Why it is best to get a fixed-rate rewards bank card

Editor’s Note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

For some people, tracking bonus categories and rotating rewards across multiple credit cards to earn the maximum points and miles possible can be overwhelming.

The good news is that you don’t have to expend much energy to accrue credit card points efficiently. Fixed-rate rewards cards earn a flat rate on all purchases, and many offer a respectable return, simplifying the reward-earning process if you’re not a fan of tracking where, how and which card you’re using to make purchases.

If you like the idea of a streamlined method for earning cash back and other rewards, these four cards exhibit the simplicity of a fixed-rate product. Plus, depending on the card you choose, you may also have the option to redeem your rewards for bucket-list travel items — more on that in a bit.

Sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus Capital One miles after spending $4,000 on the card within the first three months of account opening. TPG valuations estimate this bonus to be worth $1,388 (not provided by the issuer).

Earning rate: Earn 2 Capital One miles per dollar on every purchase.

Redemption possibilities: There are plenty of ways to redeem Capital One miles, how you choose to redeem yours depends on whether you want to use them for gifts, shopping or travel.

For starters, you can redeem Capital One miles at fixed values at the following rates:

• Travel – 1 cent per mile
• Gift cards – between 0.8 cents and 1 cent per mile
• Shopping online with Amazon or PayPal – 0.8 cents
• Cash back – 0.5 cents

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These are the options for those who most value simplicity. The top choice here is redeeming your miles for travel, as you’re guaranteed to get a value of at least 1 cent per mile.

However, if you’re willing to dive a little deeper, you can get even more returns for your miles by transferring them to airline and hotel partners. We estimate Capital One miles to be worth 1.85 cents each when you redeem your rewards this way.

Need help transferring Capital One miles to partners? We’ve got you covered — this guide walks you through how to do just that. Plus, you’ll be able to see how much value there is in using your miles this way. If you want more details about this card, our Capital One Venture card review can answer lots of your questions.

Annual fee: $95 (rates and fees)

Application link: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Sign-up bonus: Special offer: Chase will match all your cash back earned at the end of your first year.

Earning rate: 5% back on travel purchased through the Chase portal, 3% back on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services), 3% back at drugstores and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

Redemption possibilities: The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a cash-back style card that technically earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, not cash.

You also have the ability to transfer the rewards you earn with the Chase Freedom Unlimited to various airline and hotel partners if you also have one of the following cards:

When you use your points in this way, TPG estimates your rewards to be worth 2.05 cents each. Read our post on how to turn cash back into Chase points for more details and check out our Chase Freedom Unlimited review to learn more about this card.

Annual fee: $0

Application link: Chase Freedom Unlimited

Citi® Double Cash Card

Sign-up bonus: None.

Earning rate: Earn 1% back when you make a purchase and 1% back when you pay off that purchase. You’ll effectively get 2% back for all expenses.

Redemption possibilities: Earning 2% on everything is a solid return — and fewer cards are less complicated than this earning structure.

However, similar to the Chase Freedom Unlimited, the rewards you earn with the Citi Double Cash are even more valuable than they appear. The card actually earns Citi ThankYou points, which are worth significantly more than cash when you transfer them to valuable airline partners. TPG valuations peg Citi ThankYou points at 1.8 cents each, meaning this card earns essentially 3.6% back toward travel on all purchases.

To unlock the ability to transfer your points, you’ll need one of the following cards:

The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Annual fee: $0 (see rates and fees)

Application link: Citi® Double Cash Card

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Welcome bonus: Earn 15,000 points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first three months.

Earning rate: Earn 2 Amex points per dollar on the first $50,000 in purchases each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar for other eligible purchases).

Redemption possibilities: Like the above cards, the easiest ways to redeem points are not necessarily the best. For example:

• Use Amex Pay with Points to book airfare through Amex Travel at 1 cent per point
• Purchase gift cards for between 0.5 cents and 1 cent each (depending on the merchant)
• Reimburse credit card charges as a statement credit for 0.6 cents each

Again, there is value in simplicity. But you can get an astronomically greater return for your Amex points by transferring them to airline and hotel partners (around 2 cents in value per point, on average).

To learn more, check out the best ways to use Amex Membership Rewards points to see how much value these rewards hold. For more information on this specific card, our Blue Business Plus Amex review is a great resource and starting point.

Annual fee: $0 (see rates and fees)

Application link: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Business Plus card, click here.