J.D. Power recently released the findings from its ninth annual U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Survey. This survey rates the customer experience that each card issuer is providing to its members based on more than 20,000 responses from actual credit card customers. Here are the top three issuers with their ratings (based on a 1,000 point scale):
- Discover (828)
- American Express (820)
- Chase (792)
The study bases its results on six key factors (ranked from most important to least). These are: interaction, credit card terms, billing and payment, rewards, benefits and services and problem resolution.
Here are three of our favorite rewards cards from each of these survey-topping issuers. Want more detailed information? Our in-depth profiles give you the very latest terms and benefits.
1) Discover it
Members earn 5% cash back in categories that change each quarter (you must sign up every three months to earn the 5% bonus cash back). The current categories include purchases made at Amazon.com, Department Stores and Clothing Stores. The January – March 2016 categories will include Gas and Ground Transportation transactions. Bonus category purchases are capped at $1,500 per quarter. All other purchases earn 1% cash back.
Here are more highlights of the Discover it card:
- New members only – Discover it will double all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year on your credit card.
- Members can redeem cash back for any amount at any time.
- Cash back rewards never expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
- Free access to your FICO credit score on your monthly statements.
- Members can reach live, U.S. based customer service representatives any time you call. Mobile and online service is also available 24/7. Replacement credit cards are shipped overnight for free to any U.S. street address.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers (11.99% to 23.99% thereafter depending on your creditworthiness at the time of approval).
- No annual fee.
If you are a college student, check out Discover’s Discover It for Students.
Members earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets which is capped at $6,000 annually. Once the spending threshold is met, grocery purchases will earn 1% cash back for the remainder of the year. Cardholders earn unlimited 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and select department stores and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Here’s an overview of the Blue Cash American Express:
- New members only – Get $150 back after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the card within your first three months of account opening. This signup bonus will come in the form of a statement credit.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
- O% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. After this time, the variable APR will be 12.99% to 21.99% based on your creditworthiness and other financial factors at the time of approval.
- Annual fee of $75 (not waived).
Cardholders earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter (which you must activate to receive). All other purchases earn unlimited 1% cash back.
Other features of Chase Freedom include:
- New members only – Earn a $150 Bonus after spending $500 on eligible purchases in your first three months of account opening.
- New members only – Earn a $25 Bonus after you add your first authorized user and make a purchase within the first three months that your account is active.
- O% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. After this time period expires, your variable APR will be between 13.99% and 22.99% depending on your creditworthiness at the time you are approved for the card.
- Cash back rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
- No annual fee.