discover cash back vs travel card

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Comparing the Discover it Miles vs. Discover it Cash

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A variety of credit cards fall under the Discover brand, including student cards, secured credit cards and business cards. Those considering the Discover it® Miles may also have their eyes on the Discover it® Cash Back . Here are the pros and cons of each card to help you decide which one might be right for you.

» Learn more: Discover it Miles review: Travel rewards with a cash-back twist

What the cards have in common

The Discover it® Miles and Discover it® Cash Back share a lot of similarities, like:

Neither card has an annual fee.

Neither card charges foreign transaction fees.

Rewards earned on both cards are higher during the first year.

Both cards offer $0 fraud liability.

You can freeze your account at any time with either card.

Both include U.S.-based customer service.

About the Discover it® Miles credit card

While the Discover it® Cash Back and Discover it® Miles are quite similar, the main difference is how you earn and redeem your rewards.

Earning rewards

The Discover it® Miles has the simpler of the two earning structures. It earns 1.5 miles per $1 spent on everything; no need to worry about category bonuses.

To sweeten the deal for the first year, new cardholders will effectively earn 3 miles per $1 spent instead of 1.5 miles per dollar spent. This program is called Discover Match®, and new cardholders are automatically enrolled.

This makes the card one of the most attractive ones out there, especially when compared to a 2% cash back card like the Citi Double Cash® Card .

Redeeming points

On the redeeming miles side, it gets a little bit more complicated. There are two different ways that you can redeem the miles that you earn with the Discover it® Miles card.

A statement credit for travel purchases made within the last 180 days.

Cash as an electronic deposit to your bank account.

» Learn more: Citi Double Cash review: 2% on everything is tough to beat

About the Discover it® Cash Back

The earning structure of the Discover it® Cash Back is more involved. The Discover it® Cash Back earns 1% on all purchases, but also has rotating bonus categories: Once you sign up, you can earn 5% in rewards on the first $1,500 in purchases made for the quarter. Any purchases over $1,500 only earn 1%. Note that you have to activate these earning rates each quarter.

Similar to the Discover Match® program, new cardholders of the Discover it® Cash Back card earn higher rewards for one year through the Cashback Match™ program. That means new cardholders will effectively get 10% cash back in the rotating quarterly bonus categories for the first year rather than 5%.

Redeeming rewards

On the redemption side, you can redeem rewards in any amount as a statement credit or an electronic deposit to your bank account. You can also donate cash back rewards to charity, or use them to pay at select merchants. Buying gift cards or e-certificates is also an option, though you must have a minimum of $5 in rewards.

» Learn more: Discover it Cash Back review: 5% rewards are worth a little work

Which card is right for you?

If you are trying to decide between the Discover it® Miles and Discover it® Cash Back , there are a couple of different factors to consider.

Their redemption structures are fairly similar. In both cases, you can transfer rewards to your bank account or statement credit (though the Discover it® Miles statement credit is limited to travel purchases).

The real differentiator comes from their earning ability. Decide how much you're likely to spend each year, particularly in the rotating bonus categories. The breakeven point for $10,000 in yearly spend comes when you spend just $1,250 in the quarterly bonus categories. In that case, the Discover it® Cash Back would earn you more rewards.

If you don’t think you would spend that much in the bonus categories or if you prefer a simpler earning structure, go for the Discover it® Miles .

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

Is the Discover it Miles better for cash back or travel?

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When getting a travel credit card, you may think you have to choose between miles (or points) and cash for your redemption options. Many travel rewards cards offer boosted redemption rates for travel versus cash or other redemption options. However, the Discover it® Miles is unique in that you can redeem your miles for travel spending and cash—at the same rate.

But is it best to use your Discover it Miles rewards toward travel or cash back? Let’s talk about whether this card is better off as a travel or a cash back credit card .

Card details at a glance

• Rewards rate : Unlimited 1.5X miles on all purchases
• Welcome offer : All miles earned within the first 12 will be matched
• Annual fee: $0
• Purchase intro APR: 0 percent intro APR for 15 months
• Balance transfer intro APR: 0 percent intro APR for 15 months
• Regular APR: 14.24 percent to 25.24 percent (variable)

Card feature highlights

If you’re looking for a no-fuss way to earn and redeem your rewards for travel purchases or cash back, the Discover it Miles definitely fits the bill. It offers flat-rate rewards on your spending, meaning you don’t have to keep track of bonus categories or go through activation each quarter to start earning rewards. There’s no cap on how much you can earn back, and your miles never expire. Plus, there’s no minimum amount of miles you can redeem.

However, one standout feature makes this card especially unique for beginner travel cards. All miles earned within the first 12 months will be matched by Discover. So, if you end up spending, say, $25,000 on the card to earn 37,500 miles, Discover will match that amount, bringing your earnings to 75,000 miles for the first year. Whether you redeem them for cash or travel, that’s $750 worth of rewards you can earn in the first year of card ownership.

Earning rewards

As mentioned above, earning rewards is pretty straightforward—just swipe your card for all of your purchases and rack up rewards at 1.5X per dollar spent. Another way to earn rewards is by referring friends to open up a Discover credit card account. You can earn $100 for each friend you refer, up to five times a year, for a total of $500 in statement credits.

Redeeming rewards

Converting your miles to travel rewards is pretty simple. You’ll get a 1-cent-per-mile value, and you can redeem your miles for statement credits for eligible travel purchases made within the last 180 days. Discover’s broad definition of travel spending covers expenses like airfare, hotel stays, car rentals, travel website bookings, travel agents, commuter transit and gas stations. In addition, you can redeem miles for cash back or purchases made directly on Amazon.com or using PayPal.

Although Discover is not an issuer with a travel portal or travel partners available to boost the value of your miles, the card really shines in the area of simplicity and flexibility for redeeming your miles. Many travel credit cards penalize you for redeeming your rewards for cash or shopping. However, the Discover it Miles card gives you the same 1-cent-per-mile redemption option whether you redeem miles for travel, cash or a statement credit.

Other card perks and benefits

The Discover it Miles card has an introductory APR for purchases and balance transfers, which could help with a large purchase you’d like to pay over time or your efforts to pay down high-interest debt. After the intro APR period ends, you’ll have an 14.24 percent to 25.24 percent variable APR, depending on your creditworthiness.

There are almost no fees with the Discover it Miles card. So you won’t pay an annual fee or foreign transaction fees, and Discover waives your first late fee if you fail to make the minimum payment by the due date.

The low cost of ownership with this card is a plus, but it also means many common travel credit card benefits are lacking. There aren’t any travel protections like trip delay insurance, rental car coverage or special concierge services with your Discover it Miles.

Is it better to redeem my miles for cash back or travel?

Because your redemption value is a flat 1 cent per mile, you really can’t go wrong either way. If we were talking about a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , the answer would be much different.

The Sapphire Preferred offers a 25 percent bonus on points redeemed for travel in the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal and 1 cent per point for cash, making your travel redemption with this card a better deal. However, you might skip out on this card because of the $95 annual fee.

However, if you want to ease into an advanced award travel strategy, another approach would be to get the Chase Freedom Unlimited® which offers 1.5X rewards on all purchases plus boosted rates on bonus categories. Once you’re ready, pair it with one of Chase’s more premium cards—like the Chase Sapphire Preferred—to pool Ultimate Rewards points and redeem them for 25 percent more on travel purchases.

Credit card pairing strategies can definitely help you boost your earning and redemption rates for award travel, but they can be slightly more involved. If you are looking for a simple, no-annual-fee , low-maintenance travel rewards card, the Discover it Miles could be a good start.

The bottom line

If you’re vying for a respectable yet decent entry-level travel card , the Discover it Miles card is worth a look. While the card isn’t the most luxurious travel credit card out there, it does have some pretty neat features, like the first-year miles matching, that make it great for someone starting out on their awards travel journey.

Discover it Miles review

Cash back vs. travel rewards: How to choose a credit card

Editor's Note

If you're new to credit card rewards, one of the first questions you'll need to answer for yourself is: Should I get a card that earns travel rewards or a card that earns cash back?

The good news is you can find reliable options among the top cash-back credit cards and the best travel credit cards . In the end, you may want both a cash back and a points card .

Below, we'll break down the pros and cons of different types of cards and their associated rewards programs. We'll dive into things like rewards value, welcome offers, redemption, ease of use and perks. Considering these options will help you choose the best card for you.

Your spending and goals

The number of credit card options is both the best and most challenging part of choosing a card. Before we dig into what different cards offer, you'll want to think about your own spending habits and goals .

