Best Credit Cards for Points: 2026 Rankings

After years of churning cards and millions of points earned, here are my top picks for 2026.

Best Overall: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Annual Fee: $550
Sign-up Bonus: 60,000 points after $4k spend

The Reserve remains king for serious travelers. For a deep dive on maximizing Chase points, see our complete Chase Ultimate Rewards guide.

• 3x on travel and dining
• $300 annual travel credit (easy to use)
• Priority Pass lounge access
• 1.5x redemption in Chase portal
• Transfer to 14+ airline/hotel partners

Who it’s for: Anyone spending $300+/month on dining and travel.

Best No Annual Fee: Chase Freedom Unlimited

Annual Fee: $0
Sign-up Bonus: $200 after $500 spend

• 1.5% on everything
• 5% on travel through Chase
• 3% on dining and drugstores
• Points transfer to Sapphire if you have one

Who it’s for: Everyone. Literally everyone should have this card.

Best for Dining: Amex Gold

Annual Fee: $250
Sign-up Bonus: 60,000 points after $6k spend

• 4x on restaurants worldwide
• 4x on groceries (up to $25k/year)
• $120 dining credit (Grubhub, Cheesecake Factory, etc.)
• $120 Uber credit

Effective annual fee after credits: ~$10

Who it’s for: Foodies and families who grocery shop. Learn more about Amex points in our Membership Rewards guide.

Best for Hotels: World of Hyatt

Annual Fee: $95
Sign-up Bonus: 30,000 points after $3k spend

• 4x at Hyatt properties
• 2x on dining, fitness, transit
• Free night annually (up to Cat 4)
• Automatic Discoverist status

Hyatt points are worth 1.7-2.0¢ each — best value in hotels. See why Hyatt beats Marriott and Hilton in our World of Hyatt guide.

Who it’s for: Anyone who values boutique hotels and suite upgrades.

Best for Business: Chase Ink Business Preferred

Annual Fee: $95
Sign-up Bonus: 100,000 points after $8k spend

• 3x on travel, shipping, internet, advertising
• Points transfer to personal Sapphire
• Cell phone protection
• No personal credit impact

Who it’s for: Any side hustler or business owner.

The Power Combo

My current setup:

1. Chase Sapphire Reserve — Primary travel/dining
2. Chase Ink Business Preferred — Business expenses
3. Amex Gold — Restaurants and groceries
4. Hyatt Card — Hotel stays + free night

This earns me 150,000+ points per month on normal spending.

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Related reads:

• Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses Available Now
• Transfer Partners Explained: How to Maximize Your Points
• Bilt Rewards: Earn Points on Rent
• Capital One Miles Guide

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What’s in your wallet? Let me know your setup in the comments.