Best credit card bonuses and deals this week: December 28, 2020

This article is brought to you by the Personal Finance Insider team. It has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the issuers listed. Some of the offers you see on the page are from our partners like Citi and American Express, but our coverage is always independent. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page.

As we say goodbye to 2020, many of us are planning a fresh start for the new year — including stocking up on credit card rewards for trips once the pandemic ends.

If you’re considering adding a new card or two in 2021, picking the best credit card might not only depend on the types of rewards you like to earn and your spending habits. Several increased credit card welcome bonus offers will end in just a couple of weeks, including on the United℠ Explorer Card, Chase Freedom Flex℠, and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card.

There’s also now an end date for the elevated offers on the Southwest personal cards — apply by February 8, 2021, to earn a record-high bonus with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card.

Other whopper bonuses, such as the sky-high offers on the Chase Ink Business cards, don’t have a specified end date yet — but we know they won’t be around forever.

Beyond these big offers, it’s your last chance to take advantage of credit card benefits that will reset at the end of the year. By December 31, make sure you’ve used up shopping and travel credits with these cards:

If you’re stuck for ways to use up your Amex airline credit, you might consider pre-paying for checked bags or seat selection on an already-booked trip, or gifting lounge passes to a friend or family member who is traveling soon.

Mark your calendar for January 13, 2021, because these limited-time card offers end on that date:

And there’s now an end date for the elevated welcome bonuses on the Chase Southwest personal cards — apply by February 8, 2021, to take advantage of these record-high offers:

Read more details on these offers below:

  • Details
  • Pros & Cons

    • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
    • Earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Target® or Walmart® purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
    • Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
    • Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining at restaurants and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.
    • No annual fee.
    • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 14.99 – 23.74%.
    • No minimum to redeem for cash back. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.
    Pros
    • No annual fee
    • Generous bonus cash-back categories
    • Great welcome bonus
    Cons
    • Booking through Ultimate Rewards portal can restrict outside earning potential
    • Varying percentages and rotating calendar categories require extra attention
    • 3% foreign transaction fees

    Regular APR

    14.99%–23.74% variable APR

    Credit Score

    Good to Excellent

    Featured Reward

    $200 after spending $500 in the first three months from account opening

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  • Details
  • Pros & Cons

    • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
    • Earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Target® or Walmart® purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
    • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
    • Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining at restaurants and drugstores, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
    • No annual fee
    • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 14.99 – 23.74%.
    • No minimum to redeem for cash back. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open
    Pros
    • Solid flat cash-back rate
    • You can combine cash-back rewards with Ultimate Rewards points if you have an eligible card
    • No annual fee
    Cons
    • Some other cards offer a higher rate of cash back on certain types of purchases

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    Chase Freedom Flex and Unlimited: Earn 5x on up to $12,000 in grocery spending

    There’s now an end date for the 5x grocery welcome bonus on the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited® cards, and it’s coming up fast.

    Both cards currently offer $200 after spending $500 in the first three months from account opening, plus 5% cash back (5x Chase Ultimate Rewards points) on up to $12,000 in spending at grocery stores in the first year. The $200 bonus is sticking around, but you’ll only receive the 5x grocery bonus if you apply by January 13, 2021.

    The 5% bonus is one of the best deals around for grocery spending, and, if you spend the full $12,000 at grocery stores the first year, works out to an extra $600 cash back or 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points. 

    Annual Fee

    $95, waived first year

    Regular APR

    16.49% to 23.49% Variable

    Credit Score

    Good to Excellent

    Featured Reward

    60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open (plus, an additional 10k bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months)

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  • Details
  • Pros & Cons

    • 60k bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, an additional 10k bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months.
    • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95
    • Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants, on hotel stays, and on United purchases
    • Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck™ fee credit
    • 25% back on United inflight purchases
    • Check your first bag for free (a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip) when you use your card to purchase your ticket
    • Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
    • Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants and eligible delivery services including GrubHub, Caviar, Seamless and DoorDash
    Pros
    • Annual fee is waived the first year
    • Earns bonus miles on several purchase categories, including restaurants
    • Includes an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
    • Gets you a free checked bag on United when you pay with the card
    Cons
    • Not the most rewarding card for most non-United travel purchases

    Read Our Review
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    United Explorer Card: Earn up to 70,000 MileagePlus miles

    The increased offer on the United℠ Explorer Card will also end on January 13, 2021. The card currently offers up to 70,000 United miles: 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open (plus, an additional 10k bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months).