First, take a look at where your money is going right now. Are you renovating a home and spending a large portion of your money at home improvement stores? Maybe you're traveling a lot for work or spending your weekends trying out all the new restaurants nearby. Whatever you're doing, you can find a card that will maximize your rewards in your highest spending categories.

Then, determine what you would like to get out of your credit card rewards. Do you want to use points and miles to visit family over the holidays or book a dream vacation? Or are you hoping to help cover the cost of a large upcoming expense?

These answers are unique to you, and determining them upfront will help you decide which options will work best for you.

Types of cards

Generally, we designate credit cards as either travel rewards cards or cash-back cards . The names are pretty self-explanatory: they are cards that either earn travel rewards or simple cash back.

However, some cards offer more flexibility and allow users to choose how they redeem their rewards. Cards that earn transferable points , such as American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards , allow the cardholder a variety of options for redeeming the points they earn. While some redemptions are more valuable than others (more on that below), it can be nice to have the option to change your redemption strategy in case your goals change in the future.

Welcome offers

What you earn on credit card spending is essential, but nothing beats a card's welcome bonus when it comes to accumulating rewards quickly. The first few months of card ownership are potentially the most valuable since these bonuses can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Travel rewards cards almost always offer higher welcome bonuses than cash-back cards. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express currently offers a welcome bonus of 80,000 Membership Rewards points, worth $1,600 (according to TPG calculations ).

However, a higher bonus on a travel rewards card usually comes with a higher spending requirement. In order to get the bonus on The Platinum Card, for instance, you'll need to spend $8,000 in the first six months of membership. (Terms apply.)

Cash-back cards, on the other hand, generally offer a much lower bonus but also require a much lower spend in order to receive it. For example, the Capital One Quicksilver Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) provides a one-time $200 bonus but only requires you to spend $500 on purchases within the first three months of opening your account to unlock the bonus.

Reward categories

When you consider a card's reward categories , it's helpful to identify where you spend the majority of your money.

While it makes sense that most travel rewards cards earn the most on travel purchases , you can find both travel rewards and cash-back card options that will reward you for everyday spending at places like supermarkets and gas stations .

The Chase Sapphire Reserve , for example, is a travel rewards card. Using it, you'll earn 3 points per dollar on all travel spending. Apart from travel, though, the card also earns 3 points per dollar on dining and 10 points per dollar on Lyft rides (through March 2025). Since TPG values Chase Ultimate Rewards Points at 2 cents each, you'll effectively earn a value of 6 cents per dollar spent on travel and dining, as well as a very lucrative return of 20 cents per dollar spent on Lyft rides.

But if travel isn't a big spending category for you, or if you want to earn your rewards in the form of cash back, there are some excellent cash-back cards with different reward category options.

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, for example, gives you 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1%) and 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services (with no cap), 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and transit, while giving 1% back on other purchases. That means for every dollar you spend at U.S. supermarkets, you'll earn 6 cents that can be applied to a statement credit.

An important element to consider as you make your credit card decision is whether a card has an annual-fee and, if so, whether it is worthwhile to pay

Travel rewards cards have a reputation for carrying higher annual fees, and sometimes for good reason: many premium travel rewards cards have annual fees of $350 or more. The welcome bonuses and perks of these cards generally offset the cost of the annual fee , but the cost itself may not be something you want to pay right now if you're on a tighter budget.

The good news is that there are plenty of lower and no annual fee travel rewards cards available.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , for example, has an annual fee of only $95 and still comes with a welcome bonus of 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. It also still earns you 2 points per dollar on travel, 3 points per dollar on dining, and 5 points per dollar on Lyft rides (through March 2025). With our 2-cent-per-point valuation , that's a lot of value for a relatively low annual fee.

Furthermore, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees ) has no annual fee and offers 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening. You also earn you 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase.

While the perks aren't as abundant as the perks of cards with higher fees, these cards, along with other low and no-annual-fee travel cards, are a great way to earn travel rewards with lower out-of-pocket costs.

With cash-back cards , you'll find even more options if you want to avoid annual fees . Some of our favorite no annual fee cash back cards are the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees ) and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® . If you're looking at a cash-back card that does carry an annual fee, though, make sure your earning potential makes the fee worth it. An annual fee on a cash-back card can quickly eat into the rewards you'll earn with the card.

Big welcome bonuses and hefty annual fees tend to lead to valuable perks , which is a point in favor of points and miles cards. The Chase Sapphire Reserve , for instance, includes a $300 annual travel credit reimbursement and complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges .

Other card benefits to look out for include baggage insurance , primary car rental insurance and purchase protection .

Cash-back cards tend to have fewer benefits, but you should still be able to find a card that offers some industry-standard benefits, like these:

• Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for a limited amount of time against damage or theft up to a certain amount per claim and per account.
• Extended warranty: Extends the period of a U.S. manufacturer's warranty (typically up to a year) on eligible warranties (of up to three to five years typically).
• Zero Liability: You won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information. Federal law generally limits your liability to $50.

Ease of using rewards

While many travel rewards cards offer excellent bonus categories and perks, keeping up with everything takes effort. Especially if you end up with multiple cards , it can be easy to get overwhelmed as you figure out which cards to use for different purchases to maximize your benefits. Then, once you have your points and miles in hand, you'll need to figure out how you want to redeem them . If you're able and willing to put some work into your strategy, you'll be able to get some excellent value with these rewards.

However, not everyone wants or is able to put much energy into maximizing their credit card rewards. If that's you, a cash-back card may be a better choice.

If you're looking for simplicity, cash-back cards are hard to beat. The most work you'll likely have to put in for one is activating the quarterly 5% bonus categories on the Chase Freedom Flex℠ .

But if you don't even want to deal with rotating categories, you can opt for a card like the Citi Double Cash , which pays 2% cash back (1% cash back on all purchases and another 1% back when you repay on time) on all purchases. Paying on time and in full (one of TPG's ten credit card commandments ) means you'll enjoy an almost effortless 2% cash-back reward on all purchases with this card. That's a pretty good deal for everyday spending and very little effort.

Redeeming points for cash back or travel

Cash-back cards win again for simplicity on redemption since one cash-back percentage point equals 1 cent per dollar spent. But when it comes to value, points and miles cards almost always come out on top.

When redeeming points and miles, 1 point or mile is almost always worth more than 1 cent. Furthermore, a point is often not a fixed-rate commodity. The value of currencies like Amex Membership Rewards , Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou points are hard to pin down since you can transfer these rewards to various travel partners and get much more value for a first-class flight.

There's certainly a learning curve, but referencing our valuations is an excellent way to see if you're getting a good bang for your buck, especially if you're considering traveling soon.

Is it better to redeem points for cash or travel?

Generally speaking, it's better to redeem your points for travel. You'll likely get more value from a travel redemption than cash back for the same number of points. It's best to aim to get at least 1.5 cents value from each point .

Is it better to get cash back or gift cards?

It depends. It's hard to beat the simplicity of a cash-back redemption since most cards offer this redemption in the form of a statement credit. However, sometimes gift card redemptions are offered at a higher value than cash back. If you can find a good deal on a gift card you'll use, a gift card redemption may make sense.

Is there a downside to cash back?

Cashback is great if cash flow is what you need or want right now or if you don't have the energy to keep up with a more complex credit card strategy. However, you'll generally get more value for travel redemptions by using a rewards credit card rather than a cash back card.

Are airline miles worth more than cash back?

Yes. Cashback is usually valued at 1% or 1 cent, whereas most airline miles are worth more than 1 cent . However, some airlines like Hawaiian Airlines and Spirit Airlines have poorly-valued miles, so cash back is better in these cases.

Bottom Line

If your top priority is getting the most value out of a credit card — no matter the blood, sweat and tears required — you should get a travel rewards card and maybe a premium one at that. You'll get far more value out of one of these cards from the bonus, the points, the perks and the redemption options than you'll get from a cash-back card.

But not everyone has the time or inclination to put this much effort into tracking spending and returns, which is where cash-back cards come in. There's nothing wrong with either perspective.

The only major misstep you can take — if you pay your credit cards off every month — is not to take advantage of the free money issuers will throw at you in the form of welcome offers.

Additional reporting by Danyal Ahmed

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Discover it® Cash Back card vs. Discover it® Miles — Which is better?

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At first glance the  Discover it® Cash Back  and the  Discover it® Miles  cards look fairly similar. Neither offers a welcome bonus, though both will match the rewards you earn in the first year of card membership.

The cards have one key difference, however. Below, we’ll compare both cards and help you decide which one is right for you.

Best sign-up bonus

Neither the  Discover it® Cash Back  nor the  Discover it® Miles  card offer a traditional sign-up bonus like you’ll find with the best credit cards for travel . Instead, after your first year of card membership, Discover will match the rewards you earned during that time frame.

