Best Credit Cards (April 2025)

Looking to maximize your rewards and benefits with the best credit card offers? Whether you’re after travel points, cash back, or premium perks, choosing the right credit card can significantly enhance your financial strategy. In this article, I’ll share a handful of the best credit cards for April 2025, tailored to suit a variety of needs—whether you’re a frequent traveler, a cashback enthusiast, a business owner, or working on building credit. If you are new to credit card rewards, I encourage you to check out my Credit Card Rewards Beginner’s Guide.

Travel Cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a favorite for beginners in travel rewards. Earn 5x points on Chase travel, 3x on dining, and 2x on other travel, with points worth 25% more through Chase Ultimate Rewards (URs). You can transfer UR points to top airline and hotel partners for even greater value. With a low $95 annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and travel protections, it’s perfect for affordable luxury travel.

Current Signup Bonus

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. This offer is 40K points more than the standard offer and equal to the best offer ever. These points are worth at least $1,250 when redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel Portal.

Card Highlights

• Earning Rate: Earn 5x points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), 3x on select streaming services. 2x on other travel, and 1x on everything else.
• Points Multiplier: Points are worth 25% more (1.25 cents) when redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel Portal.
• Transfer Partners: Transfer points to 10+ airline and hotel partners, including United, Southwest, and Hyatt, for enhanced value.
• Annual Fee: Just $95 per year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travelers.
• Travel Protections: Includes trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay reimbursement, primary car rental insurance, and more.
• Hotel Credit: Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through the Chase Travel portal.

Application Notes

• Chase 5/24 Rule: Your application will likely be denied if you’ve opened five or more personal    credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months.
• One Sapphire Card Rule: You can only hold one Chase Sapphire card (Preferred or Reserve) at a time.
• 48 Month Bonus Rule: You’re ineligible for the welcome bonus if you’ve received a Sapphire bonus in the past 48 months.
• Credit Score Requirement: A good to excellent credit score (typically 700+) increases your approval odds.

Learn more and apply

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X is a premium travel rewards card designed for frequent travelers seeking high-value perks. It offers 2x miles on every purchase and enhanced rewards like 10x miles on hotels and rental cars and 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. 

Current Signup Bonus

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Card Highlights

• Earning Rate: Earn 2x miles per dollar on every purchase, 10x on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
• Travel Credit: Get up to $300 annually in statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel.
• Anniversary Bonus: Receive 10,000 miles each year on your cardholder anniversary (worth a minimum of $100 toward travel).
• Transfer Partners: Transfer miles to 15+ airline and hotel loyalty programs, including Air Canada Aeroplan, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and Wyndham Rewards, for maximum redemption value.
• Purchase Eraser:  Use miles to erase travel purchases from your statement at 1 cent per mile.
• Annual Fee: $395 per year. While the annual fee is high, the annual Travel Credit and Anniversary Bonus miles effectively offsets the cost of the annual fee. 
• Airport Lounge Access: The best lounge network of any credit card with unlimited access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges, plus more than 1,300 lounges worldwide.
• Free Authorized Users: Authorized Users also get lounge access and other perks. 
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit: Receive up to $100 in statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.

• Protections: Includes trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay reimbursement, primary rental car insurance, cell phone insurance, and more.

Application Notes

• 2 Card Limit Rule: Capital One restricts the number of personal cards you can have to two.
• 48-Month Bonus Rule: You’re ineligible for the welcome bonus if you’ve received a Venture X bonus in the past 48 months.
• Velocity: Capital One is known for being stingy when it comes to credit card approvals. If you have multiple recent inquiries, there’s a higher chance your application could be denied. For this reason, it’s a good idea to apply for the Venture X card earlier in your credit card journey to increase your chances of approval.
• Credit Score Requirement: An excellent credit score (typically 740+) increases your approval odds.

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This is a friend-referral offer.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a mid-tier travel rewards credit card designed for frequent Hilton guests who want to maximize their hotel stays and earn valuable perks. It offers a generous welcome bonus, elevated Hilton Honors points on purchases, and automatic Gold status, which includes benefits like free breakfast and room upgrades (when available).

Current Signup Bonus

Limited Time Offer – Earn 130,000 bonus points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening.

