Best rewards credit cards for July 2021 – CNET [CNET]

View Article on CNET

A rewards credit card rewards you every time you spend with a card. Used responsibly — meaning you pay off your balance in full each month — the best rewards credit card can be extremely lucrative, whether it’s in the form of welcome bonuses, gift cards, cash back or points and miles that can be redeemed for travel.

Speaking of travel, summertime is prime vacation time for a lot of us, which means you’ll probably be spending more on restaurants and travel. The good news is many of these credit cards feature the biggest reward rates for those very categories.

Of course, before you apply for any credit card, make sure you understand the system and how to maximize your rewards potential. Before you start raking in credit card rewards, you’re typically required to spend a pretty penny — and that can sometimes result in overspending and becoming mired in debt due to high interest rates and fees. 

If you’re in the market for a new rewards card to help you earn more cash back, make a big-ticket purchase or save money while traveling, here are our top picks for the best rewards credit card in every category.

Best overall cash-back rewards card

Best travel rewards card

Best dining and entertainment rewards

More credit card recommendations