Most people are using a card that gives them almost nothing back — while a couple of standout offers are quietly handing out hundreds of dollars in rewards to anyone who signs up. One hands you a bonus worth more than a thousand dollars toward travel. The other pays you no interest well into 2027 and matches your entire first year of cash back.
We dug through the current offers, and these two rise to the top for 2026. Here’s what makes each one worth a look — and exactly what you’ll get.
Our Top Picks
- 1
Best for Travel Rewards
— Chase Sapphire Preferred® - 2
Best for First-Year Cash Back
— Discover it® Cash Back
Editor’s Take
This one’s for anyone who travels. New cardholders earn a 75,000-point welcome bonus after hitting a spending target in the first few months — worth up to $1,125 toward travel when you book through the card’s own travel portal, where points stretch up to 25% further.
Beyond the bonus, you earn up to 5X points on travel and 3X on dining, streaming, and online groceries — plus a yearly hotel credit (up to $50) that helps offset the $95 annual fee. Add a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, no foreign transaction fees, and point transfers to airline and hotel partners, and it’s a complete travel package for well under the cost of a premium card.
Why We Like It
- 75,000-point welcome bonus — worth up to $1,125 toward travel
- Up to 5X points on travel; 3X on dining, streaming & online groceries
- Up to $50 annual hotel credit + Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit
- No foreign transaction fees; transfer points to airline & hotel partners
Editor’s Take
Here’s an offer built for anyone who wants breathing room and rewards at the same time. Purchases and balance transfers carry 0% intro APR for 15 months, which stretches interest-free well into 2027 depending on when you open the account — real time to pay down a balance without interest piling on.
Then there’s the cash back. You earn 5% back in rotating categories each quarter (up to the quarterly cap, activation required), plus 1% on everything else. At the end of your first year, Discover automatically matches all the cash back you’ve earned — no minimum spend, no cap. Turn $150 in cash back into $300, or $400 into $800. It carries a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee.
Why We Like It
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases & balance transfers
- 5% back in rotating quarterly categories, plus 1% on everything else
- Unlimited first-year cashback match — Discover doubles everything you earn
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee
Get 0% Intro APR + Cashback Match →
Compare the Two Offers
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® | Discover it® Cash Back | |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 4.9 ★ | 4.8 ★ |
| Best For | Travel Rewards | First-Year Cash Back |
| Welcome Offer | 75,000 pts — up to $1,125 in travel | Unlimited first-year cashback match |
| Rewards Rate | Up to 5X points | 5% rotating / 1% flat |
| Annual Fee | $95 | $0 |
| Intro APR | N/A | 0% for 15 months |
B2BMoneyGuides
Card offers, rates and rewards are current as of August 2026 and may change; confirm details with the issuer before applying. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Advertising disclosure: this page contains affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you apply through them. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed or endorsed by any issuer.
