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Save Credit Card Rewards: Which Plans Are Best?

Credit Card Rewards: Which Plans Are Best?

Choose between the best rewards credit cards of 2022 to find your fix of cashback, brand points and even an option for those with bad credit.

Credit Card Rewards: Which Plans Are Best?

Want to manage your finances like a boss?  Rewards and cashback can play a big role in creating a buffer before that next pay check rolls in. Credit card companies are also in tight competition to gain market share and that means that consumers get to choose their pick of some of the best, most rewarding credit cards out there. 

Best for: Cashback, baby! 

It’s a tight race between the Chase Freedom FlexSM and the Discover It® Cash Back thanks to the lofty 5% rate on qualifying purchases to rank as the best cashback credit cards. To sweeten the deal, neither of these cards charges an annual fee, and cardholders are encouraged to qualify for great welcome bonuses. 

Best for: Travel rewards

Whether you want to tour the architectural magnificence of eastern Europe or just fly in style statewide, travel rewards can help a lot. Chase once again leads the pack with its Chase Sapphire Preferred® card that offers a stellar 60,000 bonus points as a welcome offer, setting it apart as one of the best rewards credit cards. The rewards rate ranges from 1x to 5x, depending on your spending, and Chase customers can transfer points between products. Short flights can cost as few as 10,000 points. 

Best for: The whole family 

While paying hundreds in annual fees seems steep, The Platinum Card® from American Express opens travel doors for the whole family. Cardholders can earn up to 100,000 bonus points and can have multiple cardholders linked to their account. Some transactions net you up to 5x rewards points but it’s the comprehensive lounge access that might get frequent travelers giddy with excitement thanks to showers, entertainment, and in many cases free food. 

Best for: Unlimited earning at a flat rate 

While the Wells Fargo Active CashSM card might not have the highest earning rate, it’s a flat rate of 2% across purchases. This makes it a great option for those who don’t want to be obligated to certain purchases or providers. The card also offers a $200 cash rewards welcome bonus and there’s no annual fee. 

Best for: Credit that's still a work-in-progress 

While plans for those with less-than-stellar credit focus on improving a cardholder’s credit score, they can also be a great trick for earning rewards. The Discover It® Secured Credit card offers between 1% and 2% cashback on qualifying purchases. While the card carries a $200 security deposit, there’s no annual fee and the APR is pretty competitive compared to other cards in this category. Another credit-helper with a healthy rewards offer is the Petal® 1 Visa® Credit card. It doesn’t require a previous credit history and offers between 2% and 10% cashback. Plus, there’s no annual fee. 

Finding the best rewards programs takes a bit of research, so it helps to focus on your primary goals, whether it’s cash back, better credit, or points toward that next “free” flight. 

Check your Save mailer for tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your everyday spending.