Our experts answer readers’ credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
If you’re looking to earn points for travel or stash away some cash back, it’s a great time to open one of the best credit cards. Many of the most rewarding credit cards on the market are currently offering limited-time elevated welcome bonuses or generous 0% APR offers that can help you save money on interest.
It’s impossible to name one single best credit card, given the wide range of benefits, rewards, and annual fees available. But if you’re looking to find the best credit card for you, breaking it down by category is a good way to approach your search.
Featured Offer – BEST TRAVEL REWARDS CARD OVERALL
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
$95
Annual Fee
Intro offer
80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Annual Fee
$95
Intro offer
80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Show more
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.74% – 27.74% Variable
Pros & Cons
Pros
High intro bonus offer starts you off with lots of points
Strong travel coverage
Cons
Doesn’t offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Highlights
More Information
Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,000 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Member FDIC
Additional Reading
Read our review
This guide highlights the best credit card option for several different types of users. If you want a to-the-point recommendation for maximizing your spending and enjoying benefits like an intro APR period, this guide will help you find a quick answer.
Compare Credit Cards
Best card for flat-rate cash rewards earning
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
4.3/5
4.3 out of
5 Stars
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening
Editor’s Rating
4.3/5
4.3 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Good welcome bonus for a $0 annual fee card
Straightforward 2% cash rewards on purchases with no categories to track
Strong benefits including cell phone protection, Visa Signature perks, and an intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Cons
If you’ve opened a Wells Fargo card in the past 15 months, you may not be eligible for the bonus or intro APR offer
Foreign transaction fees
Highlights
More Information
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% variable APR; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5
$0 annual fee
No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open
Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world’s most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge
Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
Select “Apply Now” to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best cash-back card for everyday spending
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
4.35/5
4.35 out of
5 Stars
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro offer
1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
19.74% – 28.49% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
Editor’s Rating
4.35/5
4.35 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Solid flat cash-back rate
You can combine cash-back rewards with Ultimate Rewards points if you have an eligible card
No annual fee
Cons
Some other cards offer a higher rate of cash back on certain types of purchases
Highlights
More Information
Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back!
Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% – 28.49%.
No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best rewards card for high earning in everyday categories
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
4.3/5
4.3 out of
5 Stars
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Earn 1x points on other purchases.
Best rewards card for high earning in everyday categories
Details
Rewards
1x – 3x points
Earn unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Earn 1x points on other purchases.
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Annual Fee
$0
Intro offer
20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening
Editor’s Rating
4.3/5
4.3 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Generous welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee card
Great earning rates in useful categories, including dining, travel, and gas stations
Useful benefits including cell phone protection and Visa Signature concierge
Cons
Minimum spending requirement to earn bonus is slightly higher than similar no-annual-fee cards
No airline or hotel transfer partners
Highlights
More Information
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s a $200 cash redemption value
Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up – like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases
$0 annual fee
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter
Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world’s most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge.
Select “Apply Now” to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions.
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best travel rewards card overall
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
4.4/5
4.4 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
$95
Annual Fee
Intro offer
80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
$95
Annual Fee
Intro offer
80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Annual Fee
$95
Intro offer
80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Show more
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.74% – 27.74% Variable
Editor’s Rating
4.4/5
4.4 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
Show more
Pros & Cons
Pros
High intro bonus offer starts you off with lots of points
Strong travel coverage
Cons
Doesn’t offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Highlights
More Information
Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,000 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Member FDIC
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best travel rewards card for beginners
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4.55/5
4.55 out of
5 Stars
$95
Annual Fee
Intro offer
75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase.
Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase.
Annual Fee
$95
Intro offer
75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.74% – 28.74% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
N/A
Editor’s Rating
4.55/5
4.55 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
No bonus categories to keep track of
Includes up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
Cons
Other credit cards offer higher rewards in certain categories of spending
Highlights
More Information
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase – or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best premium travel card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
4.85/5
4.85 out of
5 Stars
$395
Annual Fee
Intro offer
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
Earn unlimited 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$395
Intro offer
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
21.74% – 28.74% Variable
Editor’s Rating
4.85/5
4.85 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Excellent welcome bonus and miles earning
Premium perks including airport lounge access and statement credits
Visa Infinite benefits including travel and shopping protections
Cons
High annual fee
Annual travel statement credits only apply to Capital One Travel purchases
Highlights
More Information
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more – you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Elevate your stay at luxury hotels and resorts from the Premier Collection with a $100 experience credit, daily breakfast for 2 and complimentary WiFi on every booking, plus other premium benefits like room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout when available
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best cash-back card for families
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
3.5/5
3.5 out of
5 Stars
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Annual Fee
Intro offer
$250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 6% cash back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%). Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. Earn 3% cash back on transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more). Earn 3% cash back on gas at U.S. gas stations. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
$250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 6% cash back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%). Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. Earn 3% cash back on transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more). Earn 3% cash back on gas at U.S. gas stations. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Earn 6% cash back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%). Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. Earn 3% cash back on transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more). Earn 3% cash back on gas at U.S. gas stations. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Intro offer
$250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
18.99% – 29.99% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening
Editor’s Rating
3.5/5
3.5 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Generous bonus rewards, especially at U.S. supermarkets
One of a small handful of credit cards that offer bonus rewards on select streaming services
Intro APR offer
Cons
Unlike many other cash-back cards, it charges an annual fee
If you spend more than $6,000 at US supermarkets each year, you’ll want to use another card once you reach that cap
Highlights
More Information
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
Low intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.99% to 29.99%
6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Get $7 back each month after using your Blue Cash Preferred Card to spend $12.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Enrollment required.
Terms Apply.
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best card for automatically customizing rewards
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
4/5
4 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
$200 cash back, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
$200 cash back, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro offer
$200 cash back, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
18.99% – 28.99% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months
Editor’s Rating
4/5
4 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
Flexibility to customize rewards by earning 5% cash back on up to $500 per billing cycle in your top spending category (from a list)
Generous welcome offer for a no-annual-fee card
No rotating bonus categories to sign up for or track
Earn valuable Citi ThankYou points which you can redeem for cash back, travel, gift cards, merchandise, and more
Cons
Only earns 1% back outside of $500 in top spending category each billing cycle
Foreign transaction fee of 3%
Highlights
More Information
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.99% – 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
No Annual Fee
Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash℠ Card account per person.
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best premium card for travel and dining
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
4.4/5
4.4 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
$550
Annual Fee
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
$550
Annual Fee
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Earn 5x points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$550
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Show more
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
21.74% – 28.74% Variable
Editor’s Rating
4.4/5
4.4 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
Show more
Pros & Cons
Pros
Annual travel credit can effectively shave $300 off the annual fee if you use it
Strong travel insurance
Strong bonus rewards on travel and dining
Cons
Very high annual fee
Highlights
More Information
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best card for earning travel rewards on dining and groceries
American Express® Gold Card
4.3/5
4.3 out of
5 Stars
$250
Annual Fee
Intro offer
60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $4,000 on purchases on the Card in the first six months of card membership
Rewards
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® points on all other purchases.
