Best Credit Card for Public Transit
Compare the top credit cards for subway, bus, train, and public transportation and find which one earns the most rewards.
Subway, bus, and commuter rail charges earn bonus rates on select cards with transit categories. Some city-focused premium cards offer transit credits that can cover a monthly transit pass.
Top Pick
Chase Sapphire Reserve
5x on Lyft
Before you click out
- This is the best fit only if you actually spend heavily on public transit.
- Make sure the $795 annual fee still makes sense for your total spend.
- If this is your pick, apply now and keep this page open in another tab for reference.
More Good Options
Capital OneCapital One VentureOne Business5xpts/dollar9.3%return5x on Hotels & Rental Cars (Capital One Business Travel) (travel portal only)
Apply Now
American Express Membership RewardsBlue Cash Preferred Card from American Express3xpts/dollar6.0%return3x on Transit (Parking & Tolls)
Apply Now
LATAM PassLATAM Airlines World Elite Mastercard3xpts/dollar3.9%return3x on Restaurants, Rideshare, taxis, & public transit
Apply Now
Rewards Calculator
Enter a monthly spend amount above to see estimated annual rewards per card.
Quick summary
A short version of the recommendation with the main numbers and fallback option.
For subway, bus, train, and public transportation, Chase Sapphire Reserve is currently our top overall pick at 5x, which works out to about 10.0% back using CardCurator's current point valuations. 5x on Lyft. If you want a no-annual-fee option, Capital One VentureOne Business earns 5x there (9.3% effective return). At $500/month of spend, the top card is worth about $600/year before signup bonuses or statement credits. Summary generated August 5, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/best-credit-card-for/transit
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: 5x and 10.0% effective return.
- At $500/month, that's about $600/year in rewards value before bonuses.
- Capital One VentureOne Business is the current no-fee fallback at 5x (9.3% effective return).
- Methodology uses live earn rates, annual fees, and current point valuations.
Common Questions
What is the best credit card for Public Transit?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is currently the top pick for subway, bus, train, and public transportation, earning 5x points per dollar — an effective 10.0% return.
How many points do you earn on Public Transit purchases?
The top-rated card for subway, bus, train, and public transportation, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, earns 5x per dollar — an effective return of 10.0%.
Is there a no-annual-fee card that earns rewards on Public Transit?
Yes — the Capital One VentureOne Business earns 5x on subway, bus, train, and public transportation with no annual fee (9.3% effective return).
Is a premium card worth the annual fee for Public Transit spending?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve ($795/yr) earns 5x on subway, bus, train, and public transportation. If you spend $662/month or more on public transit, the rewards offset the annual fee — before counting travel credits and other perks.
Which card earns the most if I spend $500 per month on Public Transit?
Chase Sapphire Reserve: $600/yr, Capital One VentureOne Business: $555/yr, Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express: $360/yr. The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns the most at $500/month.
Do rotating category cards earn on Public Transit?
Some cards — like Chase Freedom Flex and Discover it — occasionally feature public transit as a 5% bonus category for one quarter per year. Year-round, a dedicated public transit card typically outperforms rotating category cards since you can't always count on the bonus.