As the holiday gift-buying frenzy heats up, you might want a new credit card that offers extra savings during this expensive time of year. Some come with cash back or travel deals, while others give bonus rewards after signing up.
Here are the top 8 holiday credit cards, based on reward categories, according to CardHub, a credit card comparison site, which analyzed over 1,000 credit card offers.
Best for Lowering Your Holiday Spending Tab
Citi ThankYou Premier Card
Why? This card offers the most valuable sign-on offer. The 50,000-point bonus (after spending $3,000 in the first three months) is worth $625 toward airfare or $500 in gift cards.
Rewards? 3 points per $1 spent on gas; 2 points per $1 on entertainment and dining; and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else.
Annual fee? None in the first year ($95 thereafter).
Related: 12 Best Credit Cards for Travelers
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Why? The 40,000-point bonus (after spending $4,000 in the first three months) is redeemable for $500 in travel or a $400 statement credit.
Rewards? 2 points per $1 spent on travel and dining; and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else.
Annual fee? None in the first year ($95 thereafter).
Best Ongoing Rewards for the Holidays & Beyond
Citi Double Cash Card
Why? This card provides the highest cash-back rate. It offers 1 percent cash back on every purchase and an additional 1 percent cash back after the bill is paid.
Annual fee? None.
Blue Cash Preferred from American Express
Why? This card earns a whopping 6 percent cash back at grocery stores (up to $6,000 each year), plus 3 percent at gas stations and department stores and 1 percent on all other purchases.
Additional bonus: Spend $1,000 during the first three months and score a $150 initial bonus.
Annual fee? $75.
Related: Why Millions of Millennials Can’t Get Credit Cards
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Why? Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on all purchases, with no cap.
Additional bonus: Spend $3,000 during the first three months and get a 40,000-mile bonus, or $400 toward travel expenses.
Annual fee? None in the first year ($59 thereafter).
Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard
Why? Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on all purchases, with no cap. Additionally, retain 5 percent of the miles you redeem for future travel expenses. As a result, you get 2.1 percent cash back on all travel expenses.
Additional bonus: Spend $3,000 during the first three months and earn a 40,000-mile bonus, or $400 toward travel expenses.
Annual fee? None in the first year ($89 thereafter).
Best for Avoiding Interest on Holiday Spending
Citi Diamond Preferred Card
Why? You don’t have to pay interest for the first 21 months, as long as you pay the minimum payment each month. After that, the card’s rate increases to between 11.99 percent and 21.99 percent.
Annual fee? None.
Related: Black Friday Shopping Guide: Who’s Offering Deals on Thanksgiving Day
Best for Helping With Existing Debt Before You Shop
Chase Slate
Why? The card doesn’t have an interest rate or a fee for balance transfers for the first 15 months. That means the average household with roughly $7,400 in credit card debt could save more than $900 in fees and interest over two years, according to CardHub’s calculations.
Annual fee? None.