Best card for earning travel rewards on dining and groceries
American Express® Gold Card
4.3/5
4.3
out
of
5 Stars
$250
Annual Fee
Intro offer
60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $4,000 on purchases on the Card in the first six months of card membership
Rewards
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® points on all other purchases.
Best card for earning travel rewards on dining and groceries
Details
Rewards
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® points on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$250
See Rates and Fees
Show more
Intro offer
60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $4,000 on purchases on the Card in the first six months of card membership
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
See Pay Over Time APR
Editor’s Rating
4.3/5
4.3 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Great rewards for dining and for shopping at US supermarkets
Monthly statement credit for eligible dining purchases recoups some of the annual fee
Cons
Underwhelming welcome bonus
Highlights
More Information
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
$120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $250.
Terms Apply.
See Rates & Fees
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best cash-back card for dining, groceries, and entertainment with no annual fee
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
4.15/5
4.15 out of
5 Stars
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
$200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Best cash-back card for dining, groceries, and entertainment with no annual fee
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
4.15/5
4.15
out
of
5 Stars
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
$200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Best cash-back card for dining, groceries, and entertainment with no annual fee
Details
Rewards
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro offer
$200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
19.74% – 29.74% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months)
Editor’s Rating
4.15/5
4.15 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
No annual fee
Bonus cash back on dining, entertainment, and grocery store purchases
Long intro APR period for purchases and balance transfers
Cons
Other cards earn more cash back in certain bonus categories
Not the highest sign-up bonus among cash-back cards
Highlights
More Information
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.74% – 29.74% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
No foreign transaction fee
No annual fee
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best card for gas (including EV charging)
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
3.9/5
3.9 out of
5 Stars
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Annual Fee
Intro offer
50,000 points after spending $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center. Earn 4X points on travel, gas stations, and EV charging stations. Earn 2X points on streaming services, plus, a $30 credit for annual streaming purchases like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify®, Apple Music, Disney+, HBO Max and more. Earn 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, and dining. Earn 1X point on all other eligible purchases.
50,000 points after spending $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center. Earn 4X points on travel, gas stations, and EV charging stations. Earn 2X points on streaming services, plus, a $30 credit for annual streaming purchases like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify®, Apple Music, Disney+, HBO Max and more. Earn 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, and dining. Earn 1X point on all other eligible purchases.
Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center. Earn 4X points on travel, gas stations, and EV charging stations. Earn 2X points on streaming services, plus, a $30 credit for annual streaming purchases like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify®, Apple Music, Disney+, HBO Max and more. Earn 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, and dining. Earn 1X point on all other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Intro offer
50,000 points after spending $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days from account opening
Recommended Credit
Excellent/Good
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.24% – 28.24% Variable
Editor’s Rating
3.9/5
3.9 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Great earning rate on travel and at gas stations (4x points = 4% back)
Bonus points on streaming services plus $30 yearly streaming credit can save you money
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit is worth up to $100
Cons
Annual fee after the first year
No airline or hotel transfer partners
Highlights
More Information
The information related to the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.
Earn 4X points on travel, gas stations, and EV charging stations.
Earn 2X points on streaming services. Plus, a $30 credit for annual streaming purchases (like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify®, Apple Music, Disney+, HBO Max)
Earn 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, and dining.
Earn 1X point on all other eligible purchases.
Receive up to $100 in statement credits every four years for your TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry® application fee
Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay(™) Plan.
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best card for rotating categories and flexible redemptions
Chase Freedom Flex℠
4.4/5
4.4 out of
5 Stars
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Read review
Best card for rotating categories and flexible redemptions
Chase Freedom Flex℠
4.4/5
4.4
out
of
5 Stars
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Best card for rotating categories and flexible redemptions
Insider’s Take
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is a great pick if you want a no-annual-fee card with big earning potential and impressive benefits. It’s an even better choice if you already collect Ultimate Rewards points with other Chase cards, because you can combine your points and potentially get even more value.
Details
Rewards
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro offer
$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
19.74% – 28.49% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
Editor’s Rating
4.4/5
4.4 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
No annual fee
Generous bonus cash-back categories
Great welcome bonus
Cons
Booking through Chase Ultimate Rewards portal can restrict outside earning potential
Varying percentages and rotating calendar categories require extra attention
3% foreign transaction fees
Highlights
More Information
The information related to the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% – 28.49%.
No annual fee- You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
Keep tabs on your credit health – Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best card for rotating cash-back categories
Discover it® Cash Back
3.8/5
3.8 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
Unlimited Cashback Match – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
Unlimited Cashback Match – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro offer
Unlimited Cashback Match – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Show more
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
16.74% – 27.74% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Editor’s Rating
3.8/5
3.8 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
Show more
Pros & Cons
Pros
From January 1 to March 31, 2023, you can earn 5% cash back at grocery stores, drug stores and select streaming services on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%
Discover will match your cash back earned at the end of your first account year
No annual fee
Cons
Cap on how much bonus cash back you can earn each quarter
If the quarterly categories aren’t convenient for you, you can earn more cash back with a different card
Highlights
More Information
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
Every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem
Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 16.74% to 27.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
No annual fee.
Click through to Discover’s website to see terms and conditions.
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best card for choosing your own cash back categories
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
4/5
4 out of
5 Stars
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
$200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose. Earn 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center. Earn 2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants. Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Best card for choosing your own cash back categories
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
4/5
4
out
of
5 Stars
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
$200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose. Earn 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center. Earn 2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants. Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Best card for choosing your own cash back categories
Insider’s Take
This card is a good choice if you want to maximize your cash-back earnings by earning more in your eligible top spending categories. It’s got a decent welcome bonus and earns up to 5% back, but keep in mind the highest rewards rates are capped at $2,000 in purchases per quarter. Be sure to see if the card’s bonus categories line up with your spending habits before you apply; otherwise, you may do better with a flat-rate cash-back card instead.
Details
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose. Earn 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center. Earn 2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants. Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro offer
$200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
19.49% – 29.49% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles
Editor’s Rating
4/5
4 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Generous cash-back earning and welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee card
Ability to choose the best 5% and 2% cash-back categories for you
Introductory 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
Cons
5% cash-back category is capped at $2,000 in purchases per quarter
Foreign transaction fees
Highlights
More Information
$200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose
5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center
2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 19.49 – 29.49%
No Annual Fee
Terms and conditions apply.
