Consider a cash back credit card if:

• Your aim is to effectively discount all your purchases
• You value the simplicity and flexibility of cash over potentially more valuable rewards
• Your primary goals don’t involve travel

In terms of flexibility, cash back is the king of credit card rewards. Many cash back credit cards give you the option to redeem your rewards as either cash, a statement credit, or a transfer to your bank account. Occasionally you’ll be subject to a minimum redemption amount, but that’s the only potential stumbling block you’ll likely encounter.

Flat-rate cash-back cards, like the best 2% cash back credit cards, are suited to those who don’t want to keep track of multiple bonus categories and just want a simple earning structure. But choosing a card that earns maximum cash back in bonus categories where you spend a lot — like groceries, dining, or gas — can make a huge difference in your rate of return.

Best Cash Back Credit Cards

This table reflects our current picks from the best cash-back credit cards guide.

Other Cash Back Credit Cards

Best Airline Credit Cards

This table reflects our current picks from the best airline credit cards guide.

Travel and flexible points credit cards can help you earn rewards you can use for almost any kind of adventure. 

Consider a travel/flexible points credit card if:

• You’re interested in (nearly) free travel
• You want a card that compensates you for baggage delays, rental car accidents, flight delays, etc.
• You’d like to upgrade your travel experience with benefits such as airport lounge access, expedited airport security, and free food at select airport restaurants.

While it takes more effort to redeem points or miles compared to cash back, the upside is that you can get much more value for your points compared to simply cashing in your rewards for a statement credit or check at a rate of 1 cent per point.

In fact, it’s possible to receive double, triple, or even more than that amount when you’re strategic about how you redeem your rewards for travel, particularly if you book expensive luxury hotels or first-class flights.

While in most cases you’ll pay an annual fee for travel cards, there are some no-annual-fee travel credit cards that come with strong earning rates and benefits that can improve your travel experience.

Best Travel Credit Cards

This table reflects our current picks from the best travel rewards credit cards guide.

Hotel credit cards often comes with additional benefits like automatic elite status and free nights on your card anniversary.

Consider a hotel credit card if:

• You want free hotel stays
• You value hotel elite status (free breakfast, upgraded rooms, bonus points, etc.)
• You stay at one specific hotel chain a lot

If you’re thinking about opening a hotel credit card, the first step is to analyze your travel goals.

Are you a road-tripper who wants to book cheap hotels along the highway? Do you mostly use small-town hotels during trips to grandma’s for Thanksgiving? Do you want a five-star vacation in the Maldives?

It’s also important to consider the credit card’s sign-up bonus, recurring benefits, ease of earning free nights via credit card spending, category bonuses, and elite status perks (if any).

Best Student Credit Cards

College students can earn rewards and build their credit history by using a student credit card responsibly.

Consider a student credit card if:

• You are a college student without established credit
• You don’t want a secured credit card
• You want benefits that cater to student expenses

Applying for your first credit card is an exciting milestone regardless of age, but young adults can find it hard to get approved with limite