5x from the card + base IHG rate + Platinum Elite bonus), 5x at travel, dining, and gas stations, and 3x everywhere else. The $99 annual fee includes complimentary Platinum Elite status (IHG's second-highest tier), an annual Free Night certificate (redeemable for any property that uses IHG points with no cap), a fourth night free on award bookings, and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every four years. A 140,000-point welcome offer is available for new cardholders after $3,000 in spend within 3 months.

World of Hyatt Credit Card (issued by Chase) earns 9x total Hyatt points at Hyatt hotels (4x from card + 5x base rate), 2x on dining, flights booked with airlines, gym memberships, and transit, and 1x everywhere else. The $95 annual fee includes a free night at any Category 1–4 Hyatt property annually and automatic Discoverist status (complimentary upgrades and late checkout). Every $5,000 in card spend earns an additional Category 1–4 free night and 5 elite qualifying night credits. Hyatt points are widely valued as the most lucrative hotel currency at 1.5–2.5 cents per point.

Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex earns 2x SkyMiles on Delta purchases, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets, and 1x on everything else. The $150 annual fee ($0 intro for the first year) includes a first checked bag free for the cardholder and up to 8 companions, Main Cabin 1 priority boarding, and 20% in-flight savings on food and beverages. Cardholders earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after $25,000 in annual card spend. A 60,000–80,000 welcome bonus is typical. The Amex Centurion and Delta Sky Club partnerships provide valuable lounge access for higher-tier Delta cards but not the Gold.

United Explorer Card (issued by Chase) earns 2x United miles on United purchases, hotels, and dining, and 1x everywhere else. The $95 annual fee ($0 intro year) includes a first checked bag free for the primary cardholder, priority boarding, two one-time United Club passes per year, and a 25% savings on United in-flight purchases. Starting in April 2026, eligible Explorer cardholders receive higher flight mile earning rates and automatic award price discounts when booking United-operated flights with miles. A 50,000–65,000 mile welcome bonus is typical.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus (issued by Chase) earns 2x points on Southwest purchases and hotel and car rental partners, and 1x on all other purchases. The $69 annual fee is among the lowest for any airline-branded card. Cardholders receive 3,000 bonus points each account anniversary — worth approximately $40 in Southwest value — and 1 Tier Qualifying Point (TQP) per $5 spent toward A-List status. The key benefit of any Southwest card is that Rapid Rewards points earned through the card count toward the 135,000-point threshold needed to earn the Southwest Companion Pass — one of the most valuable travel benefits in the U.S. airline market.

JetBlue Plus Card (issued by Barclays) earns 6x TrueBlue points on JetBlue purchases, 2x at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1x on everything else. The $99 annual fee includes a first checked bag free on JetBlue-operated flights for the cardholder and up to 3 companions, a 10% points rebate on JetBlue award redemptions, and 5,000 bonus points each account anniversary. The Barclays AAdvantage portfolio (American Airlines cards) was acquired by Citi in 2025/2026, but the JetBlue cards remain with Barclays. New cardholders can earn a 40,000-point welcome offer after $1,000 in spend within 90 days.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature (issued by Bank of America) earns 3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases and 2x at gas stations, EV charging stations, cable, streaming, and local transit. The $95 annual fee ($0 intro year) includes Alaska's Famous Companion Fare — from $122 ($99 fare + taxes/fees) — available each account anniversary after $6,000 in annual card spend. The companion fare applies to Alaska-marketed and operated flights. New cardholders earn a 60,000-mile welcome bonus plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare after $3,000 in the first 90 days. As of 2026, Alaska Airlines completed its full integration with Hawaiian Airlines following the 2024 acquisition.

AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard (issued by Barclays) earns 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and 3% at qualifying drug stores and pharmacies, and 1% on all other purchases. The card has no annual fee (AARP membership, currently $16/year, is required) and includes a $100 statement credit after $500 in purchases within the first 90 days. A portion of each purchase helps fund AARP programs. The card targets Americans 50+ who spend regularly on gas and prescription medications and want a straightforward rewards structure.

USAA Eagle Navigator (launched 2023) is a premium travel card exclusive to USAA members — active duty, veterans, honorably discharged service members, and their spouses and eligible family. At a $95 annual fee, it earns 3x miles on travel purchases, 2x on everyday purchases, and includes a $100 annual credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, no foreign transaction fees, and up to $500 in trip cancellation coverage. USAA also waives annual fees on many cards for active-duty military under the Military Lending Act. Miles are redeemable for travel, merchandise, and gift cards through USAA's loyalty portal.

Navy Federal Flagship Rewards Visa earns 3x points on travel and 2x on everything else, with points worth 1 cent each toward travel purchases. The $49 annual fee is among the lowest for a Visa Infinite card — which typically carries $400+ fees elsewhere. The card includes Priority Pass Select membership with 8 complimentary lounge visits per year, no foreign transaction fee, cell phone protection, and a $100 credit toward the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee. Membership is limited to military service members, veterans, civilian DoD employees, immediate family members, and household members of existing Navy Federal members.