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best cash-back card for fair or average credit
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Earn 5% back on Capital One Travel hotel and car rental bookings and 1.5% on everything else
You’re eligible to apply with limited or average credit
You’ll automatically be considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months
Cons
No welcome bonus
Annual fee
High APR for purchases and balance transfers
Highlights
More Information
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn’t expire for the life of the account. It’s that simple
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It’s free for everyone
Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you’re all set
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best cash-back card for balance transfers
Citi® Double Cash Card
3.65/5
3.65 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 18.99% – 28.99% variable APR
Rewards
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro offer
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 18.99% – 28.99% variable APR
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Show more
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
18.99% – 28.99% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
Editor’s Rating
3.65/5
3.65 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
Show more
Pros & Cons
Pros
No annual fee
Simple earning structure without confusing bonus categories
Cons
Some cards earn higher rates of cash back on rotating categories
While it has an introductory APR offer, that’s only on balance transfers, not purchases, so you can’t use it to fund a major expense without interest
Highlights
More Information
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.99% – 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best card for earning travel rewards in multiple categories
Citi Premier® Card
4.1/5
4.1 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
$95
Annual Fee
Intro offer
60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening, plus earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per dollar on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2024
Rewards
Earn 3x ThankYou® points on restaurant, supermarket, gas station, air travel, and hotel purchases. Earn 1x ThankYou® points on all other purchases.
Best card for earning travel rewards in multiple categories
Citi Premier® Card
4.1/5
4.1
out
of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
$95
Annual Fee
Intro offer
60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening, plus earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per dollar on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2024
Rewards
Earn 3x ThankYou® points on restaurant, supermarket, gas station, air travel, and hotel purchases. Earn 1x ThankYou® points on all other purchases.
Best card for earning travel rewards in multiple categories
Details
Rewards
Earn 3x ThankYou® points on restaurant, supermarket, gas station, air travel, and hotel purchases. Earn 1x ThankYou® points on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$95
Intro offer
60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening, plus earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per dollar on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2024
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.99% – 28.99% Variable
Editor’s Rating
4.1/5
4.1 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
Strong bonus
Generous bonus categories
Cons
Doesn’t offer much in the way of statement credits or other perks
Citi ThankYou Rewards may not be as convenient as other points for US-based travelers
Highlights
More Information
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best for long intro 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
3.5/5
3.5 out of
5 Stars
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then 17.99% – 29.99% variable APR
Best for long intro 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers
Details
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Intro offer
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then 17.99% – 29.99% variable APR
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
17.99% – 29.99% variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Editor’s Rating
3.5/5
3.5 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Extra-long intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
No annual fee
Cell phone protection
Cons
No rewards
Foreign transaction fees
Highlights
More Information
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.99% to 29.99% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min $5.
$0 Annual Fee
Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It’s an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
Select “Apply Now” to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best secured rewards card for building credit
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
3.6/5
3.6 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Rewards
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Rewards
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Intro offer
Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Recommended Credit
New/Rebuilding
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Show more
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
27.74% Variable
Editor’s Rating
3.6/5
3.6 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
Show more
Pros & Cons
Pros
Offers cash-back rewards, which isn’t a given for secured credit cards
Discover matches cash back after your first account year
Cons
Other secured cards let you start with lower minimum security deposits
You must fund the security deposit from a bank account
Highlights
More Information
No credit score required to apply.
No Annual Fee.
Use your tax refund to fund your security deposit and start building your credit history. Your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
Automatic reviews starting at 7 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. Activate for free.
Click through to Discover’s website to see terms and conditions.
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best business credit card
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
4.5/5
4.5 out of
5 Stars
$95
Annual Fee
Intro offer
100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$95
Intro offer
100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.74% – 25.74% Variable
Editor’s Rating
4.5/5
4.5 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
High sign-up bonus
Offers 3x bonus points on several spending categories, including travel and advertising purchases
Includes comprehensive travel coverage
Cons
Welcome bonus has a very high minimum spending requirement
Highlights
More Information
Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more – your points don’t expire as long as your account is open
Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Member FDIC
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best card for college students
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
4.05/5
4.05 out of
5 Stars
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
$50 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro offer
$50 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening
Recommended Credit
Average, Fair, Limited
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
19.74% – 29.74% Variable
Editor’s Rating
4.05/5
4.05 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Good welcome bonus with an easy spending requirement
Strong 3% cash back earning in popular everyday spending categories for students like dining, entertainment, eligible streaming services, and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
Cons
Only available to college students
Highlights
More Information
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), with 1% on all other purchases
Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it’s misplaced, lost or stolen
Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they’re approved for a Capital One credit card
Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
Build your credit with responsible card use
Whether you’re at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best Credit Cards of 2023
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best card for flat-rate cash rewards earning
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best cash-back card for everyday spending
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: Best rewards card for high earning in everyday categories
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best travel rewards card overall
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best travel rewards card for beginners
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best premium travel card
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best cash-back card for families
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card: Best card for automatically customizing rewards
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best premium card for travel and dining
American Express® Gold Card
: Best card for earning travel rewards on dining and groceries
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best cash-back card for dining, groceries, and entertainment with no annual fee
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
: Best card for gas (including EV charging)
Chase Freedom Flex℠
: Best card for rotating categories and flexible redemptions
Discover it® Cash Back: Best card for rotating cash-back categories
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card: Best card for choosing your own cash-back categories
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best cash-back card for fair or average credit
Citi® Double Cash Card: Best cash-back card for balance transfers
Citi Premier® Card: Best card for earning travel rewards in multiple categories
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: Best for long intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best secured rewards card for building credit
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Best business credit card
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best card for college students
Methodology: How We Chose the Best Credit Cards
Our list of the best credit cards is the result of an in-depth comparison between credit cards in each sub-category. We looked at America’s largest credit card issuers, as well as cards frequently recommended by blogs, forums, and travel communities.
The values we prioritized when coming up with this list were:
Simplicity — not everyone wants to invest lots of time and energy into maximizing their credit cards, so we focused on cards that make things as straightforward as possible
Affordability — while there’s a case to be made for paying a high annual fee when you’re getting high value in return, most credit card users aren’t looking for a card that costs $450 or more
Value — whether we’re talking about a credit card with or without an annual fee, it’s important that the benefits and features are worth it
The best credit card for you very much depends on your financial situation, spending habits, and how you like to redeem rewards. For example, if you’re just getting started with credit, a student credit card or a card that doesn’t require a high credit score is an ideal pick. If you’re looking to earn travel rewards, on the other hand, you’ll want to look at cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Read Insider’s guide to points and miles valuations to find out what your credit card rewards are worth.
See our full methodology for rating credit cards »
Compare the Best Credit Cards
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Discover it® Cash Back
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Citi® Double Cash Card
Citi Premier® Card
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% Variable
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
19.74% – 28.49% Variable
Rewards
1x – 3x points
Earn unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Earn 1x points on other purchases.
Show more
Annual Fee
$0
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% Variable
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Annual Fee
$95
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.74% – 27.74% Variable
Rewards
Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase.
