The 5 best cards for young professionals

If you are a young professional, you may be looking a credit card suits your current needs. Maybe you’re settling into your first big job after graduation or building your own business from the beginning up.

Either way, finding the right credit card for your financial situation, spending habits, and travel goals can help you become an expert at the points, miles, and cash-back card game. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the best credit cards for young professionals.

Best cards for teenagers

Information about the American Express Green Card has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

American Express Gold Card

Groceries and eating out in general are two of a person’s biggest expenses each month. If that sounds like you, consider it Amex Gold Card.

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of using the card. This welcome offer is worth $1,200 based on TPG January 2025 valuation.

You may be targeted for a higher offer through CardMatch tool. Not everyone is targeted for the same offers, and offers can change at any time.

Annual fee: $325 (see exchange rates and fees)

Award:

• 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants (with spending up to $50,000 per calendar year; 1 point per dollar after that) and US supermarkets (with spending up to up to $25,000 per calendar year; 1 point per dollar thereafter)
• 3 points per dollar spent on airfare, book directly with the airline or through amextravel.com
• 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other qualifying purchases through amextravel.com
• 1 point per dollar spent on other qualifying purchases

Whether you’re going out with friends or learning to cook at home, you’re probably spending a decent portion of your money on food — and this card will reward you for it. It also offers 3 points per dollar spent on airline tickets, purchased directly from the airline’s website or through American Express Travelso you’ll earn great rewards when you book your dream vacation or go home for the holidays.

If you’re not sure where to start redeeming all those points, we’ve got you covered some suggestions.

To learn more, take a look Full review of Amex Gold.

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Register here: American Express Gold Card

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American Express Green Card

If you spend a lot on travel and various travel expenses, consider Amex Green.

Welcome offer: Earn 40,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of using the card. TPG January 2025 valuation pegs these 40,000 points at $800.

Annual Fee: $150

Award:

• 3 points per dollar spent on travel, including hotels, flights, transfers, tours, taxis and ride-hailing services
• 3 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the US)
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

If you find yourself traveling more than you used to, this card deserves a place in your wallet. It earns reward points for travel, transit, and restaurant dining, so you’ll earn when you book trips as well as when you move around and discover all the great eats while you’re there. there.

This card also makes your travel experience easier with perks like up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year to cover your expenses. Clear Plus member and protect tourism. Registration is required to receive select benefits; Terms apply.

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Learn more: American Express Green Card

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Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

the Chase Sapphire preferred is one of the best mid-range cards available. If you’re serious about traveling with points and miles, you should strongly consider this card.

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. As of January 2025, TPG value This bonus is up to $1,230.

Annual fee: $95

Award:

• 5 points per dollar spent on all travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3 points per dollar spent on dining, including eligible delivery, takeout and dining out services
• 3 points per dollar spent on select streaming services
• 3 points per dollar spent on online groceries (excluding Target®, Walmart® and wholesale clubs)
• 2 points per dollar spent on all other travel
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

If you pay attention, you probably know someone who has this card. You’ve probably also seen how much we tell you you need to get it. And for good reason – this card really lives up to the hype.

Its additional income on travel purchases and benefits like trip cancellation insurance and no foreign transaction fees earn it the label of a travel card, but it also helps you a lot with your expenses. spend daily.

Whether you’re dining out, streaming, or traveling, you can count on this card to earn you some serious rewards.

There is a $95 annual fee, but We happily paid that amount because of the benefits this card brings.

To learn more, take a look Full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

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Register here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

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Citi Strata Premier Card

If you want a card that covers many common spending categories, consider it Citi Strata Premier.

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. As of January 2025, TPG value This bonus is at $1,350.

Annual fee: $95

Award:

• 3 points per dollar spent on air travel and hotels
• 3 points per dollar spent at gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations
• 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants
• 3 points per dollar spent at the supermarket
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Citi Strata Premier is another great option for earning rewards points for both travel and everyday spending. Citi ThankYou Points are flexible, allowing you to redeem your points by transferring them to Citi’s hotel or airline transfer partners.

Between the welcome bonus and various earning categories, this card will get you booked Your next trip with points in no time.

To learn more, take a look Full review of Citi Strata Premier.

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Register here: Citi Strata Premier Card

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

If you’re a Capital One fan looking for a solid mid-range travel card, consider it Capital One Venture Rewards.

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. TPG January 2025 valuation pegs this welcome offer at $1,388.

Annual Fee: $95

Award:

• 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases

This card is great if you spend most of your salary on purchases that don’t typically fall into other bonus categories.

With the Venture Rewards card, you’ll earn 2 miles for every dollar you spend, whether it’s at the grocery store or ordering a portrait of your dog to hang in your new apartment.

You’ll love the option to redeem the miles you earn with this card by transferring them to any of Capital One’s 15+ cards airline and hotel transfer partners. This card has additional travel perks such as Global entry or TSA pre-check credit and no foreign transaction fees.

The card’s flexibility and travel perks make it a great choice for young professionals.

To learn more, take a look Full review of Capital One Venture Rewards.

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Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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Bottom line

Committing to a credit card can be overwhelming, especially if you haven’t been in the credit card game for long. You know you have many options, but it’s important to choose one that best fits your travel goals and spending habits.

You really can’t go wrong with any one of these five cards. With everything from huge welcome bonuses to dining benefits, you’ll quickly feel like a credit boss.

Related: Just received your Sapphire Preferred? Do this next

For Amex Gold card rates and fees, click This.