The Top 10 Most Popular Credit Cards in Q2 2025
What Real User Data Reveals About Consumer Preferences
Forget the marketing hype and influencer recommendations—what credit cards are people actually putting in their wallets? Based on comprehensive data from over 4,000 users on richwithpoints.com, with 1,200 users who have entered their complete card portfolios, we've uncovered the definitive ranking of the most popular credit cards in Q2 2025. The results reveal surprising shifts in consumer behavior, with the Chase Sapphire Preferred reclaiming the crown and a newcomer breaking into the top 10 for the first time.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has surged back to the #1 position with 480 users, overtaking the Chase Freedom Unlimited which dropped to #2 with 433 users. The Capital One Venture X maintains its #3 position with 393 users, while the Bilt Rewards card makes its top 10 debut at #8 with 259 users. Surprisingly, the Citi Custom Cash fell off the list entirely, dropping to #11. The data reveals that 78% of users prefer transfer partner redemptions over cash back or travel portal options, explaining the dominance of premium travel cards despite their higher annual fees.
The Data Behind the Rankings
Our analysis draws from richwithpoints.com's extensive user database, representing one of the most comprehensive real-world snapshots of credit card preferences available. Unlike theoretical "best of" lists, this ranking reflects actual consumer behavior—cards people actively choose to carry and use in their daily financial lives.
Methodology and User Base
The ranking is based on over 4,000 registered users, with particular emphasis on the 1,200+ users who have completed their full wallet profiles by entering all their credit cards. This self-reporting methodology provides unique insights into real-world preferences, filtering out promotional noise to reveal authentic consumer choices.
Key Demographics Insights:
- Redemption Preferences: 78% prefer transfer partner redemptions, 17% prefer cash back only, 5% prefer travel portal redemptions
- Geographic Distribution: Primarily US-based users with varying spending profiles
- Engagement Level: High-engagement users who actively track and optimize their credit card strategies
The Complete Top 10 Ranking
#1: Chase Sapphire Preferred (480 Users) ⬆️
Up from #2 position
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has reclaimed the top spot, representing a significant shift back toward premium travel cards. This surge reflects growing confidence in travel recovery and the card's position as the gateway to transfer partner optimization.
Key Card Features
- Sign-Up Bonus: 80,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in first 3 months
- Annual Fee: $95
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
- Travel Portal Access: Yes, 1.25 cents per point redemption value
- Transfer Partners: Yes, access to 14 airline and hotel partners
Why It's Popular
"The Preferred was one of the first cards I got. I got sucked into the YouTube influencers telling me I needed the Chase Trifecta," reflects the community sentiment that drove this card's popularity. While some users eventually upgrade to the Reserve, the Preferred offers an accessible entry point to the Chase ecosystem without the $550 annual fee commitment.
Expert Tip: The Preferred is the only Chase personal card with a grocery category (online groceries), though the implementation requires using grocery store apps to trigger the bonus category—a workaround that some users find frustrating but others have mastered.
#2: Chase Freedom Unlimited (433 Users) ⬇️
Down from #1 position
The Freedom Unlimited's drop to second place surprises many analysts, given its universal 1.5x earning rate and no annual fee structure. However, community sentiment suggests many users have the card but rarely use it.
Key Card Features
- Sign-Up Bonus: $200 cash back after spending $500 in first 3 months
- Annual Fee: $0
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
- Travel Portal Access: Yes, when paired with premium Chase cards
- Transfer Partners: Yes, when paired with Sapphire cards
The Usage Paradox
"I have it. I just never use it. Like, literally never use it," echoes a common refrain among users. The card's popularity appears driven by its role in the Chase ecosystem rather than standalone utility, with many preferring 2x cards from other issuers for everyday spending.
#3: Capital One Venture X (393 Users) →
Holding steady
The Venture X maintains its strong position as the beloved "go-to catchall card" for many users. Its 2x earning on all purchases combined with premium travel benefits creates a compelling value proposition.
Key Card Features
- Sign-Up Bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in first 3 months
- Annual Fee: $395
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
- Travel Portal Access: Yes, with enhanced redemption opportunities
- Transfer Partners: Yes, 15+ airline and hotel partners
The Effective Fee Advantage
With a $300 travel credit and $100 anniversary bonus (10,000 miles), the effective annual fee drops to approximately -$5, making premium benefits essentially free. This math drives its consistent popularity across diverse user segments.