So, for example, if you earn $200 in cash back with the  Discover it® Cash Back   in the first year, Discover will give you another $200, for a total of $400 in rewards.

Best earning rate

Best redemption value.

The value of the rewards you earn with either the  Discover it® Cash Back  or the  Discover it® Miles  card (cash back and miles, respectively) is the same because you get 1 cent per mile when redeeming your miles from the  Discover it® Miles  card.

Lowest annual fee

Both the  Discover it® Cash Back  or the  Discover it® Miles  have no annual fee. Keeping no-annual-fee cards long term will increase the average age of your accounts, which can help raise your credit score. Here’s more about the  best no annual fee credit cards .

Lowest foreign transaction fees

Neither the  Discover it® Cash Back  or  Discover it® Miles  cards charge foreign transaction fees . So you can take them abroad without having to worry about that extra expense.

Best worldwide acceptance

The  Discover it® Cash Back  and  Discover it® Miles  are both Discover cards. So they’ll both be equally accepted around the world.

Bottom line

Both the Discover it Cash Back and the Discover it Miles card charge no annual fees or foreign transaction fees. In addition, while neither card offers a sign-up bonus, both cards will match the rewards you earn during your first year of card membership.

The decision, then, comes down to just one aspect of the cards. Anyone who wants the most cash over the long run and will not be maximizing their category bonuses should get the Discover it Miles card, while those of you who will maximize their bonuses will likely earn more back with the Discover it Cash Back card.

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Credit Cards > Reviews

Discover it® Cash Back review: Make the most of everyday spending categories

Robin Saks Frankel

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 9:20 p.m. UTC July 16, 2023

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Earn 5% cash back on purchases at different places each quarter up to $1,500 spent each quarter when activated and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.

Why trust our credit card experts

Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of credit cards and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best card for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.

• 50+ cards analyzed.
• 8 data points considered.
• 5-step fact-checking process.

Discover it® Cash Back

Welcome Bonus

• INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s Take

• Low intro APR offer on both new purchases and balance transfers.
• Generous rewards in quarterly rotating categories.
• Automatic cash-back match at the end of your first cardmember year.
• No travel insurance or purchase protection benefits.
• Highest rewards are capped at $1,500 per quarter.
• There’s a balance transfer fee.

Card Details

• Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
• Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
• Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
• Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
• No annual fee.
• Terms and conditions apply.

The Discover it® Cash Back is one of just a few credit cards that offer bonus rewards on spending rotating bonus categories that change every few months. You’ll earn cash back in various areas of your budget, including groceries, gas, streaming subscriptions, digital wallet spending, online shopping and more. The catch is that you have to activate each quarter’s bonus categories to earn the higher cash-back rate. Bonus rewards are also capped at $1,500 spent each quarter.

With that said, the card’s base rewards rate is low, so you may want to pair it with another card that offers a high flat rewards rate for non-bonus spending.

For big spenders, the card can be an excellent opportunity to earn a lot of cash in the first year. Rather than giving you a traditional welcome bonus you can earn after meeting a minimum spending requirement, Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.

As a new cardholder, you’ll also get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and eligible balance transfers. Then, a variable rate of 17.24% to 28.24% applies. There's a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms). Discover advertises that it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. But if you’re traveling abroad, it’s a good idea to have a Visa or Mastercard as a backup because Discover isn’t as widely accepted in other countries.

Discover it® Cash Back basics

• Annual fee: $0.
• Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.
• Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on purchases at different places each quarter up to $1,500 spent each quarter when activated and 1% cash back on all other purchases. 
• Regular APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and eligible balance transfers. Then, a variable rate of 17.24% to 28.24% applies. There's a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms).
• Pre-approval tool: Yes.
• Recommended credit score: Good, Excellent

Discover it® Cash Back rewards

The Discover it® Cash Back offers a rare approach to credit card rewards. Rather than giving you bonus cash back on a fixed set of spending categories, Discover rotates bonus categories every quarter. When you activate the bonus for a given quarter, you’ll earn 5% cash back on purchases at different places each quarter up to $1,500 spent each quarter when activated and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Be sure to keep up on the quarterly categories so you don’t miss out on the higher rewards rate.

Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year. So it may make sense to use the Discover it® Cash Back almost exclusively during that time to maximize your rewards. 

You can redeem your cash back as a deposit into your bank account, a statement credit, online shopping with PayPal and Amazon, gift cards or charitable donations. If you opt for gift cards, you’ll get a bonus added to your gift card balance, which can range from 5% to 20%, depending on the merchant. 

Discover it® Cash Back rewards potential

Using government data and other publicly available information, We estimate that a household in the U.S. that would be in the market for this card has an annual income of $84,352 and $25,087 in expenses they are likely to be able to charge to a credit card.

Assuming you max out the bonus rewards each quarter, you can earn up to $490.87 annually with this card. Factoring in the first-year Cashback Match offer, that translates to $981.74 in rewards.

Discover it® Cash Back APR details

As a new cardholder, you’ll get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and eligible balance transfers. Then, a variable rate of 17.24% to 28.24% applies. There's a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms).

Note that any balance transfers will need to post to your account by a certain date specified in your card agreement to qualify for the intro APR promotion. The introductory balance transfer fee is also subject to this deadline. 

Discover it® Cash Back pros

Discover doesn’t offer a lot of notable benefits on its credit cards, but there are some perks that aren’t necessarily standard for all credit cards:

• FICO score access: You’ll get access to your FICO score, as well as details about which factors are influencing your score.
• Social Security number alerts: Discover scans thousands of dark web sites known for revealing personal information for your Social Security number and alerts you if it finds your details.
• Free overnight card replacement: If you lose your credit card, you can request free overnight shipping to minimize the disruption.

Discover it® Cash Back cons

• Low base rewards rate: While the card’s rotating bonus rewards rate is impressive, most of your expenses will earn just the base cash back. As such, the Discover it® Cash Back is best used in tandem with another card that offers 1.5% or 2% rewards on all purchases.
• Bonus spending cap: You’ll only earn 5% cash back on purchases at different places each quarter up to $1,500 spent each quarter when activated and 1% cash back on all other purchases. In contrast, some other cards offer high rewards on certain purchases without limiting how much you can earn.
• Limited international acceptance: The card isn’t a great choice for international travel, as Discover’s acceptance rate abroad pales compared to Visa and Mastercard. 

How the Discover it® Cash Back card compares to other cash-back credit cards 

Discover it® cash back vs. chase freedom flex℠ * the information for the chase freedom flex℠ has been collected independently by blueprint. the card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer..

Like the Discover it® Cash Back , the Chase Freedom Flex offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in categories that rotate quarterly (requires activation), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores and 1% cash back on all other purchases. 

As a new cardholder, you’ll get a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. You’ll also get a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% to 29.24%. There is an intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days. Then the fee is the greater of $5 or 5% of each transfer. The card has no annual fee.

Discover it® Cash Back vs. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

If you spend a lot on groceries at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, consider the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (terms apply, rates & fees ). It offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 3% cash back on transit and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Rewards Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or for eligible items at Amazon.com checkout. New cardholders will earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership and also get a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers requested in the first 60 days, then a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.99%. A balance transfer fee of $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, applies. Keep in mind, though, that the card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee.

Discover it® Cash Back vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

If you prefer simplicity, consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card , which offers a flat 2% cash rewards on purchases. You’ll also get a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months of account opening, plus a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR applies thereafter. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3%. After that a fee of up to 5%, with a minimum of $5 applies. The card has no annual fee.

Should you get the Discover it® Cash Back ?

The Discover it® Cash Back offers an excellent opportunity to maximize rewards on various daily spending categories throughout the year. If you use the card for its rotating bonus categories and another card with a high rewards rate for non-bonus spending, you can enjoy accelerated rewards on all of your purchases.

However, the card’s somewhat complicated rewards structure may not be the best fit for anyone who prefers simplicity. If you want the certainty of a tiered rewards card with fixed categories, you may want to consider other options.

Before you apply for the Discover it® Cash Back , take some time to research and compare several alternatives to ensure you get the best card for you.

Discover it® Cash Back summary

Methodology

Our credit card team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings.

Some of the factors evaluated in selecting the best rewards credit cards included:

• Rewards potential and redemption options.
• Welcome bonuses.
• Travel and shopping benefits.
• Intro APRs.
• Annual fees.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The card offers 5% cash back on purchases at different places each quarter up to $1,500 spent each quarter when activated and 1% cash back on all other purchases. For the card’s higher rewards rate, there is a limit of $1,500 in combined spending across all bonus categories each quarter (bonus categories rotate quarterly and require activation each quarter). For the card’s base rewards rate, however, there is no limit on how much you can earn.

