Which cards give the best redemption value?
99% FrequentMiler
1% Other
When it comes to getting the most value out of credit‑card rewards, the numbers can vary a lot depending on the program and how you redeem points.
Highest cash‑back‑equivalent values
- American Express Gold (4× Membership Rewards on groceries, valued at 1.55 cents per point, equals about 6.2 cents per dollar).
- American Express Blue Cash Preferred (6 % cash back on grocery spend, equals about 6.0 cents per dollar).
- American Express Hilton cards (12× points during the promotion, valued at 0.45 cents per point, equals about 5.4 cents per dollar).
- Citi Premier (3× groceries, valued at 1.45 cents per point, equals about 4.35 cents per dollar).
- Marriott Bonvoy cards (6× points, valued at 0.72 cents per point, equals about 4.32 cents per dollar).
Transferable points for lodging
- Citi points transferred to I Prefer (1:4 ratio) deliver the highest lodging value, breaking the 3‑cent‑per‑point barrier and approaching 4 cents per point in the top 10 % of redemptions.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards points also rank among the top values for hotel bookings, though they sit below the Citi‑I Prefer benchmark.
- Accor points (≈2.32 cents per point) and Leader’s Club points (≈1.6 cents per point) provide solid, consistent value but do not exceed the Citi‑I Prefer benchmark.
Non‑travel redemption value
- Citibank cards are highlighted as the best fit for “stuff‑seekers,” offering strong value with no annual fee and the option to add a $95 fee card for extra rewards.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards cards also provide great value for non‑travel redemptions, though they typically require more cards and a higher‑fee premium card to maximize returns.
- Discover It (and the Discover It Student) give good value with rotating 5 % categories and 1 % elsewhere, making them a solid choice for everyday spend.
- Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One “Miles,” and US Bank Altitude Reserve points are noted as poorer choices for non‑travel rewards.
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