Overview of some of the Best Credit Cards of 2023
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: Your Ultimate Rewards Card
Earn Rewards That Suit Your Business
Hold the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, and you’ll enjoy the flexibility of earning 3x points on a wide range of essential business expenses. This includes travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising purchases through social media and search engines. These enhanced rewards apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases every calendar year. Beyond this threshold, you’ll continue earning 1x points on all other purchases.
A Generous Early Spend Bonus
With the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, you’ll kickstart your rewards journey with a substantial early spend bonus. By spending $15,000 on purchases within your first 3 months of card membership, you’ll earn a remarkable 100,000 points. What makes this even more appealing is that these points are worth 25% more when you redeem them through the Chase travel portal. Additionally, you have the option to transfer your points to various travel programs. And when you make purchases with your card, you’ll benefit from valuable travel and purchase protections. The annual fee for this card is $95, but it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
Why We Recommend It
The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card is a top choice for businesses seeking valuable and versatile rewards from their expenditures. Your points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, and a range of other options. Plus, it boasts one of the most attractive early spend bonuses in the market. Notably, the card’s travel category is broadly defined, allowing you to earn points on expenses spanning public transit, hotels, and airfare.
Flexible Redemption Options
Cardholders can choose to redeem their points directly through Chase or transfer them to airline and hotel transfer partners. These transfers typically occur at a rate of one-to-one or better. When opting for direct redemption through Chase, you can exchange points at a value of one cent per point for cash back or statement credits. Alternatively, you can leverage the Chase travel portal, where each point becomes worth 1.25 cents. This means you’ll require only 20,000 points instead of 25,000 for a $250 ticket. Whether your business spends a little or a lot, this card is an excellent choice for maximizing rewards.
First-Year Rewards Potential: $3,245
Pros:
- Remarkable early spend bonus of 100,000 points after spending $15,000 within the first 3 months.
- Earn 3x points on a diverse range of business purchases.
- A wide array of point redemption options to suit your preferences.
Best Travel Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Your Travel Companion
Unlimited Miles, Low Annual Fee
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is your passport to unlimited rewards. It’s a card that keeps things simple while offering substantial benefits. With this card, you’ll earn an unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, making it a versatile choice for your spending needs. The annual fee is just $95, which is relatively low in the world of travel credit cards.
Flexible Miles Usage
The miles you earn with this card are incredibly flexible. You have the option to transfer them to a variety of hotel and airline partners, expanding your travel possibilities. Alternatively, you can choose to redeem them for one cent per point to offset or fully pay for your travel expenses. Plus, there’s an extra perk: cardholders can receive a $100 Global Entry or TSA Precheck® statement credit every four years. Other valuable benefits include a one-time early spend bonus of 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months, travel accident insurance, and roadside assistance. When you travel abroad, you won’t incur foreign transaction fees while using this card.
Why It’s a Top Choice
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card stands out as a powerful yet straightforward travel card. Unlike other cards that require you to track bonus categories and navigate complex statement credits to offset an annual fee, the Venture Card simplifies the process. It consistently earns 2x miles on all purchases, allowing you to cover the cost of any travel purchase effortlessly. Moreover, these miles can be transferred to a variety of hotel and airline partners, although the transfer rate is typically 2 Capital One miles for 1.5 partner miles, slightly less favorable than the 1:1 ratio found in some other travel cards. Nevertheless, if you prefer a straightforward approach to travel rewards, this card is a solid choice.
Why We Recommend It
- Earn unlimited 2x miles on all purchases.
- Flexible redemption options, including transfers to hotel and airline partners.
- Valuable $100 Global Entry or TSA Precheck® statement credit every four years.
- One-time early spend bonus of 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Travel accident insurance and roadside assistance for peace of mind.
- No foreign transaction fees when using the card abroad.
Best Cash Back Credit Card
Citi® Double Cash Card - 18 month BT offer
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Elevate Your Travel Rewards Game
Maximize Your Points Earnings
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, your rewards potential soars. After your initial $300 in travel purchases each year, you’ll enjoy a generous 5x points on air travel and an impressive 10x points on car rentals and hotel bookings made through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Additionally, you’ll earn 3x points on all other travel expenditures and dining expenses worldwide, encompassing takeout and eligible delivery services. For all other purchases, you’ll receive 1x points per dollar spent. These points can be redeemed as cash back at a rate of 1 cent per point. However, the real value shines when you book travel through Chase’s travel portal, where each point is boosted by a 50% bonus, making them worth 1.5 cents each.