The Discover Cashback Match offer is only valid for your first year with the card, so plan your spending to make the most of the bonus feature.

The card is designed for consumers with good or excellent credit. According to FICO, that typically means a score of 670 or higher. However, Discover will consider your full credit history, income, debts and other factors to determine your eligibility.

If you’re new to credit or trying to rebuild poor or fair credit, you may not be able to qualify for the Discover it® Cash Back . However, if you meet the card’s eligibility criteria, you can use it to continue to build and maintain good credit. You can do this by using the card regularly, keeping your balance low and paying your bill on time every month.

The card requires good or excellent credit to get approved. If you meet that requirement, you may have a good chance of getting approved. If you’re not certain of your eligibility, you can use Discover’s pre-approval tool to gauge your approval odds.

For rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express please visit this page .

*The information for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Ben Luthi is a freelance writer who covers all things personal finance and travel. His work has appeared in dozens of online publications. Ben lives in Salt Lake City with his two children and two cats.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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Cash back vs. travel points: How to choose credit card rewards

Key takeaways.

• Cash back credit cards are generally the better choice if you want to earn simple rewards on your regular purchases.
• A points or miles card may be a better option if you travel often or want to start earning travel rewards on your purchases.
• If neither option is the perfect fit, it may be worth trying out different credit card combinations and rewards structures to find what works best for you.

Rewards credit cards come in many forms. Some offer cash back, while others offer points or miles, and there can be potential benefits and downsides to both options. If you’re wondering which type of credit card rewards to choose, it helps to understand how these different card types work.

Cash back cards offer cash rewards as a percentage back on your purchases. These cards are often easy to use and primarily feature cash redemptions , though you may be able to choose additional options. Cards that offer points and miles typically have more flexible redemption options, though they’re often most valuable when redeemed for travel.

Used wisely, points and miles can go a long way to helping you save toward a coveted vacation. But the type of rewards credit card and rewards structure that’s best for you ultimately depends on your spending habits and lifestyle. We compare cash back versus travel rewards here and outline some of the pros and cons of different types of credit card rewards. This way, you can choose which type of rewards structure is best for your spending habits and lifestyle.

What to know about cash back rewards cards

In general, cash back is the better choice for simplicity seekers hoping to earn uncomplicated rewards on everyday purchases.

Cash back credit cards offer a percentage of cash back on each dollar you spend, with some cards offering a higher rate in select categories, like groceries or gas. Some cash back cards offer a flat 1.5 percent to 2 percent cash back for every purchase you make, while others offer higher bonus rewards — ranging from 3 percent to 5 percent back — in fixed or rotating categories .

Redemption flexibility

A major benefit of cash back cards is their flexibility when it comes to redeeming rewards. Depending on the cash back card you sign up for, you may be able to redeem your rewards for a check in the mail, a direct deposit or a statement credit to your account. Some of the best cash back cards let you cash in your rewards for gift cards, merchandise or travel rewards through your card’s travel portal, though the value for these options is often less.

Redemption value

Cash back credit cards tend to be a good value for consumers who rarely travel or prefer to save money along the way, rather than build toward a future experience. Cash back rewards are generally worth 1 cent each. For instance, a 2 percent cash back card can yield you $2 for every $100 you spend.

Pros and cons

Consider these advantages and disadvantages when comparing cash back cards to points and miles credit cards:

• Earning and redeeming cash rewards is simple and quick.
• Cash rewards value tends to be straightforward and can be easier to maximize .
• There are many no-annual-fee cash back cards to choose from.
• Cash back credit cards may offer hefty welcome bonuses.
• Most cash back credit cards don’t come with notable travel benefits (but you may be able to earn rewards on certain types of travel purchases).
• Rewards value for cash back cards can be weaker when compared to the best travel credit cards .
• You may have limited redemption options — or no redemption options other than statement credits — depending on the card you choose.

What to know about points and miles cards

A points or miles card may be the better choice for those who travel often or wish to start earning travel rewards. Many types of rewards credit cards fall under the umbrella of “points and miles” cards . These cards include airline credit cards that let you earn frequent flyer miles in a specific frequent flyer program, and also flexible rewards cards that let you redeem points for travel in more than one way.

Points and miles cards also tend to come with useful travel benefits like airport lounge access, travel credits, application fee credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck or built-in travel insurance benefits — although cards with the strongest benefits tend to charge high annual fees.

Some of the best travel credit cards on the market today offer strong flexibility when it comes to redeeming your rewards. If you have a travel credit card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, for example, you may be able to redeem your points for cash back, gift cards, statement credits, merchandise, travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal or even 1:1 points transfers to Chase airline and hotel partners .

Travel rewards tend to be worth more than cash back, and some of the best travel rewards currencies can be worth up to 2 cents each or more . However, your redemption value depends on how you redeem your travel rewards .

For example, if you cash in flexible points for a statement credit to your account, you may only get 1 cent per point in value. But if you transfer your points to a high-value travel partner, your points could be boosted to 2 cents each or more. You may also get more than 1 cent per point in value if you redeem your points for travel through your issuer portal.

Here are some general advantages and disadvantages of choosing a points or miles card over a cash back card:

• Travel rewards provide more value than cash back if you travel often.
• Perks like priority boarding , free checked baggage , airport lounge access or free nights at hotels help you travel in style.
• Many travel cards come with travel insurance and no foreign transaction fees .
• Travel cards generally have higher rewards rates and higher welcome bonuses
• Travel credit cards tend to have higher annual fees than cash back cards.
• Points and miles credit cards typically require more effort than cash back cards when it comes to tracking your rewards and making sure you’re getting the best value out of them.
• Airline credit cards and hotel credit cards often offer limited redemption options.

Which rewards are best for you?

When it comes to cash back versus points, it comes down to your spending habits and lifestyle. If you don’t travel much or care about using your rewards strategically toward lofty travel goals, you’re best suited for cash rewards.

You may want to opt for a flat-rate cash back card so you don’t need to keep up with rotating bonus categories or activating your rewards. No matter which type of cash back card you choose , this move will benefit you due to the sheer simplicity of earning rewards. And you’ll still get something back from your credit card spending, even if you don’t get the most value for your rewards.

If you get a rush out of turning $500 worth of credit card rewards into $750 or $1,000 worth of travel, then you’re a perfect candidate for a card that offers rewards in the form of points or miles. You’d benefit from a travel card that gives you plenty of options for boosted points or miles values and travel upgrades. If you travel throughout the year and want access to benefits to make air travel more comfortable, then an elite travel card may be an even better fit.

The bottom line

To determine whether a cash back, points or miles card is better for you, you’ll need to know what kind of cardholder you are and what type of rewards structure most closely matches your spending habits and lifestyle.

But it doesn’t necessarily come down to choosing between cash back vs. rewards. It’s not uncommon for cardholders to pair a few different credit cards to maximize their rewards , so trying out different credit card combinations and rewards structures could also be an option.

Javier Zayas Photography / Moment / Getty Images

Advertiser Disclosure

Chase Freedom Flex vs. Discover it Cash Back

Both are no-annual-fee cards that offer bonus cash back in categories that rotate quarterly, but there are subtle differences

Published: September 13, 2022

Author: Kelly Dilworth

Author: Jason Steele

Editor: Kaitlyn Tang

Reviewer: Claire Dickey

How we Choose

With so many similarities, these rotating category cards often compete neck and neck. We examine exactly how they differ to narrow down which card suits which kind of cardholder.

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Please review our list of best credit cards , or use our CardMatch™ tool to find cards matched to your needs.

Earning 5 percent bonus cash back on featured purchases is very attractive, so it’s no surprise that two of the leading credit card issuers have cards with that offer. Both the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Discover it® Cash Back feature 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter from a list of select merchant categories, which change every quarter. Both cards also have no annual fee , so let’s take a look at these competing offers and see which one may be right for your needs.

• Card details

Sign-up bonus

The winner: Discover it Cash Back

This is close, but most cardholders will earn a larger welcome bonus with the Discover it Cash Back.

Chase Freedom Flex cardholders start with an initial $200 bonus after spending $500 within three months of account opening. Factoring in that the card also earn 5 percent cash back at gas stations during the first year, a typical consumer might earn an extra $100 in additional cash back.

According to data collected by the U.S. Department of Transportation , the average U.S. driver drives around 13,500 miles a year, in a car that gets 25 miles to the gallon. Based on the average gas price of $3.80 ( reported by AAA ) at the time of writing, the average driver would spend just over $2,000 and earn about $100 in cash back with the 5 percent offer compared, instead of just $20 with the standard 1 percent cash back. This equates to a total welcome bonus of an additional $300 in cash back.

