Everyday Cards
This family of cards is the most broad but important category, as your primary goal should always be to earn points.
These are “cash-back” and “rewards” cards - Given the primary goal of this blog is points and miles, we will be focusing on the “reward” card bucket.
In this category, try to start with a basic card, and work your way up to the semi-premium or premium offers, which may give you higher point multiples along with a myriad of other perks ranging from airport lounges to gym credit. The cash-back cards tend to be the most basic starter cards, but will not give you access to any points.
American Express
American Express Everyday Green
$150/year
Rewards: 3x Membership Rewards points earned on travel and transit, 3x points on dining at restaurants, 1x points on all other purchases
Bonus Perks: $189 CLEAR Plus Credit, Baggage insurance plan
Intro Bonus: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
American Express Gold
$250/year
Rewards: 4x Membership Rewards points earned on restaurants, 4x points on groceries, 3x on flights via the travel portal, and 1x points on all other purchases
Bonus Perks: $120 Uber Cash, The Hotel Collection stay through American Express Travel. Get a $100 experience credit to use during your stay
Intro Bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Chase
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$95/year
Rewards: Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 2x on other travel purchases, 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out, 3x points on online grocery purchases, 3x points on streaming, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Bonus Perks: Get 25% more value when redeemed for travel. For example 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Reward, DoorDash and Instacart membership.
Intro Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
US Bank
US Bank Shopper Cash Reward
$0/year first year, $95/year after
Rewards: 6% cash back on your first $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter with two retailers you choose. 3% cash back on your first $1,500 in eligible purchases on your choice of one everyday category (like wholesale clubs, gas and EV charging stations, bills and utilities). 1.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Bonus Perks: N/A
Intro Bonus: Get a $250 bonus after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening
Citi
Citi Premier
$95/year
Rewards: Earn 3X points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
Other Perks: No foreign transaction fees
Intro Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
Bank of America
Bank of America Premium Rewards
$95/year
Rewards: Earn unlimited points, that don't expire – 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points per $1 on all other purchases. Calculate RewardsPremium Rewards
Other Perks: Get up to $200 in combined Airline Incidental and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits. Plus, access to world class travel benefits: travel and purchase protections, luxury hotel collection and concierge service.
Intro Bonus: 60,000 online bonus points — a $600 value — after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