Annual Fee
$95
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.74% – 28.74% Variable
Rewards
Earn unlimited 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$395
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
21.74% – 28.74% Variable
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
18.99% – 28.99% Variable
Rewards
Earn 5x points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$550
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
21.74% – 28.74% Variable
Rewards
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
19.74% – 29.74% Variable
Rewards
Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center. Earn 4X points on travel, gas stations, and EV charging stations. Earn 2X points on streaming services, plus, a $30 credit for annual streaming purchases like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify®, Apple Music, Disney+, HBO Max and more. Earn 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, and dining. Earn 1X point on all other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.24% – 28.24% Variable
Rewards
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
19.74% – 28.49% Variable
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
Annual Fee
$0
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
16.74% – 27.74% Variable
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose. Earn 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center. Earn 2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants. Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
19.49% – 29.49% Variable
Rewards
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchase
Annual Fee
$39
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
29.99% Variable
Rewards
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
18.99% – 28.99% Variable
Rewards
Earn 3x ThankYou® points on restaurant, supermarket, gas station, air travel, and hotel purchases. Earn 1x ThankYou® points on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$95
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.99% – 28.99% Variable
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
17.99% – 29.99% variable
Rewards
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
27.74% Variable
Rewards
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$95
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.74% – 25.74% Variable
Rewards
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
It’s impossible to name just one best credit card, because there are so many options for so many different types of users. A credit card that earns travel rewards could be the best option for one person, but if you’re looking to earn cash back, you’ll be better served by another pick.
For most people, a no-annual-fee cash rewards card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card or Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a good choice if you have to pick just one card.
What is the best credit card company?
Just as it’s impossible to name just one credit card as the best, there’s no single credit card company that is unequivocally the best. It all comes down to what kind of rewards you want to earn, what benefits you value, and what annual fee you are willing to pay.
For example, if you value high-end travel benefits like airport lounge access and statement credits, an American Express card could be the right choice. But if you just want to earn cash back, a card from Capital One, Citi, Chase, Discover, or Wells Fargo could be the best choice, depending on what bonus rewards categories you want. Learn more about the different US credit card companies.
What are the most popular credit cards?
Based on search data, Chase credit cards are among the most popular cards, compared to cards from other issuers such as Citi and Amex. Among Chase cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve are particularly well-known thanks to high-profile advertising campaigns. Some store credit cards are also very popular with consumers, including the Best Buy Credit Card and the Home Depot Credit Card.
Best Card for Flat-rate Cash Rewards Earning
Why the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is worth it: Between a flat 2% cash rewards rate on purchases and a generous welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee card, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an excellent choice if you prefer simplicity in earning and redeeming rewards.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card tops our list for its straightforward rewards structure and compelling intro bonus offer. Cardholders earn 2% cash rewards on purchases with no caps and no complicated categories to juggle. That’s why it tops our list of best Wells Fargo credit cards.
It comes with a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening, and you can redeem rewards for statement credits, gift cards, travel, and more. For new cardholders, there’s a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (followed by a 19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% Variable APR), which can be helpful if you have big expenses you want to pay off over several months.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card also offers a decent range of benefits, including cell phone protection, travel emergency assistance services, roadside dispatch, and Visa Signature Concierge access. Keep in mind this card adds foreign transaction fees, so if you’re traveling internationally, it’s best to use a different card.
What the experts love: High rewards rate across all purchases, good welcome offer, no annual fee
What the experts don’t love: Foreign transaction fees
Read our review: Wells Fargo Active Cash card review
Best Cash-back Card for Everyday Spending
Why the Chase Freedom Unlimited is worth it:Along with a generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns up to 5x rewards in popular categories with no annual fee.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers a long 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, after which there’s a 19.74% – 28.49% Variable APR.
Not only does this card help you pay down credit card debt with a generous introductory APR period, but it also offers solid ongoing rewards. You’ll earn 5% cash back (5x points) on travel purchases made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® travel portal, 5% back on Lyft rides through March 2025, 3% back (3x points) on drugstores and dining, and 1.5% back (1.5x points) on everything else with no cap.
If you have a Chase card that earns transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can combine your rewards balances and gain the option to redeem your rewards in more ways, including transferring points to Chase’s airline and hotel partners.
What the experts love: Great earning rates and decent benefits with no annual fee
What the experts don’t love: Foreign transaction fees
Read our review: Chase Freedom Unlimited review
Best Rewards Card for High Earning in Everyday Categories
Why the Wells Fargo Autograph is worth it: The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card doesn’t charge an annual fee, but earns high rewards in terrific categories, including travel, dining, and gas.
The latest in Wells Fargo’s card lineup, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, is an excellent choice if you want to earn useful rewards in a broad range of categories without paying an annual fee. There’s a solid welcome bonus too: 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening. That’s equal to a $200 cash redemption value.
You’ll earn an uncapped 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The card also offers decent benefits, including a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening (then a 19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% Variable APR), cell phone protection, and car rental insurance.
What the experts love: No annual fee, generous bonus and earning rates, no foreign transaction fees
What the experts don’t love: No points transfer partners
Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred is worth it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent choice for travel credit card beginners and experts alike, with a moderate annual fee, substantial bonus, and great redemption options.
If you want to earn travel rewards, you’ll find that Chase Ultimate Rewards points are the most user-friendly of the various bank currencies, which are also referred to as transferable points because you can transfer them over to various airline and hotel partners. In the case of Chase points, you can transfer them to partners like British Airways, Hyatt, United Airlines, and Southwest, or you can book travel directly through Chase. If you choose the latter, your points are worth 1.25 cents apiece — a 25% bonus.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card starts you off with a welcome bonus offer of 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Those points are worth $1,000 in travel booked through Chase, or potentially up to $1,440 if you decide to redeem with the program’s transfer partners per Insider’s valuations.
You’ll earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards (2x points on all other travel purchases), 5x points on Lyft rides through March 2025, 3x points on dining, 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), 3x points on select streaming services, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Beyond the rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers some valuable travel insurance, including primary car rental insurance, trip delay insurance, and baggage delay insurance.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card comes with a 10% anniversary points bonus and up to $50 per year in statement credits for hotels booked through Chase. If you maximize this credit, you can shave off more than half of the card’s annual fee.
What the experts love: Lucrative welcome bonus offer, excellent transfer partners and travel insurance
What the experts don’t love: No airport lounge access or Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit
Why the Capital One Venture is worth it: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is ideal for beginners to travel rewards because of its straightforward earning structure, easy redemption options, and good perks for a moderate annual fee. Plus, like all Capital One credit cards, it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
Whether you’re a loyalty program expert or brand new to travel credit cards, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers an easy-to-navigate rewards program and a valuable welcome bonus offer that make it well worth its $95 annual fee.
New cardholders start out with a welcome bonus offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, worth $750 in travel when you redeem miles at a fixed rate toward travel purchases, or potentially $1,275 when you transfer miles to Capital One’s airline and hotel partners (based on Insider’s valuations). You’ll also earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2x miles on all other purchases.
