Best Credit Cards For Earning Points & Miles By Spending Category

Rewards credit cards can come in hand whether it comes from to travel to groceries to gas. If you are new to credit cards, it is tough to figure out which ones will best fit you and the things you like to do. Make the process simpler by checking out our list of the best credit card for earning and redeeming points and miles based on categories.

For a more comprehensive list, see our best credit card bonuses here.

Best Credit Cards For Travel

In this guide, we’ll cover the best credit cards to use for travel purchases. Our list of the best credit cards for travel purchases covers a wide range – from a low-cost card to premium ones – so you’ll easily find a card that suits you and your spending habits.

• American Express® Green Card
• Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Citi Premier® Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card

Airfare Purchases

Before you book another flight, make sure you have one of our best credit cards for airfare purchases listed below.

Hotel Stays

In this guide, we cover our favorite hotel credit cards listed below, both co-branded and for general travel.

Annual Travel Statement Credits

Most people get drawn to travel credit cards for their big welcome bonuses but you should also weigh-in ongoing benefits such as annual travel statement credits. See this guide for our list of the best credit cards in for annual travel credits.

Travel Rewards For Family Vacations

For this section, we will talk about the best travel credit cards for families. These cards are great because of their earning structure and benefits which are geared more towards cardholders with families.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
• American Express® Gold Card

Global Entry & TSA PreCheck

Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are both trusted traveler programs to help cut your time at airport screenings. It is not free but you can avoid fees with the right credit card. In this guide, we’ll cover the best cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck listed below.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
• IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
• United? Explorer Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

United Airlines Miles & Perks

For those of us that decided to pledge loyalty to United Airlines, this guide will cover the best United credit cards for miles and perks.

Best Credit Cards For

Dining

In this guide, we sifted through all the rewards cards available to come up with a list of our favorite dining credit cards.

Cash Back

Not all cash back cards are created equal. This guide takes a closer look at the best cash back credit cards.

No Annual Fees

In this section, we’ll go over our favorite no-annual-fee credit cards, so you can decide which ones are worth signing up for.

Everyday Spending

For more casual spending and purchases, check out our list of the best credit card to use for everyday spending.

• Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
• Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
• Citi® Double Cash Card

Grocery

While there are plenty of travel rewards cards to choose from, there aren’t as many credit cards available with bonuses on grocery spending. In this guide, we examined the best grocery credit cards.

Visa Credit Cards

Choosing one “best” Visa card is impossible. It all depends on your spending, reward preferences and other personal factors. With that in mind, we came up with a guide for the best visa credit cards for bonuses, perks and rewards.

Amazon Purchases

If you regularly shop on Amazon, you’ll want to use a credit card to maximize rewards on every dollar that you spend. In this section, we’ll cover the best credit cards for Amazon purchases.

• Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card
• American Express EveryDay Preferred

Young Professionals To Earn Points, Cash & Miles

In this section, we’ll cover the best credit cards that fit well with the young professional lifestyle.

Millennials To Establish Credit

In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best credit cards for millennials to establish credit and earn points. These eight reward cards are the best fit for a millennial’s lifestyle.

Small Businesses

If you’re a business owner, you’ll want to consider a small business rewards credit card if you haven’t already. In this guide, we will dive into the best business cards.

Bottom Line

There isn’t one specific credit card that will fit everyone. Each credit card in our post is geared toward a specific type of person. For example, if you are looking to earn free flights and hotel stays, consider a travel credit card. If you want to save money on everyday purchases, then select a cashback card.

Regardless of what type of rewards credit card you decide to go for, consider each cards’ annual fee, rewards rate and benefits. From there, you can narrow the list down by which offers the best welcome bonus. For more post like this, check out our list of the best credit card bonuses.

Chase Bank Business Checking Bonus: $300 or $500 Offer Coupon – Ends 7/17/25

CIT Bank Promotions April 2025: $225, $300 Bonus + Up to 4.10% Platinum Savings, Savings Connect, CD Rates

Huntington Bank Promotions for April 2025: $100, $400, $1,000 Checking Bonuses – Ends 6/9/25

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