Unlock Exclusive Benefits
While the Chase Sapphire Reserve carries an annual fee of $550, there’s an easy way to offset it. Simply spend $300 on travel expenses within the year, and you’ll receive a $300 annual travel credit. This effectively reduces the annual fee to just $250, making the card more accessible.
Travel in Style and Comfort
As a cardholder, you’ll gain access to up to $100 in statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® every four years. Plus, an enticing 60,000-point early spend bonus awaits after you make $4,000 in purchases during the first 3 months, which translates to a $900 value when used on the Chase travel portal. And when you travel abroad, rest easy knowing that this card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
Why We’re Impressed
The Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out as one of the top-tier rewards cards available, despite its higher annual fee. It boasts a robust early spend bonus and an invaluable $300 annual travel credit. Furthermore, its broad definition of the travel category makes it convenient for cardholders to take full advantage of the credit. Additional perks include built-in trip delay and cancellation protections, purchase protections, and more.
We particularly appreciate the Chase Sapphire Reserve for its versatile rewards redemption options. You’ll earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, a remarkably flexible and valuable currency. You can transfer these points to a range of airline and hotel partners, often at a 1:1 ratio or better. Alternatively, you can redeem them through the Chase travel portal, where points are worth 1.5 times more. This means that a $300 ticket, typically costing 30,000 points at a value of one cent per point, would only require 20,000 points when booked through the portal.
Best Business Credit Card
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: Where Rewards Meet Business
Maximize Your Earnings
Hold the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, and you’ll watch your rewards multiply. Enjoy a substantial 3x points on a diverse range of expenses, including travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising acquisitions through social media sites and search engines, all on combined purchases up to $150,000 annually. Beyond this limit, your earnings will remain solid at 1x points for all other purchases.
Unlock Exceptional Benefits
As an Ink Business Preferred Credit Cardholder, you can jumpstart your rewards journey with a remarkable early spend bonus of 100,000 points. To claim this, simply make $15,000 in purchases during your first 3 months as a card member. Notably, when you redeem your points via the Chase travel portal, they’re given a 25% boost in value. Moreover, these points are transferable to a diverse array of travel programs. Plus, enjoy peace of mind with the travel and purchase protections that accompany your card. While there’s a $95 annual fee, rest easy knowing foreign transaction fees won’t be adding to your expenses.
Why We’re Fans
The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card is a must-have for businesses seeking valuable and versatile rewards from their expenditures. Your points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, and various other options. Additionally, the card boasts one of the most enticing early spend bonuses available. It’s worth noting that the card’s travel category is broadly defined, allowing you to accumulate points on everything from public transit to hotel stays and airfare.
With the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, redemption options abound. You can choose to redeem points directly through Chase or transfer them to airline and hotel partners, often at a one-to-one rate or better. Opting for the Chase travel portal yields even greater value, with each point now worth 1.25 cents. This means that instead of spending 25,000 points on a $250 ticket, you’ll only need 20,000 points. This card is a stellar choice for businesses eager to reap valuable rewards.
Best Balance Transfer Credit Card
Citi Diamond Preferred Card
Citi Diamond Preferred Card: Balance Transfer Master
Your Path to Financial Freedom
The Citi Diamond Preferred Card, in partnership with SmartAsset, shines as a premier balance transfer-centric credit card. To start, it grants cardholders a remarkable 0% introductory APR for 21 months on balance transfers initiated within four months of account opening. Additionally, it offers a 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases. Once the introductory period concludes, the ongoing APR for both purchases and balance transfers will be 15.99% – 26.74% Variable, contingent upon your creditworthiness. When transferring your balance, a fee of either $5 or 5%, whichever is greater, will apply.
Though the Citi Diamond Preferred Card doesn’t feature a rewards program, it offsets this absence with a lack of an annual fee. Beyond its robust introductory purchase and balance transfer offer, the card’s benefits may appear somewhat limited. To secure this card, you typically need to boast either great or excellent credit.
Why It’s a Winner
While several cards offer enticing balance transfer promotions along with cash back rewards, the Citi Diamond Preferred Card stands out as the top choice for individuals solely focused on balance transfers. You’ll relish a full 21 months before interest accrues on your transferred balance. With no annual fee, possessing this card proves to be a low-cost, high-value choice—just be prepared to pay a standard balance transfer fee.
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