#4: American Express Gold (360 Users) →
Holding steady
The Gold maintains its position despite last year's annual fee increase, proving its value proposition remains compelling for dining and grocery heavy spenders.
Key Card Features
- Sign-Up Bonus: 90,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 in first 6 months
- Annual Fee: $325 (increased from $250)
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
- Travel Portal Access: Yes, 1 cent per point baseline
- Transfer Partners: Yes, 21 airline and hotel partners
Weathering the Fee Increase
Despite community backlash over the fee increase, the Gold's 4x on dining and groceries continues to deliver exceptional value. Users who can utilize the dining and Uber credits find the effective annual fee manageable.
#5: Chase Freedom Flex (318 Users) →
Holding steady
The quarterly category card remains a staple, offering 5x earning potential that can translate to 10x+ effective value when transferred to Sapphire cards for premium redemptions.
Key Card Features
- Sign-Up Bonus: $200 cash back after spending $500 in first 3 months
- Annual Fee: $0
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
- Travel Portal Access: Yes, when paired with Sapphire cards
- Transfer Partners: Yes, when paired with premium Chase cards
The Quarterly Strategy
With a $1,500 quarterly spending cap, users often pair multiple Freedom cards (through Player 2 strategies or downgrades) to maximize the 5x categories, potentially earning $3,000 annually at 5x rates.
#6: Capital One Savor Rewards (304 Users) →
Holding steady
Formerly the SavorOne Rewards, the rebranded Savor Rewards maintains its position as the perfect complement to the Venture X, offering strong category coverage with no annual fee.
Key Card Features
- Sign-Up Bonus: $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in first 3 months
- Annual Fee: $0
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
- Travel Portal Access: Yes, pools with Venture X miles
- Transfer Partners: Yes, when paired with Venture X
The Capital One Duo Foundation
The Savor Rewards' 4x on dining and entertainment, 3x on groceries, plus streaming coverage makes it an ideal no-fee companion to the Venture X, creating the popular "Capital One Duo" strategy.
#7: Amazon Prime Rewards (304 Users) →
Holding steady
The Amazon card remains a "no-brainer" for Prime members, offering unbeatable value for one of America's most frequented shopping destinations.
Key Card Features
- Sign-Up Bonus: Varies, typically $200 gift card
- Annual Fee: $0 (requires Prime membership)
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
- Travel Portal Access: No
- Transfer Partners: No
The Amazon Imperative
"If you're shopping on Amazon and you don't have a Prime card, you are throwing away money," perfectly captures the utilitarian appeal. With 5x on Amazon purchases and no annual fee, it's purely about maximizing daily shopping value.
#8: Bilt Rewards Card (259 Users) 🆕
New to top 10
The newcomer that's captured attention for its unique rent-earning capability and strong transfer partner access without an annual fee.
Key Card Features
- Sign-Up Bonus: Varies, often elevated during promotional periods
- Annual Fee: $0
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
- Travel Portal Access: Yes
- Transfer Partners: Yes, impressive partner network for a no-fee card
The Rent Revolution
Getting 1x points on rent payments—and potentially mortgage payments soon—opens a massive spending category typically unavailable for credit card rewards. For renters, it's genuinely transformational.
Expert Tip: The Bilt card appears to be facing potential "nerfing" over time, making current sign-up and optimization particularly valuable before benefits potentially decrease.
#9: American Express Platinum (256 Users) ⬇️
Down one position
The prestigious Platinum maintains top 10 status despite its hefty $695 annual fee, though its position has softened slightly.
Key Card Features
- Sign-Up Bonus: 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in first 6 months
- Annual Fee: $695
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
- Travel Portal Access: Yes, 1 cent per point baseline
- Transfer Partners: Yes, 21 airline and hotel partners
Prestige vs. Utility
"The prestige of the Platinum sometimes outweighs its usefulness," reflects the complex relationship users have with this status symbol. The coupon book of credits generates mixed feelings, but frequent flyers still find substantial value.
#10: Discover it Cash Back (255 Users) →
Maintaining top 10 status
The Discover card holds onto its top 10 position as the starter card of choice and a cash-back staple.
