How much do Americans earn from credit card rewards? Cash back, points, miles, and the most popular rewards programs.
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Rewards Earned (US) | $45 billion | Annual rewards paid out |
| Average Rewards per Cardholder | $320/year | Across all card types |
| Cash Back Cardholders | 62% | Most popular reward type |
| Points/Miles Cardholders | 38% | Travel-focused |
| Average Cash Back Rate | 1.8% | On all purchases |
| Average Travel Points Value | 1.5 cents/point | Varies by program |
| Unredeemed Rewards | $25 billion | Sitting unused |
| Cards with Annual Fees | 35% | Premium cards |
| Average Annual Fee | $120 | Among fee cards |
| Annual Fee Breakeven Spend | $8,000 | To offset $120 fee at 1.5% |
| Category | Typical Reward Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | 3-6% back | Best category bonuses |
| Dining | 3-5% back | Restaurants, delivery |
| Gas | 3-5% back | Fuel stations |
| Travel | 3-10x points | Flights, hotels booked through portal |
| Online Shopping | 2-5% back | Rotating categories |
| Streaming | 3-5% back | Netflix, Spotify, etc. |
| Everything Else | 1-2% back | Flat rate on non-bonus categories |
| Cardholder Type | Rewards Earned | Interest Paid | Net Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transactors (Pay in Full) | $520/year earned | $0 interest paid | Net: +$520 |
| Revolvers (Carry Balance) | $280/year earned | $1,350 interest paid | Net: -$1,070 |
| Heavy Revolvers | $180/year earned | $2,800 interest paid | Net: -$2,620 |
The average cardholder earns about $320/year in rewards. However, those who pay in full earn about $520/year while paying $0 in interest. Those who carry balances earn $280 but pay $1,350 in interest.
Only if you pay your balance in full every month. Transactors earn a net $520/year. Revolvers lose $1,070/year after interest. The rewards are designed to encourage spending.
Cash back is simplest and most popular (62% of rewards cardholders). Travel points can offer higher value (1.5-2 cents per point) but require more effort to maximize.