For the Discover it Cash Back, Discover’s Cashback Match offer lets you receive a match of all cash back earned during your account’s first year. If you maximize the card’s bonus categories, reaching the $1,500 spend cap every quarter and earn 1 percent cash back on all your other purchases, then you’d earn $399 cash back at the end of your first year (based on an average yearly spend of $15,900). With a match of $399, the Discover it Cash Back wins in the sign-up bonus round — just remember you have to wait a full year to receive the Cashback Match.

Earning rewards

The winner: Chase Freedom Flex

These two cards have very similar offers for 5 percent cash back in bonus categories, but the Chase Freedom Flex adds three additional rewards offers. Earning 5 percent cash back on travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal can be a great way to maximize the rewards you earn on flights, hotels, rental cars and other vacation activities. The 3 percent cash back earned at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) is another valuable offer, which actually matches the rewards earned by Chase’s premium travel card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . The card also features 3 percent cash back on all purchases at drugstores and 1 percent on all other purchases.

In contrast, the Discover it Cash Back doesn’t have any additional rewards offered beyond the 5 percent cash back on rotating quarterly categories. One thing to keep in mind is that while the Freedom Flex only releases its rotating category calendar one quarter at a time, Discover’s bonus category calendar is announced all at once. Both cards also require you to enroll in the rotating categories each quarter to start earning that 5 percent.

Redeeming cash back

These cards offer similar terms for redeeming rewards, like the standard options for cash back cards like statement credit, direct deposit and Amazon.com purchases. Both cards do not require a minimum for redemption, and rewards do not expire.

However, because the Freedom Flex fulfills its cash rewards as Ultimate Rewards points (100 points for every $1), you can redeem those points for even Apple products, travel or exclusive dining experiences. Plus, Chase lets you transfer Ultimate Rewards points to other Ultimate Rewards cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , which enables you to transfer points to airline and hotel partners.

• Which card should you get?

The Discover it Cash Back card is ideal for those who want a relatively simple cash back card and can maximize its Cashback Match program during the account’s first year. However, the Chase Freedom Flex makes more sense for those who will use the card frequently for travel, dining and at drugstore purchases.

• If you want a sizable welcome bonus : The Discover it Cash Back card’s Cash Back Match is quite lucrative, while requiring little effort. All you need to do is use the card regularly throughout the first year, and Discover will match all your cash back at the end of that year — there’s no spend goal to hit.
• If you want to earn bonus rewards on everyday purchases : The Chase Freedom Flex’s advantage over its competitor is its fixed bonus categories on dining and drugstores. Plus, the 5 percent cash back on Ultimate Rewards travel, as a technically non-travel rewards card is a great added benefit.
• If you want to combine your rewards with other Chase cards :  Many travel rewards enthusiasts use the Chase Freedom Flex to earn Ultimate Rewards points in certain bonus categories that other Chase cards . Then they can combine rewards with other Chase cards like the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card to spend on their next vacation.
• If you love maximizing rotating categories : For the true credit card aficionado, who enjoys strategizing their purchases to maximize bonus categories, rotating or not, the Discover it Cash Back is the card for you. The main reason: The issuer releases its quarterly calendar all at once, and the Cashback Match is difficult to beat. Just remember, you must enroll each quarter to begin earning bonus rewards.

Bottom line

The Chase Freedom Flex and Discover it Cash Back compete directly with each other as they have very similar offers for 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 spent each quarter at merchants in featured categories. But that’s where their similarities end. By having a more generous rewards offer and earning more flexible rewards points, the Chase Freedom Flex can be the best card for many people, especially frequent travelers. However, if you can really maximize the Discover it Cash Back card’s rotating calendar and Cash Back Match offer, then it could be the better option for you.

Editorial Disclaimer

The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective assessment of our writers and is not driven by advertising dollars. It has not been provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.

Kelly Dilworth is a personal finance contributor and former staff reporter at CreditCards.com. She began her career in journalism at The Atlantic in 2007, then detoured into nonfiction book publishing for several years. She returned to journalism in 2010 and since then has written about everything from 20-somethings with Herculean credit scores to the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions.

Jason Steele is a professional journalist and credit card expert who has been contributing to online publications since 2008. He was one of the original contributors to The Points Guy, and his work has been appearing there since 2011. He has also contributed to over 100 of the leading personal finance and travel outlets. He’s frequently interviewed and quoted by mainstream outlets on the subjects of credit cards and travel. Jason is passionate about travel rewards credit cards, which he uses to earn rewards that he can redeem for him and his family to travel around the world. Jason is also the founder and producer of CardCon, a conference for credit and credit card journalists that’s held annually.

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Chase sapphire preferred ® card vs. discover it ® cash back [2024]: travel rewards vs. cash back.

This article was subjected to a comprehensive fact-checking process. Our professional fact-checkers verify article information against primary sources, reputable publishers, and experts in the field.

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We recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card if you want to earn travel rewards and take advantage of travel benefits. But it has a $95 annual fee.

We recommend the Discover it ® Cash Back if you want to earn cash back with a $0 annual fee.

Let’s compare the Chase Sapphire Preferred versus Discover it Cash Back to see which one is the best fit for you.

Key takeaways

Chase sapphire preferred vs. discover it cash back comparison, chase sapphire preferred benefits and drawbacks, discover it cash back benefits and drawbacks, what both cards excel at, 7 important differences between chase sapphire preferred and discover it cash back, which credit card should you choose, chase sapphire preferred vs. discover it cash back: bottom line.

• The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Discover it Cash Back are both rewards credit cards, but they’re meant for people who want different types of rewards.
• We recommend the Sapphire Preferred for travel rewards, while the Discover it Cash Back makes sense for earning cash back.
• One of the primary benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred is earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You can redeem these points for travel through the Chase travel portal, transfer partners, cash back, and more.
• One of the primary benefits of the Discover it Cash Back earning a high rewards rate on rotating categories each quarter.

Our verdict

If you want a rewards credit card that’s focused on helping you travel more, choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred. However, keep in mind that it comes with a $95 annual fee. If you want opportunities to earn a high rate of cashback rewards on everyday expenses, choose the Discover it Cash Back. This card has a $0 annual fee.

• 25% bonus to travel redemptions through Chase Travel℠
• Up to $50 hotel statement credit for stays purchased through Chase Travel℠
• No foreign transaction fees
• $95 annual fee

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can take advantage of a generous welcome offer and earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases.

You can also earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Additionally, you receive these travel benefits:

• Travel redemptions
• A 25% bonus to travel redemptions, including flights, hotel stays, and rental cars, made through Chase Travel℠
• Travel insurance
• Up to $50 in statement credits each anniversary year for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠

Learn more in our Chase Sapphire Preferred review .

• $0 annual fee
• High rewards rate
• Intro APR offers
• You have to keep track of rotating categories

The Discover it Cash Back has a $0 annual fee and 0% foreign transaction fees. You can earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.

Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

You can also take advantage of these intro APR offers:

• Intro APR on purchases: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 17.24% - 28.24% Variable).
• Intro APR on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 17.24% - 28.24% Variable).

Learn more in our Discover it Cash Back review .

• Welcome offers: Both cards provide welcome offers that new cardholders can take advantage of.
• Earning potential: You can earn rewards on eligible purchases with either card. There are also bonus categories for earning more rewards on specific purchases.
• Foreign transaction fees: You don’t have to worry about paying foreign transaction fees with the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Discover it Cash Back.

1. Rewards rates

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases.

With the Discover it Cash Back, you can earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.

There’s no clear winner because these are different types of earning rates. If you prefer travel rewards, the Sapphire Preferred makes more sense. If you prefer cash back, the Discover it Cash Back makes more sense.

Winner: It’s a tie because the better rewards rate depends on your spending habits and preferences.

2. Redemption options

The Chase Sapphire Preferred has these redemption options:

The Discover it Cash Back has these redemption options:

Overall, the Sapphire Preferred has more redemption options.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred because it offers more flexibility with its higher number of redemption options.

3. Annual fees

The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee, while the Discover it Cash Back has a $0 annual fee.

If you want to avoid annual cardmember costs, the Discover it Cash Back makes more sense.

Winner: Discover it Cash Back because it has a $0 annual fee.

4. Card protections

The Chase Sapphire Preferred provides these coverages and protections:

One of the only noteworthy card protections that the Discover it Cash Back offers is online privacy protection. This is a service that can help remove your personal information from certain websites.

Overall, the Sapphire Preferred provides more and better protections to cardholders.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred because it provides more card protections.

5. Introductory APR offers

The Chase Sapphire Preferred doesn’t provide intro APR offers to help you avoid paying a high interest rate for a certain amount of time.