Key Card Features
- Sign-Up Bonus: Cashback match for first year
- Annual Fee: $0
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
- Travel Portal Access: No
- Transfer Partners: No
The Entry Point Appeal
For newcomers to credit cards and dedicated cash-back users, the quarterly 5x categories provide excellent value without complexity. "If you're new to the credit card game, it's the easiest card to get."
Notable Trends and Insights
The Citi Custom Cash Surprise
Perhaps the biggest shock is the Citi Custom Cash falling off the top 10 entirely, landing at #11. Despite its ability to hold multiple cards for various 5x categories, users seem deterred by Citi's reputation for poor customer service.
Category Breakdown by Card Type
Most Popular Store Card: Amazon Prime Rewards (304 users) Most Popular Service Card: Fidelity Visa (56 users) Most Popular Airline Card: Barclays AA Aviator Red (78 users) Most Popular Hotel Card: Hilton Surpass (129 users) Most Popular Credit Union Card: Navy Federal Flagship (48 users)
Transfer Partner Dominance
The data reveals a sophisticated user base: 78% prefer transfer partner redemptions, demonstrating that the community values optimization over simplicity. This explains why premium travel cards dominate despite annual fees.
Strategic Implications
The Chase Ecosystem Strength
Chase cards occupy 3 of the top 5 positions, demonstrating the power of a cohesive ecosystem. The ability to pool Ultimate Rewards points across personal and business cards creates compelling synergies that users clearly value.
The Annual Fee Acceptance
Despite economic pressures, users increasingly accept annual fees when value is demonstrable. Cards like the Venture X and Gold maintain strong positions by offering clear fee offset mechanisms through credits and enhanced earning.
The Business Card Barrier
Notably absent from personal card rankings are optimal "everything else" earners, with many users forced into business cards like the Amex Blue Business Plus for comprehensive coverage—highlighting a gap in personal card offerings.
Expert Analysis and Recommendations
Expert Tip: The ranking reveals that card popularity doesn't always correlate with optimal usage. The Freedom Unlimited's #2 position despite limited actual use suggests users value ecosystem membership over day-to-day utility.
Expert Tip: The Bilt card's rapid rise to #8 demonstrates how addressing an underserved category (rent payments) can quickly capture market share, even in a crowded field.
Expert Tip: The concentration of Chase and Capital One cards in the top 10 reflects the importance of ecosystem thinking—users prefer cohesive strategies over best-in-class individual cards.
Final Thoughts
The Bottom Line: Real user data reveals a sophisticated community that values transfer partner access and ecosystem benefits over simple cash back, despite the complexity. The Chase Sapphire Preferred's return to #1 signals renewed confidence in premium travel card strategies.
The Ecosystem Effect: The dominance of Chase cards (3 in top 5) and Capital One's strong showing demonstrates that users think in terms of card combinations rather than individual products. Building within a single ecosystem provides compelling advantages that overcome individual card limitations.
The Transfer Partner Imperative: With 78% of users preferring transfer partner redemptions, cards without robust partner networks face increasing irrelevance among optimization-focused consumers. This trend favors premium cards despite higher annual fees.
The Newcomer Opportunity: Bilt's rapid ascent proves that addressing underserved categories can quickly capture market share. The rent payment category alone was enough to propel it into the top 10, suggesting other innovative earning opportunities remain unexplored.
Who Should Pay Attention
Chase Ecosystem Enthusiasts: The top 10 validates the Chase Trifecta strategy, with three cards in the top five positions demonstrating real-world usage patterns.
Fee-Sensitive Consumers: Note that 6 of the top 10 cards carry no annual fee, proving that value optimization doesn't require premium pricing.
Transfer Partner Optimizers: The 78% preference for transfer partner redemptions validates the complexity of modern credit card strategy and the importance of learning these systems.
Strategy Evolution: As the data shows, credit card preferences are dynamic. The Sapphire Preferred's return to #1 and Bilt's top 10 debut demonstrate that user preferences evolve with product offerings and market conditions.
The Q2 2025 rankings reflect a maturing community that understands the nuances of credit card optimization while still valuing simplicity where possible. The data suggests that successful cards combine strong earning potential with ecosystem benefits, whether through transfer partners, pooled points, or comprehensive category coverage.
Expert Tip: Don't chase popularity for its own sake—these rankings reflect diverse user preferences and spending patterns. Use this data to understand trends, but always optimize for your specific financial situation and redemption capabilities. The most popular card isn't necessarily the best card for your individual needs.