THE BEST
of
2025
Credit Card Awards
The FinanceBuzz editors are happy to share the winners of our first annual credit card awards. These are the cards we recommend to our family and friends and now, to you. The best card is the one that works for you and your personal spending habits, values, and interests. Explore these top cards below.
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BEST CREDIT CARDS BY CATEGORY:
Top Cards
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Travel
Cash Back & Rewards
0% Intro APR
Student
Credit Builder
Business

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2025 award winner Best Overall Travel Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

4.9
info

on Chase’s secure website

Intro Offer info
60,000 Points
Reward Rate info
1X - 5X Points
Annual fee
$95

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

The best overall travel card is one that works for almost anyone regardless of whether they travel a lot or a little, domestically or internationally, alone or with a family. The Chase Sapphire Preferred checks all these boxes and more. It has a reasonable annual fee and good flexibility when it comes to earning and redeeming points. Points are worth 25% more when redeemed through Chase Travel, or points can be transferred to hotel and airline partners. There are plenty of options, and all are good ones.

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2025 award winner Best Premium Travel Credit Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

4.9
info

on Capital One’s secure website

Intro Offer info
75,000 Miles
Reward Rate info
2X - 10X Miles
Annual fee
$395

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

While it's a relative newcomer, the Capital One Venture X has quickly risen to the top of premium travel cards. When compared to other travel cards offering premium perks like lounge access, travel credits, and flexible redemptions, the Venture X stands out for the quality and usefulness of these travel perks in relation to its annual fee. We're especially excited about the growing network of Capital One lounges in airports across the country.

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2025 award winner Best Airline Credit Card

United℠ Explorer Card

4.7
info

on Chase’s secure website

Intro Offer info
60,000 Miles
Reward Rate info
1X - 2X Miles
Annual fee
$95 (waived first year)

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

When evaluating co-branded airline cards, we looked at overall value, the footprint of the airline within the U.S., availability of lounge access, and other travel perks. The United Explorer card stands out for its strong benefits, especially in relation to its reasonable annual fee. Stand-out travel perks include two United Club one-time passes each year, priority boarding, a free first checked bag, and primary car rental insurance. United Airlines flies to more than 210 destinations in the U.S. and more than 120 destinations internationally, so if you're going to pledge loyalty to one airline but still want flexibility, it's a good option.

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2025 award winner Best Hotel Credit Card

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

4.8
info
Compare Credit Cards
Intro Offer info
35,000 Bonus Points
Reward Rate info
1X - up to 9X Points
Annual fee
$95

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

The best hotel credit cards reward you for your loyalty with perks like status, award nights, and complimentary breakfast. The World of Hyatt Credit Card stands out by offering one free night at any category 1-4 Hyatt hotel each year on your card member anniversary and complimentary Discoverist status (which unlocks perks like 2 p.m. late checkout and room upgrades where available.) The Hyatt portfolio of brands is vast, offering something for every type of traveler, from budget-friendly family brands like Hyatt Place to luxury brands like Park Hyatt and Andaz.

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2025 award winner Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Card

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

4.7
info

on Wells Fargo’s secure website

Intro Offer info
20,000 bonus points
Reward Rate info
1X - 3X Points
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

While we firmly believe many travel cards are worth an annual fee, for those not ready to commit to an annual fee, the Wells Fargo Autograph stands out from the rest. With a valuable welcome offer, strong earning potential (especially on travel), good redemption options, and even up to $600 in cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible), it's hard to ask for more without an annual fee.

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2025 award winner Best for Simple Travel Rewards

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

4.7
info

on Capital One’s secure website

Intro Offer info
75,000 Miles
Reward Rate info
2X - 5X Miles
Annual fee
$95

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

While juggling multiple cards with different rewards rates could net you the most points, sometimes you just want something simple and that's where the Capital One Venture shines. With an easy, flat 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, there's nothing to remember or track. Redemptions are simple too. You're not locked into a specific hotel or airline loyalty program and you've got plenty of options for how to use your points.

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2025 award winner Best for Lounge Access

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

5.0
info

on Chase’s secure website

Intro Offer info
60,000 Points
Reward Rate info
1X - 10X Points
Annual fee
$550

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

Spending time in airport lounges can totally transform air travel from something dreaded to something to look forward to. While many premium travel cards offer some complimentary lounge entry, that access has been drying up in recent years with changes to guest policies and overcrowding. The Chase Sapphire Reserve takes top honors — in part because of how excited we are about the swanky new Sapphire Lounges that Reserve cardholders and two guests can visit. Plus, the $300 annual travel credit is super easy to use and takes a big bite out of the Reserve's annual fee.