    United miles don’t expire, so there’s no harm in building a stash of miles now to use for flights on United or its partners later. Keep in mind that United is a Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner, so if you value flexibility you might be better off with cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.

    Regular APR

    15.74% to 24.74% variable APR

    Credit Score

    Good to Excellent

    Featured Reward

    Earn up to 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Plus, earn an additional 25,000 bonus points after your first anniversary of Card Membership. Offer Expires 1/13/2021.

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  • Details
  • Pros & Cons

    • Earn up to 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Plus, earn an additional 25,000 bonus points after your first anniversary of Card Membership. Offer Expires 1/13/2021.
    • Enjoy complimentary Platinum Elite status with your Card for the 2021 status year. Offer Expires 1/13/2021.
    • Enjoy up to $300 in statement credits each year of Card Membership for eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
    • Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy Hotels. 3 points at U.S. restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2 points on all other eligible purchases.
    • Receive 1 free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points) at a participating hotel. Certain hotels have resort fees.
    • Enjoy unlimited airport lounge visits when you enroll in Priority Pass Select membership.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
    • $450 annual fee.
    • Terms Apply.
    Pros
    • Annual statement credits can save you money on Marriott stays
    • You get a free reward night each year after your account anniversary
    Cons
    • High annual fee
    • Other cards are more rewarding for earning points on your spending

    Read Our Review
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    Regular APR

    15.74% – 24.74%

    Featured Reward

    Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Earn up to $150 in statement credits within your first 6 months of Card Membership for all eligible purchases on your Card on U.S. Advertising in select Media. Plus receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status for one year (February 1, 2021-January 31, 2022). Offer ends 1/13/21.

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  • Details
  • Pros & Cons

    • The information related to the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer
    • Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Earn up to $150 in statement credits within your first 6 months of Card Membership for all eligible purchases on your Card on U.S. Advertising in select Media. Plus receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status for one year (February 1, 2021-January 31, 2022). Offer ends 1/13/21.
    • 6x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
    • 4x points at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
    • Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at a participating hotel. Certain hotels have resort fees.
    • Terms apply.
    Pros
    • Comes with a free night reward every year after your account anniversary
    • Earns 4x points on several bonus spending categories, including US purchases for shipping and US restaurants
    Cons
    • The complimentary Silver elite status isn’t very valuable
    • Not the best option for earning rewards on non-bonus category purchases

    American Express Marriott cards: Earn up to 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

    Both Amex-issued Marriott Bonvoy credit cards have limited-time increased bonuses that will also end on January 13, 2021. 

    The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card‘s elevated bonus is double the usual offer: Earn up to 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Plus, earn an additional 25,000 bonus points after your first anniversary of Card Membership. Offer Expires 1/13/2021. 

    And for small-business owners, the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card also has a Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Earn up to $150 in statement credits within your first 6 months of Card Membership for all eligible purchases on your Card on U.S. Advertising in select Media. Plus receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status for one year (February 1, 2021-January 31, 2022). Offer ends 1/13/21.

    Either of these cards would be a good pick if you like staying with Marriott brands and can use the automatic elite status each card provides. However, if you’re not up to traveling just yet, be aware that Marriott points do expire after  24 months have passed without qualifying activity in your account — but due to COVID, the chain has paused points expiration until August 1, 2021.

