About the author
Nouri Zarrugh is a senior editor at Bankrate who focuses on product reviews and comparisons. Since joining Bankrate in 2019, Nouri has written and edited hundreds of credit card reviews and led the development of methodologies for credit card scoring and point-and-mile valuations. His areas of expertise include credit card strategy, rewards programs and credit scores, and his stories on building credit have been cited by Mic.com, LifeHacker, People.com and more.
Through his thorough card reviews and product comparisons, Nouri strives to demystify personal finance topics and credit card terms and conditions to help readers save money and protect their credit score.
Before joining Bankrate, Nouri worked as a writer and editor in digital marketing and health care technology. Also a fiction writer, Nouri is a graduate of the Michener Center for Writers and won the Keene Prize for Literature.
Nouri wants you to know
When I first got into credit card rewards, I got a little carried away. I applied for a ton of cards and was constantly juggling them to make sure I was maximizing my points on every single purchase. I kept every receipt and even tracked my earnings in a spreadsheet. It was a fun hobby, but it got to be more trouble than it was worth.
Now I keep things simple and mostly just focus on earning rewards in a few key categories. I use one card for general purchases, one for dining, one card for travel, one for online shopping and one for groceries. That covers the vast majority of my spending and feels easy to manage. Sure, I’m leaving some rewards on the table, but I’d rather save myself some time and energy.
Nouri's recommended readings
How Bankrate rates credit cards
How much are credit card points and miles worth?
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It’s a lucrative card for food credits and valuable travel rewards on dining and U.S. supermarket purchases. However, it’s not the best for occasional travelers.
Its minimal costs and streamlined features better suit it as a supporting card, but Preferred Rewards status can make this one of the best flat-rate rewards business cards.
While it charges a high annual fee, this card is one of the only travel rewards options available with fair credit. Read our full review to see if it's worth it for you.
Learn more about the new Ally Everyday Cash Back Mastercard in an in-depth review of its pros, cons and its cash back rate.
This cash back card is ideal for users seeking to do a lot of spending that isn’t specific to certain rewards categories.
This premier Chase card could be stellar for travelers who value luxury perks, but its high annual fee makes it a costly choice if you only travel occasionally.
If you need to build credit, consider the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured due to its generous rewards with no annual fee.
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured lets users build credit with up to 3 percent back in rewards and no annual fee.