Card Highlights

• Earning Rate: Earn 12x points per dollar at Hilton hotels and resorts, 6x on dining at U.S. restaurants, on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, and on gas at U.S. gas stations, 4x on U.S. online purchases, and 3x on everything else.
• Status: Enjoy complementary Hilton Honors Gold status just by holding the card.
• $200 Hilton Credit: Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
• Free Night Reward: Earn one Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after spending $15,000 on purchases on your Card in a calendar year. This is the best free night certificate of any hotel chain as it can be used at almost any Hilton property with standard rate availability. 
• Annual Fee: $150 per year. 
• Protections: Includes primary rental car insurance.

Application Notes

• One-per-lifetime rule: Subject to Amex’s once-per-lifetime rule, meaning you may not be eligible for a welcome bonus if you’ve previously received one for this card.
• Credit Score Requirement: A good to excellent credit score (typically 700+) increases your approval odds.

learn more and apply

This is a friend-referral offer.

Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Chase Ink Business Preferred® Card is ideal for small business owners. Earn 3x points on travel, shipping, advertising, and internet/phone services (up to $150,000 annually). Points are worth 1.25x through Chase Travel or transferable to travel partners. With an annual fee of $95, it provides robust rewards and business-friendly perks like purchase protection and primary rental car insurance.

Current Signup Bonus

Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. These points are worth $1,125 when redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel Portal.

Card Highlights

• Earning Rate: Earn 3x points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year on Shipping purchases, Advertising purchases, Internet, Cable, and Phone services, and Travel. Earn 1x on all other purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn.
• Points Multiplier: Points are worth 25% more (1.25 cents) when redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel Portal.
• Transfer Partners: Transfer points to 10+ airline and hotel partners at 1:1, including United, Southwest, and Hyatt, for enhanced value.
• Annual Fee: Just $95 per year. 
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travelers.
• Protections: Includes trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay reimbursement, primary car rental insurance, and more.

Application Notes

• Chase 5/24 Rule: Your application will likely be denied if you’ve opened five or more personal    credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months.
• Credit Score Requirement: A good to excellent credit score (typically 700+) increases your approval odds.
• Business Ownership: You must operate a legitimate business or side hustle. Chase accepts various types of businesses, including sole proprietorships and startups, even if your revenue is low or you’re just starting out.

learn more and apply

This is a friend-referral offer.

American Express® Business Gold Card

The American Express® Business Gold Card is a premium rewards card designed for small business owners who want to maximize their spending in key business categories. It offers 4X Membership Rewards® points on the two highest spending categories each billing cycle from a select list, including advertising, gas, dining, and technology purchases (up to $150,000 per year). 

Current Signup Bonus

Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. There may be higher offers available through targeted referral links so do a quick search to see if there’s a better offer before applying. 

Card Highlights

• Earning Rate: Earn 4x points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in the top two eligible categories each billing cycle from six eligible categories. The eligible categories include advertising in select media, U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software, U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, transit (e.g. trains, taxis, rideshare) and wireless phone service. Earn 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com. Earn 1x on all other purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn.
• Statement Credits: $240 flexible business credit on eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores ($20/month), Walmart+ monthly membership credit ($12.95).
• Transfer Partners: Transfer points to 18 airline and hotel partners, including British Airways, Delta, Virgin Atlantic, ANA, and Hilton (at 1:2), for enhanced value.
• Annual Fee: $375 per year. If you can get the full value of the credits, they effectively offset the cost of the annual fee.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travelers.
• Protections: Includes trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay reimbursement, primary car rental insurance, and more.

Application Notes

• One-per-lifetime rule: Subject to Amex’s once-per-lifetime rule, meaning you may not be eligible for a welcome bonus if you’ve previously received one for this card.
• Credit Score Requirement: A good to excellent credit score (typically 700+) increases your approval odds.
• Business Ownership: You must operate a legitimate business or side hustle. Amex accepts various types of businesses, including sole proprietorships and startups, even if your revenue is low or you’re just starting out.

learn more and apply

This is a friend-referral offer.

Chase United Business Card

The Chase United Business Card is a great option for frequent United Airlines travelers, offering perks like free first checked bags, priority boarding, and 2x miles on United purchases, dining, gas stations, and office supply stores. It also includes travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, and United Club passes each year.

Current Signup Bonus

Earn 125,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening – an exceptional increase from the standard 75,000 mile offer.