The Discover it Cash Back provides these intro APR offers:

In general, many Discover credit cards provide intro APR offers. Travel cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, don’t typically have intro APR offers.

Winner: Discover it Cash Back because it has excellent intro APR offers.

6. Card benefits

You can take advantage of these benefits with the Chase Sapphire Preferred:

• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel℠.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. That means 60,000 points are worth $750 toward if you book travel through the Chase travel portal.
• Each account anniversary, earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases from the previous year. For example, spending $25,000 nets you 2,500 points.

The Discover it Cash Back doesn’t provide much in the form of additional unique benefits. That’s common on cards without annual fees.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred because it has more perks and benefits.

7. Card network

The Chase Sapphire Preferred uses the Visa credit card network, while the Discover it Cash Back uses the Discover network.

For overall card acceptance, Visa and Mastercard are better than Discover. For example, Visa is accepted in over 200 countries and territories worldwide, while Discover doesn’t provide that same kind of reach. But if you don’t plan to travel abroad, either network should work just fine.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred because Visa is the superior network in terms of worldwide acceptance.

When you should choose Chase Sapphire Preferred

• You already have a relationship with Chase Bank .
• You want to earn travel rewards.
• You want to take advantage of travel perks and benefits.
• You want to combine points with other eligible Chase credit cards .
• You want more international card acceptance.

When you should choose Discover it Cash Back

• You already have a relationship with Discover .
• You want to earn a high rate of cash back on quarterly rotating categories.
• You want a $0 annual fee.

What factors to consider before choosing

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a travel credit card that provides travel rewards and benefits. That doesn’t mean you have to be a frequent traveler to get value from this card, but the Sapphire Preferred makes a lot of sense for people who want to travel more.

The Discover it Cash Back is a cash back credit card that provides cashback rewards on eligible purchases. It has a $0 annual fee, making it an easy card to hang onto year after year. This card doesn’t earn travel rewards, so it makes sense if you want a simple card for earning cash back on everyday purchases.

Can you get cash back with the Chase Sapphire Preferred?

Yes, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns Ultimate Rewards points, it provides multiple cashback options, such as receiving a statement credit or a mailed check.

You can also redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for travel through the Chase portal, transfers to travel partners, Chase Dining experiences, gift cards, certain online purchases, Pay Yourself Back options, and combining points with other eligible Chase cards.

Is Chase Sapphire Preferred worth the annual fee?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred can typically be worth the $95 annual fee if you’re able to take advantage of its many benefits. That includes up to $50 statement credits each anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel℠.

You can also combine points from other eligible Chase cards onto your Sapphire Preferred and they’ll be worth 25% more for travel redemptions through Chase Travel℠.

Is Discover it Cash Back a good first card?

It’s an excellent first card because it provides high cashback earning potential while giving you the opportunity to build your credit history at the same time. And you don’t have to stress about an annual cost since the Discover it Cash Back has a $0 annual fee. Keep in mind that the Discover it Cash Back is best for people with average to excellent credit scores, which typically means a FICO score of 670 or higher.

We recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred if you want to earn points that you can redeem for travel. If you would rather earn cash back with a $0-annual-fee card, consider the Discover it Cash Back.

Compare credit cards to find the right credit card offer for you.

Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards

Card Details

Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

• Earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases
• Longer intro APR on qualifying purchases and balance transfers
• Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

on Bank of America’s secure website

Intro Offer

Why we like it

The Bank of America ® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.

Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.

Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.

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* Intro purchase APR  is  x %  for  x months  from date of account opening then the standard purchase APR applies.  Intro Balance Transfer APR  is  x %  for  x months  from date of first transfer, for transfers under this offer that post to your account by   then the standard purchase APR applies.  Standard purchase APR: x %  variable to  x %  variable, based on your creditworthiness.  Cash APR: x %  variable. Variable APRs will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Minimum interest charge: If you are charged interest, the charge will be no less than $.50.  Cash advance fee:  Either  $10  or  5%  of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.  Balance transfer fee: x %  Intro fee on balances transferred by   and up to  x %  fee for future balance transfers will apply.  Annual Fee: None.  Rates as of  . We will apply payments at our discretion, including in a manner most favorable or convenient for us. Each billing period, we will generally apply amounts you pay that exceed the Minimum Payment Due to balances with higher APRs before balances with lower APRs as of the date we credit your payment.

Find the best Discover cash back credit card for you.

We’ll automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. There is no limit to how much we’ll match. 1

No annual fee

Discover it ® Cash Back Credit Card

x Average of x Reviews

See how we calculate our ratings

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at

different places you shop each quarter like

Grocery stores

Restaurants

Gas stations

up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.

Plus, earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Discover it ® Gas and Restaurants

Earn 2% cash back at

Gas Stations

Restaurants (including cafes and fast-food)

on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. 2

Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

NHL ® Discover it ®

Earn the same rewards on purchases as Discover it ® .

Benefits of Discover cash back credit cards

Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. There is no limit to how much we’ll match. 1

Your cash back never expires. Redeem your rewards for cash at any time. 5

Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards. 3

You're never responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover Card. 8

We’ll help you regularly remove your personal info from select people-search websites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the Discover app. 10

You can talk to a real person from our customer service team any time. 11

Viewing your Credit Scorecard will never impact your FICO ® Score. 4

How to choose the best cash back credit card for you

The best value in a cash back credit card gives you the most rewards with the fewest fees. Discover cards have no annual fee .

Cash back credit cards may provide extra rewards on select categories. Discover cash back credit cards let you earn cash back on every purchase, with a higher percentage of cash back in select categories.

Discover also lets you convert Cashback Bonus ® ️ into gift cards from major retailers or as a donation to a charity of your choice. And you can use your rewards to shop: $1 Cashback Bonus ® equals $1 to redeem at Amazon. com 6 checkout and with PayPal. 7

Your credit history will help determine which cash back credit card you qualify for. People with excellent credit may qualify for a low intro APR cash back rewards card. If you don’t have excellent credit, build your credit history with the Discover it Secured Credit Card. 12

Low Intro APR

Ready to apply for a Discover credit card?

Checking for pre-approval won't hurt your credit score.

Bring your Discover account with you on-the-go

Use your Discover student login to set alerts, viewing your Credit Scorecard will never impact your FICO ® Score 4 and more, all from your smartphone or tablet.

Learn about cash back credit cards

What is a cash back credit card.

A cash back credit card lets you earn cash back rewards as a percentage of the amount you spend. Some cards may offer a higher level of cash back in select categories.

How do cash back credit cards work?

Each cash back credit card has its own rules, but they all provide a percentage of your purchase as cash back. Some may offer a flat rate of cash back on every purchase, while others may let you earn higher levels of cash back in select categories.

We’ll automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. 1

Types of cash back bonus spending categories

Groceries. Some cash back cards earn higher levels of rewards for spending in eligible grocery stores. 

Gas. A gas credit card may offer a higher percentage of cash back on gas station purchases, including non-gas purchase in the station's convenience store.

Dining. Restaurant dining, take-out or food delivery may qualify for extra cash back rewards.

Retailers. Some cash back rewards cards may offer bonus cash back for purchases at a specific store.

Does cash back expire?

With your Discover card, cash back rewards never expire. 5 Other cards may have cash back rewards that expire. Check the terms before you apply.

How can I redeem cash back on a credit card?

Cash back redemption options may include a statement credit, a cash deposit into your bank account, gift cards, charitable donations, and payment for purchases.

Which purchases are eligible for cash back rewards?

Your specific credit card will determine which types of purchases are eligible for cash back rewards. Discover cash back credit cards let you earn cash back on every purchase, with certain cards giving bonus rewards offered on eligible purchases such as gas or groceries.

How do you make your cash back rewards worth it?

To get the most out of your Discover cash back credit card rewards, use your card on everyday purchases. If your card is eligible, you earn higher levels of cash back rewards  on your card in rotating categories when you activate the program up to the quarterly maximum. All Discover credit card purchases earn rewards.

What are the different types of cash back credit cards?

Generally, there are three types of cash back credit cards:

• Flat rate. Some cash back cards offer the same percentage of cash back on every purchase, such as 1% cash back or 1.5% cash back.
• Bonus categories. Some cash back credit cards offer a higher rewards rate for purchases within a certain category (like travel, dining, gas or groceries), with a lower rewards rate for other purchases.
• Rotating categories. Some cash back credit cards earn a higher rate of rewards in categories that rotate throughout the year, with other purchases earning your standard rewards rate.

Learn more about cash back credit card rewards

Learn how to choose a cash back credit card, how you can get cash back on everyday purchases, and how to redeem cash back rewards on your credit card.