The easiest way to use your Capital One miles is by redeeming your miles toward eligible travel purchases made with your card at a rate of 1 cent apiece. It’s possible to get even more value, however, when you transfer miles to partners like Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.
Cardholders also receive numerous travel and shopping benefits, including up to a $100 credit toward the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, two one-time Capital One Lounge passes per year, car rental insurance***, lost luggage reimbursement***, extended warranty***, and purchase protection***.
What the experts love: Big welcome bonus offer, ability to get outsized value from rewards, decent benefits
What the experts don’t love: No US-based airline transfer partners
Read our review: Capital One Venture card review
Best Premium Travel Card
Why the Capital One Venture X is worth it: With an annual fee lower than most other premium cards, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers incredible value between a high welcome offer, airport lounge access, anniversary bonus, and up to $300 in travel credits each year.
When the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was launched late in 2021, it immediately became popular — and for good reason. Its annual fee of $395 is far lower than similar cards, but it comes with premium benefits — including Capital One, Priority Pass, and Plaza Premium airport lounge access, up to $300 in annual credit toward travel booked through the Capital One Travel Portal, and a 10,000-mile bonus each card anniversary worth at least $100 in travel.
Combined, these perks more than offset the annual fee, and the card’s welcome bonus offer is generous, too — 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, worth at least $1,275 in travel.
What the experts love: Relatively low annual fee for a premium card, excellent travel benefits, substantial bonus
What the experts don’t love: Annual travel credit doesn’t apply to all travel purchases
Read our review: Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card review
Best Cash-back Card for Families
Why the Amex Blue Cash Preferred is worth it: If your preference is earning cash back, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred offers the highest rate for grocery spending, and it earns bonus rewards in other useful categories as well.
Grocery spending can be a big part of the budget, especially for families, so earning rewards for this expense can help save a significant amount of cash. The Amex Blue Cash Preferred earns 6% back on your first $6,000 in U.S. supermarket spending each year (then 1% back), and offers a welcome bonus of a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months from account opening.
Cardholders can also earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, 3% back on U.S. gas stations and transit, and 1% back on all other eligible purchases (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as statement credits). There’s an annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95, but if you spend a lot in the bonus categories, it’s easy to earn much more than that in rewards.
What the experts love: Great rewards rate in bonus categories, generous welcome offer
What the experts don’t love: Annual fee
Read our review: American Express Blue Cash Preferred review
Best Card for Automatically Customizing Rewards
Why the Citi Custom Cash card is worth it: For those who want to maximize rewards based on where they spend the most but don’t want to fuss with activating categories or rotating bonuses, the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is hard to beat for earning up to 5x rewards.
A relative newcomer to the rewards credit card space, the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is a terrific choice if your spending habits change periodically and you don’t want the hassle of switching from card to card to earn the most rewards. It offers 5% cash back on up to $500 in purchases in the eligible category you spend the most in each billing cycle (then 1%), and 1% on all other purchases.
For a no-annual-fee card, the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card comes with a good welcome bonus offer: $200 cash back, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. Even though it’s marketed as a cash-back credit card, the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card actually earns Citi ThankYou points. Redemption options include cash back, travel booked through Citi, gift cards, merchandise, and more, all at a rate of 1 cent per point.
You can potentially get more value from your points if you also carry the Citi Premier® Card or Citi Prestige® Card
(no longer available to new applicants). When you have one of these Citi credit cards, you can combine your points into that account and then transfer them to Citi’s travel partners, including JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Choice Hotels.
What the experts love: Automatic maximizing of rewards, no annual fee, plenty of redemption options
What the experts don’t love: 5x earning capped at $500 per billing cycle, foreign transaction fees
Read our review: Citi Custom Cash card review
Best Premium Card for Travel and Dining
Why the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is worth it: Frequent travelers who spend a lot in the Sapphire Reserve’s bonus categories and who can take advantage of generous perks can get a value that far exceeds the card’s $550 annual fee.
Paying a high price for a premium credit card isn’t for everyone, but if you’re able to make the most of the card’s benefits, you can often make up for the annual fee — and then some. That’s the case with the Sapphire Reserve, which charges a hefty $550 per year. In return, cardholders get a huge list of perks, including some of the best travel protections of any credit card.
The card has an excellent welcome bonus offer of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening (worth around $1,080 in travel, based on Insider’s valuations). Each year, cardholders receive up to $300 in statement credits toward travel purchases, 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards (excluding the $300 travel credit), and 3x points on all other travel and dining.
As for benefits, you’ll get Priority Pass airport lounge access, access to Chase Sapphire by The Club airport lounges, access to the new Chase Sapphire Terrace at Austin airport, top-notch travel coverage including primary car rental insurance and trip delay coverage, and a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit.
Like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Sapphire Reserve offers a wide variety of redemption options, including booking travel through Chase (1.5 cents per point — a 50% bonus), transferring points to travel partners like United, Air Canada Aeroplan, and Hyatt, or cashing in your rewards for statement credits.
What the experts love: High-earning bonus categories, easy-to-use $300 travel credit, unparalleled travel protections
What the experts don’t love: Very high annual fee might not be worth it for the average traveler
Best Card for Earning Travel Rewards on Dining and Groceries
Why the Amex Gold card is worth it: Foodies can do very well with the American Express® Gold Card because it earns 4x on dining and on up to $25,000 in spending per calendar year at US supermarkets (then 1x), and other benefits nearly offset the card’s entire $250 annual fee.
It’s hard to beat the Amex Gold Card if you enjoy dining out. With an earning rate of 4 Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery) and a slew of other useful perks, this card is a must for any foodie’s wallet. And it’s got a great welcome offer: 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $4,000 on purchases on the Card in the first six months of card membership.
Cardholders get up to $120 per calendar year (up to $10 per month) in Uber Cash credits that can be used toward eligible US Uber rides or Uber Eats purchases (the Gold Card needs to be added to the Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit). The card also comes with up to $120 in annual dining credits** (up to $10 per month) valid toward purchases with Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Milk Bar, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and participating Shake Shack locations.
What the experts love: Strong earning rate on dining and at US supermarkets, useful statement credits
What the experts don’t love: Credits are split monthly, high annual fee
Read our review: Amex Gold card review
Best Cash-back Card for Dining, Groceries, and Entertainment With No Annual Fee
Why the Capital One SavorOne card is worth it: Few no-annual-fee cards offer a high, uncapped 3% cash-back rate in broadly useful bonus categories — and the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card tops our list.
If you’re a foodie, like going out, or both, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is hard to beat for earning big cash-back rewards. Cardholders earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Additionally, the card recently added 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. You can also earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through November 14, 2024.
You won’t pay an annual fee or foreign transaction fees, and there’s a solid welcome bonus offer, too: $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. New cardholders also receive a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months) (then a 19.74% – 29.74% Variable APR), which can save you a lot of money on interest if you have big purchases planned you want to pay off over time.