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2025 award winner Best Travel Card for Everyday Spending

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

4.9
info

on Citi’s secure website

Intro Offer info
75,000 Points
Reward Rate info
1X - 10X Points
Annual fee
$95

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

We love the Citi Strata Premier for everyday spending because of how easy it is to earn and redeem points. The 3X categories cover spending that makes up a big part of many people's budgets, including at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas and EV charging stations. When it’s time to redeem your ThankYou points, you can use them to book travel through Citi Travel or transfer points to its airline partners. It should be easy for most travelers to easily earn enough rewards to offset the modest annual fee.

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2025 award winner Best for Luxury Travel

The Platinum Card® from American Express

5.0
info
See rates and fees | Terms Apply
Intro Offer info
80,000 Membership Rewards points
Reward Rate info
1X - 5X points
Annual fee
$695

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

If your goal is to travel in style — we're talking first-class, five-star luxury — the Platinum Card from American Express provides valuable perks — and a lot of them. The Amex Platinum offers top-tier lounge access, including access to their Centurion lounges, luxury hotel perks and credits, and status at Hilton, Marriott, Avis, Hertz, and National. If you want to fly first class, Amex is one of the best options for transferring points to airlines for those coveted front-of-cabin seats.

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2025 award winner Best Overall Cash Back Credit Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

5.0
info

on Wells Fargo’s secure website

Intro Offer info
$200 Cash rewards
Reward Rate info
2% Cash rewards
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

There are quite a few flat-rate cash back cards that offer 1.5% back, but the list of cards offering 2% is more exclusive. The Wells Fargo Active Cash, with its flat, unlimited 2% cash rewards structure makes it not only incredibly simple to earn cash rewards, but also quite lucrative. With no annual fee and a welcome bonus for new cardholders, the Active Cash stands out as the best cash back credit card.

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2025 award winner Best for Dining Out

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

4.7
info

on Chase’s secure website

Intro Offer info
Up to $300 Cash Back
Reward Rate info
1.5% - 6.5% Cash Back
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
19.49% - 28.24% Variable
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

The Chase Freedom Unlimited has morphed from a middle-of-the-road flat rate card to a dining powerhouse with the addition of the 3% dining category. Cardholders earn 3% back not only when dining at restaurants, but also on takeout and eligible delivery with no caps. For foodies (or anyone who just doesn't like to cook), it doesn't get better than that. Plus, you'll still earn at least 1.5% cash back on all your other spending.

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2025 award winner Best for Food Delivery

American Express® Gold Card

4.9
info
See rates and fees | Terms Apply
Intro Offer info
60,000 points
Reward Rate info
1X - 4X points
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A, N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A, N/A
Regular APR
20.24% - 28.24% (variable)
Annual fee
$325

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

When we want to be rewarded for dining in, the Amex Gold is the card we turn to. You could earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery. There is a category cap of $50,000 per year, but we think even the most dedicated foodies would have trouble spending that much on takeout. The Amex Gold also comes with a slew of credits, some of which will help your food delivery budget stretch further, like up to $10 Uber Cash every month that you can use on eligible orders with Uber Eats and up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub. (Requires enrollment)

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2025 award winner Best for Groceries

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

5.0
info
See rates and fees | Terms Apply
Intro Offer info
$250 Statement credit
Reward Rate info
1% - 6% Cash back
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months
Regular APR
18.24% - 29.24% (variable)
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

Groceries aren't getting any cheaper, so we love a card with strong earning potential at U.S. supermarkets. Even with an annual cap on spending, the Blue Cash Preferred offers one of the highest rewards rates on groceries amongst a crowded field of flexible cash back cards. You can earn 6% back at U.S. supermarkets on the first $6,000 per year you spend and 1% back after that. This card's value is exceptional in year one when there's no annual fee and the option to earn a welcome offer. After the first year, the annual fee is $95.

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2025 award winner Best for Streaming

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

4.5
info
Compare Credit Cards
Intro Offer info
$200 Bonus
Reward Rate info
1% - 5% Cash back
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 billing cycles
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 billing cycles
Regular APR
18.49% to 28.74% (Variable)
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

Streaming costs keep rising, so having a card that gets you top rewards for your streaming habit is totally worthwhile. The no-annual-fee U.S. Bank Cash+ nets you 5% in two categories you choose (up to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter). Just choose the streaming as one of your two 5% categories each quarter to maximize your earnings while you catch up on your favorite Netflix show.