Learn how to redeem your Discover card rewards. Get details about the Discover card rewards program, and how to redeem and maximize your credit card rewards.

What is cashback and how does cash back work? These are key questions as cash back is a major selling point for credit cards these days

Cashback Match:  Only from Discover as of February 2024. We'll match all the cash back rewards you've earned on your credit card from the day your new account is approved through your first 12 consecutive billing periods or 365 days, whichever is longer, and add it to your rewards account within two billing periods. You've earned cash back rewards only when they're processed, which may be after the transaction date. We will not match: rewards that are processed after your match period ends; statement credits; rewards transfers from Discover checking or other deposit accounts; or rewards for accounts that are closed. This promotional offer may not be available in the future and is exclusively for new cardmembers. No purchase minimums.

You earn a full 2%  Cashback Bonus ® on your first $1000 in combined purchases at Gas Stations (stand-alone), and Restaurants each calendar quarter. Calendar quarters begin January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. Purchases at Gas Stations and Restaurants over the quarterly cap, and all other purchases, earn 1% cash back. Gas Station purchases include those made at merchants classified as places that sell automotive gasoline that can be bought at the pump or inside the station, and some public electric vehicle charging stations. Gas Stations affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible. Restaurant purchases include those made at merchants classified as full-service restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, fast-food locations, and restaurant delivery services. Purchases must be made with merchants in the U.S. To qualify for 2%, the purchase transaction date must be before or on the last day of the offer or promotion. For online purchases, the transaction date from the merchant may be the date when the item ships. Rewards are added to your account within two billing periods. Even if a purchase appears to fit in a 2% category, the merchant may not have a merchant category code (MCC) in that category. Merchants and payment processors are assigned an MCC based on their typical products and services. Discover Card does not assign MCCs to merchants. Certain third-party payment accounts and digital wallet transactions may not earn 2% if the technology does not provide sufficient transaction details or a qualifying MCC. Learn more at  Discover.com/digitalwallets . See  Cashback Bonus  Program Terms and Conditions  for more information.

Acceptance : According to the Feb 2023 issue of the Nilson Report.

FICO ® Credit Score Terms : Your FICO ® Credit Score, key factors and other credit information are based on data from TransUnion ® and may be different from other credit scores and other credit information provided by different bureaus. This information is intended for and only provided to Primary account holders who have an available score. See Discover.com/FICO about the availability of your score. Your score, key factors and other credit information are available on Discover.com and cardmembers are also provided a score on statements. Customers will see up to a year of recent scores online. Discover and other lenders may use different inputs, such as FICO ® Credit Scores, other credit scores and more information in credit decisions. This benefit may change or end in the future. FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries.

If you prefer not to receive your FICO ® Credit Score just call us at 1-800-DISCOVER (1-800-347-2683). Please give us two billing cycles to process your request.

Rewards Redemption:  Rewards never expire. We reserve the right to determine the method to disburse your rewards balance. We will credit your Account or send you a check with your rewards balance if your Account is closed or if you have not used it within 18 months.

Use Rewards at Amazon.com: For complete details on how to Pay with Rewards at Amazon.com see  Amazon.com/DiscoverRewards . Amazon is not a sponsor of this promotion. Amazon, the Amazon.com logo, the smile logo and all related marks are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. To redeem your rewards at checkout, you must select the Discover Card from which you want to redeem rewards. If you do not pay for your full purchase with rewards, you may use the Discover Card from which the rewards were applied or an Amazon.com Gift Card to pay for the remainder of your purchase. You may not use a credit card from an issuer other than Discover or another Discover credit card enrolled in Shop with Points in conjunction with the rewards transaction.

Use Rewards with PayPal : For complete details on how to Pay with Rewards with PayPal see PayPal.com/Discover . Pay with Rewards with PayPal will be available for eligible credit cards on eligible purchases or rewards can be donated to support a charitable cause with PayPal Giving Fund. To learn more about Pay with Rewards, see terms and conditions .

All reward redemptions are subject to Discover’s reward program terms. To redeem your rewards at checkout, you must select the Discover Card from which you want to redeem rewards. If you do not pay for your full purchase with rewards, you must use the Discover Card from which the rewards were applied to pay for the remainder of your purchase. You may not use a credit card from an issuer other than Discover or another Discover credit card enrolled in Pay with Rewards in conjunction with the rewards transaction.

PayPal, and the PayPal logo are trademarks of PayPal and its Affiliates.

$0 Fraud Liability:  An “unauthorized purchase” is a purchase where you have not given access to your card information to another person or a merchant for one-time or repeated charges. Please use reasonable care to protect your card and do not share it with employees, relatives, or friends. Learn more at  Discover.com/fraudFAQ .

About product reviews : We calculate the average product rating based on ratings that customers submit. We exclude some reviews from being displayed for reasons such as the customer included profanity, reviewed the wrong product, submitted inappropriate or irrelevant content, or revealed personally identifying information. Reviews are not filtered, edited, or deleted simply because they are negative or are lower rated. If a review is excluded, the associated rating is not calculated in the average product rating.

Online Privacy Protection:  Online Privacy Protection is offered by Discover Bank at no cost and only available in the mobile app. About every 90 days we will scan at least 10 people-search sites for your online personal information and help you submit opt-out requests. Types of personal information found on these sites will vary.

100% U.S. Based Customer Service:  You can reach a live agent any time by calling 1-800-Discover (1-800-347-2683). Certain specialized customer service agents may not be available 24/7.

Build credit with responsible use : Discover reports your credit history to the three major credit bureaus so it can help build your credit if used responsibly. Late payments, delinquencies or other derogatory activity with your credit card accounts and loans may adversely impact your ability to build credit.

Airline Credit Card vs. Flexible Points: Which One is Best?

Airline credit cards offer benefits when flying that airline, while general travel cards include rewards that can be used in multiple ways.

Airline vs. Flex Points?

Getty Images | Maskot

If you aren't loyal to a specific airline brand, you may benefit more from a flexible points credit card.

Key Takeaways

• Airline credit cards earn miles for that specific airline and include perks similar to elite status, such as free checked bags, priority boarding and in-flight discounts.
• General travel cards earn flexible points that can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards and more or transfer to airline and hotel partners.
• Some travelers have both types of cards to get the best benefits, earning power and redemption options.

Earning airline miles, hotel points and flexible points helps travelers save money when booking trips. There are dozens of travel rewards credit cards to choose from, so it can be challenging for people to decide between an airline credit card and flexible points cards. Both types of rewards cards have a lot to offer, but they also have downsides. Here's how to choose the best travel credit card to match your goals.

What Is an Airline Credit Card?

An airline credit card is a rewards credit card that earns airline miles for a specific airline. These cards also offer exclusive benefits for cardholders when flying that airline, which typically mimics elite status perks. These benefits may include the first checked bag free, priority boarding, discounts on in-flight purchases and more. Some airline credit cards can also accelerate your path to elite status based on your annual spending.

Airline credit cards typically have different price points ranging from no annual fee to several hundred dollars per year. Typically, as the price increases, you'll earn higher rewards and receive additional benefits.

Premium versions of these cards may also include a complimentary airline lounge membership for an annual fee that is lower than buying the membership directly. For example, the United Club Infinite Card has an annual fee of $525 and includes complimentary entrance to the United Club lounges for the cardholder and their eligible travel companions. By comparison, purchasing a United Club lounge membership costs $550 to $650 (depending on elite status) and includes access for just the member.

What Is a Flexible Points Credit Card?

A flexible points credit card is a card that earns points from an issuer rather than a hotel or airline loyalty program. These travel rewards credit cards are not affiliated with a specific program, which makes them ideal for people who are looking for the best travel deal rather than focusing on a single brand.

Flexible points have multiple redemption options, including booking travel through the issuer's travel portal, getting cash back or a statement credit, online shopping and more. Most flexible points programs also have a dozen or more airline and hotel transfer partners. However, Wells Fargo just launched the ability to transfer points to partners in April 2024, and it has just one hotel and five airline options – but the bank says more are coming soon. When you transfer points to these programs, the rewards combine with your existing miles and points balances so you can book an award reservation sooner.

Banks also offer multiple versions of flexible points credit cards with annual fees ranging from $0 to almost $700. The earning power, category bonuses, annual fees, benefits and other features vary among issuers and which card you choose. While these cards don't offer specific airline or hotel benefits, they offer a range of general travel perks and protections. For example, you may receive an annual credit for travel spending, airport lounge access and protections that include trip delay, baggage insurance and rental car protection.

Before paying a higher annual fee, make sure that you'll get at least that much value from the card in order to justify paying the fee.