You might expect a no-annual-fee card to be lean on benefits, but there are a few good perks that can come in handy, like extended warranty***, travel accident insurance***, and travel emergency assistance services***.
What the experts love: Excellent earning in top categories, no annual fee
What the experts don’t love: Non-bonus categories only earn 1% cash back
Read our review: Capital One SavorOne card review
Best Card for Gas and EV Charging
Why the US Bank Altitude Connect card is worth it: Earning 4x points at gas stations with the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is the best uncapped flexible points rate around, and you’ll earn bonus rewards at EV charging stations, too. This card ranks highly on our list of best US Bank credit cards for its earning rates and generous welcome offer.
A relative newcomer to the credit card scene, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is a great card to use at gas stations and EV charging stations, earning 4x points with no limits. You’ll also earn 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly through the Altitude Rewards Center, 4x points on other travel, and 2x points on dining, groceries, and streaming, making this an excellent all-around card.
New cardholders can earn 50,000 points after spending $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days from account opening (worth $500 in cash back, gift cards, and more). The card also offers perks like a $30 annual credit for streaming service purchases, Priority Pass airport lounge membership with four free visits per year, a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and cell phone protection. The annual fee is $0 intro for the first year, then $95.
What the experts love: Great earning rates, good benefits, card earns bonus rewards on EV charging as well as gas
What the experts don’t love: Annual fee
Read our review: US Bank Altitude Connect card review
Best Card for Rotating Categories and Flexible Redemptions
Why the Chase Freedom Flex is worth it: With a solid welcome bonus offer, opportunities to earn up to 5% cash back, and surprisingly good benefits for a no-annual-fee card, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ is a great addition to any wallet.
Chase’s lineup of Freedom cards is among the best for earning substantial rewards without incurring an annual fee, and the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has the potential to be the most rewarding. Along with a welcome bonus offer of $200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, cardholders can earn 5% (or 5x) in rotating categories each quarter (once activated) on up to $1,500 spent in combined spending. From April 1, 2023, to June 30, 2023, these categories are Amazon and Lowe’s.
The card also offers 5% cash back on travel purchases made through Chase, 5% back on Lyft rides through March 2025, 3% back on dining and drugstores, and 1% back on everything else.
Because it’s a World Elite Mastercard, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ comes with an array of top-notch benefits, many of which you don’t often find on no-annual-fee cards. These include cell phone protection, purchase protection, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and extended warranty.
What the experts love: High earning rate in rotating bonus categories, good benefits
What the experts don’t love: Foreign transaction fees, required activation of quarterly bonus
Why the Discover it Cash Back is worth it: Along with great rotating bonus categories, the Discover it® Cash Back has a trick up its sleeve that can be very lucrative for big spenders in the first year of account opening. And, like all other Discover credit cards, it doesn’t add foreign transaction fees.
The Discover it® Cash Back is a winner for its ability to earn lots of cash back in popular bonus categories and for its first-year rewards. Instead of a traditional intro offer, the card comes with a delayed bonus of sorts: After the first 12 months of account opening, Discover will match all of the rewards you earn from the card through its Cashback Match program.
Cardholders earn 5% cash back in popular rotating quarterly bonus categories when they activate, on up to $1,500 in combined spending (then 1%), and 1% back everywhere else (from April 1 to June 30, 2023, you can earn 5% cash back at Restaurants and Wholesale Clubs on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%). In the first year, this effectively translates to 10% and 2% back, respectively — an incredible rate of return, if you’re able to maximize the quarterly categories.
New cardholders can also take advantage of a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, followed by a 16.74% – 27.74% Variable APR. As long as you have the ability to pay off your balance before the intro APR period expires, this can save you a ton of money on interest.
Like other Discover cards, the Discover it® Cash Back doesn’t charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fees. On the downside, there aren’t many other notable benefits to speak of — but if you’re solely interested in earning cash back and don’t care about extra frills, the Discover it® Cash Back is a solid pick.
What the experts love: Rotating bonus categories, first-year Cashback Match, intro APR offer
What the experts don’t love: No extras like purchase protection or travel insurance
Read our review: Discover it Cash Back card review
Best Card for Choosing Your Own Cash Back Categories
Why the US Bank Cash+ card is worth it: Among cards that allow you to customize your rewards earning, the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is the most generous, offering up to 5% cash back from a long list of eligible categories to choose from.
Picking a card that the most rewards in the categories where you spend the most is one of the best ways to maximize your spending. The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card makes it extra easy by allowing you to pick two eligible categories (from a list) of your choice that earn 5% cash back on up to $2,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1% back).
You can also choose one “everyday” category to earn 2% cash back (gas and EV charging stations, restaurants, or grocery stores,), and you’ll earn 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Even better, the card doesn’t charge an annual fee, so there’s no cost to keep it for the long term. New cardholders can earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening, and also qualify for a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles (then a 19.49% – 29.49% Variable APR).
This is a Visa Signature card, so it comes with built-in perks including access to the Visa Signature concierge and Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection, roadside dispatch, and travel and emergency assistance.
What the experts love: Ability to customize 5% and 2% cash-back categories from a big list, no annual fee
What the experts don’t love: 5% cash back is capped at $2,000 in combined purchases per quarter
Read our review: US Bank Cash Plus card review
Best Cash-back Card for Fair or Average Credit
Why the Capital One QuicksilverOne card is worth it: Many credit cards designed for folks with fair or average credit offer modest rewards (or none at all). But with the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, you can earn up to 5% cash back on your purchases.
When you’re new to credit cards or rebuilding your credit, it can be challenging to get approved for a rewards-earning card. One exception is the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, which offers 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and a very respectable 1.5% cash back on all other purchases, with no bonus categories to keep track of.
If you have a credit score in the “fair” range (580-669, according to FICO), you have a good chance of being approved for the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. While there’s no welcome bonus and a modest $39 annual fee, this card could be the stepping stone to more lucrative rewards cards once you’ve built your credit score a bit more.
What the experts love: Solid earning rate on all purchases, no foreign transaction fees
What the experts don’t love: No welcome bonus offer, annual fee
Read our review: Capital One QuicksilverOne card review
Best Cash-back Card for Balance Transfers
Why the Citi Double Cash card is worth it: The Citi® Double Cash Card is one of only a few cards that effectively earns 2% back (1 point per dollar when you buy, and 1 point per dollar when you pay) on every purchase — with no annual fee and a solid intro APR offer to boot.
Not only does the Citi® Double Cash Card offer one of the longest introductory APR periods, but it’s also a great option for earning cash back. In fact, it’s one of our top picks for the best cash-back cards thanks to its straightforward earning structure — you effectively get 1% cash back when you make a purchase, and 1% back when you pay your bill.
The Double Cash card earns Citi ThankYou points instead of cash back directly. But you can still redeem your points for cash back (as well as travel, gift cards, and more) and get the same rate of return.