Card Highlights

Application Notes

• Chase 5/24 Rule: Your application will likely be denied if you’ve opened five or more personal    credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months. 
• Credit Score Requirement: A good to excellent credit score (typically 700+) increases your approval odds.
• Business Ownership: You must operate a legitimate business or side hustle. Amex accepts various types of businesses, including sole proprietorships and startups, even if your revenue is low or you’re just starting out.

• Earning Rate: Earn 7x total miles on United flights – 5x miles on fare from United as a MileagePlus member, plus 2x miles on entire United purchase with the United Business Card. Earn 2x miles on all other eligible United purchases, gas stations, dining, office supply stores, local transit (including ride share services, taxicabs, train tickets, tolls and mass transit). Earn 1x mile on all other purchases. 
• Card Perks: Free first checked bag for the primary cardmember and one companion, two United Club one-time passes per year, priority boarding for the the primary cardmember and companions on the same reservation, 25% back on United inflight and Club premium drink purchases. 
• Partner Credits: Over $500 in annual partner credits including United travel bank, ride shares, and Instacart.
• Annual Fee: $99 per year. 
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travelers.
• Protections: Includes trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay reimbursement, primary car rental insurance, and more.

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Cash Back Cards

Chase Ink Business Premier® Credit Card

The Chase Ink Business Premier® Card is a premium choice for businesses with high spending needs, offering exceptional cash-back rewards and payment flexibility. Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase and 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more.

Current Signup Bonus

Earn $1,000 cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Card Highlights

• Earning Rate: Earn 2.5% cash back on every purchase of $5,000 or more. Earn unlimited 2% cash back on all other purchases.
• Annual Fee: $195 per year. 
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travelers.
• Protections: Includes purchase protection, cell phone insurance, primary car rental insurance, and more.

Application Notes

• Chase 5/24 Rule: Your application will likely be denied if you’ve opened five or more personal    credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months.
• Credit Score Requirement: A good to excellent credit score (typically 700+) increases your approval odds.
• Business Ownership: You must operate a legitimate business or side hustle. Chase accepts various types of businesses, including sole proprietorships and startups, even if your revenue is low or you’re just starting out.

learn more and apply

This is a friend-referral offer.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card is a no-annual-fee credit card that offers simple yet rewarding cash-back benefits, making it a great choice for beginners. Earn 5% on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards (URs), 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, and unlimited 1.5% on all other purchases. It’s an excellent choice for everyday spending and pairs well with Chase Sapphire cards or the Chase Ink Business Preferred, allowing you to convert cash back into Ultimate Rewards points.

Current Signup Bonus

Earn $250 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.  Plus, 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers.

Card Highlights

• Earning Rate: Earn 3% cash back on dining and drugstores, 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, and 1.5% on all other purchases. 
• Annual Fee: $0  
• Protections: Includes purchase protection, primary car rental insurance, and more.

Application Notes

• Chase 5/24 Rule: Your application will likely be denied if you’ve opened five or more personal    credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months.
• Credit Score Requirement: A good to excellent credit score (typically 670+) increases your approval odds.
• 24 Month Bonus Rule: If you’ve received a bonus for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card in the past 24 months, you may not be eligible for another one.

learn more and apply

This is a friend-referral offer.

Citi Double Cash® Credit Card

The Citi® Double Cash Card is a straightforward and rewarding cashback credit card ideal for everyday spending. It offers 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when you buy and an additional 1% when you pay off your balance. With no annual fee, it’s a low-maintenance option for maximizing rewards without worrying about spending categories.

Current Signup Bonus

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.  Plus, 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on balance transfers.

Card Highlights

• Earning Rate: Earn Unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay, on every purchase. Special Travel Offer: earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rental, and attractions when booked on the Citi Travel portal through 12/31/2025.
• Annual Fee: $0  

Application Notes

• 48 Month Rule: If you’ve received a welcome bonus for the Double Citi Cash card in the past 48 months, you may not be eligible for another one.
• 1/8 and 2/65 Rule: Citi typically limits applications to one card every 8 days and no more than two cards in a 65-day period.
• Credit Score Requirement: A good to excellent credit score (typically 670+) increases your approval odds.

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The credit card welcome offers and benefits mentioned in this post are accurate as of the time of writing but are subject to change. Please check the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information before applying.