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2025 award winner Best for Gas

Citi Custom Cash® Card

4.7
info
Compare Credit Cards
Intro Offer info
$200 Cash Back
Reward Rate info
1% - 5% Cash Back
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

Sometimes cards with rotating bonus categories can be confusing or hard to use, but that's not the case with the Citi Custom Cash Card. You can earn 5% cash back purchases in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent, then 1% cash back). You don't even need to remember to select a category each month — Citi analyzes your spending and rewards you with elevated earnings in the eligible spending category where you spent the most. For example, if you spend the most money filling your tank, you'll automatically earn a hefty 5% cash back on gas purchases that billing cycle.

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2025 award winner Best 0% Intro APR Credit Card

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

4.9
info

on Wells Fargo’s secure website

Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 21 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

The Wells Fargo Reflect is notable for its extremely long, industry-leading intro APR periods. You can't beat no interest for 21 months from account opening on purchases AND no interest for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers. There's no annual fee to eat into your interest savings, and after the intro APR period, the APR is 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable.

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2025 award winner Best for Balance Transfers

Citi Simplicity® Card

4.5
info

on Citi’s secure website

Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 months
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.99% (Variable)
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

The Citi Simplicity's long 21 months-month intro APR period for balance transfers means you get almost two years with no interest to help you pay down your credit card debt. There are a few other cards that also offer 21 months of no interest on balance transfers, but the Simplicity stands out for its lower-than-average balance transfer fee of 3% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum) within 4 months of account opening; then 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) after the 4 month intro period ends. Plus, there's no annual fee. After the intro APR period, you'll pay 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable).

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2025 award winner Best for 0% Intro APR and Rewards

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

4.9
info

on Capital One’s secure website

Intro Offer info
$200
Reward Rate info
1% - 8% Cash back
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months; Balance transfer fee applies
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

Many top 0% intro APR cards don't offer rewards, which is fine if you're laser-focused on paying off debt. But if you want a card with both an intro APR offer and the opportunity to earn rewards, the Capital One Savor fits the bill. It offers no interest on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (then 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) APR), plus the opportunity to earn cash back on your purchases, including an impressive 3% back on grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services. All with no annual fee.

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2025 award winner Best Student Credit Card

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

4.75
info

on Capital One’s secure website

Intro Offer info
$50 Cash Bonus
Reward Rate info
1.5% - 5% Cash Back
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards offers the opportunity to earn high rewards, but in a super-simple way. For a student just dipping into the world of rewards credit cards, the flat 1.5% back on every purchase, every day ensures the cash rewards can add up without any hassle. There's also no annual fee, making it a great pick for someone just starting to use credit cards.

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2025 award winner Best Student Credit Card for Building Credit

Discover it® Student Chrome

4.55
info

on Discover’s secure website

Intro Offer info
Cashback Match™
Reward Rate info
1% - 2% Cash back
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

The Discover it Student Chrome is a great choice for someone with limited or no credit. You don't need a credit score to apply (though you will need to meet other underwriting criteria for approval). If approved, you can enjoy cash back on all the purchases you make with your card and earn a potentially lucrative welcome offer: Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. As your credit builds, you can watch your numbers go up by accessing your FICO Credit Score for free. Plus, there's no annual fee.

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2025 award winner Best Student Credit Card of Living Off Campus

Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

5.0
info

on Capital One’s secure website

Intro Offer info
$50 Cash Bonus
Reward Rate info
1% - 8% Cash Back
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

When evaluating cards for this award, we assumed a student living off campus would most benefit from high earning rates on things like groceries, restaurants, and food delivery now that they're not tied to a campus meal plan. The Capital One Savor for Students offers 3% back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores such as Walmart® and Target®). There's no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, which could come in handy for anyone choosing to live way off campus and study abroad.

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2025 award winner Best Student Credit Card for Flat-Rate Cash Back

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students

4.8
info

on Bank of America’s secure website

Intro Offer info
$200
Reward Rate info
1.5% Cash back
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

When it comes to flat rate rewards cards for students, you can't beat the 1.5% cash back on all purchases that the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards for Students offers. The card's lucrative welcome offer makes it extra attractive for students looking to maximize their rewards while keeping things simple. As with the other best student cards, there's no annual fee.

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2025 award winner Best for Building Credit

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

5.0
info
Compare Credit Cards
Intro Offer
N/A
Reward Rate info
1.5% - 5% Cash Back
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured tops our list for building credit because it allows you to earn cash rewards on all purchases while also giving you a clear path to increased spending limits and greater credit. Like with other secured cards, you do need to put down a deposit, but with responsible card use you could earn your deposit back and upgrade to an unsecured Quicksilver card over time. There's no annual fee, and you can find out if you're pre-approved with no risk to your credit score.

