If you do a lot of travel or eating out you get 3 points per dollar spent on these two items with Chase Sapphire Reserve and if you book travel thru Chase each point is worth 1.5 cents, so $1 spent on travel or a restaurant with the CSR can get you 4.5 cents back on hotels or other travel items. The CSR costs $450 a year but the first $300 you spend on travel with the card is a credit so the effective cost is $175/yr. The card also gets you into a lot airport lounges thru Priority Pass. Also, CSR points can be converted to some airline and hotel program points. But if you are just starting out it may be pricey.

Citibank offers a no fee card with a 2% cash back on everything. That could be your best deal.