As a new cardholder, you get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (which must be completed in the first four months from account opening). After that, there’s a 18.99% – 28.99% Variable APR.
If you also have a premium Citi card like the Citi Premier® Card or the Citi Prestige® Card (no longer open to new applicants), you can combine your rewards from the Citi® Double Cash Card with one of those accounts for the opportunity to transfer them to all of Citi’s airline and hotel partners.
What the experts love: Generous and straightforward earning on all purchases, rewards awarded as Citi ThankYou points
What the experts don’t love: Foreign transaction fees, doesn’t always offer a welcome bonus
Read our review: Citi Double Cash card review
Best Card for Earning Travel Rewards in Multiple Categories
Why the Citi Premier card is worth it: Beyond the welcome bonus offer, the Citi Premier® Card offers great 3x earning categories that just about anyone can take advantage of — and the rewards it earns are incredibly flexible.
Among rewards credit cards, the Citi Premier® Card flies under the radar a bit. Despite not being packed with fancy perks, it’s a valuable card to have if you like earning and using Citi ThankYou points. Cardholders earn a very respectable 3x points in some of the most popular bonus categories: air travel, gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets, and hotels. All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar.
It also comes with a strong welcome offer of 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening, plus earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per dollar on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2024 (worth at least $600 in cash back, and potentially $960 in travel based on Insider’s valuations). Cardholders also get $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) booked through thankyou.com once per calendar year.
As far as redemptions go, you’ll typically get the most value from your points when you transfer them to Citi’s airline and hotel partners to book award travel. But if you prefer a simpler approach, you can always cash in your rewards at a rate of 1 cent each for travel through the Citi ThankYou Portal, statement credits, gift cards, and more.
There’s a $95 annual fee, but you won’t pay foreign transaction fees with this card. Unfortunately, Citi removed most travel protections from its cards a couple of years back, but you’ll still get purchase protection, extended warranty, and World Elite Mastercard benefits from the Citi Premier® Card.
What the experts love: Great bonus categories, rewards flexibility, annual hotel credit
What the experts don’t love: Few travel protections
Read our review: Citi Premier card review
Best for Long Intro 0% APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers
Why the Wells Fargo Reflect card is worth it: If you’re looking for an ultra-long 0% APR offer for both purchases and qualifying balance transfers, you won’t do much better than the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card.
You might wonder why a card that doesn’t earn rewards appears on our list of top credit cards — and if that’s your priority, you can probably give the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card a skip. Where the card does excel, however, is with its intro APR offer. New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 17.99% – 29.99% variable). Balance transfers must occur within 120 days of account opening to qualify for the intro 0% APR rate and come with a fee of 5% for each balance transfer (minimum of $5).
There are a few other cards that come with a balance transfer offer of the same length, but a shorter duration (or none at all) for purchases. And while many similar cards are skimpy on benefits, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card does come with cell phone protection against damage and theft. That can be a good reason to keep using the card after the intro period ends — especially since it’s unusual to see no-annual-fee cards with that benefit.
What the experts love: Extra long 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, no annual fee
What the experts don’t love: No welcome bonus offer or rewards, and few benefits aside from cell phone protection
Why the Discover It Secured credit card is worth it: Only a handful of secured credit cards on the market offer cash-back rewards, including the Discover it® Secured. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to upgrade to a non-secured card after showing a history of responsible use.
If you have a very limited credit history or are looking to repair bad credit, many of the cards on this list won’t be available to you. Most of the top rewards cards require credit scores in the 600s or higher — if that’s not where your credit is, you may need to consider a secured card to help repair your credit.
Secured credit cards are easy to get approved for because they require a cash deposit upfront, which minimizes the issuer’s risk. Your credit limit is equal to the cash deposit you put down.
If a secured card seems like the right option for you, the Discover it® Secured is an especially good option, because it’s the rare secured card to offer rewards. You’ll earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. Plus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of the first year.
With this card, automatic reviews start at seven months to see if Discover can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
What the experts love: Ease of approval, rare opportunity to earn cash-back rewards on a secured card
What the experts don’t love: No traditional welcome bonus offer, other cash-back cards earn higher rewards
Read our review: Discover it Secured credit card review
Best Business Credit Card
Why the Chase Ink Business Preferred is worth it: For a moderate annual fee, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card comes with a terrific welcome bonus offer, useful bonus categories for small-business owners, and top-notch benefits including cell phone insurance.
This sits high on our list of the best small-business credit cards, but if you travel constantly, it could be worth paying the high annual fee for a more premium option like The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
. But if you just want a card that maximizes your returns in popular business spending categories, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a great choice.
You’ll earn 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 you spend each cardmember year in select categories, including travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone, and advertising on social media sites or with search engines, such as Google Ads. Purchases after you reach $150,000, or in any other category, earn 1 point per dollar. Also, through March 2025, this card offers 5x points on Lyft rides.
What the experts love: Massive welcome bonus offer, great transfer partners and travel coverage
What the experts don’t love: No airport lounge access or TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credit
Read our review: Chase Ink Business Preferred card review
Best Card for College Students
Why the Capital One SavorOne Student card is worth it: Earning 3% cash back in student-friendly categories with the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card can add up quickly, and because it’s geared to students, it can be easier to qualify with limited credit history.
There are quite a few student credit cards on the market, including some meant for students with no credit at all. Of those that actually earn rewards, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is most aligned with typical college student spending habits. You’ll earn 3% cash back on dining (including restaurants, bars, cafes, and lounges), at grocery stores (except superstores like Walmart and Target), entertainment (such as movies, professional sporting events, and amusement parks), and popular streaming services (like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+).
On top of that, it also earns 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats (through November 14, 2024), 5% cash back on car rentals and hotels booked through Capital One Travel, 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. All other purchases earn 1% back.
You might expect a student credit card to be a little thin in the benefits department, but that’s not the case here. Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card cardholders receive price protection***, extended warranty***, car rental insurance***, roadside dispatch***, and travel accident insurance***. And because the card doesn’t add foreign transaction fees, it’s a great choice to use if you’re studying abroad for a semester or taking a backpacking trip overseas during summer break.
What the experts love:Excellent categories for students, good benefits, no annual or foreign transaction fees
What the experts don’t love: There’s not always a welcome bonus offer
Read our review: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Student credit card review
Credit Card News This Week
Three Hilton credit cards are offering massive welcome bonuses that include more points plus a free reward night certificate, valid at just about any Hilton hotel. These offers won’t be around forever — just until July 19, 2023.
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders have a new reason to visit the East Coast. The newest Chase Sapphire Lounge opens in Boston (BOS) on May 16, 2023.
The limited-time increased welcome bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card will end very soon, so apply now to earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Here are some of the best ways to use the Chase Sapphire Preferred bonus to get over $1,000 in value.
Read Insider’s ultimate guide to turning cash back into travel rewards to help you get the most from your credit card earnings.