Are Points and Miles the Same?

While many travelers use the terms points and miles interchangeably when referring to travel rewards, they aren't the same. Points generally mean the rewards earned from a hotel credit card such as the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass ® Card or a flexible rewards credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card . Miles usually mean the rewards earned from an airline credit card, like the United ℠ Explorer Card .

However, some airlines and banks confuse consumers by switching these terms up themselves. Rewards earned from Southwest and JetBlue airline loyalty programs are points, while rewards earned from Capital One Venture cards and Spark Miles cards are miles.

The major difference between the two is that airline miles are generally redeemed for booking flights, while flexible points have multiple options. Flexible points can be turned into cash back, statement credits, gift cards, online shopping and more. Most flexible points programs also have airline and hotel partners where you can convert rewards into airline miles or hotel points.

Which One Is Worth More?

The value of airline miles and flexible points varies by program and how they are redeemed. Typically, airline miles are more valuable than points earned by hotel credit cards, and flexible points have the highest value. Flexible points are often the most coveted rewards because they can be used in many different ways, including transferring to airline and hotel partners to book award travel.

How to Calculate the Value of Points and Miles

The value of miles and points varies based on how they are redeemed. Most people consider it a good redemption if you can get more than the average value. However, the best redemptions are the ones you're happy with. Remember that airline miles and hotel points typically decline in value over time as those loyalty programs update pricing to book award flights and hotel rooms.

Before redeeming your travel rewards, perform a simple calculation to determine the value of the redemption you're considering. This will help you decide whether you should redeem them now or save them for another time.

For flights, you'll take the cash price of the airline ticket and divide it by the number of miles required. To get the best possible answer, you should also subtract any taxes and fees that the airline charges for booking the award flight. For example, airlines typically charge a $5.60 fee for each direction you're traveling on a domestic flight. A $300 flight that costs 15,000 miles has a value of 2 cents per mile, which is a good value for almost any airline loyalty program.

When booking a hotel award, you should add taxes and fees to the list price of the hotel room to get a total cash price. Divide that total by the number of hotel points required to book the room. For example, a hotel room that costs $325 (including taxes) or 40,000 points has an award value of 0.8125 cent per point. This redemption is a solid value for Hilton and IHG hotels, but it is a subpar value for Marriott and Hyatt hotels.

How to Choose Your Card

Choosing between an airline credit card and a flexible points card is easier once you narrow down what rewards and perks are most important to you. While these cards may have some crossover, benefits from airline credit cards tend to focus on the issuing airline, while flexible points card benefits are more general in nature.

Anthony Losanno, a travel expert at The Bulkhead Seat, says, "The decision between airline credit cards and flexible points cards varies by traveler. Those with elite status might find the benefits useless or lessened on an airline card if they're already getting the perks with their status."

Who Needs an Airline Credit Card?

Airline credit cards are best for travelers who want to focus on earning airline miles and receiving perks when they fly. These cards typically earn extra miles when buying flights or upgrades and paying fees with that airline. They may also include exclusive benefits that mimic elite status, such as free checked bags , priority boarding and in-flight discounts.

Moli Aggarwal, a credit card expert at Maple Miles, says that an airline credit card's perks have more value in the long run. "An airline-specific credit card provides benefits when flying with that airline, such as a free checked bag, lounge access or any form of priority service,” Aggarwal says. “Flexible points cards might offer travel credits to buy those services directly. However, those credits might only cover one or two round-trip flights. An airline credit card extends its benefits to every flight taken with the airline."

When you fly on one airline regularly, having that airline's credit card can help you earn miles faster. Plus, you can save money and time by taking advantage of the card's perks. Depending on the airline and credit card, you may be able to achieve elite status more quickly based on your spending.

Who Needs a Flexible Points Credit Card?

Flexible points credit cards are best for travelers who aren't loyal to a specific airline. They want to find the best deal or departure time when searching for flights, even if it means flying on different airlines each time they travel. These travel rewards credit cards offer multiple redemption options, including getting cash back, buying gift cards, booking travel and more.

Losanno argues that their "flexibility is the greatest advantage. Being able to transfer to a host of airline and hotel partners has tremendous value."

Transferring points to airline and hotel partners is also common with flexible points credit cards. Most programs have more than a dozen transfer partners to choose from. This benefit makes it easier to find award availability for flights and hotel rooms to match your needs versus an airline credit card, which only earns miles in one airline loyalty program.

Card Comparison 

Credit card annual fees, redemption options and benefits vary widely based on the issuing bank and associated loyalty program. Additionally, travel rewards credit cards with higher annual fees tend to offer higher earning power, additional redemption options and more valuable perks.

This chart highlights the main differences between airline credit cards and flexible points credit cards.

Should You Get Both?

Many travelers choose to have both airline credit cards and travel rewards credit cards in their wallets. This allows them to get the best of both worlds by having access to the earning power, redemption options, benefits and other features of both types of cards. When you don't want to fly a particular airline, you still have flexibility in redeeming rewards with your flexible points card.

When comparing which flexible points cards to get, seek out travel rewards cards whose points transfer to your preferred airline. This allows you to combine rewards to book award travel more quickly. Plus, the benefits from the airline credit card may be able to save money on baggage fees and in-flight purchases or get you on the plane faster with priority boarding. Either card may also include airport lounge access, travel protections and other benefits that improve your travel experience.

Tags: credit cards , Airline Credit Cards , rewards credit cards

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About Doug Milnes, CFA

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

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What the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Card offers

How other travel cards compare to the wells fargo autograph journey℠ visa® card, 3 key benefits cardholders get from the autograph journey , move over, chase sapphire preferred. this new travel credit card is turning heads.

Wells Fargo's newest card has one key advantage over the gold standard in travel cards.

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Holly Johnson is a credit card expert and writer who covers rewards and loyalty programs, budgeting, and all things personal finance. In addition to writing for publications like Bankrate, CreditCards.com, Forbes Advisor and Investopedia, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You'll Love."

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The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card * -- Wells Fargo’s latest and best travel card -- recently launched with an impressive set of features. Its competitive rewards, welcome bonus and redemption options take aim at incumbent travel credit cards from Chase, American Express and Capital One.

What gives Wells Fargo’s first foray into the point-transfer space an edge is that you don’t have to book travel in a portal to earn the highest rewards rates. 

Here’s why we think the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey could go toe-to-toe with some of the best travel credit cards, plus three insider tips to help you decide if you should add it to your credit card lineup.

Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect with the Autograph Journey:

• Earn 60,000 welcome bonus rewards points after spending $4,000 in purchases within three months of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 5x points on hotels, 4x points on airlines, 3x points on other travel and dining and 1x on other purchases.
• Receive an annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Other benefits include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, roadside dispatch and cell phone insurance.
• $95 annual fee.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Here’s a rundown of four facts we discovered about the Autograph Journey that you should know when deciding whether to apply.

1. You can transfer points with Wells Fargo point-based cards

The launch of the Autograph Journey also marks the first transferable points program from Wells Fargo, which joins other card issuers like Chase and Capital One, which have their own pooling programs .

Autograph Journey will be able to do a points transfer with the no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card . This is especially notable since the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers bonus rewards in different categories than the Autograph Journey. 

For example, the Autograph card earns unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans, plus 1x points on other purchases. So you can maximize your point earning across different categories, then transfer your points to your Autograph Journey account to access premium travel redemptions.

2. It offers more options for earning bonus miles on travel than some competitors

The Autograph Journey will offer more flexibility than many travel rewards cards when it comes to earning more points on travel purchases. For example, cardholders earn unlimited 5x points on hotels booked directly with hotel brands and 4x points on airfare booked with airlines. 

This helps the card stand out from other popular travel credit cards that offer the most bonus points only if you book travel through their portals. For example, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * only offer the highest bonus rewards on travel booked through Capital One Travel. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also offers its highest rate of 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, whereas other travel purchases earn 2x points.

Autograph Journey cardholders also earn a minimum of 3x points on other travel purchases, which could include rental cars, cruises and travel booked through online travel agencies like Expedia and Priceline.

3. The card may grow in value as more transfer partners join

The Autograph Journey Card will earn flexible travel rewards points that transfer to a selection of airline and hotel partners, similar to Amex Membership Rewards points or Chase Ultimate Rewards . While the list of transfer partners is limited, Wells Fargo stated in its initial press release that “more partners will continue to be added throughout the year.”

Points transfers could dramatically change the value proposition of the Autograph Journey, especially if new partners include domestic airlines and popular hotel loyalty programs. 

Wells Fargo point transfers will be available to new cardholders starting on April 4. For now, Wells Fargo transfer partners include the following:

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* All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card have been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

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