Start with repayment
If you expect to carry a balance, focus on borrowing costs first. Rewards will rarely compensate for sustained interest charges.
Use your own spending
Estimate annual spending by category and calculate rewards under each card’s rules and caps. Subtract the annual fee and ignore credits you would not naturally use.
Consider redemption
Cash back can be straightforward. Travel rewards may be valuable but depend on availability, transfer terms, and how you book. Read current issuer terms before applying.
Ready to compare credit cards?
Bring what you’ve learned to a side-by-side comparison.
Compare credit cardsRelated company reviews
- Chase Freedom Unlimited reviewEveryday cash back on all purchases
- Chase Sapphire Preferred reviewTravel rewards with an annual fee
- Citi Double Cash reviewSimple cash back on every purchase
Sources & further reading
Published October 1, 2026. Last reviewed October 21, 2026.
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