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Best Credit Cards in Illinois

Top 10 cards ranked for IL spending patterns · Updated April 2026

ILTop category: Dining

Chicago's world-class restaurant scene means dining rewards pay off big. Transit riders benefit from commuter perks.

Dining

+20%

vs national avg

Groceries

Avg

vs national avg

Travel

+10%

vs national avg

Gas

+5%

vs national avg

Top 10 Cards for Illinois Residents

#1
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Chase · $99/yr · 26x IHG hotels, 5x travel/dining/gas, 3x everything else

+$1413

net/year

#2
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

American Express · $150/yr · 12x Hilton, 6x restaurants/supermarkets/gas, 3x everything else

+$1280

net/year

#3
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Hilton Honors American Express Card

American Express · $0/yr · 7x Hilton, 5x restaurants/supermarkets/gas, 3x everything else

+$1259

net/year

#4
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred

Chase · $95/yr · 5x travel via Chase, 3x dining, 2x other travel, 1x everything else

+$895

net/year

#5
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

Chase · $95/yr · 6x Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3x groceries/gas/dining, 2x everything else

+$882

net/year

#6
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase Freedom Unlimited

Chase · $0/yr · 5% travel via Chase, 3% dining & drugstores, 1.5% everything else

+$607

net/year

#7
American Express Gold Card
American Express Gold Card

American Express · $250/yr · 4x restaurants & groceries, 3x flights, 1x everything else

+$574

net/year

#8
Blue Cash Preferred from Amex
Blue Cash Preferred from Amex

American Express · $95/yr · 6% groceries & streaming, 3% transit & gas, 1% everything else

+$540

net/year

#9
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase · $550/yr · 10x hotels via Chase, 5x flights via Chase, 3x dining, 1x everything else

+$539

net/year

#10
Chase Freedom Flex
Chase Freedom Flex

Chase · $0/yr · 5% rotating categories, 3% dining & drugstores, 1.5% travel via Chase, 1% everything else

+$528

net/year