    Regular APR

    15.99% – 22.99% Variable

    Credit Score

    Good to Excellent

    Featured Reward

    80,000 points (50,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months ,and an additional 30,000 points after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 9 months)

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  • Details
  • Pros & Cons

    • Earn up to 80,000 points. Earn 50,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Earn an additional 30,000 points after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 9 months.
    • Earn 5 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases. Earn between 12/1/2020 and 3/31/2021 on up to $2,000 spent per month.
    • Earn 2 points per $1 spent on all other Southwest® purchases.
    • 3,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary each year.
    • 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
    • All points earned count towards Companion Pass.
    • No blackout dates or seat restrictions.
    • Your points never expire, a benefit of the Rapid Rewards® program.
    Pros
    • Earns Southwest points on every purchase
    • You get 3,000 points every year after your cardmember anniversary
    Cons
    • Charges foreign transaction fees
    • Very limited benefits

    Read Our Review
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    Regular APR

    15.99% – 22.99% Variable

    Credit Score

    Good to Excellent

    Featured Reward

    80,000 points (50,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months ,and an additional 30,000 points after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 9 months)

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  • Details
  • Pros & Cons

    • Earn up to 80,000 points. Earn 50,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Earn an additional 30,000 points after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 9 months.
    • Earn 5 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases. Earn between 12/1/2020 and 3/31/2021 on up to $2,000 spent per month.
    • Earn 2 points per $1 spent on all other Southwest® purchases.
    • 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary each year.
    • 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
    • No foreign transaction fees.
    • No blackout dates or seat restrictions.
    • Your points never expire, a benefit of the Rapid Rewards® program.
    Pros
    • You get 6,000 points each year after anniversary
    • You can earn Tier-Qualifying Points toward Southwest elite status for spending on the card
    Cons
    • Only offers bonus points on Southwest purchases

    Read Our Review
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    Regular APR

    15.99% – 22.99% Variable

    Credit Score

    Good to Excellent

    Featured Reward

    80,000 points (50,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months ,and an additional 30,000 points after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 9 months)

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  • Details
  • Pros & Cons

    • Earn up to 80,000 points. Earn 50,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Earn an additional 30,000 points after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 9 months.
    • Earn 5 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases. Earn between 12/1/2020 and 3/31/2021 on up to $2,000 spent per month.
    • 7,500 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary each year.
    • $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
    • 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
    • 20% back on in-flight drinks and WiFi.
    • Earn 2 points per $1 spent on all other Southwest® purchases.
    • 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
    Pros
    • Generous annual benefits, including a Southwest travel credit and 7,500 points, plus upgraded boardings and in-flight discounts
    • If you fly Southwest several times a year, the benefits easily outweigh the annual fee
    • Annual fee is low compared to other premium airline credit cards
    Cons
    • Highest annual fee among Southwest consumer cards
    • Doesn’t offer bonus points on non-Southwest purchases

    Read Our Review
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    Chase Southwest personal cards: Earn up to 80,000 Rapid Rewards points

    Chase has now assigned an end date of February 8, 2021, for the huge offers on the Southwest Rapid Rewards personal cards, which are all offering up to 80,000 points (50,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months ,and an additional 30,000 points after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 9 months). Because Southwest points are, on average, worth 1.5 cents each toward airfare, the bonus is worth about $1,200 in flights.

    These are the highest bonuses ever offered on the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card. Because Southwest points don’t expire, this is a terrific opportunity to stock up on Rapid Rewards points — and save them for when you’re ready to travel again. 

    The timing of these elevated Southwest card bonuses is perfect if you have your eye on earning the Southwest Companion Pass in 2021. Between the bonus and points from meeting the minimum spending requirement, you’ll be just 35,000 points shy of the 125,000 points required in a calendar year to qualify for the Companion Pass. 

    These cards have improved welcome offers for a limited time, but we don’t yet know when they’ll end:

    Read more details on these offers below:

    Regular APR

    See Pay Over Time APR

    Featured Reward

    75,000 points after you spend at least $5,000 in your first 6 months of account opening