Other Top Credit Cards We Considered
We evaluated dozens of credit cards to narrow down the best picks in various categories. Some of these cards didn’t make our list for one reason or another — for example, only appealing to a very specific group of consumers, or charging an exceptionally high annual fee.
We’ve listed some of our favorite runners-up here, and why they didn’t make our final list:
The Platinum Card® from American Express — With a jaw-dropping $695 annual fee, The Platinum Card® from American Express is certainly not for everyone. But if you’re a frequent traveler who can maximize its ever-growing list of benefits, it’s possible to get thousands of dollars in value from the card each year. Read our American Express Platinum Card review to find out why it could be worth it.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express — The Business Platinum Card® from American Express charges $695 per year. It, too, is packed with valuable perks, but they’re only appealing to certain types of small-business owners. Here’s our Amex Business Platinum card review for all the details.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card — It earns a respectable 1.5% cash back on most purchases and doesn’t charge an annual fee, but the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card lost out to cards like the Chase Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, which have the potential to earn even more cash back. Find out if the card is a fit for you in our Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards credit card review.
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card — This card comes with an extra-long intro APR on balance transfers, but it’s not as generous for purchases (0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months (transfers must be completed within four months of account opening) and on purchases for 12 months, then a 17.99% – 28.74% Variable). It got edged out by the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card (which also comes with more benefits). However, if you’re looking for a Citi balance transfer card, it’s a solid pick. Check out our Citi Diamond Preferred credit card review to learn more.
Discover it® Student Cash Back — This card earns 5% cash back in popular rotating bonus categories when you activate, on up to $1,500 in combined spending each quarter (then 1% back), as well as 1% back everywhere else with no limits (from April 1 to June 30, 2023, you can earn 5% cash back at Restaurants and Wholesale Clubs on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%). That’s a good deal, but you’ll have to remember to activate the bonus and keep track of new categories every three months. You can get the full rundown in our Discover it Student Cash Back card review.
Prime Visa — Amazon Prime members can earn 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods with this card, plus 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores. But if you’re not a Prime member or don’t make a lot of Amazon purchases, you’ll probably do better overall with a different card. Here’s our Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card review for more details.
Other Insider Credit Card Guides
If you want to go deeper into analysis of a certain kind of card, check out our in-depth credit card guides for the following categories:
Best rewards credit cards
Best cash-back credit cards
Best 2% cash back credit cards
Best 5% cash back credit cards
Best travel rewards credit cards
Best premium credit cards
Best metal credit cards
Best small-business credit cards
Best small-business rewards credit cards
Best small-business cash-back credit cards
Best no-annual-fee small-business credit cards
Best no-annual-fee credit cards
Best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees
Best credit cards for bad credit
Best secured credit cards
Best credit cards for average credit
Best credit cards for good credit
Best credit cards for excellent credit
Best credit cards for students
Best credit cards for new college graduates
Best hotel credit cards
Best airline credit cards
Best credit cards for Amazon purchases
Best credit cards for gas purchases
Best credit cards for EV charging stations
Best credit cards for dining
Best credit cards for grocery shopping
Best credit cards for streaming services
Best credit cards for online shopping
Best Mastercard credit cards
Best Visa credit cards
Best high limit credit cards
Best credit cards to rebuild credit
Best credit cards
Reading credit card reviews to look closely at factors like benefits, award redemption options, and fees can also help you decide if a card is right for you. You might also consider checking online credit card forums like Reddit (r/creditcards) and MyFICO to learn tips and tricks from actual cardholders.
Everything to Know About Getting a Credit Card
Why should you get a credit card?
Credit cards can be powerful tools for improving your credit score and earning rewards — if you use them responsibly. It’s important to only spend what you can afford to pay off each month so you don’t end up in debt and start amassing steep interest fees.
Provided you’re in a position to pay off your credit card statements and spend within your means, there are several reasons opening a credit card could be a good idea. For one, credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards or cash — if an unauthorized purchase is made with your card, you won’t be on the hook.
Using a credit card responsibly can also help you build and repair your credit, since your on-time payments will be reported to the credit bureaus. Finally, a credit card can help you maximize every dollar you spend, by earning you cash back, points, or miles.
Focus on your priorities, and be realistic about what cards you’re able to get approved for. Many of the best credit cards require credit scores in the high 600s at a bare minimum, so if your credit score isn’t there yet, you’ll want to look at options for bad to fair credit scores so you can focus on building your credit back up.
Beyond that, decide what annual fee you’re comfortable paying. Some people avoid paying credit card annual fees completely, and there are several great cards in the no-annual-fee category, but it could be worth paying a modest annual fee of $95 to $99 for a travel or cash-back card that earns you higher rewards. Also, decide whether you want to earn cash back or travel rewards. Keep in mind that redeeming rewards for travel is more work than simply getting cash back in your account – the payoff can be big, but focus on what is the best option for you.
How many credit cards should you have?
There’s no one answer to how many credit cards you should have — it’s possible to have more than 20 cards and maintain an excellent credit score, but this would probably entail several annual fees. Go slowly, space out your applications, and never bite off more than you can chew. Make sure you’re able to pay off your balances in full each month, because earning rewards is never worth going into debt.
What do you need to apply for a credit card?
Nowadays, there are lots of different ways to apply for a credit card, including online, by phone, by mail, through the bank’s app, or in person at a bank branch.
Regardless of how you choose to apply, you should have an idea of your credit score before you open a new card to be sure you have a chance of qualifying. In your application, you’ll be asked for personal details like your full name, address, date of birth, Social Security Number, and income.
Jasmin Baron, CEPF
Editor
Jasmin Baron is an editor at Insider, responsible for credit card coverage on Personal Finance Insider. She is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF).Before joining the Insider team, she was a senior editor at The Points Guy and Million Mile Secrets, covering credit cards, points and miles, and loyalty programs. Her expertise in maximizing travel rewards grew from over two decades of experience in the aviation industry, including 18 years working as a pilot and flight instructor in her native Canada.You can reach Jasmin at jbaron@insider.com. Learn more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services »
Angela Fung
Marketing Compliance Manager
Angela Fung is the marketing compliance manager at Personal Finance Insider, overseeing a team that ensures content accuracy and editorial independence so readers are always getting up-to-date and objective financial advice. She is the primary contact for credit cards compliance and has experience managing content and partnerships for the banking, loans, and investment verticals as well. Personal Finance Insider is Insider’s personal finance section that incorporates affiliate and commerce partnerships into the news, insights, and advice about money that Insider readers already know and love. The compliance team’s mission is to provide readers with stories that are fact-checked and current, so they can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by making sure language is clear, precise, and fully compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team. Prior to joining Insider in February 2021, Angela worked at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Chicago. As a digital marketer on the in-house communications and programming team, she supported startups and individuals looking to commercialize their research, partner with other companies, or attract venture capital.
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