The trick to finding the best credit card for you is to identify the one that best aligns with your individual needs. Just because an expert recommends a product that might be perfect for many people doesn’t mean that it’s automatically the right choice for you. You need to weigh up what each credit card offers to see how it matches your lifestyle and requirements.

Credit cards for the less-than-frequent flier

The New York Times highlighted last month the Capital One Venture Rewards card as a good choice for those who like to take their credit card rewards in travel benefits, but who aren’t constantly on planes and in hotels. You can earn points on all purchases (not just travel-related ones), and redeem them against airfares, accommodation, and car rentals from any supplier. And because you’re not tied to a single carrier or hotel chain, you avoid those annoying blackout periods.

IndexCreditCards’ own experts rate that card highly, along with the Capital One Venture One Rewards Credit Card and the BankAmericard Power Rewards Visa Signature Card.

Credit cards for the very frequent flier

In order to maximize their credit card rewards, people who travel a great deal often need to align their card choices even more closely with their spending habits. If you almost always fly with the same airline or stay in hotels that share the same brand, then you may benefit by using one or both of their credit cards.

However, if your travel patterns are more eclectic you could be better off finding a product with flexible rewards. The New York Times echoes another IndexCreditCards’ pick when it touts the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express. You can redeem Starpoints on over 150 airlines with SPG Flights — with no blackout dates as well as at over 1,100 hotels in nearly 100 countries worldwide — with no blackout dates. Terms and Restrictions Apply.

Credit cards for those who prefer cash

Of course, keen travelers don’t have to sign up for products that provide only travel rewards. Some of these have complicated rules that can be difficult to understand, and restrictions–such as blackout dates–that can drive you nuts.

These frustrations can be avoided if you pay for flights, hotel rooms and car rentals using cash back cards. However, bear in mind that you might miss out on some of the perks that travel-specific products may offer.

One of the best cash back cards right now is the Chase Freedom® card. This card offers a zero introductory annual percentage rate (APR) for fifteen months on purchases (15 months on balance transfers), no annual fee and a $100 cash back bonus if you spend $500 during the first three months from account opening. Those kinds of perks go a long way.

Published 05/11/11 (Modified 07/01/14)