1
Best no-fee pick
Citi Double Cash
2x catch-allThankYou Points
Best Credit Cards for Car Rentals
Top earning cards for rental cars — including portal multipliers and primary CDW coverage.
CDW (collision damage waiver) coverage is often worth more than the earn rate
The short answer
Top picks — no annual fee
Keep forever · $0/yrTop picks — with annual fee
Pays for itself if used right1
Best overall
Chase Sapphire Preferred
5x portal rentals, 2x direct + primary CDWUltimate Rewards$95/yr
2
Best value
AmEx Green
3x travel including rentalsMembership Rewards$150/yr
Honorable mentions
Annual fee
Reward type
8 cards
#1
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Transferable Points
5x Travel via Chase
- 5x Travel via Chase
- 5x Lyft
- 3x Dining
- 3x Online Groceries
- 3x Streaming
- 3x Gas & EV Charging
- 3x Vacation Rentals
- 2x Travel
- 1x everything else
Click to see redemption options
60,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months
#2
Costco Anywhere Visa
No FeeCash Back
4x Gas (5x Costco Gas)
- 4x Gas (5x Costco Gas)
- 4x EV Charging
- 3x Restaurants
- 3x Travel
- 2x Costco
- 1x everything else
Click to see redemption options
Requires an active Costco membership to hold this card — Gold Star ($65/yr) or Executive ($130/yr).
#3
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Transferable Points
8x Travel via Chase
- 8x Travel via Chase
- 4x Flights (direct)
- 4x Hotels (direct)
- 3x Dining
- 1x everything else
Click to see redemption options
60,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months
#4
Citi Strata Premier
Transferable Points
10x Hotels/Cars/Attractions via CitiTravel
- 10x Hotels/Cars/Attractions via CitiTravel
- 3x Restaurants
- 3x Supermarkets
- 3x Gas
- 3x Air Travel
- 3x Hotels
- 1x everything else
Click to see redemption options
60,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months
#5
American Express Green Card
Transferable Points
3x Travel
- 3x Travel
- 3x Transit
- 3x Dining
- 1x everything else
Click to see redemption options
40,000 points after $3,000 in 6 months
#6
Citi Strata Elite
Transferable Points
12x Hotels/Cars/Attractions via CitiTravel
- 12x Hotels/Cars/Attractions via CitiTravel
- 6x Airfare via CitiTravel
- 3x Restaurants
- 1.5x everything else
Click to see redemption options
80,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months
#7
Capital One Venture Rewards
Transferable Points
5x Flights via C1 Travel
- 5x Flights via C1 Travel
- 2x everything else
Click to see redemption options
75,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months
#8
Capital One Venture X
Transferable Points
10x Hotels & Car Rentals via C1
- 10x Hotels & Car Rentals via C1
- 5x Flights via C1
- 2x everything else
Click to see redemption options
75,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months
Not sure which one fits you?
Our free quiz matches you to the right card based on your actual spending, credit score, and goals — in about 2 minutes.
Take the quiz →Cards listed here are selected from our database based on category earn rates — not sponsored placements. Rotating-category cards (Discover It, Chase Freedom Flex) assume the relevant category is active. Terms and reward rates are subject to change at each issuer's discretion.