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  • Details
  • Pros & Cons

    • Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • Earn 10x points on eligible purchases on your new Card at U.S. Gas Stations and U.S. Supermarkets, on up to $15,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership. That’s an additional 9 points on top of the 1 point you earn for these purchases.
    • Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member and Additional Centurion Cards only.
    • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel. Starting January 1, 2021, earn 5X points on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
    • 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.
    • Enjoy complimentary access to the Global Lounge Collection, the only credit card airport lounge access program that includes proprietary lounge locations around the world.
    • Receive complimentary benefits through American Express Travel with an average total value of $550 with Fine Hotels & Resorts® program at over 1,100 properties. Learn More.
    • Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
    • $550 annual fee.
    • Terms Apply.
    Pros
    • Long list of travel benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott
    • Annual statement credits with Saks and Uber
    Cons
    • Bonus categories leave something to be desired
    • One of the highest annual fees among premium travel cards

    Read Our Review
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    Amex Platinum card: Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards points

    The elevated welcome offer on The Platinum Card® from American Express is still active, but it won’t be around forever.  In addition to the welcome bonus of 75,000 points after you spend at least $5,000 in your first 6 months of account opening, new cardholders can earn 10x points per dollar spent at US gas stations and US supermarkets, on up to $15,000 in combined spending (then 1x) in the first six months of account opening.

    Even if you’re not traveling right now, the Amex Platinum 75k bonus is worth considering: Between up to $200 in Uber credits (including Uber Eats) and up to $100 in Saks credits each calendar year, plus the ability to use Membership Rewards points for a wide variety of redemptions (including many that don’t involve travel), it’s easy to get a ton of value from Platinum Card

    Regular APR

    13.24%–19.24% variable APR

    Credit Score

    Good to Excellent

    Featured Reward

    $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

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  • Details
  • Pros & Cons

    • Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
    • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
    • 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
    • Employee cards at no additional cost
    • No Annual Fee
    Pros
    • Earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with no bonus categories to keep track of
    • Intro APR offer
    • No annual fee
    Cons
    • You can earn more cash back on some purchases with a card that has bonus categories

    Read Our Review
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    Regular APR

    13.24%–19.24% variable APR

    Credit Score

    Good to Excellent

    Featured Reward

    $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

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  • Details
  • Pros & Cons

    • Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
    • Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
    • Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
    • Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
    • 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
    • Employee cards at no additional cost
    • No Annual Fee
    Pros
    • Broad 5% and 2% cash-back categories (you can earn bonus cash back at office supply stores and at gas stations and restaurants)
    • Intro APR offer for purchases
    • No annual fee
    • You can pair this card with a card that earns Ultimate Rewards to redeem your cash back for travel
    Cons
    • Annual cap on bonus categories

    Read Our Review
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    Chase Ink Business Unlimited and Ink Business Cash: Earn $750 cash back

    The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card and Ink Business Cash® Credit Card increased welcome offers to earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening are still active this week.

    Small-business owners who want to earn lots of rewards in the new year can benefit from these all-time-high offers. Keep in mind the Chase Ultimate Rewards points you’ll earn from these cards aren’t just good for cash back — you’ve got options to redeem for travel, and even more flexibility (like transferring to Chase airline and hotel partners) if you also have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card in your wallet.

    Regular APR

    See Pay Over Time APR

    Featured Reward

    60,000 points after you spend at least $4,000 in your first 6 months of account opening

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  • Details
  • Pros & Cons

    • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
    • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points on Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery.
    • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
    • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
    • $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
    • Annual Fee is $250.
    • Terms Apply.
    Pros
    • Great rewards for dining and for shopping at US supermarkets
    • Monthly statement credit for eligible dining purchases recoups some of the annual fee
    Cons
    • Underwhelming welcome bonus

    Read Our Review
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    American Express Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points

    The increased welcome offer on the American Express® Gold Card has stuck around for a while, and it’s still worth a  look, especially since one of its key benefits is about to reset at the end of the year.

    Along with 60,000 points after you spend at least $4,000 in your first 6 months of account opening, the American Express® Gold Card earns 4x Membership Rewards points on up to $25,000 spent at US supermarkets each calendar year (then 1x). This perk alone puts the card high on our list of top credit cards for buying groceries.

    It’s also a good credit card for dining because it earns 4x points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery) with no cap. 

    Jasmin Baron is an associate editor at Personal Finance Insider, where she helps readers maximize rewards and find the best credit cards to fit their lifestyles.