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2025 award winner Best for No Credit

Chase Freedom Rise®

5.0
info
Compare Credit Cards
Intro Offer info
$25 statement credit
Reward Rate info
1.5% Cash back
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

The Chase Freedom Rise is a great beginner card to help build credit. You don't need to put down a deposit, but having a Chase checking and/or savings account with a total balance of at least $250 will help your chances of approval. The Rise offers the opportunity to earn cash back while you build your credit — You can earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Each year, you'll automatically be evaluated for a card upgrade if you meet simple criteria like using your card to make a purchase and making payments on time.

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2025 award winner Best Overall Business Credit Card

Capital One Venture X Business

4.7
info

on Capital One’s secure website

Intro Offer info
150,000 Miles
Reward Rate info
2X - 10X Miles
Annual fee
$395

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

For many business owners, costs are variable so a card that doesn't lock you into only earning high rates on a few spend categories can be clutch. The Capital One Venture X Business Card, which debuted in 2023, offers at least 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, making it an excellent choice for every type of business. It's a travel card that comes with premium benefits like airport lounge access, which can make business travel less of a drag. The annual fee is quite reasonable in relation to all the benefits the Venture X Business offers, including a $300 annual travel credit.

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2025 award winner Best Business Credit Card for Solopreneurs

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

4.8
info

on Chase’s secure website

Intro Offer info
Up to $750 Cash back
Reward Rate info
1% - 5% Cash back
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

When you're a one-person business, every dollar counts and the Chase Ink Business Cash offers some of the best reward rates on common business spend categories, all with no annual fee. Bonus categories include useful things like office supplies, internet, phone, gas stations, and restaurants. There's a spending cap on these top categories, but most solopreneurs won't spend enough to need to worry about hitting the cap.

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2025 award winner Best for a Brick and Mortar Business

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

4.8
info

on Chase’s secure website

Intro Offer info
90,000 Points
Reward Rate info
1X - 3X Points
Annual fee
$95

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

The Chase Ink Business Preferred is one of the most flexible and rewarding business cards for any business, but especially a brick-and-mortar business. The elevated earning category aligns with where a business is likely to spend a lot, including online advertising via social media sites and search engines. (Gotta get those customers in the door!) Business owners can also take advantage of simple, flexible redemption options like cash back, gift cards, and travel. Employee cards are available for no additional cost, and this card's welcome bonuses tend to be quite generous.

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2025 award winner Best for Online Businesses

American Express® Business Gold Card

4.8
info

on American Express’s secure website

See rates and fees | Terms Apply
Intro Offer info
100,000 Membership Rewards Points
Reward Rate info
1X - 4X Membership Rewards Points
Annual fee
$375

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

The Amex Business Gold stands out for the ability to earn 4X Membership Rewards Points on purchases in the two categories with the most spend each month from 6 eligible categories (up to $150,000 annually, after that 1X). Online businesses could especially benefit from the advertising and software and cloud system providers categories. The flexible statement credits worth up to $20 per month for eligible purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores should be pretty easy for most online businesses to take advantage of. (Enrollment required)

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2025 award winner Best No-Annual-Fee Business Credit Card

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

5.0
info

on American Express’s secure website

See rates and fees | Terms Apply
Intro Offer info
$250 statement credit
Reward Rate info
1% - 2% cash back
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

WHY IT WON

Running a small business can be complicated, so a no-annual-fee card with high but simple rewards is a welcome addition for entrepreneurs. With the Amex Blue Business Cash, you can earn a flat 2% cash back on eligible purchases on up to $50,000 spent each year, after that 1%. The cash back you earn is automatically applied as a statement credit. It's a hands-off solution to earning rewards on all your business spend.

Methodology

When choosing our FinanceBuzz Credit Card Awards winners, we considered quantitative factors like our star ratings as well as qualitative inputs based on discussions within our editorial team. We've aimed to identify the best cards for specific purposes or types of people. While some winners may be partners, this did not influence who we chose to win awards.

How we chose the winners

We started with a list of over 270 top cards that we'd collected data on and scored. Then, for each category we identified minimum criteria to be included in our evaluation group. For example, when looking at the best flat-rate rewards card, we included all cards that offered at least 2x rewards on all purchases and achieved a FinanceBuzz star rating of at least 4.0.

Then within that narrowed group, we determined the most important ranking factors in order to compare the cards head to head. Those ranking factors tie directly to the award category and vary for each reward. Some of the factors we looked at were quantitative like the length of the APR period or a rewards rate, while others were qualitative like how easy a card's reward structure is to understand. In the end, each card got a category-specific score that was used to determine the award winner.

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